I am curious if it is possible to modify only specific portions of a surface? For example, I have recieved an xml surface representing FG for a project, and want to do an earthwork calculation, could I raise and lower only portions of the project say by using specific boundaries for the asphalt paving, concrete etc. and then implement the raise & lower surface feature for these portions of the FG surface.
At this time I have been creating multiple surfaces for each particular feature of the site, then paste the FG surface, add a boudary and lower appropriately. Finally, I have to go through and paste each particular feature and its small surface into one "subgrade surface" to get an accurate representation. This method results in countless small surfaces and alot of leg work for something that seems like it should be simple.
I know that the surface defentions (FL's or corridors), should they be provided, would make this easy, but there have been several occasions where these are not being made availble by the project sponsor.
Agreed! We made it!
Joe Bouza
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Have you looked at the blog link that neilyj posted (8th post in this thread)? It is a great idea. It's still a bit of work to set up but it may have advantages over the method you are using.
@Neilw wrote:Have you looked at the blog link that neilyj posted (8th post in this thread)? It is a great idea. It's still a bit of work to set up but it may have advantages over the method you are using.
...yes , there is a bit of up front work to set it up but as it is fully dynamic it will react correctly to changes in the proposed final levels (assuming everything else stays as is)
It is also a useful technique for creating a stripped surface (i.e. to create a model of suitable cut material for reuse as fill after soil/peat/soft clay etc have been removed)
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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I love the idea in Eric Chappell's blog post, it is very cool and slick. But I'm yet to be convinced that it's quicker or easier.
If I:
haven't I got to the same place, just as quick or quicker, and just as dynamic? With Eric's method I can adjust the elevation (z-value) of the polylines to adjust the required depth. With the method I just outlined I can do it by lowering or raising the SG. In both methods the SG is dynamically linked to the FG. And both require the drawing of polylines around the areas. The slight shortcut I seen in my method is I don't need to worry about setting the z-value or doing a tiny offset in my polylines. (Possibly if I wanted to paste all my SG surfaces back together again I would need the offset.) I also avoid having to explain the mind-bending eastern martial-art surface setup to my coworkers.
Mark Green
Working on Civil 3D in Canada
Do you not end up with (potentially) many surfaces with various combinations of show/hide/outer boundaries?
The "Chappel" method creates just one surface to manage.
I would agree that creating boundaries around the various areas is a bit tedious...
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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See #3 comment of this entire thread.
Goes along with this http://www.civil4d.com/2011/11/underutilized-profile-view-graphics-hatch/#more-5472
@Anonymous wrote:See #3 comment of this entire thread.
Goes along with this http://www.civil4d.com/2011/11/underutilized-profile-view-graphics-hatch/#more-5472
Comment 3 and the referred to thread appears to only be concerned with a constant depth, the other methods discussed allow for various contruction depths e.g. footpath, service road, landscape areas etc etc
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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It's the same process for all the various depths of materials.
My example is just one material.
@Anonymous wrote:It's the same process for all the various depths of materials.
My example is just one material.
Indeed - and you end up with loads of surfaces to manage
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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"Manage"?
You only have one surface per material.
It consists of Pasting the FG, lowering the depth, and applying a boundary, (which is most likely already drawn).
If that's hard to manage, I'm sorry.
The benifits and advantages of this process out weigh the couple minutes of "managing" these surfaces.
No need to apologise - we'll just agree to disagree
I prefer to take the time to do the offset polylines as per the Chapell method to create one subgrade surface from which I can use the Volume dashboard to carve up various areas for earthworks/haul distance analysis
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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Forgot to say that the profile hatching trick is very useful (and underused in my opinion)
I wouldn't discount using your method if I needed too though
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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Here's a shot of what the earthwork contractors use to do takeoffs from the engineering plans. Just gives you an idea what they are looking at when things get down to business, billing your Client, and livelihoods.
One day Civil 3D will be able to produce a report like this.......
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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I do this for all our sites. I end up with a very similar looking report.
Mark Green
Working on Civil 3D in Canada
"Keep all your subgrade surfaces seperate."
That's not a workable solution as businees owner who needs designers doing design work and keeping track of their design quanties in real-time along with their design.
See my post in Wishes for a Subgrade surface Tab under Surface Properties.
Not sure exactly what you're getting at. I have read your wish previously.
We use subgrade surfaces solely for earthwork quantities. Quantities of gravel, asphalt &c. are a simple area x depth calculation.
As for earthworks, if you have the FG pasted into multiple SGs which are then lowered it is easy to keep up with quantities. It's all dynamic. Once you've done the analysis I mentioned earlier, you can always import the .xml back in again, recalc the quantities and export it again.
Mark Green
Working on Civil 3D in Canada
We use subgrade surfaces solely for earthwork quantities. Quantities of gravel, asphalt &c. are a simple area x depth calculation.
Yes, of course I mean earthwork quantities.
As for earthworks, if you have the FG pasted into multiple SGs which are then lowered it is easy to keep up with quantities.
No, your employer doesn't want you doing all this pasting and managing of surfaces. Your project variance (hours spent/hours budgeted) is taking a beating doing this. Your manager probably has no idea why. He/She will just have the history of staff variance reports to consider during layoffs two years from now.
One easily managed Subgrade surface is what is needed. My Wish List item clearly outlines how to do this.