topic Re: how to label feature line with it's slope in Civil 3D Forum

how to label feature line with it's slope

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:41:16 GMT

I have added labels to feature lines but not sure how to set the label to show the slope of the feature line.

Re: how to label feature line with it's slope

AllenJessup — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 12:14:49 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

There is a component called Grade Check That will show the slope.

There is a Grade component you can use to show the Grade.

For the Arrow I think an expression (unfortunately) also called GradeCheck may be included OOTB now.

If not. This is how it's written.

Re: how to label feature line with it's slope

KMercier_C3D — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 12:15:29 GMT

First make sure you have a grade label style for your Lines:

Go to the Settings tab in your Panorama and expand to General -> Label Styles -> Line. Mine looks like the graphic below with a Grade Component (Text from the A+ dropdown) and an Arrow Component (Direction Arrow from the A+ dropdown)

On the Arrow component I have the rotation set to Grade Check which is an Expression to make the arrow point down grade (and the slope always is shown as a positive). You will need to define this prior to setting up the Arrow component of the label.

Next to label your feature line go to the Annotate ribbon and select Add Labels -> Line and Curve, set the label type to multiple segment, and select your Grade Only label style. Then click the Add button and select your feature line.

Re: how to label feature line with it's slope

codee — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 21:18:40 GMT

As far as I can tell these labels DO NOT work with arc segments of feature lines. you will get the wrong slope direction if you have both counter clockwise and clockwise arcs in your feature line.

Re: how to label feature line with it's slope

ChrisRS — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 23:20:18 GMT

It works for me.

Image updated 2022-04-08

Re: how to label feature line with it's slope

Neilw_05 — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 06:32:01 GMT

Are those arc slopes plus or minus? This what we get for feedback.

Re: how to label feature line with it's slope

ChrisRS — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 01:40:21 GMT

@Neilw_05 wrote:
Are those arc slopes plus or minus? This what we get for feedback.

Neil, I'm sure that you understand it, but this how I would explain to those giving feedback.

"The grade shown is downhill in the direction indicated by the flow arrow.
Under this convention, Arrows never point uphill. Logically these downhill grades are all negative, but by convention they are unsigned. The direction is clarified by the arrow."

For a multi-segment polyline, the arrow and grade pair apply to the individual segment being labeled. C3D feature lines have a direction, from start to end as drawn. This direction can be reversed.

By default, C3D feature line segment grades are signed; positive is uphill in the feature line direction; negative is downhill in the feature line direction. Arrow point in the feature line direction. Visually, unless it is manually labeled with an arrow, there is no clear way to 'see' the feature line direction.

In the illustration below, the upper portion of the label shows the segment unsigned grade (drop negative) and the grade check value. Upper arrow rotation = grade check.

The lower portion of the label shows an unrotated arrow and signed grade.
This could be an alternate grading annotation convention.
Autodesk, at some point, stated including the grade check expression OOTB

Here is a similar illustration with the feature line direction reversed. Note that the arrow points downhill convention is consistent, but the feature line direction convention is different.

Regarding "Conventions":

In the second episode of The Big Bang Theory, Penny is trying to convince Sheldon to throw Leonard a birthday party, after finding out his mother never threw him one as a child. She also tries to explain why he has to buy him a present. Sheldon just doesn’t get it, until Howard suggests that she should “Try telling him it’s a non-optional social convention”, which he immediately accepts.

Re: how to label feature line with it's slope

ChrisRS — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:26:30 GMT

This follow-up is in response to a PM (Personal Message) I received.

"... (I) have been scratching my head trying to figure out how you have arrows on your curve labels. If you could explain that to me I would be very appreciative."

I am answering here for the benefit and befuddlement of all.

Civil 3D labels include a Direction Arrow component for Line labels but not for Curve labels.
The Direction Arrow component can be emulated in Curve labels by using a Block component.
1. I used the AeccArrow block that is supplied with Civil 3D.
2. The rotation angle needs to be set to Grade Check.

I have attached the source file for these illustrations.

Good Luck!

Re: how to label feature line with it's slope

charlie0676 — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 17:02:31 GMT

This is really good!

Is there an expression that you can add that would color the slope labels based on a range of slopes?

Re: how to label feature line with it's slope

ChrisRS — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 18:05:27 GMT

As is often the case with Civil 3D label questions, the answer is NO, but there is a workaround.

Use "The Old Text Height Trick"

You will need a label component for each condition.
Each of these components can have its own format, including color.
You will need an expression for each slope range that returns an appropriate text height.
1. Value = 0.0 for out-of-range.
2. Value = Text Height in feet or meters for in-range.
3. This expression will use [General Segment Grade].
  Since you can have Plus or Minus slopes, you will probably want to test on the absolute value.
The visibility for each component will be controlled by its text height.
Set the text height for each component to the appropriate range expression from step 3.

Good Luck!

Re: how to label feature line with it's slope

charlie0676 — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 13:40:09 GMT

That makes perfect sense! Thank you, I will give this a try.