topic Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline in Civil 3D Forum

Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:15:02 GMT

Hi Guys,

I am working on Autodesk Civil 3D version 2010, I need to draw a polyline with different elevation at each vertex. When I change a vertex point elevation, others vertex points elevation have also automatically been changed to the same elevation, or pop up a window: You can't modify a property while dragging grips.

Who can give me a direction how to get a polyline with different elevation at each vertex point?

Your help is always greatly appreciated!

3D Visualization

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

wfberry — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:32:06 GMT

To draw a 3D polyline you need to use the proper command. 3DP or 3DPoly should work.

Bill

It depends how your short cut commands are set up.

I believe the full command is 3DPoly.

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:53:26 GMT

I have draw a 3D polyline and a feature line with several vertexes, but for 3D polyline, when I change a vertex elevation, other vertexes elevations are always automatically changed to the same elevation; for feature line, it didn't work with its property if change a vertex elevation.

Could you please give a direction?

Thank you,

3D Visualization

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

wfberry — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:47:04 GMT

Change it to a Feature Line, get your elevations, then explode it back to a 3dpolyline if necessary.

There are several utilities ($) that will change the 3dpoly as well.

Bill

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

peterfunkautodesk — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:54:57 GMT

As I posted in the other thread, to edit the vertex elevation of a 3D Polyline use the Properties and step along the polyline to the vertex that you want to change. As you move down the polyline you should see a X at the selected vertex. After getting to the desired vertex, change the Vertex Z value to what you want it to be.

You can also use stretch to adjust vertex elevations.

Cheers,

Peter Funk

Autodesk, Inc.

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

Jeff_M — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:20:25 GMT

Based on the image you included in the first post above, you do not have a 3DPolyline. The properties box shows "Polyline" which is a LWPolyline.

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

peterfunkautodesk — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:08:12 GMT

I saw that as well. Unless the polyline says "3D Polyline" then it is a 2D Polyline. While these can have elevtion, all the vertex points will be at the same elevation.

The suggestions of converting to a Feature Line would convert the 2D Polyline to a Feature Line that allows each vertex to have a different elevation.

Lot of different ways to do the editing, but the key is that you have to draw with a 3D element and not a 2D Polyline.

Regards,

Peter Funk

Autodesk, Inc.

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:23:31 GMT

Please don't see my posting with 2d polyline. I have tested 3D polyline and feature line. They all didn't work. Feature line can work when it stay in feature line, but the elevation of each vertex is changed to the same after exploding the feature line.

I need a 3D polyline with a different elevation at each vertex, that mean: a 3d polyline can express horizontal alignment and vertical alignment. I remember I can do it in CAD old version. I need it for lofting a bridge with RDV built-in Civil 3D system.

If you can send a dwg sample: one 3D polyline with different elevation at each vertex. I really appreciate your help!

Thank you

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:01:35 GMT

3D poly and featrue line.dwg is a drawing with only two lines: one 3D ploy, one featrue line (grean). They both have a few different elevations.

ACAD-3D poly and featrue line.dxf is the same drawing exported into DXF, where the feature become a polyline, but the elevations are still the same.

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:12:19 GMT

Ok,

I've attached a very simple dwg (C3d 2010). the red object is a 2d polyline @ eleve = 0. the White object is a 3d polyline (comand 3dpoly) drawn at elev=0 and then edited to three seperate elevations.

I tried grip editing the 3d poly in regular view & also in a 3d view. I could edit the X,Y of all 3 verticies, but it would not change the z coordinate at any time with a grip edit. The only way I could edit the z coordinate was in Change Properties. I could edit each vertex in any axis there.

For what you want, based on your jpg, I'd use a Feature Line, and NOT make it an alignment. Using the FL allows much more flexibilty with curves and elevation editing. If you explode the FL to get a 3dpoly, you may loose the curves (I just don't remember if that's the case or not).

HTH,

Reid

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

peterfunkautodesk — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:16:45 GMT

I'm able to grip stretch a vertex of a 3D Polyline in a 3D view and change the z value. After selecting the point if I move either up or down I get a green dotted line and a tool tip for the elevation. Enter "@0,0,ZZZ" where ZZZ is the delta Z for the move if you want more control.

Peter Funk

Autodesk, Inc.

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:03:15 GMT

Hi Peter,

I am just back to Civil 3D again. I used 3ds MAX for finishing the 3d polyline with horizontal and vertical alignment display, but I still want to know how to use Civil 3D 2010. I can use civil 3D 2002 to 2006 version for 3D polyline edit, but I can't still figure out the Civil 3D 2010. See the screen shot for 3d polyline in Civil 3D 2010. I need to edit each vertex with different elevation. When I select a vertex and try to change its z value from properties, a window is always popped up with the word: You can't modify a property while dragging grips. See the attachment. Could you attach a screenshot with your direction how to change each vertex elevation for a 3D polyline in civil 3D 2010?

Thank you,

3D visualization

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

stacy.dunn — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:33:28 GMT

It looks like you are selecting the grip of the 3d polyline and then going to the properties dialog to edit the elevation. You can't do that.

You can, however, grip edit the polyline verticie and then snap to an object that has an elevation.

Select the polyline (no red grips) and step through each verticie in the properties dialog and edit each elevation.

If you are using Civil 3D, convert it to a feature line and then double click to edit. You select the verticie and then enter its elevation in the command line. Exploding it will turn it back into a 3d polyline if needed.

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

Jeff_M — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:41:56 GMT

In addition to Stacy's advice, you can also use the grips like so:

Select the grip. If you want to raise/lower by a specific number just choose the Base point option. enter 0,0,0 then 0,0,10 (use the actual specific number for the 10). Or, if it is to be set to a specific elevation, use the Point filters by using the .XY filter, pick the grip again, the prompt will say "Need Z" so enter the desired elevation.

Just another way to do what you need.

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

Jemauk — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 19:17:08 GMT

I know this is an old post but I'm experiencing the same problem. I cannot assigned different elevations to differenet vertex of a polyline or 3dpolyline. Did anyone find a solution to this?

Thanks,

Joe

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

mathewkol — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 19:37:57 GMT

Explain the method you're using to edit the vertex elevation.

Re: Different Elevation at Each Vertex Point with 3D Polyline

Jemauk — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 20:37:53 GMT

I'm just making feature lines now to get what I need. But how I was doing it was selecting the pline, going to the properties and trying to edit it in there like you would a regular line.