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How do you prep a surface with incomplete contours?

5 REPLIES 5
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Message 1 of 6
hchanZFNCT
417 Views, 5 Replies

How do you prep a surface with incomplete contours?

Questions are:

1. How do you "clean" this surface?

2. Do you need to combine the existing contours with the proposed contours?

3. Can you make a hybrid point/contour surface?

 

The end goal is to import the surface into Revit and create a toposurface.

 

This is what the base file looks like. I am given contour lines and some points. I added the building footprint.

hchanZFNCT_0-1679424305089.png

 

When I create a surface using contours this is the result. 

 

hchanZFNCT_3-1679424723204.png

For some reason there are a bunch of zero elevation points and the elevations inside of the building footprint go to zero.

hchanZFNCT_0-1679424998052.png

 

 

 

Labels (2)
5 REPLIES 5
Message 2 of 6
user181
in reply to: hchanZFNCT

If you isolate the layer your contours are on and look in object viewer you'll see many contours will 0 elevations. Not buildings. 

 

cont.png

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Message 3 of 6
rgrainer
in reply to: hchanZFNCT

Try going to surface properties, then build and in one of those  boxes there's an option to exclude elevations below a certain threshold. That should help with some of the spikes.
Use your view cube to change your view so you are looking at your object from the side and not the top or "plan" (as they currently are now) and you'll see the bad contours. Force their color to yellow or something different that stands out to you, then go back to plan and adjust the bad contours to elevation and then put em back to by layer.

Message 4 of 6
n_bartholomew
in reply to: hchanZFNCT

Have good liability insurance for the assumptions made? 😅

Message 5 of 6
Joe-Bouza
in reply to: hchanZFNCT

Isolate the polyline contours layer. Quick select all poly lines at 0 elevation and change their property to a contrasting color.

 

go back to plan view and now you will see them and can easily adjust their elevation 

Joe Bouza
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Message 6 of 6
bettygdurand
in reply to: hchanZFNCT

When dealing with a surface that has incomplete contours, there are a few approaches you can take to prepare the surface. Let's address your questions one by one:

  1. How do you "clean" this surface?

To clean the surface with incomplete contours, you need to carefully assess the available contours and identify any areas that are missing or incomplete. Here are some steps you can follow:

a. Analyze the existing contours: Review the contours you have and determine which areas are complete and which ones are missing or require adjustments.

b. Fill in missing contours: If there are gaps in the contours, you can try to estimate and fill in the missing sections based on the available information. This could involve extrapolating from adjacent contours or using additional references to complete the shape.

c. Smooth out irregularities: Use appropriate tools and techniques to smoothen any rough or jagged contours, ensuring that the surface appears more uniform and consistent.

d. Remove unwanted elements: If there are any artifacts, debris, or unwanted elements on the surface, clean them off using suitable methods such as scraping, sanding, or cleaning agents.

  1. Do you need to combine the existing contours with the proposed contours?

If you have proposed contours that are meant to complement the existing ones, you can combine them to create a more complete and refined surface. Here's how you can approach this:

a. Assess compatibility: Evaluate whether the proposed contours align with the existing contours and the desired outcome. Consider factors such as shape, dimensions, and intended functionality.

b. Integrate the contours: If the proposed contours are compatible, you can merge them with the existing contours using appropriate techniques. This could involve blending the contours together or making adjustments to ensure a seamless transition.

c. Validate the result: Once the contours are combined, carefully review the surface to ensure that the integration is successful and meets your requirements.

  1. Can you make a hybrid point/contour surface?

Yes, it is possible to create a hybrid point/contour surface. This approach involves using both discrete points and continuous contours to represent the surface. Here's how you can achieve this:

a. Identify key points: Determine the critical points or landmarks on the surface that are essential for defining its shape and structure.

b. Create contours: Connect the key points using smooth curves or lines to form contours that represent the surface's overall shape. These contours should flow naturally and accurately capture the desired geometry.

c. Add points for detail: In areas where more precise information or additional detail is required, you can supplement the contours with discrete points. These points can help refine the surface by capturing finer features or specific measurements.

d. Maintain consistency: Ensure that the hybrid point/contour representation maintains consistency throughout the surface. The contours and points should align seamlessly and accurately represent the intended shape and structure.

By combining both point and contour representations, you can achieve a more comprehensive and detailed surface that captures both the overall shape and specific details.

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