Stationing by Chord Definition - Is it there a better solution?

[Anonymous]

In C3D 2010 and earlier it was necessary to fudge in equation stations after every circular curve to get proper stationing on those alignments that are stationed by chord definition (as many railroad alignments are defined). As many of you are aware the equation station solution isn't very clean (and the problem gets bigger as the quantity of curves increases).

Is the equation station workaround still the only method to deal with chord definition stationed alignments in 2011 (let's not rehash the merits of circular vs chorded stationing as this is client driven)?

If there is no valid C3D approach, does anyone know of a third party solution (other than the standard workaround - use Microstation)?

Thanks,

JK

[stewarteng]

I think the problem is that if you intersect two tangents and insert a curve of a specified radius, the station of the PT will be different depending on whether you use the arc or chord definition to compute it. If it is your desire to report the chord definition station of the PT, Civil 3D doesn't support it.

Brian

[Sinc]

So do you ever use Station/Offset callouts along that sort of alignment? If so, how is the offset measured?

For example, if you had a sign on one side of the railway, how would you identify the station/offset of the sign? Or do you ever do anything like that?

-- Sinc
http://www.ejsurveying.com
http://www.quuxsoft.com

[Anonymous]

Could we please stay on track (pun intended) with JK's original question in the first post please?

"Is the equation station workaround still the only method to deal with chord definition stationed alignments in 2011 (let's not rehash the merits of circular vs chorded stationing as this is client driven)?"

Creating station equations allows the tangent stationing to be correct but the stations along the arcs are still WRONG. LDT allowed alignment creation and stationing by Highway Curve (arc definition) or Railroad Curve (chord definition). As a land surveyor, when the right-of-way is also a property boundary, we must set the right of way per defined alignment (i.e. arc or chord). Is the difference small? Usually but one is still correct and one is still WRONG. We also run into the same issue with old Highway plans that were created using the chord definition.

So back to the original question at hand please.

Is there a way to create/define an ALIGNMENT using the chord definition as there was in LDT or did Autodesk in their infinite wisdom remove this feature completely with the roll out of C3D?

Thanks if you can help!!

JimA 

[Anonymous]

Could we please stay on track (pun intended) with JK's original question in the first post please?

[Anonymous]

"Is the equation station workaround still the only method to deal with chord definition stationed alignments in 2011 (let's not rehash the merits of circular vs chorded stationing as this is client driven)?"

[Anonymous]

Creating station equations allows the tangent stationing to be correct but the stations along the arcs are still WRONG. LDT allowed alignment creation and stationing by Highway Curve (arc definition) or Railroad Curve (chord definition). As a land surveyor, when the right-of-way is also a property boundary, we must set the right of way per defined alignment (i.e. arc or chord). Is the difference small? Usually but one is still correct and one is still WRONG. We also run into the same issue with old Highway plans that were created using the chord definition.

[Anonymous]

So back to the original question at hand please.

[Anonymous]

Is there a way to create/define an ALIGNMENT using the chord definition as there was in LDT or did Autodesk in their infinite wisdom remove this feature completely with the roll out of C3D?

[Anonymous]

Thanks if you can help!!

[Anonymous]

JimA 

[mathewkol]

That question was already answered in this post amd the answer was and is, no.

[Anonymous]

That is correct and please accept my apologies for not being a thorough reader this morning.

I blew right through that answer.

Sorry again and Thanks!

JimA

[Jeff_M]

JImA, not related to your question, but an observation....it looks like you used your C3D serial number for your user account name. I suggest changing that so it's not viewable by the public.....