non linear projects in Infraworks

[neilyj666]

I quite like the 3d orbit speed in infraworks so want to use it for visualization. I have an existing ground level dtm with an aerial image draped over which looks great. I have brought in earthworks platforms that have been designed in civil 3d but they take the aerial photo texture and so can't be seen easily.

is it even possible to do this - I have seen a Youtube video showing a dam in China that shows exactly the sort of thing I want to achieve but I have no idea how to do it - any clues gratefully received...:)

[tcorey]

Do you have a link to that YouTube video?

[neilyj666]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bJLb9suzJM&list=PLgYKCHjym6mQ9KdNWHesq2dDSnHaj9QQf&index=5

[tcorey]

Neil, if I am reading your OP correctly, you want to bring in your design surfaces from Civil 3D, but you want them to replace the aerial photo rather than have the aerial draped over the new surfaces?

If so, you can use Raster Design to remove a polygonal region from the aerial image.You can trace over a surface boundary, for example. Unfortunately, you cannot just pick an object to represent the polygonal region. You have to pick the points one at a time. ;-(

Tim

[neilyj666]

that is precisely what I am trying to do so thanks for the workaround - perhaps 3ds max is the best way forward?

not sure why such basic functionality is missing from infraworks as this would increase its usability considerably.

[jjvail]

Any luck on being able to present earthwork impacts on the existing terrain? I am very impressed with ease of Infraworks but if only I can get it to handle multiple terrain surfaces. Thanks

[tcorey]

To use multiple terrain surfaces, consider placing them in different proposals.

[jjvail]

Thanks. Understand that but wish they could be shown together and somehow differentiate them. In Max I can import a cropped EG surface and show the proposed excavations and proposed filling that way. Just curious if the same can be achieved using Infraworks

[tcorey]

Oh, I see what you're asking. Yes, I would like an easy way to do this as well. If a surface could just have a color assigned would be nice. There is probably a way to do this using image files that are cropped, but I don't have time today. If I get time tomorrow morning, I'll give it another look.

Tim

[tcorey · Accepted solution]

Neil, I found a pretty easy way to do this.

Using Civil 3D, extract the border of the smaller/inner surface. Export the resultant 3D polyline as SDF.

After importing the two (or more) surfaces into InfraWorks, import that SDF file. Set the type to Coverage Areas and be sure to set it to Drape (Source tab.) Here's an example:

.

It's not as good as if you could just apply a visual style to a surface, but it's pretty fast and easy.

Best regards,

Tim

[neilyj666]

Tim

thanks for taking the time to research this query - I've not got time at the moment to test it out but I will over the next few days...:)

[jjvail]

Thanks! I did find the coverage seems to take the surface elevations but I wondered how to get it exact. The SDF anwsers that. I wonder what other entities (alignments, featurelines etc.) could be used from Civil3D and what other formats to export them besides sdf.? Thanks again

Jethro

[neilyj666]

This just isn't working for me - I'm getting increasingly frustrated by this software; it could be so good for quick visualization of designs (rather than the fluffy conceptual stuff that it is being pushed for) but I feel I'm constantly fighting it to do even the simplest thing....

[jjvail]

I share your frustration, my models seem to become corrupt over time.  I really like the results, quick good looking models and videos for conceptual. That video you are refering to may be used in conjunction with other softwares. Hard to tell.

What is it that you are having problems with?  I have found the work around to the aerial image being applied to a impacting surface by using coverages and a proposal merged with the master.

[neilyj666]

Just trying to get the "design" surfaces to show through the aerial image

[Todd_Rogers]

Will making your aerial transparent help?

[neilyj666]

I looked at rubbing out the raster image via Raster Design until I realised you have to click around the polygonal area and there are 4000 vertices in this particular design boundary

[Todd_Rogers]

Change the Surface Opacity on the View tab...

[jjvail]

I think that method could be a little time consuming. The way I got it to work is using TCorey's suggestion in an earlier post. Look for the kudos

Create a proposal then bring in your impacting surface.

Merge the proposal with the master surface and create a coverage using the outer boundary of the impacing surface.

It may be that you should create the coverage prior to merging. cant remember.

The coverage can be set to a material that outweigs the aerial image.

[neilyj666]

I wonder if there is an issue with my coverage - I need to have the narrow corridor area removed from the aerial image surface