GENERATE THE PROPOSED 3D MODEL (Triangle method)

NOTE: Currently the elements that get created when creating a 3D model with triangles are "Mesh Header" elements and the "Drive Through" tool has some problems when attempting to "Drive Through" a triangle based 3D model. Before the "Drive Through" tool can be used, you are required to "drop" the elements from their original "Complex" state into individual components.

FIRST OF ALL YOU MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

• A MicroStation design file containing your existing ground and proposed cross section elements, ie. top of pavement, ditch, cut and fill slopes etc...
• A MicroStation design file that contains your construction limits.
• A blank 3D MicroStation design file for displaying your 3D model.

Create a new 3D DGN file from one of the seed files listed below, (name it whatever you want) and open the file:

.X21 Generation of Criteria files/Level Libraries: (all seed files reside within the same folder) F:\V8_Resource\X_21\Standards\seed\ Metric_3D.dgn (all Metric projects) US_Sur3D.dgn (AK, WA, ID, WY) ... use "Survey Foot". US_Int3D.dgn (MT, OR) ... use "International Foot".

.X30 Generation of Criteria files/Level Libraries: (seed files reside within separate subfolders) F:\V8_Resource\X_30\Standards\seed\Metric\ Metric_3D.dgn (all Metric projects) F:\V8_Resource\X_30\Standards\seed\English\ Sur_ft3D.dgn (AK, WA, ID, WY) ... use "Survey Foot". Int_ft3D.dgn (MT, OR) ... use "International Foot".

Create the Proposed Model:

Open the cross section file containing your existing ground and proposed cross section elements and invoke the Cross Section Reports dialog using the MicroStation pulldowns:

APPLICATIONS > GEOPAK ROAD > Cross Sections > Reports

...or use the Tools icon below:

The XS Reports dialog appears as shown below:

Click on DTM Prop 3D as shown below:

The DTM Proposed 3D Report appears as shown below. Complete the dialog and enter an Output File name. Use the extension .dat. You will be using this output file to create a .tin file in the next step.

Invoke the DTM Tools using the MicroStation pulldowns:

APPLICATIONS > GEOPAK ROAD > DTM Tools

Or use the Tools icon below:

The DTM dialog appears as shown below. Click on Build Triangles:

The Build Triangles dialog appears as shown below. Select the .dat file that you just created and type in the name of the Tin file that you are about to create. There are several options for creating the Tin. I prefer the Dissolve Option Side and a side length of 60. You may have to adjust the Side Length to fit your project. When finished, press Process.

Now that you have created your brand new Proposed TIN file, you can drawn triangles that represent your proposed design.

Back at the DTM dialog, click on Load DTM Feature as shown below:

The Load DTM Features dialog appears as shown below. Highlight Triangles and adjust the element symbology by double clicking in the box shown below. Turn off all items under Display except for Triangles. Press Load and Fit View. Your triangles should now be drawn.

Drive through the Proposed Model:

NOTE: Version 08.05.01.51 of Geopak Road had some problems with this tool . The "Vertical Offset" option (not shown below) did not work at all. The "Elevation" option (shown below) had inconsistency problems. These have been fixed in version 08.05.02.59.

Invoke the Drive Through Window using the MicroStation pulldowns:

APPLICATIONS > GEOPAK ROAD > 3D Tools> Drive Through

Or use the Tools icon below:

The Drive Through Window appears as shown below:

Note:

1. To look BACK ON LINE, simply key in a negative TARGET OFFSET.
2. At last check...this application did not support a vertical line as the last proposed cross section element.   A partial cross section resulted.

Back to The Complete Knuckleheads Guide