VGE - Vertical Grading Editor
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VGE - Vertical Grading Editor

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Introduction

The Vertical Grading Editor is the central design feature of the software.  It provides for the full vertical grading (profile) design and cross section generation of multiple string types (roads, profiles, curb returns, cul-de-sacs, knuckles, etc).

The Vertical Grading Editor is accessible:

Main Features and Benefits

This is an interactive and interconnected vertical grading (profile) and cross section design environment with the following features and benefits:

Marker/Tracker Display in the Drawing

The display of the 'tracker' that shows the relative location of the marker in the drawing is managed via a block in the Civil Site Design Settings (CSD Settings) folder.  Users are able to replace this drawing block as desired.  The CSD Settings folder can be opened in Windows Explorer via the Open Settings Folder command in the General menu/ribbon.  The block is named VGEMarker.dwg. 

Interface

The Vertical Grading Editor interface includes the following components:

  1. Ribbon Area (Top)
    • Users can start commands from here.  The ribbon is split into different panels covering different aspects of design, display, analysis and output.  Contextual ribbons will display when a PVI is selected or group PVI edits are required.
  2. Graphical Display Area
    • Displays the existing and design elevations, both graphically and textually.  Review longitudinal grades and vertical curve lengths. 
    • Select PVI to edit and make selections for PVI changes once a Ribbon command has been started
    • Zoom (roll middle mouse button), pan (hold down middle mouse button) and zoom extents (double click middle mouse button)
    • Right clicking will open the  Cross Section Viewer and lock onto the nearest station to the mouse position at the time of right clicking.  This cross section viewer window will automatically update the station following a right click by the user in the graphical display area.
    • Left clicking on a PVI in the drawing will display a dynamic ribbon panel to enable direct PVI editing

      Details are provided below for this contextual ribbon state
  3. Information Display Area (Bottom)
    • Save VGE
    • Close without saving edits
    • Minimise/Maximise ribbon
    • Enable a Grid Display
    • Change the tracker from a mouse to crosshairs
    • Describes any command currrently in progress
    • Details the design information of the nearest PVI to the mouse pointer location
    • Details the exact elevation and distance of the mouse pointer location.
    • Includes zoom and pan commands:
      • Zoom in
      • Zoom out
      • Zoom window
      • Zoom extents
      • Pan

Marker/Tracker Display in the Drawing

The display of the 'tracker' that shows the relative location of the marker in the drawing is managed via a block in the Civil Site Design Settings (CSD Settings) folder.  Users are able to replace this drawing block as desired.  The CSD Settings folder can be opened in Windows Explorer via the Open Settings Folder command in the General menu/ribbon.  The block is named VGEMarker.dwg. 

Grid Lines and Crosshairs

The display of grid lines and crosshairs can be turned on/off for the Vertical Grading Editor Window, and can be set to defaults via the Settings form (see below)

Cross Section Window

Upon right click, one cross section window will open and match to the position of the mouse at the time of right clicking.  Also, right clicking will automatically update this cross section window to adopt the nearest station to the mouse.  More cross section windows can be opened using two methods:

  1. Use the Open Cross Section Window button on the Home Tab
  2. Hold down [shift]+[right click] the mouse to open additional cross section windows

The cross section window provides direct cross section edit capabilities - see the Cross Section Viewer help for more information.

Model Creation Behaviour - 'Mesh Refinement'

Whilst editing in the Vertical Grading Editor, rebuilds of the surfaces will exclude Mesh Refinement (additional sampling through vertical curves).  This improves surface rebuild performance during editing.

When the Vertical Grading Editor Window is closed, the models will be rebuilt with Mesh Refinement applied.

If it is required to review the surface with mesh refinement when the Vertical Grading Editor is open, the model/s should be rebuilt using commands from the ribbon/toolspace or by running the command Model tab > Update Model.

Civil 3D Interactions

All vertical grading edits made in the Vertical Grading Editor can be passed back to the Civil 3D profile by running the Create Profiles command. 

Profiles that are generated using the Create Profiles can be edited in AutoCAD Civil 3D and the changes to the profiles can update the CSD Vertical Grading designs by running the Update Profiles command.

 

About Vertical Design Optimisation

Optimisation of the vertical grading design can now be applied via the Optimise tab. The optimisation process applies AI (Genetic Algorithm) to assess best fit designs against your sampled surface, balancing design requirements such as cut/fill depths, maximum/minimum grades and desired k values.  The system intelligently navigates multiple design criteria to create an optimal road configuration.  The optimisation process is highly customisable with user configuration of the design controls as well as the analysis criteria.

In a Genetic Algorithm AI model, the process for creating a design is based on:

Users set the design goals and the software evaluates the fitness to those design goals.  Penalties apply to designs that do not meet the goals, lowering their 'fitness' score and invalidating them as optimal designs.

The fitness score ranges from 0 to 100.  Once an Optimisation has been applied, users can track the fitness score in the bottom right corner of the Vertical Grading Editor Window:

While an optimisation is being applied, the above icon will blink and the reported text will be 'Thinking...'.

Note: The Optimisation process does not consider the current design.  It only considers the sampled surface conditions and the design inputs.

Undo can be applied to undo the optimised result back to the previous design. 

Interface

Core controls for the optimisation control is managed directly on the Optimise tab:

Design Inputs

Users can manage the design extents via the start/end station.  The Segment Length sets an ideal minimum distance between design PVI's, which the minimum and maximum vertical curve lengths control the vertical curve lengths that can be applied.

Changing the Segment Length is recommended if too many design PVI's are applied.

Primary control over the design criteria is otherwise managed via the Components form:

This is the most important area for designers to manage the outcomes. 

Where designs to not meet the above criteria, penalties are applied to lower the 'fitness' value of the result.

The 'Weight' values against each of the above criteria are applied relative to each other (as a ratio).  In the default weighting of 10 for each, the design criteria are all considered equally important.  Users can increase or decrease the Weight relative to others to increase/decrease their importance.  Less important criteria will have a lower impact on the fitness score if they are not met, and more important criteria will have a higher impact.

The above criteria are not considered as absolute minimums or maximums, however penalties apply (lowering the fitness score) for designs that are out of range.

Any design component (criteria) can be ignored by unticking the option.

Optimisation Settings

Many of the Settings relate to the creation of generations, population size, how the AI will process and when to accept the design as optimal.  Three key settings in here relate to typical design controls:

Running Optimisations

Optimisation can be run from two buttons:

The optimisation process includes pre-validation of the Components (design criteria) for the design.  If parameters are outside of expected ranges for the design, a prompt will display advising that the user apply adjustments to the inputs.

Details

The Vertical Grading Editor provides multiple Vertical Grading Design windows to edit the design long sections (profiles) of any number of Roads, Strings/Profiles, Curb Returns, Cul-de-sacs, Knuckles , Roundabouts simultaneously, whilst still maintaining interactivity between dependent components (eg: Side road vertical gradings match the cross section of the Main Road roadway at the intersections. Curb returns, Cul-de-sacs and Knuckles automatically match the edge of the road for the Main Road and Side Road at their start and end).

Upon opening the Vertical Grading Editor the following form is displayed:

Details of the form are as follows:
    Ribbon Tabs (top)
  Left Click Contextual Ribbon Tab
    Left click on a design PVI to open this tab.  This is direct edit functionality for the selected PVI.
    Details Panel  
    PVI Number PVI identification
    Station Type in a change to the station.  Click Apply button to apply the change.
     Elevation (Elevation) Type in an elevation for the PVI.  Click Apply button to apply the change.

Use the arrow toggles to move the PVI up/down by the set Increment Amount.  This change is immediate upon clicking the up or down arrow shown.
    VC Length Type in a vertical curve length.  Click Apply button to apply the change.
    In Grade (%) Type in an incoming grade to the PVI.  Click Apply button to apply the change.
    Out Grade (%) Type in an outgoing grade from the PVI.  Click Apply button to apply the change.
    Tools Panel  
    Increment Amount Amount to raise/lower PVI's when the up/down arrow located immediately right of the Elevation is pressed.
    Move to PVI Reference elevation Click to move the PVI elevation to match the surface/constraint referred to in the Home ribbon tab (PVI Reference)
    Delete PVI Click to delete the highlighted PVI.
    Volumes Panel Displays the summary volume informaiton, updated as the PVI is moved using the PVI Editor tools.  Turn off Auto Update in the Model Tab to disable automatic updating of the volume information.
    Total Cut Displays summary of cut for the string
     Total Fill Displays summary of fill for the string
     Net Net summary volume
     Stripping Displays strip depth volume (as assigned in the Design Data Form)
    Pavement Total pavement material volume
    Auto Update Volumes Tick on to update the summary volume information when the up/down elevation (elevation) increment is selected or the Apply button is pressed.
Tick off to not update the volume summary data when edits are made.
     Apply Apply edits to the PVI
    Close Close this ribbon tab.
  Home Ribbon Tab
    Design Panel  
     Add PVI Adds an PVI (PVI) to the Design Vertical Grading (Profile View/Profile).

Upon starting the command the Vertical Grading Editor prompt will display Click to Insert New PVI.  Use the mouse pointer to graphically select a location in the Vertical Grading Design Window.  The following form is displayed:

Station Type in the station where the PVI is required (the station is adopted from the Civil 3D Alignment Stations).  Note: editable subject to the Grade Selection being applied
Elevation Type in the elevation (elevation) required (editable subject to the Grade Selection being applied)
VC Length Type in the length of vertical curve required
Radius Type in a Radius as an alternative to the VC Length
In Grade Type in the grade required on the incoming tangent to the PVI (editable subject to the Grade Selection being applied) - measured as % grade
Out Grade Type in the grade required on the outgoing tangent from the PVI (editable subject to the Grade Selection being applied) - measured as % grade
Max. VC Length This is a reporting field identifying the maximum vertical curve that could be applied to the PVI (based on the selected station) without overlapping another Vertical Curve or PVI
Min. VC Length to Achieve K Factors This is a reporting field identifying the minimum Vertical Curve length that should be applied to achieve minimum K factors.

Note: The K factors are controlled from the Display Set Parameters form.
Range From Displays the Station range between two PVI's within which an PVI could be located without overlapping any Vertical Curve/s
Grade Selection Designers can establish the station and elevation of the PVI by specifying grade controls into and/or out of the PVI.  Inputs will be adjusted to suit the grade method specified
  Set Grades from PVI Elevation Default method.  PVI is defined by the Station and Elevation assigned.  The In Grade and Out Grade parameters are disabled.
  Set In Grade The PVI elevation is defined by the incoming grade.  The In Grade is enabled.  The Elevation parameter is distabled.
  Set Out Grade The PVI elevation is defined by the outgoing grade.  The Out Grade is enabled.  The Elevation parameter is distabled.
  Set In and Out Grade The PVI elevation and station is defined by specifying both an incoming and outgoing grade for the PVI.  The In Grade and Out Grade parameters are enabled.  The Station and Elevation parameters are disabled.
OK Create/Edit the PVI and exit the form.
Cancel Exit the form without creating/editing the PVI.
Apply Create/Edit the PVI without exiting the form.
 
      Snap PVI to 'Snap to' Constraint at Cross Section Creates an PVI at a cross section nearest the selected location, with the elevation (elevation) being adopted from the surface or Design Constraint as shown in the Snap To field (by default, this is the sampled (existing) surface).

Upon starting the command the Vertical Grading Editor prompt will display Select Point on <Snap To>.  Use the mouse pointer to locate the nearest cross section where the PVI is required.  An PVI will be created with elevations applied based on the surface/constraint shown in the Snap To field, with a VC length of .001m.

Example shown, below:

Command Started - Select Location

 

 Command Complete - New PVI at Station
     Snap PVI to 'Snap To' Constraint Creates an PVI with the station adopted from the location selected by the user and with the elevation (elevation) being adopted from the surface or Design Constraint as shown in the Snap To field (by default, this is the sampled (existing) surface).

Upon starting the command the Vertical Grading Editor prompt will display Select Station on <Snap To>.  Use the mouse pointer to locate the station where the PVI is required.  An PVI will be created with elevations applied based on the surface/constraint shown in the Snap To field, with a VC length of .001m.

Example shown, below:
Command Started - Select Location

 

 Command Complete - New PVI at Select Location
     Delete PVI Deletes an PVI (PVI) from the Design Vertical Grading (Profile View/Profile).

Upon starting the command the Vertical Grading Editor prompt will display Click on PVI to Delete.  Use the mouse pointer to graphically select an PVI in the Vertical Grading Design Window.  The selected PVI will be deleted from the design.  A new tangent will be created between the two adjoining PVI's to form a continuous profile view.
      Grid Editor

 
Grid View Displays the vertical design in a grid view.  As each item is clicked on a marker is displayed in plan at the vertical PVI location. List items are described below

NOTE: Typing into the blank Distance cell at the bottom of the list and movign to another cell will create a new PVI at that distance.
  Distance Station along string for PVI location
  Elevation Elevation of the PVI
  Elevation Change Elevation difference from the current PVI to next PVI
  Back Grade % Grade from the current PVI to the previous PVI
  Forward Grade % Grade from the current PVI to the next PVI
  VC Length Type in a vertical curve length to apply at the PVI.  Leave at .001 for no Vertical Curve to be applied
  Min VC Length This column provides feedback on the required Vertical Curve length to achieve minimum sight distance along the string centreline.  Users must first establish speed criteria.    
  Icon (compliant/non-compliant) Tick or cross icon to highlight whether the curve provides suffiicient sight distance or not.
Add PVI by selection Pick a location in the drawing along the grading string - an PVI will be added at that location
Add PVI by Reference Adds a vertical PVI from a reference point selected in the drawing.  
At the command prompt, select a location in the drawing to use as a REFERENCE point for elevations to a new PVI.
The following form will display:

 
List View of Elevations at the location selected.
  Objects Found Lists Surfaces and Strings located in proximity to the selected point
  Station/Station, Offset, Elevation Other columns describe the information type (Ch for station/station, Off for offset from alignment, Lev for elevation/elevation, z for surface elevation).
Users must select an elevation to apply (highlighted with a yellow background)
Select Apply the selected elevation to the x,y position selected.  This sets the Reference Point x,y,z position
Cancel Exit the command without creating a new PVI
Set Elevation Tick on to override the elevation to a user specified value.  Type in a value in the cell provided
Show Tick on to draw text for the elevation of the Reference Point
Zoom to Point Zoom to the selected x,y point
Refresh Refresh enquiry tool and drawing display

Upon clicking Select, the user is prompted ('Pick point on String for new elevation) to graphically locate the location along the string C.L. to create the new PVI.  Upon selection the following form displays:

 
Station/Station Confirm the location along the string to create the new PVI.  Overtype as required
OK Proceed to next step
Cancel Cancel the command

Upon clicking OK, the user is prompted to select a grade/slope to apply from the REFERENCE Point to the selected location on the string.

 
Grade 1: or % Slope Toggle to select the method for setting the final elevation of the PVI.  Input the value required (note: a Grade of 1:0 is not allowed)
OK Create a new PVI
Cancel Cancel the command

Add PVI's at horizontal geometry Adds vertical PVI's at horizontal geometry points along the polyline.  The following form will display:

 
Yes Adds extra PVI's at the horizontal geometry points, keeping the existing design PVI's
No Replaces the current vertical design with PVI's only at the horizontal geometry points.
Cancel Do not add PVI's at horizontal geometry points
Add PVI's to Match Surface Elevations at Selected Sections Creates PVI's at all sampled sections around the grading string and sets the elevation of the PVI's to match the surface
Delete PVI Deletes the first highlighted PVI in the grid view
Raise/Lower All PVI's Raises/Lowers all PVI's by a user defined amount.  Inputs are as follows:

 
Input Type in an elevation change (positive up, negative down)
OK Apply elevation change
Cancel Do not apply and exit form
Edit Multiple PVI's Select multiple rows in a column to edit that column.  Options are:
  Elevation column cells are highlighted

 
Input Type in an elevation change (positive up, negative down) to apply to all highlighted cells
OK Apply elevation change
Cancel Do not apply and exit form
 Grade % cells are highlighted

 
Input Type in a single grade (%) to apply to all highlighted cells
OK Apply grade (%) change
Cancel Do not apply and exit form
  VC Length column cells are highlighted

 
Input Type in a VC length to apply to all highlighted cells.  VC length will be truncated to prevent overlapping PVI's or other VC's as required.
OK Apply elevation change
Cancel Do not apply and exit form
Edit by Reference This is an EDIT command.  Before running this command, users must first highlight the PVI to edit, then select this command.
At the command prompt, select a location in the drawing to use as a REFERENCE point for elevations to the selected PVI.  A graphic line shows the position of the current PVI and the mouse location of the reference point.  Click to select the reference point location.
The following form will display:

 
List View of Elevations at the location selected.
  Objects Found Lists Surfaces and Strings located in proximity to the selected point
  Station/Station, Offset, Elevation Other columns describe the information type (Ch for station/station, Off for offset from alignment, Lev for elevation/elevation, z for surface elevation).
Users must select an elevation to apply (highlighted with a yellow background)
Select Apply the selected elevation to the x,y position selected.  This sets the Reference Point x,y,z position
Cancel Exit the command without creating a new PVI
Set Elevation Tick on to override the elevation to a user specified value.  Type in a value in the cell provided
Show Tick on to draw text for the elevation of the Reference Point
Zoom to Point Zoom to the selected x,y point
Refresh Refresh enquiry tool and drawing display

Upon clicking Select, the user is prompted ('Pick point on String for new elevation) to graphically locate the location along the string C.L. to create the new PVI.  Upon selection the following form displays:

 
Station/Station Confirm the location along the string to create the new PVI.  Overtype as required
OK Proceed to next step
Cancel Cancel the command


 
Grade 1: or % Slope Toggle to select the method for setting the final elevation of the PVI.  Input the value required (note: a Grade of 1:0 is not allowed)
OK Update the PVI elevations
Cancel Cancel the command
Increment Stations Increments all Stations/Stations/Distances for highlighted rows.  Type in an increment and the selected PVI's will be shifted by the set amount.
A warning message will display if the shift will result in PVI's overlapping any vertical curves or other PVI's and the edit will not be applied.

 
Input Type in an increment (+ or -) to adjust the station/station of the highlighted PVI's.
OK Apply increment to chianages/stations.
Cancel Do not apply and exit form
Zoom PVI Zooms to the selected PVI in the drawing
Zoom All Zooms to the extents of the grading string
Fix VC This will increase the size of all vertical curves to achieve the minimum sight distance requirement, where the current vertical curve length is inadequate. 
Speed Tables Opens the Speed Table form to establish sight distance criteria to check.

Special Note: Once speed based design criteria have been applied, any non-compliant vertical curves will be drawn in RED in the graphical area
Auto Update If ticked on, the Vertical Grading Editor and associated surface/s will update as changes are applied in the grid view.
If unticked, making a change in the grid editor will display this button .  Click to update models.
    Editing Panel  
     Automate Vertical Design This command provides access to a variety of calculation methods to generate a vertical grading for the current CSD Object open in the Vertical Grading Editor.

As VC Methods are applied they are added to the list.  The Vertical Grading controls are applied in order, from the top to bottom of the list.  The list can be reordered using the up/down arrows on the right.
 
File Menu Command buttons enable the user to select the method desired for setting the vertical grading
  Import CSD Vertical Design The Import VC command allows the designer to import a vertical grading design to file. The file structure matches what is created when Export VC is used. It would be usual to use Export VC to create an exported vertical curve file, edit in a program such as Notedpad, then use this command to import the changed vertical design back in.

  Export CSD Vertical Design The Export VC command allows the designer to export a vertical grading design to file. The file exported can be opened in a program such as Notepad to be edited. A window will display to select a save location and a name for the export file.
  Calculate centreline elevations using the following methods
  Reference Surface This method allows the designer to create PVI's at sampled sections (over a specified station range) and match the elevations of these PVI's to a specified surface model. If the Use Fitting option is checked, the software will filter out the calculated PVI's and smooth the design by inserting vertical curves. This option can also be used to add a elevation adjustment. For example, the designer might opt to match all elevations to an existing surface and then raise this design by 50mm.

 
Start Station Apply from start station
End Station Apply to end station
Surface Pick list for surface to extract elevations from
Use Fitting Toggle this on to 'smooth' out the design.  The software will apply a cut and fill factor to create an envelope of elevations, then fit PVI's so the tangents do not pass outside the envelope.
Cut Factor Allows for this amount of cut against the sampled surface before inserting a new PVI
Fill Factor Allows for this amount of fill against the sampled surface before inserting a new PVI
Min. Vertical Curve Length Sets the minimum desired vertical curve length
Sag K Factor Vertical curve lengths will be set from this K factor in sag situations, where possible
Crest K Factor Vertical curve lengths will be set from this K factor in crest situations, where possible
Elevation Adjustment Lifts/lowers the outputted fitted vertical grading
Active Untick to disable the entry
OK Apply and exit.
Cancel Exit the form without changing any data.
  Reference Point This method will create PVI's at each sampled section based on selecting a Reference Point and slope projection to the current Vertical Grading.  This is the most versatile option for establishing elevations based on existing or design data.

There are three Steps in the process:

  1. Define the Reference Point: The Reference Point is used as a reference for elevations and offsets to the current Vertical Grading.  Designers select to extract elevations from either the Design surface or the Sampled Surface, then select the method to determine the offsets.  Offset and elevations provide the Reference Point
  2. Project Slopes from the Reference Point to the Current String: Designers are able to have the software calculate slopes from the Reference Point to the current Vertical Grading based on a variety of different methods
  3. Apply Slope and Elevation Adjustments: Users can elect to add a height adjustment to the calculated elevations and/or use the reverse of the calculated slopes obtained from Step 2

The calculations of the Reference Point and Projected Slopes is made at EACH sampled section and an PVI elevation established (with an optional height adjustment).

The image on the right side of the form adjusts to highlight relevant inputs based on the mouse hover location on the form.

Details of the Form and the steps are as follows:

 

Step 1 - Define the Reference Point
Surfaces Obtain Elevations for Reference Point and Slope from - options are to use the Sampled Surface or Design
  From Sampled Surface Toggle - Elevations are read from the Sampled surface in calculating the reference point and slopes (pending slope option used).  Form display is as follows:

  From Design Surface Toggle - Elevations are read from either a design String or Code in calculating the reference point and slopes (pending slope option used).  Form display is as follows:

Reference Point Position Sets the offset at which to calculate the Reference Point - elevation is then calculated from the sampled or design surface, based on selected toggle option
   Reference String Use the pick list to select the Reference String.  Behaviour is as follows:
- From Sampled Surfaces selected.  This sets the new PVI locations (by station/station) on the current string CL.  It would be usual to select the current design C.L. string.
- Drom Design String selected.  This sets the design surface from which to extract elevations (as well as setting the new PVI locations (by station/station) ont the current string C.L.).
  From Alignment Select an alignment for the offset location of the Reference Point.
Only available if From Sampled Surfaces is selected.
  From Design Code Select a Code for from the Reference String to use for the offset location of the Reference Point.
Only available if From Design String is selected.
  Offset Reference Point User can 'shuffle' the Reference Point offset using this option - type in the required value (-ve for Left and +ve for Right)
  Maximum Offset Set a maximum offset to search for the Reference Point, measured from the alignment/string centreline

 

Step 2 - Project Slopes from the Reference Point to the Current String
Slope Selection Toggles to select the method of calculating the slope projections from the Reference Point.  The form display provides different inputs depending on the toggle option selected.
   Constant Allows for the specification of a single crossfall to apply from the Reference Point to obtain elevations.

Hover over the Constant option to review the behaviour.

User input is as follows:

Constant Type in the % slope project required
  Single Point Calculates the Slope at a selected offset and uses the calculated slope to obtain elevations.

Hover over the Constant option to review the behaviour.

User input is as follows:

  Slope Point 1 - Obtain Offset/Slope from: Use the Toggle to select the required method
Alignment Use the pick list to select an alignment to determine the offset location to calculate the slope
Offset Behaviour is subject ot the Surfaces option selected:
- From Sampled Surface selected. Type in a fixed offset from the string C.L. Alignment.  Convention is -ve left of the C.L. and +ve right of the C.L.
- From Design String selected. Type in a fixed offset from the Reference String.  Convention is -ve left of the C.L. and +ve right of the C.L.
  2 Points Calculates the Slope between two selected offsets and uses the calculated slope between the two points to obtain elevations.

Hover over the Constant option to review the behaviour.

The average slope is calculated between the offset/elevation found for the two Slope Points and is then applied.

User input is as follows:

  Slope Point 1 - Obtain Offset/Slope from: This records the first offset value and then sets the elevation based on the Sampled Surface or Design Surface.  Use the Toggle to select the required method
Alignment Use the pick list to select an alignment to determine the offset location
Offset Behaviour is subject ot the Surfaces option selected:
- From Sampled Surface selected. Type in a fixed offset from the string C.L. Alignment.  Convention is -ve left of the C.L. and +ve right of the C.L.
- From Design String selected. Type in a fixed offset from the Reference String.  Convention is -ve left of the C.L. and +ve right of the C.L.
   
  Slope Point 2 - Obtain Offset from: This records the second offset value and then sets the elevation based on the Sampled Surface or Design Surface.  Use the Toggle to select the required method
Alignment Use the pick list to select an alignment to determine the offset location
Offset Behaviour is subject ot the Surfaces option selected:
- From Sampled Surface selected. Type in a fixed offset from the string C.L. Alignment.  Convention is -ve left of the C.L. and +ve right of the C.L.
- From Design String selected. Type in a fixed offset from the Reference String.  Convention is -ve left of the C.L. and +ve right of the C.L.
  Use Table User is able to set crossfall values in a table - the software applies the selected crossfalls based on station and crossfall entries in the table.  Interpolation occurs between the crossfall entries in the table.

Hover over the Constant option to review the behaviour.

User input is as follows:

  Table: inputs are as follows
Station Type in a station
Specified Crossfall % Type in a crossfall value
  Note: the software will interpolate crossfall values between the stations in the table
Sort Sorts the station values in the table from lowest to highest, using the Start Station column.

 

Step 3 - Apply Slope and Elevation Adjustments
Adjustments Raise/lower the calculated elevation or reverse slope for calculation
  Height Adjustment Toggle ON if a height adjustment should be added to the calculated elevations.

Type in a value to raise/lower (+ raises the PVI's) the calculated elevations.
  Reverse Slope Toggle ON to reverse the calculated/defined slope values and apply this to determine the calculated elevations.
 Station Range  
  Start Station Apply from start station
  End Station Apply to end station
Active Untick to deactivate (not apply) the control.
OK Apply the inputs and exit the form
Cancel Exit without applying changes
  Reference Civil Points Click on this option to create PVIs from Civil Points.  

 

User input is as follows:

Start Station Apply from start station
End Station Apply to end station
Point Group Select a Point Group containing Civil Points. 
Grade (%) Using the elevation of the Civil Point, apply the specified Grade to calculate the PVI elevation.
Elevation Shift Type in an elevation change to apply to the calculated Civil Point elevation.
Max. Offset Type in a maximum offset (measured perpendicular to the current String) to search for Civil Points to apply.
Active Untick to deactivate (not apply) the control.
OK Apply the inputs and exit the form
  Reference Constraint Click on this option to create PVIs at a constraint as defined in the design data form.  Form displays as follows:

 

User input is as follows:

Start Station Apply from start station
End Station Apply to end station
Constraint Choose a constraint that has been defined in the Design Constraints section of the Design Data form
Active Untick to deactivate (not apply) the control.
OK Apply the inputs and exit the form
Cancel Exit without applying changes
  Resheet Click on this option to set the road centreline elevations to acheive a minimum overlay depth for resheeting.  Form displays as follows:

User input is as follows:

 
Left Side Alignment Select left side alignment
Right Side Alignment Select right side alignment
Minimum Overlay Depth Sets the minimum thickness for overlay
Use Crossfall Tables If ticked command will use the crossfall tables rather than the alignments
Crossfall Table input values for station and crossfall to be used to calculate the overlay / resheeting depths
Use Fitting Toggle this on to 'smooth' out the design
Cut Factor Allows for this amount of cut against the sampled surface before inserting a new PVI
Fill Factor Allows for this amount of fill against the sampled surface before inserting a new PVI
Min. Vertical Curve Length Sets the minimum desired vertical curve length
Sag K Factor Vertical curve lengths will be set from this K factor in sag situations, where possible
Crest K Factor Vertical curve lengths will be set from this K factor in crest situations, where possible
Elevation Adjustment Lifts/lowers the outputted fitted vertical grading
Start Station Apply from start station
End Station Apply to end station
Active Untick to deactivate (not apply) the control.
OK Apply and exit.
Cancel Exit the form without changing any data.
Profile Copies the vertical geometry from another String
  Copy String This method allows the current vertical grading to be created using the vertical grading of an existing string. All the PVI's (station and elevation data) on the existing string will be re-created in the current vertical grading.

 
Copy from Select the String/Profile to copy the vertical design from
Offset Filter Set how far to search and which side to find string data
   Max Offset maximum search offset from the current String to find the Copy from String
   Side Search Left, Right or Both sides.
Station Range  
Start Station Apply from start station
End Station Apply to end station
Active Untick to deactivate (not apply) the control.
OK Apply and exit.
Cancel Exit the form without changing any data.
From String Click on this option to copy another String/Profile, with the capacity to adjust the PVI elevations based on grade or elevation controls. 

This routine was originally envisaged for road reconstruction works, where it was desired to take the design for one side of the road and project it across to the other side.  The copied profile PVI's and Vertical Curves are transferred to the current Vertical Grading.

At least one other string must be available in the drawing.

Form display is (be default) as follows:


 

Under the heading Specify the Adjustment Method to Apply During String Copy select one of two calculation methods:

  • Apply Crossfall Adjustments
  • Use Elevation Difference

The graphic and inputs will adjust depending on the option selected.

User input is as follows:

 
  Apply Crossfall Adjustments: the original profile data is copied across, with the PVI elevations adjusted based on crossfalls from a selected profile to the current Vertical Grading
Select String to Copy Use the pick list to select the profile to copy data from
Select Road Alignment for CL Use the pick list to select a Road centreline
Crossfall to CL Type in a crossfall to adjust elevations of the PVI's to the CL
Crossfall to Current String Type in a crossfall from the CL to the current Vertical Grading
Offset Filter Set how far to search and which side to find string data
   Max Offset maximum search offset from Road Alignment for CL to find String to Copy
   Side Search Left, Right or Both sides.
Station Range  
   Start Station Apply from start station
   End Station Apply to end station
Active Untick to deactivate (not apply) the control.
OK Apply and exit.
Cancel Exit the form without changing any data.
   
  Use Elevation Difference: the original profile data is copied across, with the PVI elevations adjusted by a fixed height change
 
Select String to Copy Use the pick list to select the profile to copy data from
Select Road Alignment for CL Use the pick list to select a Road centreline
Elevation Adjustment Type in a value to adjust the elevations of the PVI's copied to the current Vertical Grading
Start Station Apply from start station
End Station Apply to end station
Active Untick to deactivate (not apply) the control.
OK Apply the profile copy to the current Vertical Grading
Cancel Exit without applying vertical grading changes
Miscellaneous List of miscellaneous methods for establishing the string elevations
  Fixed Elevation Click on this option to create PVI's at each sampled section and assign them all the same elevation.  Form displays as follows:

User input is as follows:

 
Required Elevation Type in the desired elevation
Start Station Apply from start station
End Station Apply to end station
Active Untick to deactivate (not apply) the control.
OK Apply and exit.
Cancel Exit the form without changing any data.
 3D Polyline Click on this option to check for a 3D polyline co-incident with the alignment and read the 3D elevations into the Vertical Grading.

This is automatic - if a 3D polyline is not found an error message will display 'Unable to locate 3D polyline matching alignment <Alignment Name>'


 
Start Station Apply from start station
End Station Apply to end station
Active Untick to deactivate (not apply) the control.
OK Apply and exit.
Cancel Exit the form without changing any data.
  From File

 

 The From File command allows the designer to import a file of vertical geometry points and create PVI's and vertical curves from this data. as well as fitting the data during import.
The expected file format is as follows (editable in a text editor) and matches the format of the file used in the Export VC command.  However, this command will allow import of ONLY a file with extension .txt.

<Station>,<Elevation>,<Vertical Curve Length> separated by an [Enter] per point.  Save the file with extension .txt.

Example file:
0, 110
60, 95,80
120, 93
[List View] List of each entry used to calculate centreline elevations
  Name Name of entry type
  Data Summary of data inputs
Edit Entry Edits the highlighted entry in the list
Delete Entry Deletes the highlighted entry in the list
Delete All Deletes all entries in the list
Fit Parameters Although some methods, such as the Match to Existing method contain Fitting parameters, this method allows for an overall Fit/Smooth to be applied over a calculated vertical design. A calculated design might consist of a combination of multiple methods and these Fit Parameters can be added as the final method to be applied. Alternatively, this method can only be applied when the Fitting command is used.

 
Start Station Apply from start station
End Station Apply to end station
Cut Factor Allows for this amount of cut against the sampled surface before inserting a new PVI
Fill Factor Allows for this amount of fill against the sampled surface before inserting a new PVI
Min. Vertical Curve Length Sets the minimum desired vertical curve length
Sag K Factor Vertical curve lengths will be set from this K factor in sag situations, where possible
Crest K Factor Vertical curve lengths will be set from this K factor in crest situations, where possible
Elevation Adjustment Lifts/lowers the outputted fitted vertical grading
OK Apply and exit.
Cancel Exit the form without deleting any data.
    Move Up Moves the selected entry up in the list.
    Move Down Moves the selected entry down in the list.
Information Panel Non-editable information panel describing command inputs as the mouse is hovered over each button.
Calculate Profile Calculate new design PVI positions as per the inputs.
Disable Text File Reports A text file is created and displayed,  detailing the calculation results.  Tick this option to disable the text file creation.
'Refresh' button in VGE updated Auto Profile Defaults as ticked on.  When ticked on, clicking on the Sync/Refresh button in the Vertical Grading Editor window will automatically re-apply the Auto Profile actions.
Close Close the form
     Edit PVI Numerically edit an PVI by selecting it in the drawing.

Upon starting the command the Vertical Grading Editor prompt will display Click on PVI to Edit.  Use the mouse pointer to graphically select an PVI in the Vertical Grading Design Window.

Note: Except for the title of the form, the design inputs exactly match the Create PVI command.  Please refer above for more details on these inputs

     Move PVI Anywhere

 Graphically move an PVI anywhere within the limits of the constraining vertical curves or other PVIs.

Upon starting the command the Vertical Grading Editor prompt will display Click on PVI to Move.  Click on or near an PVI to select it for relocation.  After selecting an PVI it can be moved using the mouse.  Click to store the new PVI location.
     Move PVI Up/Down by Mouse Graphically move an PVI up or down whilst constraining movement along the station.

Upon starting the command the Vertical Grading Editor prompt will display Click on PVI to Move.  Click on or near an PVI to select it for relocation.  After selecting an PVI it can be moved using the mouse.  Click to store the new PVI location.
     Add to all PVI Elevations
Enter elevation change Type in the amount to raise/lower all PVI's by
OK Exit the form and raise/lower all PVI's by the change value
Cancel Exit the form without editing the PVI's
     Edit PVI's over a range Click here to open and focus on a new Ribbon Tab for editing of a group of PVI's in a design:
Region tab Define the region over which to edit PVI's.
  Start Station Start station to define a station range for editing PVI's.
  End Station Start station to define a station range for editing PVI's.
Setup tab Establish what to change and by how much
   Increment Elevation (Elevation) Tick on to apply a relative elevation change to the group
  Elevation Increment Type a value for relative elevation change
  Shift Station Tick on to apply a lateral move of the group.
  Station Shift Type a value for the lateral move
   Override VC Length Tick on to apply a vertical curve length to all PVI's in the group
   VC Length Type in a vertical curve length
    Apply Click to apply selected changes to the group.
    Move to PVI Reference elevation Click to move the PVI elevation to match the surface/constraint referred to in the Home ribbon tab (PVI Reference)
    Delete PVI Click to delete the highlighted PVI.
    Close  Close this ribbon tab.
     Slide PVI on Grade Graphically slide an PVI along an incoming or outgoing grade.

Upon starting the command the Vertical Grading Editor prompt will display Click on PVI to Slide.  Click immediately to the left of an PVI to hold the grade left of the PVI.  Click immediately to the right of an PVI to hold the grade right of the PVI.  Use the mouse to set the new position of the PVI.  Click to store the new PVI location.
     Move PVI Left/Right Graphically move a selected PVI left/right and constrain any vertical movement.

Upon starting the command the Vertical Grading Editor prompt will display Click on PVI to Move. Click on or near an PVI to select it and use the mouse to drag the PVI left or right to set the new position of the PVI. Click to store the new PVI location.
     Specify Elevation Edit an PVI by setting a Station and Elevation that the design vertical grading must intersect.  The selected PVI will be raised/lowered so that the design vertical grading passes through the specified station and elevation. 

Upon starting the command the Vertical Grading Editor prompt will display Select Required PVI.  After selecting the PVI to edit the following form is displayed:

Station Type in the required station
Elevation Type in the elevation (elevation) required
OK Exit the form and edit the PVI elevation (elevation) so that the design vertical grading passes through the specified station and elevation
Cancel Exit the form without editing the PVI
       Fit Vertical Curve/s Between PVI's This command is used to insert a either a single vertical curve or a vertical curve pair based on the incoming grade to the first PVI and the outgoing grade from the second PVI.  The process is the same as is used for designing Curb Returns and is as follows:
  • The intersection point of the two tangents is checked to see if it falls in the middle half of the distance between the two PVIs.
  • If it does, then a new PVI is created at that point with vertical curve length equal to the half distance.

  • If it doesn't, then the two PVIs are deleted and 4 new PVIs are created.  Two at the quarter distance between the two original PVIs with vertical curve lengths of half the distance and two at the ends of the new vertical curves.

    Note: This command will only work if the PVIs left and right of the selected location do NOT have vertical curves on them.

 
       Raise/Lower PVI by Fixed Amount Move an PVI up and down by a user defined increment.

Upon starting the command the Vertical Grading Editor prompt will display Select PVI to Raise/Lower.  After selecting the PVI the prompt changes to Use Up/Down. Select Drawing to End and a scroll icon appears.  The PVI elevation is then changed by the value shown in the text box each time the scroll Icon is selected.  

As indicated by the prompt, stop the command by clicking the left mouse button in the graphics area.

Special Note: If the option 'Show Volumes' is toggled on in the Display Set Parameters form, then a Volume Summary window will display showing the total earthworks and volumes.  This information will update on movement of the selected PVI up or down incrementally.

       Raise/Lower All PVI's to achieve Balanced Earthworks
 
Note: Curve correction is always applied to this sectional volume calculation.  Trimming for intersections or other network strings is not accounted for.s
Enter required volume Type in the required volume (cut requires '-')
Use Station Range Pick to define a station range to balance volumes
  Start Station PVI  Input start station from which PVI's can be modified when the calculation is undertaken
  End Station PVI  Input end station to which PVI's can be modified when the calculation is undertaken
  Start Station Volumes Calc  Input the start station from which the volume calculation will start
  End Station Volumes Calc  Input the end station to which the volume calculation will end
OK Exit the form and raise/lower PVI's to achieve the set volume
Cancel Exit the form without editing the PVI's
      Enquire Elevation This command is used to query the elevation at a particular station. Inputs are as follows:
Enter Station Type in the station to report the elevation
OK Exit the form and display the elevation details at the defined station.  Example output as follows:

Cancel Exit the form without editing the PVI's
     Undo Undo edits in the current section

     Redo

 Redo edits in the current session
      Refresh/Sync Updates intersection match-in, reapplies the Auto Profile controls (unless disabled) and display on screen, as required.
    Display Panel  
      PVI Reference Sets the item to snap to when using the   "Snap PVI to 'Snap to' Constraint at Cross Section" or   "Snap PVI to 'Snap To' Constraint" options
      Exaggeration Sets the maximum scale exaggeration of the longsection
    Current Exaggeration Displays the current vertical exaggeration applied
    Reset Panel  
    Delete All PVI's Deletes all design PVI's and reinstates two PVI's - one at the start and one at the end, both adopting the elevations of the sampled surface
    Common Panel  
     Open Template Editor Select this button to create/edit a typical cross section template.  Full details in the Create/Edit Section Template form.
     Open Volume Report Click on this icon to generate a report of the volumes.  

The details of this form can be found in the Volumes report command.  The Volumes command interface is exactly the same, except that a third panel is also shown on the left listing all Strings for selection.
     Open Design Data Form Select this button to access the Design Data Form.
     Open Cross Section Viewer Select this button to open an instance of the Cross Section Viewer. The designer will be prompted to select a location in the graphical area to initially load the nearest sampled cross section into the viewer.



  Optimise Ribbon Tab
    Details Panel  
    Start Station Type in the start station required.
    End Station Type in the end station required.
    Segment Length Type in the required minimum distance between PVIs.
    Min. VC Length Type in the required minimum vertical curve length.
    Max. VC Length Type in the required maximum vertical curve length.
    Optimise Panel  
    Optimise Click to run Optimisation (non-threading option).  This will optimise a vertical design until finished (number of Generations met or Rate of Change less than value specified).
    Start Click to run Optimisation (threading option).  This iteratively applies changes to the vertical design, optimising by applying the Components and Settings.  The optimise will finish when the number of Generations is calculated or the Rate of Change is less than the value specified. 
    Stop Click to stop the Optimisation (threading option) and display the vertical grading design calculated.
    Settings Panel  
    Components Click to set the design components for the Optimiser.
The following form will display:


 

Cut/Fill Depth

 Component that sets desirable maximum elevation difference between design and existing surface profile.

   Tick Box

 Toggle on or off the Cut/Fill Depth component.

   Tolerance

 Set the maximum acceptable elevation difference between the reference surface and design profile at a sampled section.

   Weight

 Set the importance of the component in the overall fitness score using the slider.  Higher values represent higher importance.

Grade

 Component that sets the desirable maximum and minimum grades.
   Tick Box Toggle on or off the Grade component.

   Min Grade (%)

 Set the mimimum desired longitudinal grade.

   Max Grade (%)

 Set the maximum desired longitudinal grade.

   Weight

 Set the importance of the component in the overall fitness score using the slider.  Higher values represent higher importance.

K-Value

 Component that sets the desired K-Value for vertical curves.

   Tick Box

 Toggle on or off the K-Value component.

   Desired K Value

 Set the desired K value for vertical curves.

   Weight

 Set the importance of the component in the overall fitness score using the slider.  Higher values represent higher importance.

OK

 Save and exit.
    Settings The following form wil be displayed:


 

Generations

 Type to set the number of generations to run in non-threading mode.

Population Size

 Type to set the number of designs in the selection pool

Mutation Rate

 Type to set the rate (0-1) of random mutations to occur within the population each generation.

Crossover Rate

 Type to set the rate (0-1) of crossovers to occur within the population each generation.

Random Select Rate

 Type to set the rate (0-1) of randomly chosen designs (not based on fitness score) each generation.

PVI Filtering

 Type to set the target percentage (0 - 100) of Segments (number of Segments is calculated as the total length divided by Segment Length) that are expected to contain PVI's.

Cut/Fill Ratio

 Type to set the target ratio for Cut/Fill criteria.

Min Distance From Locked PVI

 Type to set the minimum distance for a new PVI away from a locked PVI.

Automatic Exit

 Set a threshold to assess whether to exit the optimisation early in cases where improvements fall below a set threshold in non-threading mode.

   Generations

 Type to set the number of generations that do not acheive the minimum rate of change to trigger Automatic Exit.

   Rate of Change

 Type to set the minimum rate of change used in assessment for Automatic Exit.

Apply

 Save and exit.

Cancel

 Exit without saving changes.

  Model Ribbon Tab
    Auto Update Panel  
    Auto Update toggle Toggle on to automatically update models (linework and surfaces) when changes are applied to the string design (or cross sections)
    Update Model If automatic update is unticked, this will udpate the model/s in the drawing following design changes in the Vertical Grading Editor window
     String Surface Click to create an CSD Surface of the CSD Object being graded.  This surface is outputted without regard to any other CSD Object (eg: Road intersections are ignored).

The software applies the Surface Style assigned in the Active Drawing Settings - Modeling Tab.

If the rebuild mode is set to Automatic in the settings, the surface automatically rebuilds as changes are applied through the Vertical Grading Editor.
      Add Sampling Click on this button to add extra sampling (stations) to the string.

Full details in the Add Extra Sections form.

      Control Surface Display Click to set the display options for the CSD Surface (as well as any other surfaces and model linework).  The full details of this form are described in the Toggle Display command.
      Control Surface Display Click to set the display options for the CSD Surface (as well as any other surfaces and model linework).  The full details of this form are described in the Toggle Display command.
     Rebuild Models Rebuilds all model and redraws the linework.
     Model Builder Opens the Model Builder interface to enable creation of surfaces using any collection of strings/codes.
     Model Viewer Review and analyze the design in a fully rendered 3D environment.  This will open the Model Viewer interface.
  Analyze Ribbon Tab
    Driveway Panel  
Driveway Check Click on this option to check vehicle clearance along a driveway alignment.

User inputs
Vehicle Select a Vehicle Clearance Template from the pulldown menu.
Station Increments Sets the sampling frequency for checking clearance along the vertical grading
VC Segments Sets how the vertical curves are managed - select a number of chords to describe the vertical curve.  Recommended value: 10.
Forward Checks vehicle clearance in forward direction.  Calculates and displays the lowest clearance line for the vehicle path on the Vertical Grading window.
Reverse Checks vehicle clearance in reverse direction.  Calculates and displays the lowest clearance line for the vehicle path on the Vertical Grading window.
Vehicle Drawing These options set what will be drawn on the screen of the Vertical Grading Editor.
Draw Nothing Show no vehicles.
Mouse Forward Places forward vehicle template in relation to mouse position on screen
Mouse Reverse Places reverse vehicle template in relation to mouse position on screen
Mouse Forward and Reverse Places forward & reverse vehicle template in relation to mouse position on screen
Draw at Specified Stations Set the station to start drawing the vehicle and the increment at which the next vehicle will be drawn
Clash Positions Sets the clash position to place a vehicle at. Setting this to 2 will place vehicle at clash position 2
OK Apply and exit.
Cancel Exit the form without changing any data.
      Vehicle Forward

      Vehicle Reverse

      Use Mouse

 Toggles display depending on Vehicle Drawing options selected.
    Sight Distance Panel  
     Set Design Criteria Opens the Speed Table form to establish sight distance criteria to check.

Special Note: Once speed based design criteria have been applied, any non-compliant vertical curves will be drawn in RED in the graphical area
    Tools Panel  
   Enquire Pipe Click on a pipe displayed in the Graphical Display area to obtain details on the selected pipe:
      Enquire Elevation This command is used to query the elevation at a particular station. Inputs are as follows:
Enter Station Type in the station to report the elevation
OK Exit the form and display the elevation details at the defined station.  Example output as follows:

Cancel Exit the form without editing the PVI's
  Design Constraints Ribbon Tab
    Design Constraints are a powerful design aid.  They provide the ability to show additional elevation information describing elevations and projections from other features (eg: left edge of road, left batter/daylight, a different string, another surface).  Users can snap design PVI's onto these contraint profiles and visually compare them to the current design string elevations.

Find more information about the full range of Design Constraints via the Design Data form help information. Summary information will be provided below.
    Manage Panel  
    Type Select the type of Design Constraint from the picklist:
  • Project Design (Alignment)
    • User picks a design string and an alignment.  Using the horizontal positioning from the alignment, elevations are adopted from the design string surface.  Users can then apply a slope to project elevations from the reference point to the current string.  Slope projections are made perpendicular to the reference alignment.
    Project Design (Code)
    • User picks a design string and a code from the design string.  This sets the reference point elevations.  Users can then apply a slope to project elevations from the reference point to the current string.  Slope projections are made perpendicular to the reference string/code.
  • Project Surface (Alignment)
    • User picks a surface and an alignment.  This sets the reference point elevations.  Users can then apply a slope to project elevations from the reference point to the current string.  Slope projections are made perpendicular to the reference string/code.
  • Show String
    • User picks a string to display and an elevation adjustment.  The elevations from the string are projected directly onto the current string.
  • Show Surface (Alignment)
    • User picks a surface and an alignment.  This sets the reference point elevations and these are projected directly onto the current string.
  • Show Surface (Code)
    • User picks a surface, a design string and then a code.  This sets the reference point elevations and these are projected directly onto the current string.

Inputs are provided relevant to the type of constraint being applied
    List Lists the created design constraints.  Select one to make edits.  Click on the Apply button to apply the changes.
     Create New Constraint

Allows creation of a new constaint using the selected Type.  Users are prompted to name the constraint (required)
     Delete current constraint

Deletes the current Design Constraint shown in the List dropdown.
     Apply This is used to Create and Update design constraints.
     Update Forces a recalculation and update of the design constraint linework.
    Region Panel  
    Start Station Start position for the design constraint to display
    End Station End position for the design constraint to display
    Reference Panel Users establish the reference position (vertically and horizontally) for the projection.  Inputs here depend on the Type selected.  The horizontal position is firstly established and then elevations are assigned at that position.
All possible options shown:
    Alignment Select the alignment for horizontal position
    String Select the String for design elevations
    Code Select the Code for offset position (elevations adopted from the Code)
    Surface Surface for elevations
    Details Panel Move the location of the reference point position (to simulate curb drop for example) and apply % grades (where relevant)
    Offset Offset the calculated position horizontally.  Positive moves to the right of the centreline of the current string, and negative values to the left
     Elevation Adjustment Raise/Lower the calculated position vertically.  Positive is increases the elevation, and negative decreases the elevation.
     Lower Crossfall (%) Only shown for some Types.  Allows a % grade projection from the calculated reference point location to the current string.
     Upper Crossfall (%) Only shown for some Types.  Allows a % grade projection from the calculated reference point location to the current string.
    Display Panel  
     Lower Color/Color Color to draw the 'lower crossfall' projection.  
For Types where projections are not included, this will show as the Color of the profile.
     Upper Color Color to draw the 'upper crossfall' projection.  
For Types where projections are not included, this will not display.
     Upper Crossfall (%) Only shown for some Types.  Allows a % grade projection from the calculated reference point location to the current string.
     Lower Active/Active Tick on to display lower crossfall.
     Upper Active Tick on to display the upper crossfall.
    Search Offset Specify a search distance for the constraint.  Provides control for cases where the alignment/code/string can be viewed twice at a cross section and users want the closest one.
  Survey Ribbon Tab
    Settings Panel  
    Point Groups Select a Point Group to display.  Points and Survey Linework will be displayed for this point group, within the Search Distance specified
     Show Survey Points Tick to display Survey Points in the graphical window.  Point information is projected onto the graphical window.
A marker and text will display for the points.  Text will consist of point property information such as the Point Description and Point Elevation (in brackets).
Points located outside the Search Distance will not be displayed.
     Show Survey Points Tick to display Survey Strings in the graphical window.
Survey Linework will be displayed as straight lines connecting sequential survey points
Note: If Survey Points is unticked, this will display the point markers and the survey strings.  A Survey String segment will only display if both Points connecting the start and end of the survey string are located within the Search Distance.
     Search Distance Type in an offset distance (measured from the String centreline) to display COGO Points.
All Points located outside this offset will not be displayed.
     Update Survey Data Updates the display of points in the selected Point Group and usign the input Search Distance.  Useful if points have been added/edited/deleted with the Vertical Grading Editor window open, or the Search Distance has been changed.
  Settings Ribbon Tab
    Settings Panel  
     Display Settings

The display of profile grades, high/low points, elevation information and text size can be controlled by the designer.  

Note: These controls are mirrored in the Active Drawing Settings - Vertical Grading tab. 

The controls of the form are graphically outlined below:


Design Aids These settings assist the designer in achieving design compliance
  Crest K Value Type in the required K value for creating crest curves.  At the time of Adding PVI's in the Vertical Grading Editor the software will use the specified K factor to indicate a suitable vertical curve length to achieve the K factor required for crest curves.
  Sag K Value Type in the required K value for creating sag curves.  At the time of Adding PVI's in the Vertical Grading Editor the software will use the specified K factor to indicate a suitable vertical curve length to achieve the K factor required for sag curves.
  Maximum Grade for Warning (%) Type in a desirable maximum grade (%).  If the incoming or outgoing grade from a PVI exceeds the maximum the grade indicator will change color.
  Minimum Grade for Warning (%) Type in a desirable minimum grade (%).  If the incoming or outgoing grade from a PVI is less than the minimum the grade indicator will change color.
Items to Display Set what textual and other graphical information is displayed in the Vertical Grading Editor Design Window.  Some of the relationships are shown, above
  Show Stations Tick on to show the Station values in the Vertical Grading Editor window.  This will show the alignment stations by default - if another road has been used for stations (Use Other Road Stations command), the other road stations will display here.
  Show Design Elevations Tick on to show the Design Elevations (Elevations) of the long section in the Vertical Grading Editor window
  Show Elevation Differences Tick on to show the Elevation Difference between the Design Elevation of the vertical grading and the Sampled Surface in the Vertical Grading Editor window
  Show Existing Elevations Tick on to show the Existing (Sampled) Surface Elevations in the Vertical Grading Editor window
  Show High/Low Pt's Tick on to highlight the location of the high/low points in the Vertical Grading Editor window (small circle located along the design grading)
  Show Grades Tick on to textually display the grades either side of the PVI's and the Vertical Curve Lengths in the Vertical Grading Editor window
  Show Volumes No longer operational.  Previously controlled whether volume summary displayed when using the up/down by increment command in the old command interface.
  Show Envelopes No longer operational.  Previously controlled whether design constraints displayed after adding them in the Design Data Form.
  Show Align. Stations Tick on to display the stations of the current alignment (this feature is only enabled subject to settings established via the  Use Other Road Stations command).  
It is often useful to evaluate the elevations of the current String in relation to another Road alignment.
  Show Text XSect Not used.
  Use Resheet For Elevation Diff. Tick on to display the difference between the Design Elevations and applied Resheet Elevations.
Note: This feature is only applied after a Resheet has been applied to the Road - see below for more information on applying a resheet to the design.
  Show Pipes Tick on to display Pipes designed using Civil Site Design on the Vertical Grading Editor window.  Perpendicular pipes will be shown as a crossing pipe - all other pipes are shown superimposed in full.
  Pipe Band Width Type in a value to set the search offset (relative to the current String being graded) to locate and display Pipes
  Text Height (pixels) for Grades Change the pixel size for grade text shown at the top of the Vertical Grading Editor (if displayed).  Minimum is 8 pixels.
  Text Height (pixels) for Stations and Elevations Change the pixel size for grade text shown along the bottom of the Vertical Grading Editor (vertical text, if displayed).  Minimum is 8 pixels.
  % of Display Reserved for Text This is the percentage of space 'reserved' for text display at the bottom of the form - the vertical grading minimum elevation will extend down to this display percentage.
Grid Settings Opens the Grid Settings form to control the defualts for grid and crosshair display:

Grid Tick on to have the Grid display by default when the Vertical Grading Editor Window opens
  X Spacing Type in an x offset for vertical grid lines
  Y Spacing Type in a y offset for horizontal grid lines
  Grid Color Pick the color of grid lines
  Grid Size Type in the total grid size (this is oriented about the CL point).  Be sure set a reasonable value to cover the cross section window
  Text Size Type in a text size
  Text Color Pick a color for the text
  Show Station Text Display text for the station (vertical) grid lines
  Show Elevation Text Display text for the elevation (horizontal) grid lines
Crosshair Tick on to have the crosshairs display by default when the Vertical Grading Editor Window opens
   Size Size of the crosshair in pixels
Reset Defaults Reset to default values
OK Save and exit
Cancel Exit without applying
Apply and Exit Apply and exit.
Cancel Exit the form without adjusting the display.
VGE Customise Display This command allows the designer to customise the display of the Vertical Grading Editor (VGE). Here, the designer can edit the size of text displayed and assign colors to text and other items, such as the VGE background color.

 

The Set Vertical Grading Editor Window Colors command has further information on this form.

  Information Display Area (bottom)
   
Video Link Click to display Youtube videos related to the Vertical Grading Editor
Minimise View Click to minimise the Ribbon to display only icons for the Home tab.  Click again to restore full ribbon display
Save Save the design
Command Prompt Describes the command details and gives instruction on executing a command in the VGE.
Grid on/off Turn on/off the display of a Grid on the graphical display window
Crosshairs on/off Change the mouse position from a picker icon to crosshairs
Command Prompt Describes the command details and gives instruction on executing a command in the VGE.
Command Prompt Describes the command details and gives instruction on executing a command in the VGE.
PVI, Ch and RL Displays the PVI number (1 on left incrementing to the right), station and RL of PVI closest to mouse position
Incoming Grade Displays the incoming grade to the PVI.  Box will highlight blue if outside desirable limits as described in the Settings. 
Outgoing Grade Displays the outgoing grade from the PVI.  Box will highlight blue if outside desirable limits as described in the Settings. 
Ch, Elevation Displays the station and elevation of the mouse position in the VGE window.
Zoom In Zooms in by 25%
Zoom Out Zooms out by 25%
Zoom Window Pick a left and right extents to zoom to those extents
Zoom Extents Zooms to the start/end extents of the String
Pan Pick a point to pan from a point to pan to.
Toggle On/Off Fast Mode Enable/disable the Auto Update toggle in the Vertical Grading Editor.  When 'Fast Mode' is toggled on, editing in the Vertical Grading Editor will not automatically update all models
Rebuild Model Update all Models (and Surfaces) affected by edits made in the Vertical Grading Editor window
Optimiser Status Displays the status of the Vertical Grading Optimiser. "Thinking..." indicates optimiser is running. "DONE" indicates optimisation is complete and the Fitness Score is displayed.
Green text indicates a valid (high fitness score) design.  Red indicates a poor/invalid design.

 

 

 

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