New Cross-Section Features

Create a cross-section of a template by digitizing points at specified offsets from a defined central location and assigning depths.

A cross-section can be applied to alignments to automatically create a 3D model of a template and its surfaces.

Cross-sections are created with a prepackaged default initial state, or, if another cross-section was selected when you chose to create a new cross-section, the new cross-section will be a copy of the selected cross-section.

To create a new cross-section:

1. [Optional] Select an existing cross-section to use as a reference.

2. Select the New Cross-Section command.

The Cross-Section window is opened with a new cross-section displayed. This window opens automatically whenever a cross-section is selected.

Every point in a cross-section has a depth as well as an offset from the vertical blue dashed line, which represents the location of the alignment. The following conventions are used to show information as clearly as possible:

• The offsets are displayed above the points, in green.

• The depths are displayed below the points, in blue.

• Information about the edges between points is displayed in red above the edges, for example, the depth of horizontal edges.

• The grade of sloped edges is displayed in red as a percentage and as a ratio.

The number and position of points in the cross-section can be adjusted in the Display window.

3. The following changes can be applied in the Display window in any order:

• To achieve a precise grade, right-click and select Edit Line > Snap to Grade and select the appropriate snapping mechanism. After choosing that setting, moving points will always preserve an appropriate slope value.

• The entire cross-section can be shifted by moving the mouse pointer over any of the edges, dragging it to an appropriate location, and then releasing the button.

• An existing point can be deleted by selecting it, right-clicking, and then selecting the Edit Line > Delete option.

• One or more points can be moved at once by selecting them, pressing the left mouse button, dragging the cursor to an appropriate location, and then releasing the button. The <SHIFT> key can be used to select all points between two given points, and the <CTRL> key can be used to select any number of random points.

• Additional points can be added by pressing the <CTRL> key and clicking in the appropriate location on the cross section, or by right-clicking and choosing the Edit Line > Redigitize option.