Menu

The Alignment Design dialog has the following drop-down menus:

By clicking on the links above you'll get a in-depth description of the different menus.

Object

The pull-down menu looks like this:

• Select task...

• Center Line from Road Model

• Pick Angular Points

• From Drawing

• From File

• Name...

• Properties...

• Start Chainage...

• Automatic Quadri Save

• Export to File...

• Import NADB File

Select task...

Here it is possible to select the appropriate alignment task in Novapoint Base.

MOUS_ICO The function is also available from Alignment Design > Toolbar >  Select Task

Center Line from Road Model

This function uses the center line set in the active road model as the alignment.

MOUS_ICO The function is also available from Alignment Design > Toolbar >  Center Line from Road Model

Notes:

• After editing the center line in current road model, remember to rebuild the Road Model.

• Changes in the horizontal alignment will influence the road model in several ways.

Pick Angular Points

This function creates a new alignment based on straight lines and simultaniously adds curves as set by the user or Design Standard.

• The sequence of the elements will be line-arc-line.

• By default, the standards of arc (radius/length) will be based on the settings defined at Design Standard.

• Radius of the curve can be changed from the command prompt while picking a angular point.

• Cancel the previous angular point using the Undo option in the command prompt.

• Finish picking angular points using the key Return or right-click.

• The function is to be used to start the alignment design. To append (continue adding elements to the alignment) use the function Append Angular Points (under Modify below).

Note: The Append Angular Points function does not force the alignment to start from scratch.

From Drawing

Use this function when wanting to select an alignment from the drawing. It is possible to choose single or multiple alignments, lines and polylines.

The first picked element sets the alignment direction. If more than one CAD element is selected the direction of the alignment will be consequential in the direction the alignment is selected. The direction of the alignment can be changed at any time with the Turn function.

MOUS_ICO The function is also available from Action buttons > Pick Object

From File...

This function opens an alignment based on file data. The file data can be on different file formats.

Alignment Data Formats

Horizontal Alignment data in the following formats can be used in Alignment Design:

• *.TIT - Standard format for the NADB result data (Horizontal Geometry)

• *.LIN - POINT/SBG format for the Horizontal Geometry

• *.LI - Intergraph format

• *.DAT - Intergraph format

• *.TXT - XROAD format

• *.ISL - ISPOL format

• *.XML - LandXML format

Vertical Alignment data in the following formats can be used in Alignment Design:

• *.NYL - Standard format for the Vertical Geometry result data

• *.PRF - POINT/SBG format for the Vertical Geometry

• *.TXT - XROAD format

• *.ISL - ISPOL format

When the horizontal alignment is loaded the function asks for the file with the vertical alignment. Select the appropriate file for the vertical alignment or press Cancel.

TenTable (*.TIT)

This is the most used filetype for Novapoint alignments. When choosing an alignment from a TIT-file, Novapoint performs a check for the SEG file with the same name as for the TIT file. The SEG-file contains the details of fixation, and Novapoint will use this information if it is present.

Name...

Use this function to save the alignment to a task in the Quadri-model. If a task already containing an alignment is selected, the previous alignment will be overwritten.

Notes:

• When using the action button OK - Draw, or one of its similar buttons from the pull-down, the alignment will be saved to the alignment task.

• The changes in the alignment will not be saved if the program or dialog box terminates.

Properties...

Use this function to add information you want to follow the alignment. Details defined in this dialog box will be saved in the files *.RES and *.NDB.

Start Chainage...

Use this function to define the first chainage for the active alignment.

• By default the first chainage is 0.0000m

• User can define any value (positive or negative) as first chainage.

Alternatively, the user can define the value for the start chainage based on a desired point on the alignment or globally. Novapoint will recalculate the start chainage when pressing Calculate Start Chainage.

Follow the below procedure to calculate the first chainage from other designed alignments, object in the drawing or a desired point on the alignment:

Step 1: Mark the check box Use Chainage at Point.

Step 2: Pick a point in the drawing using the button Pick Point < or manually insert the North and East coordinates. The point can be any of the following:

1. • Any point on other designed alignments.

   • Any object in the drawing.

   • Any point on the current alignment itself.

Step 3: Based on the current first chainage (at the field Start Chainage), the chainage at the point selected will be calculated and displayed at the field Chainage.

1. • This value can be edited and whole chainage can be recalculated (using the button Calculate Start Chainage) with this value as reference.

Step 4: Define the desired chainage at the field Chainage and click the button Calculate Start Chainage to find the new first chainage for the horizontal alignment. Observe the field Start Chainage.

Step 5: Click OK to apply and exit.

Note: When using this function on an alignment already in use as reference alignment, the road model will NOT BE UPDATED based on the changes. Therefore, the Road Model must be adjusted separately.

Automatic Quadri Save

The function gives the user the possibility to switch off the automatic saving of the alignment to the Quadri-model. The use of this function will give quicker response when doing changes in larger alignments because the communication between the Quadri-model and Alignment Design is cut off.

The user should use this function carefully, and it is recommended to use the Save only more actively or save by drawing out to CAD to preserve data from being lost unnecessary.

Export to File...

Use this function to export the designed alignment to files. The dialog box Save As will pop up:

• Select from the drop-down list (at the field Save as type) the combination of files to be saved.

Alignment data (horizontal geometry and/or vertical geometry) can be exported to the following formats:

• *.NDB - Standard format for NADB input data (Horizontal Geometry)

• *.RES - Standard format for the NADB result report (Horizontal Geometry)

• *.TIT - Standard format for the NADB result data (Horizontal Geometry)

• *.SEG - Standard format for the NADB horizontal fixation data

• *.NYL - Standard format for the Vertical Geometry result data

• *.LIN - POINT/SBG format for the Horizontal Geometry

• *.PRF - POINT/SBG format for the Vertical Geometry

• *.LI - Intergraph format

• *.DAT - Intergraph format

• *.TXT - XROAD format

Saving single files from tables:

• Saving a single NDB file can be handled from the NADB In H tab of the dialog Alignment Design.

• Saving a single RES file can be handled from the NADB Res H tab of the dialog Alignment Design.

• Saving a single TIT file can be handled from the NADB Ten H tab of the dialog Alignment Design.

Import NADB File

Use this function to import the horizontal alignment data from a NADB input data file. When importing from a NADB file, extension *.NDB, the properties and user defined fixed points will be included. Fixations will follow the *.SEG file if this is available.

Edit

The pull-down menu looks like this:

• Undo

• Redo

• Delete

• Select All

• Copy

• Copy and Offset

• Copy and Mirror

• Split after Element

• Delete Elements and Split

• History

Undo

Use these functions to undo any changes made to the alignment to any marks in the history. This function cancels the latest action.

MOUS_ICO In the Alignment Design the function is also available from the Toolbar

Note: Undo in the Alignment Design is connected to changes in the alignment and is not to be mixed with the undo in the CAD software.

Tip: Use the History tab in the element data window for visually switching between different versions of the alignment.

Redo

Use these functions to redo any changes made with the undo in the Alignment Design Dialog Box. The function cancels the last undo operations.

MOUS_ICO In the Alignment Design the function is also available from the Toolbar

Note: Redo in the Alignment Design is connected to changes in the alignment and is not to be mixed with the redo in the CAD software.

Tip: Use the History tab in the element data window for visually switching between different versions of the alignment.

Delete

Use this function to delete one or more selected elements in the horizontal and vertical input data tables.

• Several element rows can be selected from the main dialog box either by holding down the Shift button while pointing at them, or place the cursor on an element, holding down the left mouse button and drag the mouse across the rows.

MOUS_ICO In the Alignment Design the function is also available from the Toolbar

Tip: Elements can also be deleted using the key Delete on the keyboard. Select the elements to be deleted and hit the Delete key.

Select All

This function selects all elements in the horizontal or vertical input data tables of the Element Data Window.

Tip: All elements in the Element Data Window can also be selected using the keys CTRL + A on the keyboard.

Copy

This option creates an identical copy of the selected elements of the horizontal alignment and opens it in a new alignment dialog.

MOUS_ICO In the Alignment Design the function is also available when right-clicking an element in the Element Data Window

Tip: Copy the whole alignment by using the key combinations Ctrl + A followed by Ctrl + C.

Note: The new alignment must be saved to the Quadri-model using the function Name... before working on the vertical alignment (described above under Object).

Copy and Offset

This option creates an identical alignment (horizontal and vertical geometry) with options to offset to the left or right side. The dialog box Copy and Offset will pop up where the offset value and direction can be defined.

The function Copy and Offset can be activated using the keys Ctrl + O.

Offset: Define the offset distance in meters.

When editing the alignments the respective dialog box will be highlighted.

MOUS_ICO In the Alignment Design the function is also available when right-clicking an element in the Element Data Window

Copy and Mirror

This option creates an identical but mirrored alignment (horizontal and vertical geometry). The mirror line is to be defined with two points.

The function Copy and Mirror can be activated using the keys Ctrl + M.

Command prompts for:

1. Specify the first point of mirror line: Pick the first point of the mirror line.

2. Specify the second point of mirror line: Pick the second point of the mirror line.

When editing the alignments the respective dialog box will be highlighted.

MOUS_ICO In the Alignment Design the function is also available when right-clicking an element in the Element Data Window

Split after Element

Use this function to split the alignment into two parts at the end of the selected element.

Select an element from the tab Input H (horizontal input data), which is to be the last element to remain in the original alignment after the split.

The second part of the original alignment after the split will be available in a new Alignment Design Dialog Box. The second part of the alignment must be saved to the Quadri-model or drawn out to be saved.

MOUS_ICO In the Alignment Design the function is also available when right-clicking an element in the Element Data Window

Note: The vertical alignment will not be split. Import the vertical alignment for the second part of alignment from the first part of alignment using the function From Terrain Model.

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the main dialog box when the tab Input H is active.

• Place the cursor on the element row after which the alignment is to be split, activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Split after Element.

Delete Element(s) and Split

The function is similar to Split after Element but also deletes selected elements before splitting the alignment into two parts.

Select (highlight) one or multiple element rows on the tab Input H (horizontal input data), which are to be deleted. The selected elements will be deleted from the alignment and the alignment will be split into two parts.

The second part of the original alignment after the split will be available in a new Alignment Design Dialog Box. Continue the design and remember to save to the database (Quadri Model) with a unique name.

MOUS_ICO In the Alignment Design the function is also available when right-clicking an element in the Element Data Window

Note: The vertical alignment will not be split. Import the vertical alignment for the second part of alignment from the first part of alignment using the function Get Object from task.

History

Use these options to set or return to marks in the history list, and to stop or start the history recording.

All changes and actions done to the alignment since the Alignment Design Dialog Box is opened will be recorded into a log list and can be accessed from the History tab in the Element Data window.

Set Mark

Use this option to mark an action in the history; this will act as a restore point.

Go Back to Mark

Use this option to undo all actions that are carried out after the Set Mark action.

Stop

Use this option to stop recording the actions in the history list, e.g. if the operations being carried using the Alignment Design functions can be defined as a group of actions not needed to be recorded.

Start

Use this option to start recording the actions in the history list.

View

The pull-down menu looks like this:

• Zoom

• Display...

Zoom

Zoom All Elements

Use this function to zoom all the elements of both the alignments (horizontal and vertical). The function can be operated on both horizontal and vertical drawings.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Zoom All

MOUS_ICO Menu: View > Zoom > All Elements

Tip: To access the function from the Alignment Design Dialog Box, activate the tab Input H or Input V, place the cursor on a desired object, enable the pop-up menu, and select the menu option All Elements from the submenu Zoom.

Zoom Selected Element(s)

Use this function to zoom the selected elements in both horizontal and vertical drawings.

• Select multiple elements or a single element (either from horizontal or vertical geometry) and run the function.

• The selected elements will be zoomed both in horizontal and vertical drawings irrespective of the active alignment.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Zoom Selected Element(s)

MOUS_ICO Menu: View > Zoom > Selected Element(s)

Note: When zooming to selected horizontal elements, the vertical drawing will zoom the corresponding vertical alignment element, and vice versa.

Tips:

• This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the main dialog Alignment Design Professional.

• To access the function from the main dialog box, activate the tab Input H or Input V, place the cursor on the element to be zoomed, activate the shortcut menu, select the menu option Selected Element(s) from the submenu Zoom.

• Select multiple element rows from the main dialog box (either from tab Input H or Input V) to be zoomed, place the cursor on the selected multiple elements, activate the shortcut menu, select the menu option Selected Element(s) from the submenu Zoom.

• Several element rows can be selected from the main dialog box either by holding down the Shift button while pointing at them, or place the cursor on an element, holding down the left mouse button, and drag the mouse across the rows.

Zoom Horizontal Drawing

Use this function to zoom the horizontal drawing to the corresponding elements as the vertical drawing view.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Zoom Horizontal Drawing

MOUS_ICO Menu: View > Zoom > Horizontal Drawing

This function is only applicable when working with both horizontal and vertical alignments.

Tips:

• This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment).

• To activate the function from the design line, pick the design line with the left button of the mouse, place the cursor on the design line (anywhere), activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Zoom Horizontal Drawing or Zoom Vertical Drawing from the submenu View.

• Use the option Zoom Horizontal Drawing to zoom the horizontal drawing to that of the vertical drawing view.

• Use the option Zoom Vertical Drawing to zoom the vertical drawing to that of the horizontal drawing view.

Zoom Vertical Drawing

Use this function to zoom the vertical drawing to the corresponding part as the horizontal drawing view.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Zoom Vertical Drawing

MOUS_ICO Menu: View > Zoom > Vertical Drawing

This function is only applicable when working with both the horizontal and the vertical alignment.

Tips:

• This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment).

• To activate the function from the design line, pick the design line with the left button of the mouse, place the cursor on the design line (anywhere), activate the shortcut menu, select the menu option Zoom Horizontal Drawing or Zoom Vertical Drawing from the submenu View.

• Use the option Zoom Horizontal Drawing to zoom the horizontal drawing to that of the vertical drawing view.

• Use the option Zoom Vertical Drawing to zoom the vertical drawing to that of the horizontal drawing view.

Display...

Use this function to define the display setting of the design line (graphical alignment (horizontal/vertical) on the current drawing/vertical drawing).

Run the function from the following location in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: View > Display

The dialog box Display Setting will pop up.

Settings for the horizontal alignment

• Grip symbols: Mark the check box to enable the option and clear the check box to disable.

• Element signature: Mark the check box to enable the option and clear the check box to disable.

• Sketch polyline during drag: Mark the check box to enable the option and clear the check box to disable.

• Schematic Vertical Alignment: Mark the check box to enable the option and clear the check box to disable.

Settings for the vertical alignment

• Grip symbols: Mark the check box to enable the option and clear the check box to disable.

• Element signature: Mark the check box to enable the option and clear the check box to disable.

• Sketch polyline during drag: Mark the check box to enable the option and clear the check box to disable.

• Slope signature: Mark the check box to enable the option and clear the check box to disable.

• Terrain: Mark the check box to enable the option and clear the check box to disable.

Grip Symbols

To toggle Grip Symbols, select the tab Horizontal Drawing.

• When Grip Symbols are enabled, the grips are displayed in the elements fixed points.

• When Grip Symbols are not enabled, the grips are not displayed.

Notes:

• Even though the Alignment Design grip symbols are turned off, CAD will display standard grip symbols when the design line is selected/marked to edit.

• The grip symbols, which are turned off/on using the function Display, are different from the editing grips.

Tip: Use CAD command Fill to turn on/off filling of the grip symbols.

Element signature

To toggle Element Signature, select the tab Horizontal Drawing.

• When the element signature is enabled, the radius of curves, clothoid parameters, and chainage are displayed along with the alignment and element transitions.

• When the Element signature is disabled, the signature will not be displayed.

Sketch Polyline during Drag

To toggle Sketch Polyline during Drag, select the tab Horizontal Drawing.

• If this option is enabled, the line is continually sketched when editing fixed points in the drawing.

• If this option is disabled the result will only be displayed when the fixed points have been edited.

Schematic Vertical Alignment

To toggle Schematic Vertical Alignment, select the tab Horizontal Drawing.

• If this option is enabled, information from the vertical alignment will be presented along the horizontal alignment, e.g. vertical intersection points and information on the bottom and top points.

• Use this option to design a harmonic alignment and to control the sag and crest in accordance with the horizontal curves.

Tips:

• This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (alignment).

• To activate the function, select the design line (alignment), place the cursor on the design line (horizontal or vertical), activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Vertical Angular Points from the submenu View.

Chainage

To toggle Chainage, select the tab Horizontal Drawing.

This option refers to chainage along the design line (graphical alignment in the current/vertical drawing). Mark the check box and define the chainage interval. If this option is not active, only tangent points will be having the chainage. The default chainage interval is 100.0m.

Slope Signature

To toggle Slope Signature, select the tab Horizontal Drawing.

• When the Slope signature is enabled, slope information will be displayed along the vertical straight-line elements.

• The slope can be presented as a ratio (1:S), percentage, or per thousand. These settings can be found under Options.

Terrain

To toggle Terrain, select the tab Horizontal Drawing.

If the terrain is disabled, it will not be displayed or recalculated when the horizontal alignment changes and there will be no longitudinal terrain profile on the vertical drawing.

This might reduce calculating/processing time while working with long alignments.

Tip: Double-click the field TERRAIN on the status bar of the user interface to toggle terrain calculation and presentation in the vertical drawing.

Insert

The pull-down menu looks like this:

• Arc

• Line

• Transition Curve(s)

• Arc in Line

• Line in Arc

• Minimum Arc where Line-Line

• Missing Transition Curves

• Ref. Point(s)

Arc

Use this function for the following:

• To start a new alignment with an arc element by picking three points from the current drawing.

  • The radius of the arc will depend on these three points.

• To insert an arc element at desired location in the alignment (horizontal or vertical geometry).

This function operates in two different ways:

1. When the alignment is not yet started (no elements in the user-interface Alignment Design) - Inserts a new arc element.

   • Follow the command prompt for procedure.

2. When the alignment is already started - Inserts an arc element at desired location in the alignment. In this case, an element is to be selected to run this function.

   • Unless an element is selected, the function cannot be accessed. Element can be selected for the table Input H or Input V of the user-interface.

   • The new arc element will be inserted next the element selected.

   • The radius/length of the arc will be according to Design Standard.

   • By default the new arc will be inserted in reverse direction to the previous arc of the alignment.

The function operates the same way in both horizontal and vertical drawing.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Insert Arc

MOUS_ICO Menu: Insert > Insert Arc

Tips:

• Use object snap modes for precise selection of points.

• Use the function Pick Angular Points to start new alignments.

• Use the function Append Angular Point to continue the alignment by adding angular points from the latest end point of the alignment.

Shortcut Menu Options

This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the main dialog Alignment Design or from the shortcut menu of the design line (alignment).

• To active the function from the shortcut menu of the main dialog box, activate the alignment geometry (Input H or Input V).

  • Place the cursor on the element, after which the arc element is to be inserted.

  • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Insert Arc.

• To activate the function from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment), pick the alignment with the left button of the mouse.

  • Place the cursor on the element, after which the arc element is to be inserted.

  • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Insert Arc.

Note: Vertical curves (sag or summit) can also be designed using K - Value as input.

Line

Use this function for the following:

• To start a new alignment with a line element by picking two points from the current drawing.

• To insert a line element at desired location in the alignment (horizontal or vertical geometry).

This function operates in two different ways:

1. When the alignment is not yet started (no elements in the user-interface Alignment Design) - Inserts a new line element.

   • Follow the command prompt for procedure.

2. When the alignment is already started - Inserts a line element at desired location in the alignment. In this case, an element is to be selected to run this function.

   • Unless an element is selected, the function cannot be accessed. Element can be selected for the table Input H or Input V of the user-interface.

   • The new line element will be inserted next the element selected.

   • Alignment cannot have two line elements successively and hence this function doesn't work when a line element is marked (selected).

   • If for some reason, two successive line elements are required in the alignment, mark the option Accept Line-Line Calculation in the dialog box Options and then user will be able to activate this function by marking (selecting) a line element and insert line element.

The function operates the same way in both horizontal and vertical drawing.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Insert Line

MOUS_ICO Menu: Insert > Insert Line

Tips:

• Use object snap modes for precise selection of points.

• Use the function Pick Angular Points to start new alignments.

• Use the function Append Angular Point to continue the alignment by adding angular points from the latest end point of the alignment.

Shortcut Menu Options

This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the main dialog Alignment Design or from the shortcut menu of the design line (alignment).

• To active the function from the shortcut menu of the main dialog box, activate the alignment geometry (Input H or Input V).

  • Place the cursor on the element, after which the line element is to be inserted.

  • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Insert Line.

• To activate the function from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment), pick the alignment with the left button of the mouse.

  • Place the cursor on the element, after which the line element is to be inserted.

  • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Insert Line.

Transition Curves

Use this function to insert a transition curve in the horizontal alignment.

• The length of the transition curve can be rounded to desired value.

Select an element from the table Input H, after which transition curve is to be inserted and run the function Insert Transition Curve(s).

• Unless an element is marked, the function cannot be accessed.

• Transition Curve will be inserted next to the element marked.

• In case of having two arc elements, which form a reverse curve, select the upper arc element to insert transition curve between the reverse curves, a reverse transition curve (two transition elements) will be inserted.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Insert Transition Curve(s)

MOUS_ICO Menu: Insert > Insert Transition Curve(s)

This function will be disabled when vertical geometry is active, as there will be no transition curves in vertical geometry of the alignment.

Shortcut Menu Options

This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the main dialog Alignment Design or from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal alignment).

• To active the function from the shortcut menu of the main dialog box, activate the alignment geometry (Input H).

  • Place the cursor on the element, after which the transition curve element is to be inserted.

  • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Insert Transition Curve(s).

• To activate the function from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal alignment), pick the alignment with the left button of the mouse.

  • Place the cursor on the element, after which the transition curve element is to be inserted.

  • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Insert Transition Curve(s).

Arc in Line

Use this function to insert arc element in a line element.

• By default, the standard of the arc (radius/length) will be based on the settings defined at Design Standard.

• Pick a point near the line element, in which arc is to be inserted.

  • The direction of the arc is based on this point (left side of the line element inserts a right turn arc).

• Command prompts for radius of the arc.

  • Key-in the desired value for radius of the arc.

• Cancel the previous action using the Undo option of the user-interface.

• The function works the same way in both horizontal and vertical drawings.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Insert > Arc in Line

Follow the command prompt.

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment):

1. • To activate the function from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment), pick the alignment with the left button of the mouse.

   • Place the cursor on the line element, in which arc element is to be inserted.

   • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Insert Arc in Line.

   • Key-in the desired value for radius of the arc.

Line in Arc

Use this function to insert line element in an arc element.

• Command prompts for start point and end point of the line element being inserted.

  • Pick the start point and the end point near the arc element, in which line element is to be inserted.

  • Both these points defines the direction of the line element.

  • Line element will be inserted so that the alignment is mathematically correct.

• Cancel the previous action using the Undo option of the user-interface.

• The function works the same way in both horizontal and vertical drawings.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Insert > Line in Arc

Follow the command prompt.

Minimum Arc where Line-Line

Use this function to insert arcs with minimum radius/length (define with the function Minimum Arc) between straight lines in the horizontal and the vertical alignments.

• This function can be used for rapidly creating both horizontal and vertical alignments.

• The initial geometry can be sketched using lines or polylines and arcs with minimum radius or length will be inserted automatically between the straights.

• The minimum radius/length of arcs should be defined before using this function.

• Set the arc parameters using the function Design Standard.

• Vertical Alignment: Vertical curves (sag or summit) can also be designed using K - Value as input.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Insert Minimum Arc where Line-Line

MOUS_ICO Menu: Insert > Insert Minimum Arc where Line-Line

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the main dialog Alignment Design Professional. To activate this function from the shortcut menu, select all the elements or at least two elements on main dialog box (either from the tab Input H or Input V), activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Insert Minimum Arc where Line-Line.

Missing Transition Curves

Use this function to automatically insert transition curves between all elements in the horizontal alignments.

• This function can be used for rapidly inserting transitions between lines and arc, or between arcs.

• The alignment might need some adjustment before it can be calculated successfully.

• Make sure the arcs are long enough before inserting the transitions.

• If the arcs are too short, alignment elements may overlap with adjacent elements.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Missing Transition Curves

MOUS_ICO Menu: Insert > Missing Transition Curves

Note: This function will be disabled when vertical geometry is active, as there will be no transition curves in vertical geometry of the alignment.

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the main dialog (only from the tab Input H) in Alignment Design Professional. To activate this function from the shortcut menu, select all the elements or at least two elements on main dialog box (only from the tab Input H), activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Missing Transition Curves.

Ref. Points

Use these options to add reference points.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Insert > Ref. Point(s) > Add, Add and Pick, Add from Ref. Line

The options are explained in the topic Reference Points.

Modify

The pull-down menu looks like this:

• Trim

• Trim Start and End

• Break

• Turn

• Move

• Mirror

• Lift

• Sink

• Offset...

• Stretch Element

• Drag along Polyline

• Get Fixed Points from Result

• Calculate Angular Points

• Split Angular Points

• Connect

• Append Combination

• Append Angular Points

Trim

Use this function to trim the horizontal alignment.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Trim

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Trim

The dialog box Trim Horizontal Alignment will pop up.

• Define Retain alignment from chainage and/or Retain alignment to chainage to trim the alignment.

• Define the chainage in the dialog box or select from the design line using the button () adjacent to the respective fields.

The section of the alignment between the chainages defined will be retained.

Note: Trimmed alignments might not give a successful calculation, depending on the specified new end points, e.g. trimming a transition curve.

Tips:

• Use object snap modes in CAD to select precise points from the graphical alignment.

• This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (alignment).

• To activate the function from the design line (Horizontal or Vertical geometry), pick the design line with left button of the mouse, place the cursor (any where) on the selected alignment, activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Trim from the sub menu Modify.

Trim Start and End

Use this function to trim the start and end of the vertical alignment so it is not longer than the horizontal alignment.

• This function synchronizes the vertical alignment with the horizontal alignment.

• The vertical alignment will be trimmed in both end, but will not be extended if the horizontal is longer than the vertical.

• The vertical geometry (tab Input V) must be active to access this function.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Trim Start and End

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Trim Start and End

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (vertical alignment). To activate the function from the design line (Vertical geometry), pick the design line with left button of the mouse, place the cursor (any where) on the selected alignment, activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Trim Start and End from the sub menu Modify.

Break

Turn

Use this function to turn the chainage direction of alignment.

• This function turns the chainage direction of the alignment; the first element becomes the last and vice-versa.

• There will not be any geometrical changes in elements of alignment; only the chainage will be reversed.

• When turning the alignment the terrain will be recalculated to follow the new vertical alignment direction.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Turn Alignment

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Turn

Note: Irrespective of chainage direction, longitudinal profile will be represented on positive chainage axis (X - axis) in Vertical Drawing.

Tips:

• Use this function if the alignment should follow another direction than the initial, e.g. a ramp should follow the main road, not the driving direction.

• This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (alignment).

• To activate the function from the design line (horizontal or vertical geometry), pick the design line with left button of the mouse, place the cursor (any where) on the selected alignment, activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Turn from the sub menu Modify.

Move

Use this function to move the horizontal or the vertical alignment.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Move

User has to pick a start point (base point for moving the alignment) and an end point (destination point) for displacement. The alignment will be moved to the specified displacement.

Moving Horizontal Alignment

The horizontal geometry table (tab Input H or the Horizontal Design Line) must be active to move the horizontal alignment.

Moving the horizontal alignment will affect the longitudinal terrain profile the vertical alignment was designed against.

When moving the horizontal alignment the vertical alignment will stay unchanged as much as possible. That means the North and East position of the vertical intersection points will be displaced parallel to the original position. Small moves of the horizontal will then not make any big influence of the vertical alignment.

Moving Vertical Alignment

The vertical geometry table (tab Input V or the Vertical Drawing) must be active to move the vertical alignment.

Moving the vertical alignment will not affect the horizontal alignment.

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (alignment). To activate the function from the design line (horizontal or vertical geometry), pick the design line with left button of the mouse, place the cursor (any where) on the selected alignment, activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Move from the sub menu Modify.

Mirror

Use this function to make a mirrored copy of the horizontal and vertical alignment.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Mirror

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Mirror

User has to specify the first point of mirror line and the second point of mirror line. The original alignment will be mirrored about the specified line.

Notes:

• The mirrored alignment will be the active alignment in the dialog box Alignment Design.

• The original alignment will be closed.

• Remember to save the new alignment to the database (Quadri Model) using the function Object Name.

If the original alignment was defined with a vertical geometry, the vertical geometry will also be copied. Before continuing the work with the vertical alignment, the mirrored alignment must be saved to the terrain model with the function Object Name.

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (alignment). To activate the function from the design line (horizontal or vertical geometry), pick the design line with left button of the mouse, place the cursor (any where) on the selected alignment, activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Mirror from the sub menu Modify.

Lift

Use this function to lift the vertical alignment.

• The vertical geometry (tab Input V) must be active to access this function.

• All the break points of the vertical alignment so that the vertical alignment is moved upwards.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Lift

Follow the command prompt.

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (alignment). To activate the function from the design line (vertical geometry), pick the design line with left button of the mouse, place the cursor (any where) on the selected alignment, activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Lift from the sub menu Modify.

Sink

Use this function to sink the vertical alignment.

• The vertical geometry (tab Input V) must be active to access this function.

• All the break points of the vertical alignment so that the vertical alignment is moved downwards.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Sink

Follow the command prompt.

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (alignment). To activate the function from the design line (vertical geometry), pick the design line with left button of the mouse, place the cursor (any where) on the selected alignment, activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Sink from the sub menu Modify.

Offset...

Use this function to offset the horizontal alignment to a specified distance to the left or right side.

• The horizontal geometry (tab Input H) must be active to access this function.

• Offset of alignments containing transition curves will never be mathematically exact. For more information see the topic Offset Horizontal Alignment having Clothoids.

• If the alignment was defined with a vertical alignment, the vertical alignment will follow the offset alignment.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Offset

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Offset

The dialog box Offset will pop up. Define the offset value (meter) and click the respective buttons to offset the alignment to left or right side.

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (alignment). To activate the function from the design line (horizontal geometry), pick the design line with left button of the mouse, place the cursor (any where) on the selected alignment, activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Offset from the sub menu Modify.

Stretch Element

Use this function to lengthen or shorten an alignment element (line or arc).

• User can stretch the selected element.

• It is possible to key-in desired length for an element of the alignment.

• It is also possible to key-in desired end chainage for an element of the alignment.

• By default, the element will be stretched in the direction of the chainage.

  • It is possible to stretch in the opposite direction by temporarily changing the drag direction.

• The functions works the same way for both horizontal and vertical alignment.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Stretch Element

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment):

1. • To activate the function from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment), pick the alignment with the left button of the mouse.

   • Place the cursor on the element, which is to be stretched.

   • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Stretch.

Command prompts for:

Left click to end, right click to get menu, or press Esc to cancel.

[Length/End chainage/Turn drag]

Select the desired option or pick an exiting 2D point to stretch the element to that point.

Tip: Use the Snap Modes for precise selection of 2D point.

Note: Unless the drag direction is changed the alignment shall be dragged/stretched/lengthened in the direction of chainage. The end chainage will be the end point of the element in the direction of chainage.

Tip: If the start chainage is to be fixed or the element is to be stretched/lengthened/dragged in reverse direction to chainage, change the drag direction and edit the chainage with the option East chainage or lengthen with the option Length.

Once the function is activated the alignment gets dragged with respective to the selected element in the direction of chainage unless the drag direction is changed temporarily with the option Turn drag of this function.

L for changing the length of selected element

E for fixing the end chainage of the element

T for changing the direction of drag (temporarily within this function)

Length <current value>:

Enter the new value for length of the element.

East chainage <current value>:

Enter the new value for last chainage of the element.

Turn drag:

Changes the drag/stretch direction temporarily.

Drag along Polyline

Use this function to drag the horizontal or the vertical alignment along selected elements in the drawing.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Not available from the Toolbar

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Drag along Polyline

Select the element in CAD along which alignment is to be dragged.

Tips:

• Create complete element combinations, e.g. cross section edge lines, copy these with the Alignment Design tools and use the Drag along polyline function to correctly position these.

• This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the design line (alignment).

• To activate the function from the design line (horizontal or vertical geometry), pick the design line with left button of the mouse, place the cursor (any where) on the selected alignment, activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Drag along Polyline from the sub menu Modify.

Get Fixed Points from Result

Use this function to move the fixed points to the end of the elements, both for horizontal and the vertical alignment.

• When working with the fixed points they may have snapped to an inappropriate position. Use this function to relocate all fixed points to the end of respective elements, without affecting the alignment.

• Angular fixed points will be split when this function is operated.

• In order to view the result of this function it is recommended to turn on the Grips of the graphic alignment. The grips can be turned On/Off with the function Display. Though the grips are turned off the function works, but to see the result user has to switch to the design line (select the alignment).

• The horizontal geometry (Input H) must be active to Get Fixed Points from Result for the horizontal alignment. Similarly, vertical geometry (Input V) must be active to Get Fixed Points from Result for the vertical alignment (Optional function, not so common).

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Get Fixed Points from Result

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Get Fixed Points from Result

Tip: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the main dialog Alignment Design. To activate the function from the main dialog, activate the alignment geometry table (Input H or Input V), select multiple element rows or at least two element rows, place the cursor on the selected rows, activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Get Fixed Points from Results.

Calculate Angular Points

Methods to relocate/edit the coordinates of/move the angular point(s) to modify the alignment are:

1. Drag and drop the angular point(s) in graphical display.

2. Pick an existing point from the graphic display and its coordinates will be applied to the active angular point.

3. Key-in the desired coordinates for the desired angular point in the user-interface (using this function).

4. Key-in the desired coordinates for the active angular point form the command line.

One of the methods to modify the alignment is relocating (editing the coordinates of) the angular point(s) in the user-interface. Relocating the angular point(s) changes the length of the alignment elements (line and arc) but not the radius of the arc element.

Do the following to change the angular point(s) of the horizontal alignment from the user-interface:

• Activate the table Input H of the user-interface.

• Run the function Calculate Angular Points.

• Edit the coordinates of the angular point(s) (E1 and N1) directly in the cells of columns E1 and N1 of the user-interface.

Do the following to change the angular point(s) of the vertical alignment from the user-interface:

• Activate the table Input V of the user-interface.

• Run the function Calculate Angular Points.

• Edit the coordinates of the angular point(s) (Chainage1 and Level1) directly in the cells of columns Chainage1 and Level1 of the user-interface.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Calculate Angular Points

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Calculate Angular Points

Tips: This function can also be activated from:

1. The shortcut menu of the user-interface Alignment Design:

   • To active the function from the shortcut menu of the user-interface, activate the alignment geometry table (Input H or Input V).

   • Place the cursor anywhere in the table.

   • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Calculate Angular Points.

2. The shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment):

   • To activate the function from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment), pick the alignment with the left button of the mouse.

   • Place the cursor on any element of the alignment.

   • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Calculate Angular Points.

This function calculates the angular points of the active alignment.

• In order to view the result of this function it is recommended to turn on the Grips of the design line. The grips can be turned On/Off with the function Display. Though the grips are turned off, the function works but to see the results select the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment).

• Angular points for all the curves of the active alignment will be calculated by this function, provided the curves element type must be approximate and the adjoining straight line elements must be of type fixed (with two fixed points). The fixed points are placed on top of one-another, to allow them to be moved simultaneously.

Example

Situation before calculating angular points:

Situation after calculating angular points:

To switch back to the previous type of representation, run the function Split Angular Points (see below).

Split Angular Points

Methods to relocate/edit the coordinates of/move the fixed point(s) to modify the alignment are:

1. Drag and drop the fixed point(s) in graphical display.

2. Pick an existing point from the graphic display and its coordinates will be applied to the active fixed point.

3. Key-in the desired coordinates for the desired fixed point in the user-interface (using this function).

4. Key-in the desired coordinates for the active fixed point form the command line.

One of the methods to modify the alignment is relocating (editing the coordinates of) the fixed point(s) in the user-interface. Relocating the fixed point(s) changes the length of the alignment elements (line and arc) but not the radius of the arc element.

Do the following to change the fixed point(s) of the horizontal alignment from the user-interface:

• Activate the table Input H of the user-interface.

• Run the function Split Angular Points.

• Edit the coordinates of the fixed point(s) (E1, E2, N1, and N2) directly in the cells of columns E1, E2, N1, and N2 of the user-interface.

Do the following to change the fixed point(s) of the vertical alignment from the user-interface:

• Activate the table Input V of the user-interface.

• Run the function Split Angular Points.

• Edit the coordinates of the angular point(s) (Chainage1, Chainage2, Level1, and Level2) directly in the cells of columns Chainage1, Level1, Chainage2, and Level2 of the user-interface.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Split Angular Points

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Split Angular Points

Tip: This function can also be activated from:

1. The shortcut menu of the user-interface Alignment Design:

   • To active the function from the shortcut menu of the user-interface, activate the alignment geometry table (Input H or Input V).

   • Place the cursor anywhere in the table.

   • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Split Angular Points.

2. The shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment):

   • To activate the function from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment), pick the alignment with the left button of the mouse.

   • Place the cursor on any element of the alignment.

   • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Split Angular Points.

This function split the angular points of the active alignment, which were calculated with the function Calculate Angular Points (see above) and the fixed points are moved to the ends of the line elements.

• In order to view the result of this function it is recommended to turn on the Grips of the design line. The grips can be turned On/Off with the function Display. Though the grips are turned off, the function works but to see the results select the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment).

Example

Situation before splitting the angular points:

Situation after splitting the angular points:

To switch back to the previous type of representation, run the function Calculate Angular Points.

Connect

Use this function to connect the following elements that are already drawn on the current drawing.

• CAD elements (polylines, lines and arcs).

• Novapoint object (such horizontal alignment, etc).

• Even construction lines of other active alignment design can be connected (only in horizontal).

The following types of connection can be done with this function:

1. Connect: Simply connecting the elements, which are selected from CAD.

2. Add Arc and Connect: The command sequence will be the same as above, but a curve element will be added by the program which will the connecting element between the active alignment and the selected elements.

3. Add Line and Connect: The command sequence will be the same as above, but a line element will be added by the program which will be the connecting element between the active alignment and the selected elements.

4. Add Transition Curve(s) and Connects: The command sequence will be the same as above, but Novapoint will add a transition curve element, which will be the connecting element between the active alignment and the selected elements.

As there are no transition curves for vertical alignment, the connections with transition elements of the above are not available when the function Connect is activated on vertical geometry.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Connect

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Connect

Command prompts for:

Pick a line, arc, polyline:

Select the elements which are to be connected to the active alignment.

The selected elements are connected next to the last element of the active alignment. If the selected elements are to be connected at the start of the alignment, the alignment's direction is to be turned before activating the function Connect. The direction of the element can also be reversed with the function Turn.

Tip: It is recommended that the end of the first alignment and the start of the second alignment is in the same horizontal point, and that the vertical design goes all the way to this chainage. For best results the alignment should have a straight line in the connection point in both horizontal and vertical to handle any deflections in the design between the two lines. If straight lines are not made in the connection points the connections might fail to connect properly without user interaction with regards to for example fixation logics or two consecutive curves with same radius and direction.

Append Combination

Use these functions to add multiple elements with specified combination.

• There are a number of combinations which can be added to the alignment.

• These combined elements will be added next to the last element of the alignment, irrespective of the element, which is active (highlighted) in the main dialog box or the graphic alignment.

• The following are the combinations, which can be added with this function. In the following text, the phrase "Curve direction turned" means that the direction of the curve element that is added will be opposite to that of the previous curve element of the alignment. The program assumes that there is right-left-right kind of formation of alignment.

As there are no transition curves for vertical alignment, the combinations with transition elements of the above are not available when this function is activated on vertical geometry.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Append Combination

Tips: This function can also be activated from the shortcut menu of the main dialog Alignment Design or from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment):

1. To activate the function from the shortcut menu of the main dialog box:

• Activate the alignment geometry (Input H or Input V).

• Place the cursor on the element (any element).

• Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Append Combination.

2. To activate the function from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment):

   • Pick the alignment with the left button of the mouse.

   • Place the cursor on the selected alignment (anywhere).

   • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Append Combination.

Append Angular Points

Use this function to continue adding new angular points (by picking from the current drawing) from the latest end point of the alignment.

• The sequence of the elements will be line-arc-line.

• By default, the standards of arc (radius/length) will be based on the settings defined at Design Standard.

• When appending angular points it is possible to key-in the coordinates from the command prompt or pick the point to add angular points.

  • Easting and Northing are input in the horizontal alignment, which Chainage and Level are input in the vertical alignment.

• Radius of the curve can be changed from the command prompt while picking a angular point.

  • The default radius of the curve will be based on the Design Standard or the radius of the previous curve.

• Cancel the previous angular point using the Undo option at command prompt.

• Finish picking angular points using the key Return or the right button of the mouse.

• To append angular points from the first chainage of alignment, turn the direction of alignment and run the function Append Angular Points.

• The function works the same way in both horizontal and vertical drawing.

Run the function from the following locations in the user-interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Append Angular Point

MOUS_ICO Menu: Modify > Append Angular Point

Tips: This function can also be activated from:

1. The shortcut menu of the user-interface Alignment Design:

   • To active the function from the shortcut menu of the user-interface, activate the alignment geometry table (Input H or Input V).

   • Place the cursor anywhere in the table.

   • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Append Angular Points.

2. The shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment):

   • To activate the function from the shortcut menu of the design line (horizontal or vertical alignment), pick the alignment with the left button of the mouse.

   • Place the cursor on any element of the alignment.

   • Activate the shortcut menu, and select the menu option Append Angular Points.

Follow the command prompt.

Tip: Use object snap modes for precise selection of points.

Note: The icon Append Angular Points acts for Pick Angular Point when the alignment is not yet started (no alignment in the current drawing). If the alignment is already started, it will continue the alignment by adding angular points from the latest end point of the alignment.

Alignment save options and retrieving it back to continue the alignment design or to modify the alignment are as follows:

• From Drawing: Draw the alignment to the current drawing using the option OK - Draw of the user-interface Alignment Design. Save the drawing file. To retrieve/initiate the alignment run the function From Drawing.

  • The alignment in the drawing will contain extended data and is recommended as a source of information.

• From File: Export the alignment data using the function Export to File. To retrieve it back, run the function From File.

• From Terrain Model: Run the function Name to save the alignment to the terrain model (if it is not saved yet to the terrain model). To retrieve it back, run the function From Terrain Model.

  • Once it is saved to the terrain model, use the option OK - Draw to update the changes made further.

Tools

The pull-down menu looks like this:

• Follow Terrain

• Propose Segments

• Parallel Lines

• Parallel Line Width

• Advanced 3D polyline offset

• Coordinate Transformation

• Horizontal Offset Diagram (Ref. Points)

• Speed Diagram

• Curvature Diagram

• Options

Follow Terrain

Use this function to force the vertical geometry to follow the terrain.

• This function is applicable to the vertical geometry (Input V), which makes the vertical geometry to follow the current terrain profile.

• The function adds alignment elements and arcs between the lines with an intervening radius, which is defined in this function's main dialog.

• The arc's angular points are placed on the terrain profile. This implies that a larger intervening radius makes the vertical geometry worse in order to follow the condition, follow the terrain.

Run the function from this location in Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Tools > Follow Terrain

The dialog box Follow Terrain - Vertical Geometry will pop up.

First/Last Chainage

Define the section of the alignment, of which vertical geometry has to follow the terrain. The first inserted angular point ends up at the first chainage and the last inserted angular point will end up at the last chainage. By default, the whole section is taken into account.

Lift (+)/Sink (-)

State if the adjustment must be lifted or sunken in relation to the terrain profile. A positive value determines the lift in meters; a negative value determined the sinking in meters.

Maximum Arrow height (accuracy)

• This function calculates the height difference between the lowest point in the cross-section and a fictitious angular point.

• If the difference is greater than the value defined as maximum arrow height, an angular point is inserted.

• This means that the lower maximum arrow height values result in a better-suited adjustment.

• The default radius is 0.1m.

Angular Arc Radius, Sag/Summit Curves

Determines the radius of the inserted vertical curves. Default value is 0.001m.

Propose Segments

Use this function to fix the element types in the element sequence so that the alignment calculation is correct.

• The function fixes the element types (Fixed, Partly, Approx, etc.,) in element sequence so that the alignment calculation is correct.

  • For e.g., for the element sequence Line-Curve-Line, all being fixed type elements, the calculation will not be correct.

• The function proposes/changes the arc segment as Approx so that the alignment calculation is correct.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Propose Segments

MOUS_ICO Menu: Tools > Propose Segments

Parallel Lines

Use this function to switch on/off the parallel lines on either side of the alignment when the alignment is drawn to the current drawing.

• The function draws parallel lines on either side of the alignment with the offset distance defined in the function Parallel Line Width (see below).

• Activate the table Input H and run the function to obtain parallel lines on either side of the alignment.

• Activate the tab Input V and run the function to obtain parallel lines on the upper and lower sides of the alignment.

• Parallel lines can be utilized to give a complete picture of the roads/railway width on the designed alignment.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Parallel Lines On/Off

MOUS_ICO Menu: Tools > Parallel Lines

Parallel Line Width

Use this function to define the offset of parallel lines to alignment on either side. The values defined here will reflect in the function Parallel Lines (see above).

• To define the offset of parallel lines in the horizontal drawing, activate the table Input H in the main dialog Alignment Design and run the function.

• Similarly, to define the offset of parallel lines in the vertical drawing, activate the table Input V and run the function.

Run the function from the following location in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Tools > Parallel Line Width

Depending on the active tab (Input H or Input V), the dialog box Parallel Line Width will pop up.

• Define the offset values (meters).

Advanced 3D polyline offset

The function for creating a 3D polyline for cable channels is completely revised and is made more general. This is the new dialog:

Enter all sections you want to create a single 3D polyline for. You can use different methods for the height reference, and if there are gaps they will be connected using a single straight line. You can also initiate values from an existing 3D polyline by using the pick button (the selected polyline is not erased).

This is the available height reference methods for railway:

• Top lowest rail: Height is taken from the top lowest rail.

• Bottom lowest rail: Height is taken from the bottom lowest rail.

• Top nearest rail: Height is taken from the top nearest rail.

• Bottom nearest rail: Height is taken from the bottom nearest rail.

• Top nearest sleeper edge: Height is taken from the top nearest sleeper edge.

• Surface edge (Z): Height is taken from the selected surface outer edge.

• Surface edge (X): Horizontal offset is taken from the selected surface outer edge. Height is taken from the vertical geometry.

For all methods, there is a possibility to add an extra vertical offset.

The calculation basis is the current horizontal and vertical geometry in Alignment Design.

Max dist. from the chord midpoint to arc is a value for deciding the accuracy of the computed polyline.

Methods

Top nearest sleeper edge: The height is set to the top of the nearest sleeper edge.

Top nearest rail: The height is set to top of nearest rail.

When the OK button is pressed, the 3D polyline is computed and drawn to CAD.

Coordinate Transformation

This function allows you to easily convert input coordinates from one coordinate reference system to another.

The function should be mainly used when importing geometry from files, e.g. TIT/NYL, LandXML, and so on, and when the coordinates in the input files are in another CRS than the current model.

The work process could be like this:

1. You open a model with a UTM CRS and want to import an alignment created in NTM.

2. Create an empty alignment task.

3. Start Alignment Design and import the alignment from file(s).

4. Use the function Coordinate transformation from the Tools menu to transform the input data from the actual NTM CRS to the UTM CRS used in the model.

5. Then use Store to model to save the transformed alignment into the model. It is important to transform BEFORE storing the alignment into the model.

Note: Only the horizontal geometry is transformed.

Horizontal Offset Diagram (Ref. Points)

The graphical representation of horizontal offsets of current alignment from defined reference line/points (adjacent tracks or any other objects).

Based on the user-defined Reference Point(s) and/or Reference Line, the function calculates the offset distances from the alignment to the Reference Point(s)/Reference Line and represents the offset distances graphically.

Use this tool to see how far the alignment is located from the Reference Point(s)/Reference Line.

Run the function from the following location in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Tools > Horizontal Offset Diagram (Ref. Points)

Curvature Diagram

This diagram is a graphical representation of the curvature for the alignment.

Options

Use this function for the following:

• Input options, general settings, maximum number of commands in the history list, etc.

• Fixed point settings when segment types of alignment are changed, design line display settings, slope representation for profile design line, grid settings of longitudinal profile in vertical drawing, etc.

• Customize the number tabs (Input H/V, Result H/V, Errors H/V, etc.) to be displayed in the user interface.

• Customize the display of the number of columns in the tables Input H and Input V.

To open the dialog Options:

• Double click any column heading of the tables Input H or Input V of the user interface. The tab General will be the active tab.

• Double click any table (Input H/V, Result H/V, Errors H/V, Ref. Points, History, etc.) of the user interface. The tab Tabs will be the active tab.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Options

MOUS_ICO Menu: Tools > Options

The dialog box Options will pop up.

• General: General Settings.

• Fixed Points: Relocating fixed points after editing.

• Vertical: Slope representation, Gridlines interval, and Signature.

• Lineweight: Lineweight of construction line in the horizontal and vertical drawing.

• Tabs: The tabs such as Input H, Input V, Result, Nadb, etc., are displayed in the main dialog box Alignment Design Professional.

General

To open the Options dialog:

• Double-click any column heading of the table Input H or Input V of the user interface. The tab General will be the active tab.

• Double click any table (Input H/V, Result H/V, Errors H/V, Ref. Points, History, etc.) of the user interface. The tab Tabs will be the active tab.

• For menu and toolbar options, refer to Options above.

Customize the tables Input H and Input V by minimizing the number of columns.

• In the table Input H, Parameter, End Radius, all the columns of coordinates N1, E1, N2, and E2 can be turned off.

• In the table Input V, all the columns for coordinates Chainage1, Level1, Chainage2, and Level2 can be turned off.

Mark the desired checkboxes to enable the option.

Geometry

• Accept Line-Line Calculation: Alignment design does not accept Line-Line calculation as it's against the design rules of alignment. But some lines need to be calculated without following the design rules of alignment, e.g., Boundary Lines. For any such kind of calculation, check this box and perform the calculations.

• Erase Picked Elements from Drawing: The CAD elements/Novapoint objects initiated to the Alignment Design with the functions From Drawing, Pick Horizontal, and Pick Vertical will be removed from the drawing.

• Draw Reference Points: Mark the check box to have the Reference Point(s) also drawn when the alignment is drawn.

Display

• Transition curve parameter as input:

  • Turn off/on the column Parameter.

  • Option to input/edit the transition curve parameter when the column is turned on.

• Transition curve end radius as input:

  • Turn off/on the column End Radius.

  • Option to input/edit the transition curve radius when the column is turned on. Note that if this column is turned on, changes in the adjacent curve element do not trigger an automatic update of the transition radius.

• Coordinates as horizontal input:

  • Turn off/on the columns E1, N1, E2, and N2 in Input H.

  • Option to input/edit the coordinates (horizontal geometry) when the columns are turned on.

• Coordinates as vertical input:

  • Turn off/on the columns Chainage1, Level1, Chainage2, and Level2.

  • Option to input/edit the coordinates (vertical geometry) when the columns are turned on.

• Edit reference points in drawing (Grip edit): Mark the check box to enable the option (allows editing the reference points in drawing using the grips).

• Update dialog box during drag:

  • The values in the user interface will be updated simultaneously, while the alignment is modified/edited by dragging (using the grips) the design line (graphical alignment in the horizontal/vertical drawing).

  • If this option is not active, the values in the user interface will be updated when the editing is done and the grips have been placed.

• Mass distribution in the status bar:

  • Turn off/on the mass distribution displayed at the status bar of the user interface.

  • Alternatively, double the mass distribution display field in the status bar to turn off/on.

  • Mass distribution will be updated after each calculation.

• Chainage and elevation in status bar during mouse move:

  • The chainage and elevation values of the location of the CAD cursor will be displayed on the status of the user interface.

  • Turn off/on the chainage and elevation display at the status bar of the user interface.

  • Alternatively, double-click the chainage/elevation field in the status bar to turn off/on.

• Terrain calculation progress in CAD progress bar:

  • Displays Calculating terrain profile and an indication of the process in CAD's progress bar when the terrain is calculated.

  • Turn off/on the terrain calculation progress in the CAD progress bar.

• Synchronized zoom:

  • The alignment element magnified in horizontal drawing will be magnified in the vertical drawing and vice-versa.

  • Is only applicable for the Zoom commands accessed from the user interface.

• Decimal places in dialog box: Enter the number of decimal to be shown in the dialog.

• Maximum number of commands in history list: States how many operations to save in History.

Fixed Points

To open the dialog Options:

• Double click any column heading of the table Input H or Input V of the user interface.

• Double click any tab (Input H/V, Result H/V, Errors H/V, Ref. Points, History, etc.) of the user interface.

• For menu and toolbar options, refer to Options above.

After editing the alignment (horizontal or vertical), the fixed points can be relocated automatically based on calculation results, if the option Always get fixed points from result is marked. Mark the desired ratio button. Different options for horizontal and vertical geometry can be adopted.

Vertical

To open the dialog Options:

• Double click any column heading of the table Input H or Input V of the user interface.

• Double click any tab (Input H/V, Result H/V, Errors H/V, Ref. Points, History, etc.) of the user interface.

• For menu and toolbar options, refer to Options above.

Slope as: Slope can be represented as Ratio/Percent/Per Thousand. Mark the desired ratio button. The marked alternative setting is displayed in the main dialog's tabs (Input H, Result, Input V, etc.), as well as signature on the design line.

Grid Size in Vertical Drawing: Grid and signature settings for the temporary vertical geometry drawing are defined in this field. A different setting for Chainage (X-Axis) and Elevation (Y-Axis) can be defined.

K - Value as input: Vertical curves (sag or summit) can also be designed using K - Value. Mark the check box to activate the option.

Lineweight

To open the dialog Options:

• Double click any column heading of the tab Input H or Input V of the user interface.

• Double click any tab (Input H/V, Result H/V, Errors H/V, Ref. Points, History, etc.) of the user interface.

• For menu and toolbar options, refer to Options above.

The set-up is only applicable for the current alignment. It is possible to have a different setup for horizontal and vertical alignment.

Tabs

To open the dialog Options:

• Double click any tab (Input H/V, Result H/V, Errors H/V, Ref. Points, History, etc.) of the user interface. The tab Tabs will be the active tab. Double click any column heading of the table Input H or Input V of the user interface. The tab General will be the active tab.

• For menu and toolbar options, refer to Options above.

Customize the user interface by minimizing the number of tabs (Input H/V, Result H/V, Errors H/V, etc.) to be displayed in the user interface.

For more information on these details see the respective topics by selecting from the below list.

• Input H

• Result H

• Errors H/V

• NADB In H/V

• NADB Res H/V

• NADB TEN H

• Reference Points

• History

• Input V

• Result V

• NYLP

• PRF

Data

The pull-down menu looks like this:

• Design Standard

• External Data

• Terrain Setup

• Add Helpline

• Delete Helpline

• Add Active LP as Helpline

Design Standard

Use this function to set the following design standards for alignment design:

• The alignment design can be carried out based on User-Defined Minimum Values or Design Table.

  • Mark the desired radio button.

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Design Standard

MOUS_ICO Menu: Data > Design Standard

The dialog box Design Standard will pop up.

User-defined minimum values

• You can opt to use either Radius or Length as a controlling factor for the curves of alignment (horizontal or vertical).

• Transition curves can be designed by any of the following methods:

  • Empirical Formulae

  • Parameter as input

  • Length as input

• In the case of empirical formulae, the transition curve length can be rounded to the specified nearest length.

• Different standards for horizontal and vertical can be defined.

The background of the cells in the input table (Input H or Input V) will turn red indicating that the radius/length is less than the design standard.

Curves inserted using the functions Min. Arc where Line-Line, Insert Arc, Inserts transition Curve(s), Missing Transition Curves, Insert Summit Curve, and Insert Sag Curve will be according to the parameters defined in this function.

Vertical Curves: Vertical curves (Summit or Sag) can also be designed using the K - Value.

Design Table

• Select the desired design table from the pull-down menu.

• Select design speed for the pull-down menu.

• Select AADT (Annual Average Daily Traffic) from the pull-down menu.

User-Defined Minimum Values

• Mark the radio button to enable.

• Horizontal Curves: Select either radius or length of curve as input value, use the check box Use Length.

• Transition Curves:

  • Select the desired method using the check box Use Empirical Formulae.

  • Select either Parameter or Length as input value using the check box Use Length.

  • Round off the transition curve length to the nearest length using check box Rounded transition curves.

• Vertical Curves:

  • Horizontal curves, summit curves, and sag curves need not have the same controlling factor.

  • For vertical geometry, you can use different values for Summit and Sag (Valley) curves.

• Define the minimum values at the respective fields.

External Data

Use this function to project external data to the vertical geometry of the alignment.

• Other alignment's vertical geometry can be projected on current vertical geometry in the vertical geometry’s constructional drawing.

• The vertical geometries, which are to be projected, should be saved in the database (Quadri Model) and also have a horizontal geometry (after all "floating" vertical geometry cannot be saved in the database).

• External alignments are calculated as polylines in the vertical geometry’s constructional drawing and can be used as construction lines.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: External Data

MOUS_ICO Menu: Data > External Data

The dialog box External Data in Vertical Drawing will pop up which lists alignment and road surfaces available in the active database and road model.

Add

Select the alignment/road surface which is going to be projected on the current vertical geometry from the dialog box. Use Add several times if more than one alignment/road surface is to be added.

Remove/Remove All

Deletes marked alignments, road surfaces/deletes the whole alignment, road surface list.

Calculation step

Activate and determine the projection interval for the alignment. A dense calculation step creates better harmony with the theoretical vertical geometry.

From STA - To STA

Define a from-to station to project only a part of the alignment or surface to the vertical window of your active alignment design. The stations are the stationing for the active alignment in Alignment Design. 

Enable External Alignments/Road Surfaces

Mark the check box for temporarily hiding the design. This option is to easily hide external alignments/road surfaces from the vertical drawing.

Terrain Setup

Use this function to select the source for presenting a longitudinal profile in the vertical drawing (vertical drawing for designing the profile of alignment).

1. Terrain model - longitudinal profile shall be retrieved from the active terrain model (Quadri Model).

   • Calculation settings for the longitudinal profile are to be defined.

   • The terrain model is the default source.

   • Automatically, the longitudinal profile in the vertical drawing will be updated when the terrain setting is modified.

   • Double click the field TERRAIN in the status bar of the user interface to toggle this feature (automatic update).

   • Alternatively, run the function Display.

2. Road model - longitudinal profile shall be presented as calculated in the road model.

   • Available only when the alignment is the active alignment of the active road model.

Tip: Finish the horizontal geometry of the alignment, save the alignment to the terrain model, start Road Model, define Alignment Properties, define terrain data settings (Subsurface and Terrain Boundaries) and return back to Alignment Design to design the vertical geometry of the alignment.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Terrain Setup

MOUS_ICO Menu: Data > Terrain Setup

The dialog box Terrain Setup will pop up.

Selecting terrain model as source display, the following elements are available in the active groups and feature codes:

• Crossing alignments: Alignments, Reference lines, Alignments as Surface Edges will also be shown in the longitudinal profile with respective text labels (alignment name, elevations, and chainage).

• Existing objects are presented with a circle of radius of 1.0m.

  • The center of the circle represents the crossing point with the alignment.

  • Existing objects are defined in terrain model.

• Crossing Wireframe models: Differentiate the wireframe models and the actual terrain surface beneath the wireframe models in the longitudinal profile presentation.

  • The surface of the wireframe model will be the terrain surface if the option is inactive.

  • Wireframe models are generated using the module Road Design and saved to the Quadri model with data type as Element.

• Terrain Model Properties (Groups, Feature Codes, and Profiles): Can be used to administrate the data to be used/presented in the longitudinal profile.

  • Transverse Lines: The wireframe models generated using version 16.30 are included with road surface transverse lines (feature code 1234). The program searches the terrain data laterally along the alignment and these transverse lines along with longitudinal road surface edge line enable perfect representation of the wireframe models in longitudinal profile in all situations of alignment intersection with wireframe models (e.g., wireframe model intersecting perpendicularly with the design alignment).

• Calculation width left/right: Define the search width for the terrain data. The program searches for terrain points laterally from the alignment. Define search width.

• Terrain at left/right offset: Longitudinal profile at an offset from the alignment can also be presented (which gives an idea of terrain cross-section profile). Define offset value. The offset cannot be more than the Calculation Width.

• All points/Section Points/Breakpoints:

  • Section Points: Terrain calculations will be carried based on the calculation interval. Breakpoints shall not be considered.

  • Breakpoints: Terrain calculations will be carried at the breakpoints in the terrain model. Calculation interval shall not be considered.

  • All points: Both calculation interval and breakpoints shall be considered for terrain calculations.

Note: Settings for the grid, elevations, slope representation, and element signatures can be defined using Tools Options.

Window

The pull-down menu looks like this:

• Scale Dialog

• Horizontal Drawing

• Vertical Drawing

• Close Vertical Drawing

Scale Dialog

Use this function to scale the main dialog Alignment Design.

Run the function from the following location in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Window > Scale Dialog

The main floating dialog Alignment Design will be scaled to its full length such  all the columns of the list area and the tabs are displayed.

Horizontal Drawing

Use this function to activate the horizontal design line drawing.

Run the function from the following location in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Menu: Window > Horizontal Drawing

Tips:

• Alternatively, to activate Horizontal Geometry, just point in the Horizontal Drawing if it is tiled.

• OR active the table Input H in the main floating dialog Alignment Design to activate the Horizontal Drawing.

• OR double click on the field VERTICAL of the status bar of the main dialog Alignment Design.

Vertical Drawing

Use this function to open the Vertical Drawing for a vertical design line or activates it if it is already open.

The presentation of the longitudinal profile in the vertical drawing will be based on the settings defined in the function Terrain.

• The longitudinal profile in the vertical drawing can be based on either a Quadri model or road model.

  • Existing objects, wire-frames, alignments/lines, etc., available in the active Quadri model can also be viewed in the vertical drawing.

• Refer to External Data for the following:

  • External Alignments: Project the vertical geometry of alignments available in the active Quadri model into the vertical drawing.

  • External Surfaces: Project the desired road surfaces from other road models.

• Refer to Display to customize the contents in the vertical drawing.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Vertical Drawing

MOUS_ICO Menu: Window > Vertical Drawing

Tips:

• Alternatively, to activate Vertical Geometry, just point in the Vertical Drawing if it is tiled.

• OR active the table Input V in the main floating dialog Alignment Design Professional. A precondition for these two alternatives is that a vertical drawing is already open.

• To open the vertical drawing, run the function Vertical Drawing.

• OR double click on the field HORIZONTAL of the status bar of the main dialog Alignment Design Professional.

Close Vertical Drawing

Use this function to close the temporary vertical drawing file. The vertical geometry's input data is always accessible from the main dialog.

Run the function from the following locations in the user interface Alignment Design:

MOUS_ICO Toolbar: Close Vertical Drawing

MOUS_ICO Menu: Window > Close Vertical Drawing

Note: The drawing with the vertical geometry is only used for displaying data. No data is stored in this drawing.