Create and import roadway alignments in Civil 3D.
Transcript
00:00
In this video, we will demonstrate some of the available methods for creating and importing alignments into Civil 3D.
00:10
We have four alignments that we will use as examples.
00:13
For the Eastern alignment, we can lay out the tangent section based on the points of intersection,
00:19
but we also want to include a reverse curve that we can easily edit.
00:24
In the South alignment, we want to import the alignment based on the linework that is drawn using polylines.
00:32
It also contains a reverse curve, but we want to pay attention to the direction that we draw the alignment,
00:37
since that will dictate the direction of the stationing.
00:40
The West alignment is very basic, but we want to include spirals in the curve.
00:46
In this video series, we will also detail the intersection of the end alignment.
00:54
For the North alignment, we want to import an XML file that may be designed by someone else, or possibly in another program.
01:02
So, to begin with, we will lay out the East alignment with the reverse curve.
01:06
We will provide the alignment name and some of the key parameters, such as the stationing, and the design speed as well.
01:13
Now to lay out the reverse curve, we will draw a tangent between the beginning point and the first PI.
01:19
We'll do the same thing for the end section of the alignment, but the first curve we will enter as a floating curve.
01:27
We can select any point on the first tangent.
01:31
We enter the radius, then we select a through point.
01:34
In this case, we can choose any point on our layout line.
01:38
We’ll just choose the nearest.
01:40
The alignment then updates to include that curve.
01:44
Next, we want to add a second curve as a free curve.
01:49
We will select the first curve and the second tangent, then specify that this is a reverse curve.
01:56
Once we add the radius, our alignment is now complete.
01:60
We can modify the geometry by moving the grips.
02:03
We can see that the reverse curve stays true.
02:07
This option gives us much more flexibility if anything on the alignment needs to change or be revised.
02:15
Next, we'll create an alignment from objects.
02:18
When we do this, the alignment will reflect the exact geometry that we have drawn.
02:23
We want to be certain that we have laid out the curves correctly.
02:26
We need to be aware of the direction in which the line was created.
02:31
To be consistent with the other alignments, we'll start at the intersection point and move South.
02:35
Here, we are simply laying out a polyline by drawing points at each PI.
02:42
Then, we'll run the fillet command at each curve and add a reverse curve near the Northern portion of the alignment.
02:52
Now to create the alignment, we need to choose Create Alignment from Objects from the alignment drop-down.
02:59
Initially, we can specify the direction of the stationing, or if we want to reverse the stationing and how it was drawn.
03:05
Here, we can define the design criteria similar to the previous alignment, stationing, design speed, and other items like that.
03:12
Once the alignment from objects is created, there are a few things that we need to consider:
03:17
simple geometry like curves, points or tangents.
03:20
Those can easily be updated using the grips or tools.
03:25
Complex geometry, like compound or reverse curves, are essentially set by the objects.
03:32
Here, if we revise the reverse curve, a warning will display, showing the elements are not collinear.
03:38
In this case, we could redraw the object, or layout the alignment similar to the first method.
03:44
Next, we have a very simple alignment where we would like to add spirals.
03:49
We take the same steps that we did previously to set up the alignment and layout the points.
03:54
Here, we will choose the free spiral curve, spiral function,
03:59
and layout the curve in the standard method where we select the tangents and specify the radius.
04:05
We also need to indicate the spiral length on both sides of the curve.
04:10
Now, there are other ways that we can add spiral curvature.
04:13
It’s something that users can play with to see all the capabilities of that tool.
04:18
Now for the North alignment, we have a simple layout but we want to import the XML file that contains the geometry for the alignment.
04:25
We do this under the Insert tab and choose Land XML.
04:29
One item to note is that Super Elevation is supported for Land XML files.
04:34
Here, we can choose which items we would like to import into our file, so we'll choose all the available elements there.
04:40
Now, once we've imported that, we have the same editing capabilities.
04:44
In viewing the alignment, we'll see that the stationing may need to be updated,
04:48
so we can do this by selecting the alignment and choosing Properties.
04:52
Here, we can change the stationing or other design criteria or even add station equations if we need them.
04:59
The alignment grid view is available for any civil 3D alignment.
05:03
So, when we choose this function, we can see the detailed geometry.
05:06
We also have the ability to revise the alignment.
05:09
This gives us a level of precision to modify the alignment exactly as is required by our design criteria.
05:17
So the last portion of the segment that we'll cover is for offset alignments.
05:21
We would like to create a corridor with an intersection between the South alignment and then this access road here.
05:28
The Northbound portion of the road will have a turn lane, but that turn lane crosses the center line alignment.
05:36
The same is true for the Southbound approach of the intersection.
05:40
The lane overlaps the alignment.
05:42
So, in order to create a corridor, we will need an offset alignment for the Northbound and Southbound lanes
05:48
that can govern the assemblies.
05:51
In order to do this, we go to the Alignment menu and choose Create Alignment Offset.
05:56
We'll base this on the center line.
05:59
We need to provide some details about the offset alignment.
06:02
So, we'll create the Northbound alignment first.
06:04
One thing we need to consider again is the direction of our stationing.
06:08
The stationing goes from North to South.
06:10
The Northbound is actually on the left side of the alignment.
06:14
So, we'll recreate only the Northbound alignment for now.
06:17
We’ll need to zero out the Southbound side, then set the properties.
06:21
We won't set the labels right now.
06:23
If we have a profile for the center line, we can base the offset alignment profile on that center line, then provide an offset slope.
06:34
The offset was created, but we're showing the line only, no labels.
06:38
We can change the alignment definition, if needed.
06:41
In our tool space, we can select the alignment and choose properties, and we have several options to define our alignment.
06:47
If we want to group this with the other center lines, we can define that here.
06:53
We'll do the same thing for the Southbound lane.
06:55
We'll define it on the right side relative to the stationing,
06:60
then we'll set up the similar parameters as we did with the Northbound offset alignment.
00:00
In this video, we will demonstrate some of the available methods for creating and importing alignments into Civil 3D.
00:10
We have four alignments that we will use as examples.
00:13
For the Eastern alignment, we can lay out the tangent section based on the points of intersection,
00:19
but we also want to include a reverse curve that we can easily edit.
00:24
In the South alignment, we want to import the alignment based on the linework that is drawn using polylines.
00:32
It also contains a reverse curve, but we want to pay attention to the direction that we draw the alignment,
00:37
since that will dictate the direction of the stationing.
00:40
The West alignment is very basic, but we want to include spirals in the curve.
00:46
In this video series, we will also detail the intersection of the end alignment.
00:54
For the North alignment, we want to import an XML file that may be designed by someone else, or possibly in another program.
01:02
So, to begin with, we will lay out the East alignment with the reverse curve.
01:06
We will provide the alignment name and some of the key parameters, such as the stationing, and the design speed as well.
01:13
Now to lay out the reverse curve, we will draw a tangent between the beginning point and the first PI.
01:19
We'll do the same thing for the end section of the alignment, but the first curve we will enter as a floating curve.
01:27
We can select any point on the first tangent.
01:31
We enter the radius, then we select a through point.
01:34
In this case, we can choose any point on our layout line.
01:38
We’ll just choose the nearest.
01:40
The alignment then updates to include that curve.
01:44
Next, we want to add a second curve as a free curve.
01:49
We will select the first curve and the second tangent, then specify that this is a reverse curve.
01:56
Once we add the radius, our alignment is now complete.
01:60
We can modify the geometry by moving the grips.
02:03
We can see that the reverse curve stays true.
02:07
This option gives us much more flexibility if anything on the alignment needs to change or be revised.
02:15
Next, we'll create an alignment from objects.
02:18
When we do this, the alignment will reflect the exact geometry that we have drawn.
02:23
We want to be certain that we have laid out the curves correctly.
02:26
We need to be aware of the direction in which the line was created.
02:31
To be consistent with the other alignments, we'll start at the intersection point and move South.
02:35
Here, we are simply laying out a polyline by drawing points at each PI.
02:42
Then, we'll run the fillet command at each curve and add a reverse curve near the Northern portion of the alignment.
02:52
Now to create the alignment, we need to choose Create Alignment from Objects from the alignment drop-down.
02:59
Initially, we can specify the direction of the stationing, or if we want to reverse the stationing and how it was drawn.
03:05
Here, we can define the design criteria similar to the previous alignment, stationing, design speed, and other items like that.
03:12
Once the alignment from objects is created, there are a few things that we need to consider:
03:17
simple geometry like curves, points or tangents.
03:20
Those can easily be updated using the grips or tools.
03:25
Complex geometry, like compound or reverse curves, are essentially set by the objects.
03:32
Here, if we revise the reverse curve, a warning will display, showing the elements are not collinear.
03:38
In this case, we could redraw the object, or layout the alignment similar to the first method.
03:44
Next, we have a very simple alignment where we would like to add spirals.
03:49
We take the same steps that we did previously to set up the alignment and layout the points.
03:54
Here, we will choose the free spiral curve, spiral function,
03:59
and layout the curve in the standard method where we select the tangents and specify the radius.
04:05
We also need to indicate the spiral length on both sides of the curve.
04:10
Now, there are other ways that we can add spiral curvature.
04:13
It’s something that users can play with to see all the capabilities of that tool.
04:18
Now for the North alignment, we have a simple layout but we want to import the XML file that contains the geometry for the alignment.
04:25
We do this under the Insert tab and choose Land XML.
04:29
One item to note is that Super Elevation is supported for Land XML files.
04:34
Here, we can choose which items we would like to import into our file, so we'll choose all the available elements there.
04:40
Now, once we've imported that, we have the same editing capabilities.
04:44
In viewing the alignment, we'll see that the stationing may need to be updated,
04:48
so we can do this by selecting the alignment and choosing Properties.
04:52
Here, we can change the stationing or other design criteria or even add station equations if we need them.
04:59
The alignment grid view is available for any civil 3D alignment.
05:03
So, when we choose this function, we can see the detailed geometry.
05:06
We also have the ability to revise the alignment.
05:09
This gives us a level of precision to modify the alignment exactly as is required by our design criteria.
05:17
So the last portion of the segment that we'll cover is for offset alignments.
05:21
We would like to create a corridor with an intersection between the South alignment and then this access road here.
05:28
The Northbound portion of the road will have a turn lane, but that turn lane crosses the center line alignment.
05:36
The same is true for the Southbound approach of the intersection.
05:40
The lane overlaps the alignment.
05:42
So, in order to create a corridor, we will need an offset alignment for the Northbound and Southbound lanes
05:48
that can govern the assemblies.
05:51
In order to do this, we go to the Alignment menu and choose Create Alignment Offset.
05:56
We'll base this on the center line.
05:59
We need to provide some details about the offset alignment.
06:02
So, we'll create the Northbound alignment first.
06:04
One thing we need to consider again is the direction of our stationing.
06:08
The stationing goes from North to South.
06:10
The Northbound is actually on the left side of the alignment.
06:14
So, we'll recreate only the Northbound alignment for now.
06:17
We’ll need to zero out the Southbound side, then set the properties.
06:21
We won't set the labels right now.
06:23
If we have a profile for the center line, we can base the offset alignment profile on that center line, then provide an offset slope.
06:34
The offset was created, but we're showing the line only, no labels.
06:38
We can change the alignment definition, if needed.
06:41
In our tool space, we can select the alignment and choose properties, and we have several options to define our alignment.
06:47
If we want to group this with the other center lines, we can define that here.
06:53
We'll do the same thing for the Southbound lane.
06:55
We'll define it on the right side relative to the stationing,
06:60
then we'll set up the similar parameters as we did with the Northbound offset alignment.
