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Line Definition Data

Use this dialog to create or edit data associated with a line definition in an SFI model.

Line definition data can be displayed in plan, 3D, or in the SFI model's longitudinal profile and cross profiles. The profiles are always generated along the SFI model's line definition (CL).

Line definition data contains predefined data types, for example for water and sewage, but you can also define your own data types as described at the end.

Info

Profile number for data types that do not lie exactly on the line definition is calculated by projecting perpendicularly onto the line definition (CL).

Where do I find the dialog?

In the toolbox, select the Line Definition Data... icon.

Using the dialog

All data types with geometry and properties are stored in an SFI model. The first thing you must do before entering line definition data is to create an SFI model. This is the procedure for example when designing VA.

Procedure

  1. Activate the Models tab.
  2. Right-click on SFI Models and select Create...
  3. Select a template (for example, Default_Ditch for a ditch), enter a name for the pipe section, and click OK in the dialog.
  4. Click OK to close the main SFI model dialog. The line definition data dialog will start automatically.
  5. Right-click in the left list and select New...
  6. Select the desired data type from the dropdown menu and click OK
  7. Optionally, check CL if the points for this data type should be used as the SFI model's line definition.
  8. Optionally, set Z-priority different from the default.
  9. Right-click in the map and select Insert Point...
  10. Point and click to place the points in the map. Press [Esc] to exit insert point mode.
  11. Right-click in the list and select Edit... to add or change properties.

Tip

The first time you create an SFI model, you will enter the line definition data editing dialog directly after clicking OK in SFI properties.

If you exit the line definition data dialog without saving, and thus have no geometry on the screen, you can find the command again in the command list:

LineDefData (*.sfi)

You can also insert the command from the toolset, for example in another drawing.

Procedure

  1. Select the Line Definition Data... icon in the Planning, Design, and Execution toolset.
  2. Select the SFI model and click OK

An alternative situation is when you have all points and lines for manholes and pipes in an application layer created with, for example, the Gemini_VA template. The geometry may have come from surveying or another program. Then you can create an SFI model and transfer points and lines from the application layer to line definition data using the Create VA Line Definition Data from Application Layer... function.

Parallel lines with same code

In the Create VA Line Definition Data from Application Layer function (when using the standard xref table), the S_FCODE field determines which data type the objects receive.

For this to work in situations with parallel lines having the same code, the centerline must be treated as a separate line and thus receive its own data type.

When multiple parallel lines have the same code, the program automatically assigns alternative data types. This applies to the standard types already defined (but they can be overridden in xref tables):

  • 101, 106: Stormwater
  • 102, 107: Wastewater
  • 103, 108: Water
  • 104, 109: Pump line

For other data types – especially user-defined ones – you must update the xref table yourself. This is done by adding S_FCODE_SIDE.

Example:

Five lines have the same S_FCODE=TEST in the application layer.

One is selected as the centerline when transferring to line definition data.

Parallel lines with same FSCODE

Parallel lines with same FSCODE

User-defined data types 10001 (for centerline) and 10002 (for parallel lines with the same code as the centerline) are created.

Furthermore, an xref rule is set up for transfer from the application layer to line definition data in the SFI model.

Criteria that must be met:

S_FCODE = TEST

Attribute values to be set:

S_FCODE = 10001 S_FCODE_SIDE = 10002

Z-Priority

With this option, you can set the priority for height (Z) calculation. Z-calculation is used for the Calculate Height function in the dialog's context menu, the Move Function (M) in dynamic editing, and for Grips Editing.

Available options depend on whether you are working in a terrain model or a longitudinal profile. The options and default priority are listed below:

Terrain Model

  1. Model surface (top theoretical layer)
  2. Terrain grid
  3. Centerline (vertical curvature or 3D line)

Longitudinal Profile Editing

  1. Centerline (vertical curvature or 3D line)
  2. Advanced section
  3. Top physical layer

Properties Dialog

The properties dialog contains two lists:

Left List

The left list shows the data types created in the SFI model. Several data types are available, and you create a data type with the New... button (right-click in the list).

When entering VA data, you usually need to select which line will be the centerline (CL). This determines which line is used for generating the longitudinal profile.

The SFI model's line definition is continuously updated with the points of the selected data type as changes occur.

Warning

You can link VA data to an existing centerline for a designed road. In this special case, do not check CL, as this will overwrite the road's centerline (line definition).

Right List

The right list shows the associated geometry and properties that have been entered.

All data types have the following geometry columns for the points:

  1. Profile number
  2. East and North
  3. Height

In addition, they have properties depending on the data type, but at a minimum:

  1. Point ID
  2. Rotation

VA Design

Data types for VA design:

  • Stormwater data
  • Wastewater data
  • Water data
  • Pump line
  • Drain line
  • Stormwater branch
  • Wastewater branch
  • Water line branch
  • Pump line branch
  • Drain line branch
  • VA pipe annotations

VA design uses line definition data. When designing VA, you have two methods:

  1. Simple design with manhole groups
  2. Exact 3D design

Info

The options for smoothing the line definition, corridor width, and max. CL deviation are relevant when building a 3D trench for a pipe section. You must always have a line definition (CL) in the SFI model, and for trenches, this is normally generated from a pipe. With these options, you will get a well-adapted CL for the trench, which provides better construction at bend points.

See the relevant section in the general user documentation for more details on VA Design.

High Voltage Mast

High voltage masts have four additional properties (columns):

  1. Mast height
  2. Conductor cross-section
  3. Parabola
  4. Mast type

You can choose between five different mast types (no. 1–5). Note that mast type 5 has a fixed height and cannot be changed in the list. The figures use a separate command to draw the parabolas between the masts. See command L@ for more details.

Dynamic Editing in the Map

Via Properties Dialog

You can dynamically edit the geometry of the data type on the screen via the properties dialog. The functions are found in the context menu (right-click on the screen).

The functions for dynamic editing are described in more detail in the general user documentation.

Via Grips

You can also activate "grips" and edit the geometry directly on the screen.

Tip

With Add Application Layer Line... on the right mouse button in the left list, you can retrieve geometry from a line in an application layer.

Manual Editing in the Dialog

You can edit the properties of the data type directly in the right list.

Activate a field in the table for editing by pressing [F2] or left-clicking. In edit mode, you can move between columns with [Tab] and [Shift]+[Tab]. You can switch rows with [Up Arrow] and [Down Arrow]. Note that the arrow keys can also be used to move between fields when not in edit mode.

You can perform various functions on the data in the columns. Some are specific to the column, while others are general. Available functions appear when you:

  1. Left-click on the column header
  2. Right-click in the list

The functions on the right mouse button are described in more detail in the general user documentation.

Custom data types and presentation rules

Available data types and presentation rules are predefined, but you can also define your own if desired. The options for this can be found in the dialog for Gemini Terrain Settings...

See the dialogs Line Definition Data: Data Types and Line Definition Data: Presentation Rules for more detailed description of data types and presentation rules.

Warning

If the SFI file contains custom data types that have been deleted in the settings dialog, the associated data will be listed in the line definition data dialog but will not be editable. They will also not be displayed on the screen.