Generates a profile whose elevations are determined by draping onto a surface.

You can access this tool from the following:

Use the Profiles from Surface tool to generate a profile whose elevations are determined by draping onto a surface. The surface may be a terrain model, a mesh, or mesh solid.

Quick Profile from Surface is a companion tool that provides the same result but simplifies the input by assuming that the entire element is draped and that the offsets are zero.

1. Select the Profiles by Surface icon.

   

   • The Profiles from Surface dialog opens.

   

   • Checking the box next to any of the fields locks in the associated value.

2. When you move the cursor into the View, it is equipped with a command prompt requesting that you "Locate First Element to Profile", move the cursor to a horizontal line that crosses the terrain model.

   

3. When you've selected all of the elements you wish to profile, right-click in an empty area.

   

4. When prompted to "Locate Reference Surface", data point on the terrain model.

   

5. Use one of the following methods to set the Start Distance:

   

   • As you move the cursor, a value is displayed on the prompt. data point at the desired value.

   • Enter a value then strike the Enter key.

6. Use one of the following methods to set the End Distance:

   

   • As you move the cursor, a value is displayed on the prompt. data point at the desired value.

   • Enter a value then strike the Enter key.

7. When prompted to choose a "Point Selection", strike the down arrow key to navigate the options then strike the Enter key to execute your choice.

   

   • The entire element is used for elevation determination

   • Vertices ፩ elevations are computed only at the vertices of the element

   • Ends Ꮭ elevations are computed only at the end points of the element

   • Centroid ᑗ elevation is computed only at the centroid

8. When prompted to choose a "Point Adjustment", strike the down arrow key to navigate the options then strike the Enter key to execute your choice.

   

   • None - no adjustment is performed

   • Minimum - of the points used in previous step, select the minimum elevation and use this value for the entire profile

   • Maximum - of the points used in previous step, select the maximum elevation and use this value for the entire profile

9. When prompted to choose a "Draping Option", strike the down arrow key to navigate the options then strike the Enter key to execute your choice. This applies only for point selection equal ALL. The available options are:

   

   • Triangles - determine an elevation at every point where the element crosses a triangle leg

   • Break lines - point selectiondetermine an elevation only when element crosses a break line

10. Use one of the following methods to establish the Horizontal Offset:

    

    • Key in the desired value then strike the Enter key to lock it in and data point to accept.

    • With the value unlocked, as you move the cursor, a value is displayed on the prompt. data point at the desired value.

    Note: Strike the End key to unlock the value.

11. Use one of the following methods to establish the Vertical Offset:

    

    • Key in the desired value then strike the Enter key to lock it in and data point to accept.

    • With the value unlocked, as you move the cursor, a value is displayed on the prompt. data point at the desired value.

    Note: Strike the End key to unlock the value.

12. To view the new profile of the element, click the Open Profile Model icon.

    

13. Move the cursor into the workspace and note that it is accompanied by a prompt that says, "Locate Plan Element". data point on the newly profiled element.

    

14. The cursor is now equipped with a prompt that says, "Select or Open View".

    • If you have another View open, data point in it to present the selected element in profile.

    

    • If no other view is open, click the number 2 icon on the View Groups toolbar then click again in the new View.

Properties

To View the new element's properties, equip the Element Selection tool.

Select the elevated element in the Profile View then let the cursor hover over it. Click the Properties icon to access rule data for the chosen element.