Imports horizontal geometry element from an ASCII file via a text wizard.

You can access this tool from the following:

Importing Various Data Types

This topic provides details on the import process for the various data types that can be imported using the Text Import Wizard.

Cogo Points

Each line is processed as one cogo point. If the filter does not specify the point name, a name is generated in the same manner as the Add Cogo Point command. If station-offset data is provided instead of easting-northing-elevation data, an active horizontal alignment must be present. If a point's station-offset data does not fall within the horizontal station range, the point will not be imported. Each cogo point is then added to the active cogo buffer and after all points have been added, the InRoads Explorer is updated.

Data Example - Point Name, Northing, Easting, Elevation

Cogo1 417289.44 194301.93 0.00

Cogo2 417233.32 194384.69 0.00

Cogo3 417179.75 194468.90 0.00

Cogo4 417186.60 194566.65 0.00

Cogo5 417211.60 194663.48 0.00

Cogo6 417236.60 194760.30 0.00

Cogo7 417255.53 194857.96 0.00

Horizontal Alignments

Each line is processed as a horizontal PI except the last line, which is processed as the last point of the alignment. As each PI is processed, it is added to an array. After all data has been loaded, each PI and related circular arcs and transition spirals is inserted into the newly created alignment whose name, description, and style were specified by the user through the Geometry Options dialog. After all PIs have been added, the alignment is inserted into the active Geometry Project in the InRoads explorer and made active.

Data Example - Northing, Easting, Radius, First Spiral Length, Second Spiral Length

1000 1000

2000 2000 500 100 100

3000 1000 500

4000 2000 500 75 125

5000 1000

The preceding example is the same as adding PIs with the Geometry>Horizontal Curve Set>Add PI at the following coordinates:

1000, 1000

2000, 2000

3000, 1000

4000, 5000 and

5000, 1000.

Then using Geometry>Horizontal Curve Set>Define Curve to add the following curve sets:

Geometry Options (Text Import Wizard)

The Geometry Options dialog appears when you import a horizontal or vertical alignment. The file name is displayed in the dialog title.

Horizontal Alignment Wizard

Reads a file when data is defined by:

The software determines all geometry from the point types and coordinates. A transitional spiral's type is defined by File > Project Options > Geometry and Spiral Definition. The transition spiral's length is the station difference between the TS and SC.

Use these keywords of the Horizontal Alignment wizard:

Define multiple filters to read these types of files.

Point Order

The following assumptions:

The order is important so that the software can determine whether a series of points is a line, circular arc or a transition spiral. Whether an element is a circular arc or a spiral, is based upon the position of an off alignment point and the previous point and next point. If the distance from the previous point to the off alignment points and the distance from the off alignment point to the next point is equal then the element is a circular arc. Otherwise the element is a transition spiral. In the later case the software must be able to compute the starting radius and the ending radius of the spiral. This is accomplished by examining points prior to the spiral and after the spiral.