This command will create or append to a section
alignment file which is stored as a Multiple Cross
Sections (.MXS) file. This file contains the coordinates that
define the center and endpoints of section lines and is a
requirement of many section commands such as Sections
from Surface Entities and Sections to 3D
Polyline. The section alignment defines the stations along a
centerline
and how far left and right to create cross sections. This routine
starts by asking for a new or existing
.MXS file name. Then the centerline is specified by
either by choosing a centerline file (.CL file) or selecting a polyline
that represents the centerline. Next, the
program prompts for the starting station of the centerline. If
this is a new section alignment, the Make MXS File
Settings dialog appears.
The Input-Edit Section Alignment dialog lists all the section stations and offsets in the alignment of an existing .MXS file.
Dialog if using an existing .MXS file |
Edit: Allows you to edit the currently highlighted row.
Add: Allows you to add more sections by displaying the Make MXS
File Settings dialog (shown below).
Delete: Deletes the currently highlighted row.
Save: Saves the MXS file, exits this dialog and draws the
section alignment on the screen
using temporary vectors (yellow for left offsets, magenta for right
offsets). Any viewport change
such as Redraw or Zoom will cause these vectors to
disappear. The draw the section lines with
Line entities, use the Draw Section
Alignment command.
SaveAs: Saves a new MXS file with a user-specified name.
Dialog used for a new section alignment |
Station Interval: Enter the station interval for sections.
Right Offset: Enter the width for the sections, right of the
centerline. Not available if Pick
Offset Distances is checked.
Left Offset: Enter the width for the sections, left of the
centerline. Not available if Pick
Offset Distances is checked.
Type of Curve: Specify either Roadway or Railroad curve.
Prompt for Starting and Ending Stations: Click or do not click.
Pick Offset Distances: Allows you to specify the offsets by
using the distance between two
picked points in the drawing.
Use Perimeter Polyline: Allows you to specify a closed polyline
that will be used as the limit
of the cross sections. The offsets will be contained within this closed
polyline.
Station Options: There are five methods for locating the
stations:
Stations at Interval: Creates cross sections at the specified
interval such as every 25 feet. If
the Prompt for Starting and Ending Stations is on, then the program
will apply the station interval
to the user-specified range of stations. Otherwise the station interval
is used along the
entire centerline.
Stations at Centerline Points: Creates cross sections at every
transition point in the
centerline such as the PC, PT, spiral points and end points.
Stations at Crossing Polylines: Allows you to select polylines
that cross the centerline and
creates cross sections at the intersections of these polylines with the
centerline.
Odd Stations with Specified Endpoints: Creates cross sections at
stations that are entered or
at picked points along the centerline. This option also allows you to
pick the left and right offset
points which do not have to be perpendicular to the centerline.
Additional Odd Stations: Creates cross sections at the specified
stations but the offsets are
always perpendicular to the centerline with the user-defined default
offset distances.
Specify an MXS file dialog Choose new or existing.
Polyline should have been drawn in
direction of increasing stations.
CL File/<Select polyline that
represents centerline>: pick centerline
Enter Beginning Station of Alignment
<0.00>: press Enter
Pulldown Menu Location: Sections
Keyboard Command: editmxs
Prerequisite: A polyline centerline or a centerline .CL file
File Name: \lsp\profedit.arx