Surface 3D FlyOver

Function

This command allows you to view a 3d surface in a simulated drive over or fly over mode.  The user has the option of following a predefined path (i.e. a road centerline) or using a random path (free flight).  The surface to view can be defined with either screen entities, surface files, or both.  The routine offers options for different types of surface shading, direction of travel, viewpoints, vehicles, reference surfaces, light postion, color schemes, vertical exageration and more.



Surface Source: There are two methods of defining the surface to view; "Screen Entities" and "Grid or TIN file".   When using the "Screen Entities" option, you must use a 3D polyline to define the path of travel across the surface.   Press the "Select Entites" button to select the objects that will define the surface.  Eligible surface entities are lines, polylines, 3d polylines, faces, etc. 

When using the "Grid or TIN file" method, the surface is defined with either a triangulation file (.FLT or .TIN) or a grid file (.GRD).  In addition to the surface file, screen entities may also be selected to be displayed with the surface file.  To select the screen entities, press the Select Enities button.  With this option, you have the choice of following a 3d poly or free flight. 

Direction Control: This setting determines how the path of travel is defined on the subject surface.

3d Polyline to follow:  If you choose the polyline method, then the animation is limited to following the polyline.

Free Flight:  This option allows the user to randomly navigate the site, but a starting direction must be defined by picking two points on the screen.  Once travel starts, the direction can be controled with either the right and left arrow icons below the window, or with the arrow keys on the keyboard. 

Select Entities:  This must be used for the selection of screen entities when the Surface Source is set to Screen Entities.  It can also be used to select addtional entities when the surface is defined from file.

Reference TIN:  This loads an optional second surface file (.GRD, .TIN, or .FLT) in the background to report the cut/fill differnce between the given surfaces at the current position.  This option is only available when the Surface Source is set to Grid or TIN file.

After making the above selections, the 3D graphics window is opened. The main window displays the drive simulation.  The smaller window to the upper right shows the overall plan view and the location of the vehicle of the surface.  The middle right window displays the current station (when 3d poly is used for direction control), elevation, slope (in relation to the direction of travel) and azimuth.  The 3rd window at lower right indicates amount of roll or cross slope (in relation to the direction of travel) at your current position.



View Direction:    This determines the direction that you look out of the vehicle based on the direction of travel. This setting does not change the direction of travel.  There are four different view directions; front, back, left and right.

View Position:  This determines the relative postion of the viewpoint in relation to the vehicle.  There are three different view postions; driver, pedestrian and bird.  The driver position puts you inside of the simulated vehicle.  Note: The Vehicle Icon option is not available when Driver is used.  The Pedistrian postion puts you behind and above the vehicle when view direction is set to front, above and to the left when the view direction is right, and so on.  The Bird position puts you further behind and higher above the selected vehicle.

Vehicle Icon:  Determines the type of vehicle to be used in the diplay.  There are five options available; D11 Dozer, D8 Dozer, Hummer, Land Rover and none.

Shading:  Determines the type of shading to be applied to the surface when the surface source is from a file.  This option is not active when the surface is defined by screen entities.  Their are four shading options; None, Flat, Smooth and Elevation.  The None option will not produce shading.  The Flat option will use one color per 3d face.  The Smooth option blends colors together. The Elevation option  generates colors based on the  vertical position of  the surface entities.

Surface Color:  This setting will determine the color of surface entities when the shading mode is set to either flat or smooth.  The color functions are only avialable when the Surface Source is defined by a file.  If the Surface Source is defined by screen entities, color is determined by the properties of the screen entities.

High Color:  When using the "Elevation" mode of shading, this sets the color of surface entities that are in the higher elevation ranges of the surface.

Low Color:  When using the "Elevation" mode of shading, this sets the color for the surface entities in the lower elevation ranges of the surface.

Elevation:  This determines the height of the viewer vantage point above the surface.  Clicking the up arrow will elevate further from the surface; clicking the down arrow will take you closer to the surface.  The arrow keys on the keyboard will also control the elevation.

Distance:  This determines the horizontal distance from the viewers vantage point (behind) to the actual focal point on the surface.  Clicking the up arrow beside the window will increase the distance from the focal point; clicking the down arrow will decrease the distance.

Speed:  This determines the rate of travel across the surface in mph.  Clicking the up arrow beside the window will increase speed; clicking the down arrow will decrease speed.

Vertical Scale:  This option allows the user to specify a vertical exageration factor to aid in viewing flat surfaces with little relief.

Ignore Zero Elevation:  Ignores zero elevation entities in the scene.

Display Trail:  Displays the traveled route on the surface as a line.

Display Cut/Fill:  This displays real-time the amount of cut or fill at the location of the vehicle.  This option is only available when a reference TIN is used in the first setup dialog.


When using "Free Flight", this icon turns the direction of travel to the left.

When using "Free Flight", this icon turns the direction of travel to the right.

Starts the animation in the main window.  While running, this button becomes the Stop button.

Stops the animation.  When stopped, this button becomes the Run button.

When using a 3d poly for the travel direction, this button returns you back to the original starting position.  The simulation must be in the stopped mode for this to be active.
When using a 3D poly for the travel direction, this button will reverse the direction of travel at the current position.  The simulation must be in the stopped mode for this to be active.

Converts the left mouse button to a zoom funtion.

Rotates the main animation window in any X, Y or Z direction by holding down the left mouse button.

Converts the left mouse button to a pan funtion.   Holding down the mouse scroll wheel will also pan.

Toggles shading on and off.  This is only active when the surface has been defined with screen entities.

Exits the 3D Surface FlyOver command

Control for position of the light source, viewed from above.

Pulldown Menu Location: Surface > 3D Views
Prerequisite: Surface Model (screen entities or file) and optionally a 3D Polyline
Keyboard Command: flyby
File Name: \lsp\poly3d.dll