Export Topcon TIN File

Function

This command writes a Topcon TIN file (.TN3) from a Carlson Takeoff surface. The first prompt at the Command line chooses whether to export the surface from a file or the screen. The file option will prompt for a triangulation file (.tin or .flt) and then the Topcon TIN file to create. The screen option can be used to export a surface from 3d Faces or TIN lines from the drawing. The screen option has the following prompts:

Choose Type of Export

Triangle Faces: Triangulation networks that consist of edge matched 3DFaces defined by three points.
Triangle Edges: Triangulation Networks that consist of edges drawn with Lines defined by two points.
Triangulation File: A Carlson triangulation file (with a DOS extension of .flt).

Source Units: Select the appropriate unit type of the entities to be exported, then press NEXT.

If the Triangulation File option is chosen, a standard windows file selection dialog will open to allow for the selection of the .flt file. If Triangulation Edges or Faces are used for the export, you must select the entities to be exported from the screen. The following dialog opens:

Manually Select allows on-screen selection with any of the various methods (Window, Crossing, Crossing Polygon, etc.)

All on a Selected Layer allows selection of a single entity. The command then selects all Lines or 3DFaces on the layer of the selected entity for export, filtering entities not on selected layer.

Generally, you can select any entities drawn on the screen without special care. The command filters out all types except Lines or 3DFaces depending on the type selected.

When Processing Lines: Crossings, crossing polygon, and fence selection sets can often result in "spikes" around the edges. The command generally discards these spikes, or reconnects them. In any case, better results are developed with clean selections of drawing entities.

Pressing NEXT will open the following dialog:

Other Features to Export: Often times, landmark lines, or other features will assist in orientation to the user when using the TN3 file in the field. For example: Property lines, project centerlines, or other well established reference lines. These features may be added and displayed on the TN3 by choosing them at this prompting. The Other Features dialog opens with all three Source Formats.

Selections are made as described above. Once the selections are made and the dialog reappears, press NEXT.

Naming the TN3 File: After all the triangulation and feature items are selected from the graphics screen, the command requests a name for the output file. Once a name is given, the following dialog reviews all the selections made. A description for the job can be added at this time. Press Finish when ready to proceed.

The program will process the selected entities and/or files and report as shown here:

To view the final output, press the Run Simulation button, or press Exit to return to the Carlson program.

Run Simulation Dialog