This command allows you to view a 3D surface in a simulated drive over or fly over mode. You have the option of following a predefined path such as a road centerline (3D Polyline to follow) or using a user-guided 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 position, color schemes, vertical exaggeration 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 Entities" button to select the objects that will define the surface. Eligible surface entities are lines, polylines, 3d polylines, 3D faces, etc. The surface is defined by the selected 3D Faces. The other entities are just for reference in the 3D view.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 position of the viewpoint in relation to
the vehicle. There are three different view positions; 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 Pedestrian position 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 display. There are
nineteen options available, including CAT D11 and D8 Dozers,
Hummer, Land Rover, ambulance, and others. You also have the option
to not display a vehicle (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. There 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 available 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.
Vertical Scale: This option allows the user to specify a vertical exaggeration factor to aid in viewing flat surfaces with little relief.
Ignore Zero Elevation:
Ignores zero elevation entities in the scene.
Apply Texture: Uses a
texture pattern for shading surfaces.
Display Sky: Creates a sky dome of 3D faces around the site that is colored blue with some clouds. In order to see the sky, your view point must be below the sky dome. This feature is only available when the software-only graphics mode is turned off under Carlson Configure->General Settings.
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
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 function.
Converts the left mouse
button to a pan function. Holding down the mouse scroll
wheel will also pan.
Control for position of the light source, viewed from above.