This Natural Regrade command gives the user single-click access to a 3D GeoFluv™ surface viewer that is based on the GeoFluvTM design. The 3D GeoFluv Surface Viewer displays, in 3D, the surface created from the linework that was drawn by the Design GeoFluv Regrade command. This resulting surface is the same one that is used for volume calculations. Alternatively, the 3D GeoFluv Contour Viewer displays, in 3D, the surface created from the contours of a GeoFluvTM design which has more and smaller triangles lending a smoother appearance to the 3D image.
Note that these commands use linework from particular layers in the drawing. This means that any editing the user makes to the linework in these layers will be reflected in the resulting 3D image.The prerequisite to using the 3D GeoFluv Surface Viewer is that the linework for a GeoFluvTM design must already exist in the drawing. To create the GeoFluvTM design in the drawing, the user can click on the Draw Design Surface button on the Output tab of the Design GeoFluv Regrade command.
Clicking on the 3D GeoFluv Surface Viewer command causes the 3D Surface Viewer dialog box to appear on the screen.
The user has many options for viewing the image available in the
View Control tab dialog box on the right side of the 3D Viewer
screen. The 3D project view can be rotated on the x, y, and z axes
using the sliding Rotation
Axis controls to the right of the view. By left-clicking and
dragging the slider control below the image, the user can clip off
forward portions of the view. The viewer has the ability to add
vertical exaggeration to aid inspection of lower-relief areas by
left-clicking on the arrow to the right of the "Vert. scale" edit box and selecting a
factor from the dropdown menu. The viewer can also change the
position of the sun on the project to evaluate sunny and shady
areas throughout the day, a very useful tool for identifying
optimal areas for different plantings. The user can either
left-click on the 'sun' (yellow box in the blue circle) and
drag is across the 'sky' from the west (the blue circle is the sky)
or move the slider buttons surrounding the blue circle.
The 3D viewer has the ability to color the view by elevation layers by a
toggle setting at the top of the dialog box. These views are
helpful for construction to help workers visualize how the final
project surface can be built in a series of lifts, for example by
using GPS-guided truck dumping.
The toggle buttons on the dialog box below the blue and yellow 'sun and sky' indicator control:
Pan The user holds down the left-click button and moves the mouse across the drawing to pan the drawing in the 3D Viewer.
Rotation The 3D project
view can be rotated on the x, y, and z axes by left-clicking the
rotation toggle button and then holding down the left-click button
while moving the mouse on the drawing.
Dynamic Zoom The user can zoom in and out of the 3D view by holding down the left-click button and moving the mouse up and down on the drawing.
Shading The user can toggle to fill with shading (color) between the TIN file's triangular edges to give the drawing a solid surface appearance.
Average Elevation The user can toggle to have an arrow appear on the drawing surface that indicates the average elevation at the point at which the arrow points.
Reset to Plan The user can left-click on this button to cancel all rotation settings and return to plan view.
The Carlson Software 3D Viewer's Advanced tab has options to block model objects, shade the view, export the view image, and save the view that are fully described in the General Commands/View Commands documentation.
The user can exit the 3D
Viewer by left-clicking on the X at the upper right or the
door at the bottom of the dialog box.
Pulldown Menu Location: Natural Regrade
Keyboard Command: gfView3D
Prerequisite: Design geofluv