Quick Section

This command creates section files in one step. The horizontal alignment for the sections can be defined by using picked points, a centerline file or a polyline. A section alignment (.MXS) file is not required for this routine. 3D screen entities or surface files (.GRD, .FLT, or .TIN) are used to define the vertical alignment.

There are two options under Quick Section Methods. The Station Series method creates sections perpendicular from the horizontal alignment at a station interval. In this case, the horizontal alignment represents the centerline. The Single Station method creates one section along the horizontal alignment appends this section to the output section file. In this case, the horizontal alignment represents the alignment of the section.

For the Station Series method, there are settings for the Start Station of the horizontal alignment, the End Station to stop creating sections, the Interval for the stations, and the Left and Right Offsets to define the section width. There are also options to control the section stations to create. The Stations At Interval option will create sections at the specified station interval. The Stations At Centerline Points option will create sections at the special stations of the centerline for the centerline transitions such as PC, PT points

For the Single Station method, the Station value is assigned to this section. The Zero Offset Point chooses between using the starting point of the horizontal alignment as the zero offset or selecting a point along the alignment as the zero offset.

With the Source Of Surface Model set to Surface Files, the program prompts for up to two surface files so that up to two section files can be generated at a time. When the Surface Model is set to Screen Entities, only one section file is created from the screen entities. With Screen Entities, there are a few more options. The Descriptions By Layer option will use the layers of the screen entities as the descriptions for the section points. The Interpolate From Data Beyond Section Limit will check for intersections with the section line and the screen entities beyond the left/right offsets to interpolate the elevations at the left/right offset extents. The Ignore Zero Elevations will filter out screen entities that are at zero elevation. The Interpolate Zero Offset Elevation Of Sections will create a section point at offset zero by interpolating between the nearest section points.

The program requires an output section file to store the results. There is an output option to draw the sections which calls the Draw Section File command. Finally, the option to Draw Plan View Polyline will draw the horizontal alignment as a polyline which is especially useful is the method to define the alignment by picked points was used.

Prompts

Pick starting point (CL-Centerline,P-Polyline): select a point
Pick second point: select second point
Pick next point (Enter to end): press Enter
Quick Section Options dialog
Choose Source of Surface Model, Screen Entities or Surface File, and make other selections. Click OK.

Keyboard Command: quicksct
Prerequisite: 3D Screen entities or surface files