Sections from Coordinate File

This command will read a Carlson coordinate file, and, if the proper point descriptions are found, convert it to a .SCT file (stations, offsets, & elevations). This command offers great utility when combined with an electronic data collector. Sections can be surveyed and then complied directly to cross sections, without having to extract them from a triangular mesh surface model. In other words, from the same file we can derive both plan and cross section views from one survey file. The .CRD file should have a point with a centerline description, followed by points that describe left and right offset points. For example, lets say we have a .CRD file with the following data in it.

Prompts

Coordinate File to Process dialog choose the .CRD file
Section File to Write choose the .SCT file to create
Sections From Coordinate File dialog put in range
Station Center Point Description <SC>: press Enter You can use any set of characters that you want to use as the zero offset description code, although SC is recommended because it is the default.
Station Left Point Description <SL>: press Enter You can use any set of characters that you want to use as the left offset description code, although SL is recommended because it is the default.
Station Right Point Description <SR>: press Enter You can use any set of characters that you want to use as the right offset description code, although SR is recommended because it is the default.

 Point#  North  East   Elevation  Description

 1       1000   1000   1050       CL/SC1+50    (centerline descriptor)

 2       1007   1000   1049       EP/SL1+50    (left offset descriptor)

3       1008   1000   1048.2     ES/SL1+50

 4       1010   1000   1048       TD/SL1+50

 5       1012   1000   1046       BD/SL1+50

 6       1014   1000   1047.6     TD/SL1+50

 7       1016   1002   1047.8     PP           (would be ignored and not used in *.SCT file)

 8       993    1000   1049       EP/SR1+50    (right offset descriptor)

 9       992    1000   1048.2     ES/SR1+50

 10      990    1000   1048       TD/SR1+50

 11      988    1000   1046       BD/SR1+50

 12      986    1000   1047.6     TD/SR1+50

Notice that SC is the zero offset/centerline description code, SL is the offset left description, and SR is the offset right description. The station number should immediately follow and be the last characters in the description field. The station number may or may not contain a plus sign. This example would produce an .SCT file that contains the station number 150 and 10 offsets and elevations.

Pulldown Menu Location: Sections
Keyboard Command: textsct
Prerequisite: A coordinate file with the correct descriptions.