Profile To 3D Polyline

This command converts a 2D polyline centerline into a 3D polyline that follows the elevations of the profile. Horizontal and vertical curves are represented as a series of polyline segments since 3D polylines cannot contain arcs. Profile to 3D Polyline can be combined with other commands for plan-view road design as follows:

1. Draw 2D polyline centerline.
2. Profile from Surface Model - to create existing surface profile.
3. Design Road Profile - to design the final profile with vertical curves.
4. Profile to 3D Polyline - create a 3D polyline of the road centerline.
5. Offset 3D Polyline - offset the 3D polyline centerline left and right by the horizontal and vertical distances.
6. Design Pad Template - run twice for left and right polylines of road to tie into surface at specified cut and fill slopes. This creates the limits of the disturbed area. Or use Join Nearest, Direct Connect Endpoints, to create a closed loop pad with one run of Design Pad Template for simple ramps, driveways and access roads.
7. Triangulate & Contour - draw final contours using road 3D polylines.
8. Volumes - use any of the volumes commands to calculate cut and fill volumes.

Prompts

Layer Name for 3D Polyline <3DPROF>: press Enter
Select profile centerline polyline: pick a polyline
Station by another reference centerline [Yes/<No>]? N for no. This option will prompt for a second centerline to use for stationing.
Enter the starting station <0.0>: press Enter
Select Profile File
Starting station of centerline <0.0>: press Enter
Erase centerline (Yes/<No>)? Y This option will erase the original 2D polyline centerline.

Example of road design in plan-view with Profile to 3D Polyline

Keyboard Command: proto3dp
Prerequisite: A .PRO file and a centerline polyline