Model Builder

Icon:        
Menu:    Roads > Model Building
Ribbon: Roads Tab > Modelling Panel > Model Builder

Introduction

By default, the Auto Model command automatically collects together all the roads, kerb returns and cul-de-sacs and creates a totally integrated surface model of these features, including all trimming and creation of breaklines in the intersection zone.

This command allows the user to construct a model using any collection of CSD Objects/Strings (roads, kerb returns, cul-de-sacs, knuckles, strings, etc) and cross section Codes created in the drawing. Users include CSD Objects (inclusive of their cross section Codes) and have a range of editing tools for trimming out Codes that are not required in the model. Common uses for this application includes the design of roundabouts as part of an intersection reconstruction, inclusion of traffic islands, angled parking and more.  

Model Builder allows the designer to construct a model using any collection of Strings and Codes - pick the String object and select the code linework to display.  Users control the chainage range for display of linework data.

The model construction happens directly in the drawing - the designer can control the colour of the linework (based on the Code) as well as the transparency of background linework. 

Zoom and pan can happen directly in the drawing.  The modelling system is accessed from a floating form on the drawing canvas.

Note: if the Automatic Road Model is selected (the model that is used by the software when the Auto Model command is executed) a copy of this model will need to be saved in order to complete any edits. The Automatic Road Model cannot be edited, but can be readily copied using the Save As command button.

Setting Display Defaults

The default display controls are set in the Active Drawing Settings>Modelling Tab form.  In here the designer sets:

These Model Colour Files are created from inside the Model Builder form.

Important note about Transparency - the Transparency setting will only be applied if Transparency has been enabled in the drawing - this is a small icon/text button at the bottom of the CAD environment in the same group of buttons as the Snaps.

Plotting Outputs

As well as being able to plot the surface information on long and cross sections, designers are able to extract the Model strings for display on cross sections.  This has the added benefit of allowing the designer to control which Codes from the Strings to plot in the data rows/bands.  Users can selectively choose what grade break information is important and required in the data rows, rather than trying to filter all grade breaks.

At the time of plotting cross sections, the Model can be included by applying the Add Model/Surface option in the Cross Section Data Bands/Controls form.  Review the cross section plotting for more information on this form and the inputs.

Notes for Selecting and Editing CSD Objects

Details

Upon starting the command the following form is displayed:


 
Create New Model Create a new model starting with all CSD Objects included.
Open and Edit Model Select a saved model for editing. After starting this command the user is prompted to select a model to open and edit.
Open Automatic Road Model Opens the same model that is created from the Auto Model command, which includes automated intersection, cul-de-sac, knuckle and other trimming.

Note: The software will not allow overwriting of this model - users will be prompted to save a copy of this model after edits are made.
Cancel Exit the form.

Once a model is selected the following form is displayed as a floating toolbar, allowing for editing of the model:

Include/Exclude Flyout Click on the Include/Exclude button to expand and display the Include/Exclude Editor within the display window
Minimise Minimise the Model Manager form back to a strip bar
Group Selection Tools The command icons above the spreadsheet provide quick access controls for CSD Objects in the list.
   Includes the highlighted CSD Objects in model.  If no CSD Objects are highlighted then all CSD Objects are ticked on for inclusion
Note: In the list of roads, use the [Shift] and [Ctrl] buttons while selecting rows to select multiple items
   Excludes the highlighted CSD Objects in model.  If no CSD Objects are highlighted then all CSD Objects are ticked off for exclusion
Note: In the list of roads, use the [Shift] and [Ctrl] buttons while selecting rows to select multiple items
   Deselects all rows.  If any row/s are highlighted, this command button removes the highlights.
CSD Object Listing Every CSD Object is listed here.  Items that are ticked on are included in the model. Items that are ticked off are excluded
  Included Denotes whether the CSD Object is included or excluded from the model.  Click on each row to tick on/off the CSD Object
  Object Name Lists the name of the CSD Object (normally matching the alignment name).  This cell is non-editable, however users can select multiple rows by clicking in this column.
  Type Details the CSD Object Type.  Types include Road, Kerb, Cul-de-sac, Knuckle, String. This cell is non-editable
  Length Details the object length - this typically matches the alignment length. This cell is non-editable
Edit Flyout Click on the Edit button to expand and display the Edit form within the display window.

If no CSD String is selected, the user will be prompted to select a string to edit as follows:

Special Note: The Edit form lists the edits applied to the Current CSD Object. 

Minimise Minimise the Model Manager form back to a strip bar
Current Road Lists the current Road (String) being edited.
   Pick String From List Pick a String to edit from a list of all String objects created.  Select a string to edit and click OK to make it current for editing
   Pick String from Drawing Pick a new String to edit from the drawing
   Edit/Trim By Selection Select this option to exclude (delete) selected Codes over a chainage range. 

At the command prompt at the bottom, graphically select the start chainage and end chainage over which to apply the edit.

The editing form is partly modeless, enabling zoom and pan in the display window, as well as updating of the model display as edits are applied.  Inputs are as follows:

Chainage Range to Apply Sets the chainage range over which the selected edit will apply
  Start Set the start chainage using the pick list of chainages - these are the sections sampled for the String
   Pick Start from Drawing Pick the start from the drawing.
   Add Extra Sampling Opens the Add Extra Sections form allowing for extra sampling to be added to the current string and assigned to the Start Chainage.
  To End Set the start chainage using the pick list of chainages - these are the sections sampled for the String
   Pick End from Drawing Pick the end from the drawing
   Add Extra Sampling Opens the Add Extra Sections form allowing for extra sampling to be added to the current string and assigned to the End Chainage.
   Deselects all rows.  If any row/s are highlighted, this command button removes the highlights.
Group Selection These command icons above the Code List provide quick include/exclude Code control for selected Codes in the Code List
    Includes the highlighted Codes from the model.  If no Codes are highlighted then all Codes are set to an 'Include' status.  This option is good to force inclusion of Codes that have been excluded from the model.
Note: In the list of Codes, use the [Shift] and [Ctrl] buttons while selecting rows to select multiple items
    Excludes the highlighted Codes from the model.  If no Codes are highlighted then all Codes are set to an 'Exclude' status
Note: In the list of roads, use the [Shift] and [Ctrl] buttons while selecting rows to select multiple items
    Leaves the current include/exclude status of the Code alone (No Change) for highlighted Codes.  If no Codes are highlighted then all Codes are set to a 'No Change' status
Note: In the list of roads, use the [Shift] and [Ctrl] buttons while selecting rows to select multiple items
Code List Every code for the selected Road Object are included here.  Users are able to set whether the Code is included, excluded, or unchanged over the selected chainage range.  Columns are as follows:
  Code List of Codes for the object being edited.
  Include/Exclude/No Change Set the status of the Code to be excluded from the model (Exclude), included in the model (Include) or status unchanged (No Change).
OK Apply the edit and exit.  The edit can be adjusted in the Edit Flyout (see below)
Cancel Do not apply the edit and exit the form
Zooms to the selected chainage range.
   Edit/Trim by Group Select this option to delete groups of codes over a chainage range. 

At the command prompt at the bottom, graphically select the start chainage and end chainage over which to apply the edit.

The editing form is partly modeless, enabling zoom and pan in the display window, as well as updating of the model display as edits are applied.  Inputs are as follows:

Chainage Range to Apply Sets the chainage range over which the selected edit will apply
  Start Set the start chainage - initially populated from graphical selection in the drawing
   Pick Start from Drawing Pick the start from the drawing.
   Add Extra Sampling Opens the Add Extra Sections form allowing for extra sampling to be added to the current string and assigned to the Start Chainage.
  To End Set the end chainage - initially populated from graphical selection in the drawing
   Pick End from Drawing Pick the end from the drawing
   Add Extra Sampling Opens the Add Extra Sections form allowing for extra sampling to be added to the current string and assigned to the End Chainage.
Group Exclusion List Graphical representation included to show the grouping of Codes to be removed.  This group of edits enable quick construction of intersections and other connecting road features.
  Radio button selection Use the radio buttons to select the desired edit.
OK Apply the edit and exit.  The edit can be adjusted in the Edit Flyout list.
Cancel Do not apply the edit and exit the form
Zooms to the selected chainage range.
Edits List Lists all the edits applied to the String.  Click on the edit to highlight it in the drawing - edits are highlighted with lines located at the start and end of the edit.
  Edit Lists the edit type.  Click here to highlight the edit extents in the drawing
  Edit Settings Describes the edit details.  Select and right click to enable the following options:
  • Edit: Opens the edit form for the applied edit, to enable changing the edit method, codes and/or chainage range
  • Move Up: move the highlighted edit up in the list
  • Move Down: move the highlighted edit down in the list
  • Move before: move the highlighted to a selected location in the list
  • Delete: Delete the selected edit
  • Copy: Copy the selected edit
Build Creates an CSD Surface of the model - the name of the model will be BM-<Model Name>.
Add Extra Sampling Opens the Add Extra Sections form allowing for extra sampling to be added to the current string.
Toggle Display Opens the Toggle Display form allowing display and rebuild control for all the linework and surfaces for each CSD Model.
Select Colour File Click to select a Model Colour File to apply to the current Model, then the other Models not being edited.  This file describes the colour to apply to the linework based on the Codes.
Select Colour File Displays the current Colour file applied to the Model (either the current Model or the other Models, as noted in the title)
Colour File Names List of Model Colour Files that can be applied to the Model for linework display
OK Apply
Cancel Exit without applying
Edit Model Colour File Users can specify the colours used in the display.  Form controls are as follows:
Deselects all items ticked in the Multi Select columns. 
Code Colour Table List of codes with user control over the code display.  Controls are:
  Code The list of codes is populated from the total list of Codes included in all the CSD Objects in the project
  Line Type Not currently implemented.  This is intended to control the presentation of linework in the AutoCAD drawing.
  Colour Set the Colour for display and output.  This is achieved by clicking on a colour swatch for one of the Codes.

The AutoCAD Color Palette will display for users to select a colour.  Setting colour to Bylayer will not be accepted.

Note: All Codes that have Multi Select ticked ON will all be adjusted based on the colour change made to the selected Code
  Multi Select Any Codes ticked in Multi Select will have their colour set when the colour is adjusted for any Code.
New Create a new colour mapping file to use
Open Open an existing colour mapping file
Save As... Save a copy of the current colour mapping setup
Save Save the current colour mapping setup
Apply and Exit Save the current colour mapping setup and exit the form.  These colours will be immediately applied in the display window
Cancel Cancel the changes and return to the model
/ Show/Hide Excluded Codes Toggle button to display/hide excluded Codes.  Default setting is to hide excluded Codes - when show option selected the removed Code linework show as greyed out lines.
Save Save changes to the model
Save As... Save a copy of the model with a different name
Delete Click to delete the Model.  Confirm deletion by clicking on Yes, or cancel by clicking No.
   Pick String From List Pick a String to edit from a list of all String objects created.  Select a string to edit and click OK to make it current for editing
   Pick String from Drawing Pick a new String to edit from the drawing

 Click on the X at the top right of the form to close the model.  The Toggle Display form will open for the user to select what models and linework to display upon exit.