Module Overview
Updated May 05, 2016
This article applies to:
- Terrain 3D
- Terrain Forestry
- RoadEng Civil
- RoadEng Forestry
- Softree Optimal
What's a Module?
In software, a module is a part of a program. Programs are composed of one or more independently developed modules. Our Softree products are all organized into modules. By separating our programs into functional modules, we are able to maintain easy-user interfaces.
Each of the modules can be started from the Windows Start menu, a desktop shortcut or from the Module menu in either of the other modules.
This module is used primarily to type paper survey notes into the computer. Azimuths, distances and slopes are entered and reduced to coordinates. Facilities exist to add perpendicular side shots to a traverse so that a ribbon of terrain, suitable for a road design, can be easily captured with basic survey instruments.
Survey/Map also contains tools for adjusting traverses with respect to each other or to known coordinates.
The Terrain Module provides basic CAD facilities for assembling and manipulating 2D and 3D points and features. Information can be imported from external sources like survey files, CAD files and image files. Three dimensional coordinates can be incorporated into a digital terrain model (DTM):
DTMs can be used for:
- Contour generation
- Section and profile display
- Volume calculations
- Pad, pit and site design (grading)
- 3D viewing
- Original ground for road design (Location module)
The Terrain module is also a capable mapping tool with control of line types, colors, symbols, hatching and labelling styles.
This is the module used to design road alignments. Location requires an original ground terrain (provided by the Survey/Map and/or Terrain modules). The designer controls cross section templates, alignment location and curves. Location provides real time feedback of volumes, mass haul, road footprint, cross sections, grades, etc.
Location can also export designed surfaces back to the terrain module where they can be merged into a composite surface. This is the most common way to prepare the original ground for an intersection design.
Although not officially a module, Softree Optimal for RoadEng exists within the Location module and is composed of a bunch of function groups. In stand-alone versions of Softree Optimal inteended for use with other CAD programs, Optimal exists as it's own module.