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Back to Location Module

New Location Design

Updated August 20, 2024

This article applies to:
  • RoadEng Civil
  • RoadEng Forestry

To create a new road or corridor alignment in the Location module, you first need to create an original ground DTM. This is usually done by reading survey data into the Terrain module, and then creating a surface with contours (TIN model). However, it is possible to import DTM surfaces from other applications by using LandXML or DWG (3D faces) file formats.

The Choose Original Ground Surface (Topo) dialog allows you to choose the file upon which the Location design will be based.

  • Open the Location Module.
  • File | New File.

You will be prompted to select your original ground surface. Most typically, this is a .terx file from Terrain module with a TIN model generated. 

  •  STEP 1 - Select Terrain Surface, and press the Browse… button and open your .terx file. Press OK.

Choose Original Ground Surface.png

  • STEP 2 - The Initial Alignment dialogue box will appear. It allows you to either choose a start point for a new alignment, or to create a new alignment from a feature in the terrain file, or to import the alignment from a Landxml file. Options include:

    • Coordinate - Choosing this option will create a new alignment consisting of one point at the Easting/Northing values input in the edit boxes provided.

    • Center of terrain - Choosing this option will create a new alignment consisting of one point at the computed center coordinates of the terrain file.

    • Terrain current point - Choosing this option will create a new alignment consisting of one point at the last saved crosshair position in the terrain file.  This option is not available if a current point was not saved in the terrain file.

    • Terrain feature(s) - Choosing this option will create new alignment(s) following the path of the selected feature(s) in the terrain file. The Browse Button will allow you to select the terrain features.

    • Landxml File - Choosing this option will allow you to select a Landxml file for import, including selecting the horizontal & vertical alignment.

Initial Alignments.png

  • STEP 3 - Select Standard Template. 

You are now setup to begin your road or corridor project. 

Location Module