Creating the Site Model

Creating a Site Model from the Source Data

Once source data has been obtained for the site model, the site model can be created. After generation, the site model is cached by default so that updating occurs more efficiently; however, large file sizes can result. See Document Display Preferences for information on changing the default setting.

To create a site model from source data:

1. Ensure that valid source data exists. The site model can be created from 3D loci, 3D polygons, stake objects, or by one of the methods described in Site Model Source Data. Verify that there are no problems with the source data with the Validate 3D Data command (see Validating 3D Source Data).

2. Select the source data.

3. Select the Create Site Model command from the appropriate menu:

●    Architect workspace: AEC > Terrain > Create Site Model

●    Landmark workspace: Landmark > Create Site Model

The Site Model Settings dialog box opens. Specify the site model parameters.

Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Site Model Name	Enter a name for the site model object
Saved Settings Options
Settings	To use a set of saved parameters, select them from the pull-down list; <Active Settings> indicates the parameters currently selected in the dialog box, whether the parameters are set manually or are from a saved set
Save	Opens a dialog box to name and save the currently selected parameters so that they can quickly be selected as a set
Manage	Opens the Manage Saved Settings dialog box to rename or delete sets of saved site model parameters
Settings
Minor Contour Interval	Specifies the standard contour line placement interval
Major Contour Multiple	Specifies the placement interval of major (heavy) contour lines
Start Contour Offset	Controls the starting elevation of the 2D contours
Maximum Elevation	Specifies the highest contour elevation to be displayed. No contours are created if the maximum elevation is lower than the minimum elevation, but this can be useful for cut and fill calculations (for example, for pond or backfill volumes). If a site model update will result in contours exceeding the minimum/maximum range, an alert displays, allowing the range to be adjusted.
Minimum Elevation	Specifies the lowest contour elevation to be displayed
Datum Elevation	Indicates the reference elevation used to define the bottom of a site model when the 3D Mesh Solid style is selected in 3D Display Settings; set to zero for normal cut and fill calculations
Flow Arrow Spacing	Determines the placement of the flow arrows
3D Grid Spacing	Sets the grid (mesh) size for 3D display; also determines flow arrow placement
Smoothing Interval	When selecting a triangulation method for 2D and/or 3D site model display, sets the distance for adding new points to the contours. Certain site models, since they are created from randomly-located origin points, may have an uneven triangulation distribution. Smoothing forces the site model to create an even distribution of data points along each contour line, simulating even sampling. Enter zero to use the original contour points for triangulation. Low values may result in long calculation times.
2D Display Settings
Display	Select whether to display the existing site model only, proposed site model only, or both existing and proposed site models. The display option can be changed later from the Object Info palette.
Existing Only	Displays only the existing model, including any site modifiers that apply to the existing site model
Proposed Only	Displays only the proposed model (the current model changed by any site modifiers that apply to the proposed site model)
Proposed + Existing	Displays both the proposed model and the existing model; this option is useful when using the site model for a grading plan, with different existing and proposed topographical line styles
Style	Select a 2D site model display mode
2D Contour	Draws contour lines
2D Contour (smoothed)	Smooths contour lines
2D Contour (colored elevations)	Draws contour lines and colors the elevations for conducting an elevation analysis (elevation analysis parameters are specified by clicking Graphic Properties and selecting the Site Analysis tab)
2D Contour (colored slopes)	Draws 2D contour lines by triangulation, according to the specified Smoothing Interval, and colors the slopes within specified angle ranges for conducting a slope analysis
2D Triangle	Represents the surface as triangular facets
2D Triangle (colored slopes)	For 2D triangle display, colors the slopes within specified angle ranges for conducting a slope analysis (slope analysis parameters are specified by clicking Graphic Properties and selecting the Site Analysis tab)
2D Triangulated Contours	Draws 2D contour lines by triangulation, according to the specified Smoothing Interval
Show Flow Arrows	Adds arrows to show the downward direction for drainage analysis
Scaled	Adjusts the size of the flow arrows depending on the underlying terrain; steeper slopes display longer flow arrows, while shorter flow arrows are used for flatter regions. This makes it easier to spot areas with higher drainage flow rates caused by sloping surfaces.
Show Labels	Labels major 2D contour line elevations
Parallel to the topo line	When labels are selected for display, labels are parallel to the topography lines
Draw Site Border	Draws a closed 2D polygon along the site border (outer edge) of the site model
3D Display Settings
Display	Select the 3D site model display. The display option can be changed later from the Object Info palette.
No 3D Display	Displays only the 2D site model, with no 3D component
Existing Only	Displays the existing 3D site model
Proposed Only	Displays the proposed 3D site model
Cut and Fill	Displays the 3D cut and fill volumes. Areas where existing and proposed site models are the same are represented by a flat area. Cut areas display as a depression in the 3D surface, and fill areas display as a raised area in the 3D surface. (Select cut and fill colors by clicking Graphic Properties and selecting the Site Model tab.)
Style	Select a 3D site model display mode
3D Contour	Draws the site model using horizontal 3D polygons
3D Grid	Draws the site model using a regular grid (mesh) of horizontal four point rectangles, spaced by the 3D Grid Spacing value; the mesh can be colored, filled, and rendered with shadows
3D Mesh solid	Groups 3D triangles to form a Vectorworks mesh; a skirt and bottom are added to create a valid solid
3D Triangle	Generates 3D triangles with the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) method; this method is the most accurate, as it involves no interpolation
3D Triangles (colored slopes)	Generates 3D triangles with the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) method, and colors the slopes within specified angle ranges for conducting a slope analysis
3D Extruded Contour	Creates horizontal solids with a thickness equal to the contour interval; top edges run along contour lines or the site border. This creates a “layer cake” or “chipboard model” effect.
3D Triangulated Contours	Draws 3D contour lines by triangulation, according to the specified Smoothing Interval
3D Triangulated Contours (colored slopes)	Draws 3D contour lines by triangulation, according to the specified Smoothing Interval, and colors the slopes within specified angle ranges for conducting a slope analysis
Show 3D Grid	Superimposes a 3D grid on the model; specify the grid spacing value in Spacing
Fill	Displays 3D grid squares with a fill; Show 3D Grid does not need to be selected to display a filled grid
Show 3D Contour	Superimposes a 3D contour on the model
Use Site Modifiers on
All Layers	Modifies the proposed site model with modifiers from any layer in the file
Visible Layers Only	Modifies the proposed site model with modifiers from visible layers only; modifiers on invisible layers do not affect the site model
Same Layer as Site Model only	Modifies the proposed site model with modifiers that exist only on the site model layer
Select Layers	Opens the Select Layers dialog box, to choose which layers with modifiers can affect the proposed site model. Selected layers display a check mark in the Use column. To create a new design layer, click New Layer; specify the name for the new layer, and click OK. Click OK to return to the Site Model Settings dialog box. The Use Site Modifiers on list displays Custom Set of Layers.
Graphic Properties	Specifies the site model appearance, along with slope and elevation analysis parameters

4. Click OK.

A site model is created in the active layer and displays as specified.

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Site Model Source Data

Setting Site Model Graphic Properties

Site Model Properties

Creating a Site Model Snapshot

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