Creating the site model

After generation, the site model is cached by default so that updating occurs more efficiently; however, large file sizes can result. See Document preferences: Display tab for information on changing the default setting.

1. Ensure that valid source data exists. The site model can be created from 3D loci, 3D polygons, stake objects, a point cloud, 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).

If a point cloud is selected as the source data, the Site Model Point Density dialog box opens. Enter the number of 3D locus points to extract, or drag the slider to select a number (see Extracting 3D loci from a point cloud).

Site model settings

Parameter	Description
Name	Enter a name for the site model object
Keep Source Data	Retains the original source data when creating the site model with the Site Model from Source Data command, the point cloud if the site model was created directly from a point cloud with the Site Model from Source Data command, or the boundary object for site models created with the Site Model from Boundary command
Saved Settings Options	See Using saved sets to save and apply saved settings
Plan Preview	Displays a top/plan preview of the site model
3D Preview	Displays a 3D preview of the site model
Graphic Properties	Opens the Graphic Properties dialog box, for Setting site model graphic properties, along with slope and elevation analysis parameters

Site model settings: General pane

Parameter	Description
Elevation Settings
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. Select Extend Min/Max when Needed to hide the alert and automatically extend the range.
Minimum Elevation	Specifies the lowest contour elevation to be displayed, defining the bottom of the site model, and determines the Geometry Lowest Z elevation for the site model in the Object Info palette
Extend Min/Max when Needed	Automatically extends the maximum and/or minimum elevation values, if needed, without displaying an alert for confirmation
Datum Elevation	Determines the lower elevation boundary for volume calculations
Contour Settings
Minor Contour Interval	Specifies the standard contour line placement interval
Major Contour Multiplier	Specifies the placement interval of major (heavy) contour lines
Start Contour Offset	Controls the starting elevation of the 2D contours
Segmentation Length	Specifies the length of straight line segments that make up the curved portions of a contour; a smaller value creates smoother curved contours. A value of 0 (zero) indicates maximum segmentation according the 2D conversion resolution set in Vectorworks preferences: Edit tab.
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.

Site model settings: 2D Display pane

Parameter	Description
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 contour lines and colors the slopes within specified ranges for conducting a slope analysis (slope analysis parameters are specified by clicking Graphic Properties and selecting the Site Analysis tab)
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)
Draw Site Border	Draws a closed 2D polygon along the site border (outer edge) of the site model
Show Contour Labels	Labels 2D contour line elevations
Major Contours	Displays labels for major contour lines only
Major and Minor Contours	Displays labels on both major and minor contour lines
Parallel to the topo line	When labels are selected for display, labels are parallel to the topography lines
Show Flow Arrows	Adds arrows to show the downward direction for drainage analysis
Flow Arrow Spacing	Determines the placement of the flow arrows
Scaled to Slope	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.

Site model settings: 3D Display pane

Parameter	Description
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 Mesh	Generates 3D triangles with the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) method to form a Vectorworks mesh; this method is the most accurate, as it involves no interpolation. Select Show Skirt to create a valid solid.
3D Mesh (colored elevation)	Generates 3D triangles to form a mesh, and colors the mesh based on ranges of elevation (elevation analysis parameters are specified by clicking Graphic Properties and selecting the Site Analysis tab)
3D Mesh (colored slope)	Generates 3D triangles to form a mesh, and colors the slopes within specified ranges for conducting a slope analysis (slope analysis parameters are specified by clicking Graphic Properties and selecting the Site Analysis tab)
3D Grid	Draws the site model using a regular grid of rectangles to form the surface, spaced by the 3D Grid Spacing value
3D Grid (colored elevation)	Draws the site model as a regular grid of rectangles, colored based on ranges of elevation
3D Grid (colored slope)	Draws the site model as a regular grid of rectangles, colored within specified ranges for conducting a slope analysis
3D Vertical Grid	Represents the site model volume using an array of vertical cells
3D Contour	Draws the site model using horizontal 3D polygons
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 Extruded Contours (colored elevation)	Creates horizontal solids with a thickness equal to the contour interval, colored based on ranges of elevations
Show Skirt (3D Mesh styles)	Adds solid sides and a bottom to the mesh, creating a valid solid
Show 3D Contour (3D Mesh styles)	Superimposes a 3D contour on the site model
Mesh Smoothing (3D Mesh styles)	Smooths the mesh representation when rendered
Crease Angle	Determines how smooth the mesh appears; enter a higher value for a smoother surface (valid values are 0 to 180)
3D Grid Spacing (3D Grid styles)	Sets the grid size for 3D display
By Distance	Defines the grid spacing by X and Y dimension values
By Divisions	Defines the grid spacing by X and Y divisions; enter the number of grid spaces in the X and Y directions
X/Y	Specifies either the distance or number of divisions
Approximate Squares	Automatically calculates the Y value based on the X value, creating an even grid composed of shapes that are as close to square as possible. The X value may change as well based on the calculation.
Use Geoimage Texture	Textures the site model with the selected georeferenced map image. Due to licensing restrictions, the image displays while working in the file, but it cannot be saved with the file for offline use. Update the geoimage by clicking Update from the site model Object Info palette to download the image again, after saving the file.
Service/Select Service	Displays the currently selected service; click Select Service to open the Select Service dialog box, and choose a preferred service as described in Geolocating the drawing
Image resolution	Determines the resolution of the geoimage; select Automatic to obtain an image based on the object’s drawn size and zoom level. Select Custom to enter the number of horizontal pixels for the image source (the vertical pixels are automatically calculated based on aspect ratio). A high Custom resolution could result in performance issues depending on the size and zoom level of the geoimage.