Site Model Modification Overview

As discussed in Concept: Sitework Overview, when the site model is generated, two different display modes of the site model object are available—existing and proposed. The existing site represents the site prior to your project; the proposed site incorporates the project’s changes. To modify the site model, use the Site Modifiers tool, along with other site modification tools in the Vectorworks program; a site modifier can be applied to either the existing or proposed site model.

Mode	Description
Grade Limit	Defines an area of topographical transition between existing site data and the site modifiers enclosed within the limits
Contour	Creates an open path site modifier
Pad	Draws a closed area which modifies the site model
Pad with Retaining Edge	Creates a pad with an edge around it, allowing the terrain to be shaped around the pad
Texture Bed	Creates an area of the site model that can be textured
Spoil Pile	Creates an area where excess earth can be used to help balance the cut and fill
Snap to Contour Elevation	Constrains the site modifier to the site model contour elevation under the cursor when the site modifier is created. The contour under the cursor is highlighted, and the elevation of that contour is used as the modifier elevation.
Polyline creation options	Selects the method for drawing the polyline upon which the site modifier is based; see Creating Polylines.
Preferences	Sets the default preferences for the site modifier
Pad Elev	When creating a pad, pad with retaining edge, contour, or spoil pile, specify the elevation of the site modifier

Site modifiers can be placed on any layer. The site model properties specify whether modifiers in another layer can affect the site model (see Creating the Site Model). You might put various site modifiers on separate layers, for example, so that you can show each modifier’s effect on the site model individually. When a site modifier is placed in the drawing, the Site-DTM-Modifier class is created automatically.

In addition to the site modifiers that are created with the Site Modifiers tool, a number of other tools and commands create objects that can modify the site model.