Site Model Name

Enter a name for the site model object

Keep Original Source Data in Layer

Leaves a copy of the source data in the layer (the site model always retains a copy of the source data in its profile group). This parameter displays only during initial site model creation.

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

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

Graphic Properties

Specifies the site model appearance, along with slope and elevation analysis parameters