Surfaces

3D surfaces can be any 3D dxf file.

But from PowerCADD we have the ability to export a 3D surface from Topography Tools an External by by Paolo Rossi of Iapros. This great external allows you to place a reference point object in the drawing that has a Z height and name as well as the X and Y location.

These topographical objects can be imported from or exported to a text file. In PowerCADD you can do a 3D interpolation of the points, and it is also possible to automically draw a section of the terrain surface. The coordinates are in global, so it is possible to import X,Y,Z points from a text file and put these points over a parametric map. Thus do your cut and fill right in PowerCADD.

With Topography Tools, you can add new points, and you can also:


Create new points interpolating in 3D space existing points;
Insert two topographic symbols;
Create sloped terrain symbols;
Create a middle line between two lines, polygons, or curves;
Create a section profile of the terrain.

Steps for importing a Surface
  • From PCadd go to EXPORT 3D Surfaces.
  • You will be given by default: topo Export.dxf
  • Change the name giving it the extension xxxx.SYMB
  • Save the file. The file needs to be in the Symbol folder of the in2Space Libraries. You can of course make a folder and call it Terrains for example. Drop the .SYMB file in there.
 
  • Using the Symbol Tool select the ground plan from the menu and drop it into the PLAN view. You can snap to the know reference point for accuracy. You will see that the placed 3d surface is smaller than the actual PCadd file. Simply use the Symbol size tools to give the correct sizes for the surface.
 
  • Surface shown in wireframe re-sized.
 
 

 

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