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Points

Functions on the Create > Points menu allow you to create single points using various methods. Most of the functions on the POINTS menu can produce more than one possible result. The effect of these functions is determined by the point mode that is current: Add, Insert or Change. Each of the possible results for the functions is detailed in the Results section.

• Create

  This function allows you to create a new point by entering the coordinates for the point on a form.

  To run this function: Choose Edit > Point > New, or Create > Points > By coordinates

  Function Name :

  • CREATE POINT

  Fields on the Enter/edit a point form

  Field	Description
  Function	Display only. The name of the function being executed.
  String	Display only. The design string is displayed here. All points created using this function appear as the next point in the highest number segment of the design string in the active layer.
  Y value	Enter the Y value for the point.
  X value	Enter the X value for the point.
  Z value	Enter the Z value for the point.
  Descriptions	Enter individual point descriptions for the point. Descriptions can be entered from D1 to D100.

  The CREATE POINT function will continue until you click Cancel.

  The highest number segment of the design string in the active layer is modified to include a point at the coordinates specified as the last point on the segment.

• Id Point

  This function allows you to identify a point and display its co-ordinates.

  To run this function: Choose Edit > Point > Properties, Inquire > Point Properties, or select the point of interest with the mouse.

  Function Name :

  • IDENTIFY POINT

  The IDENTIFY POINT function stays active until you click Cancel.

  Details about the selected point are displayed in the Message window. The information displayed includes:

  • Point number
  • String number
  • Segment number
  • Y value
  • X value
  • Z value
  • Point description
• Locate
• Along Vector

  This function allows you to locate a new point by graphically dragging the new point to a position along a selected vector then adjusting the distance from the vector origin from the form displayed.

  To run this function: Choose Create > Points > Along vector

  Function Name :

  • LOCATE ALONG VECTOR

  Select vector origin displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the start point for the vector.

  Select a point to specify vector direction displays in the message window.

  Select an appropriate point.

  Position the pointer and select the point to set the vector direction.

  The LOCATE ALONG VECTOR function continues until you click Cancel on the select point prompt.

  Selection of the vector origin and vector direction displays the Locate along vector form. Enter the distance from the start point to the new point location along the vector.

  Fields on the Locate along vector form

  Field	Description
  Vector Start	Display only. Northing, Easting and Elevation values for the origin point.
  Vector End	Display only. Northing, Easting and Elevation values for the direction point.
  New point	Display only. Northing, Easting and Elevation values for the new point. This display is updated as you change the distance from the origin.
  Distance from vectors point to New point	Enter the distance required to the new point from the start point along the line between the two selected points.

  The X, Y and Z coordinates of the new point are determined by using data entered. The Z value is calculated by interpolating along the line between the two selected points.

  Results

  Graphics is updated to reflect the point being added to the end of the design string for the active layer.

• Angle

  This function allows you to locate a new point by specifying an angle and design grade from a selected reference line and a distance from a setup point.

  To run this function: Choose Create > Points > By angle

  Function Name :

  • LOCATE ANGLE

  Select backsight point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the backsight point.

  Select setup point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the setup point.

  The LOCATE ANGLE function will continue until you click Cancel on the select point prompt.

  Selection of the backsight and setup points will display the Locate point by angle, distance and design grade form. Enter the angle, design grade and distance from the setup point to the new point.

  Fields on the Locate point by angle, distance and design grade form

  Field	Description
  Units	angle, for a gradient of the form `X degrees' or `X grads' percentage, for a gradient of the form `X%' ratio, for a gradient of the form `1 in X'
  Gradient	A negative gradient represents a downhill slope. A positive gradient represents an uphill slope. The current value of the design gradient is displayed as the default value.
  Angle	Enter the angle from the reference line to define the direction to the new point. The angle must be in the format DD.MMSS if you have selected degrees in Angle units or in grads to 4 decimal places if you have selected grads as your Angle units.
  Distance	Along - Slope: the slope distance is the three-dimensional distance between two points. If the Z values of the two points are different, then the slope distance is greater than the horizontal distance. Horizontal: the horizontal distance is the distance between the two points in the XY plane. Distance - Enter the distance from the setup point to the new point.
  Angle units	Enter degrees or grads for the unit of angle measurement.

  Note: The following values are not allowed: ratio of 1 in 0 or an angle of 90 degrees or 100 grads. Conversion from a gradient of 0%, degrees or grads to a finite ratio is not possible.

  Mode	Result
  Add	The new point is added to the end of the last segment of the design string in the active layer. If the setup point is not in the active layer then the result will always be as if MODE Add is in effect. Tip: When you run this function, the new point is added to the design string. If you realize that the point is on the wrong string, undo, set the design string, and recreate the point.
  Change	The position of the setup point is changed to the new coordinate position.
  Insert	The new point is inserted into the segment containing the setup point immediately after the setup point.

• Bearing

  This function allows you to locate a new point by specifying a bearing, design grade and a distance from a selected setup point.

  To run this function: Choose Create > Points > By bearing

  Function Name :

  • LOCATE BEARING

  Select setup point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the setup point.

  The LOCATE BEARING function will continue until you click Cancel on the select point prompt.

  Selection of the setup point will display the Locate point by bearing, distance and design grade form. Enter the bearing, design grade and distance from the setup point to the new point.

  Fields on the Locate point by bearing, distance and design grade form

  Field	Description
  Units	angle, for a gradient of the form `X degrees' or `X grads' percentage, for a gradient of the form `X%' ratio, for a gradient of the form `1 in X'
  Gradient	A negative gradient represents a downhill slope. A positive gradient represents an uphill slope. The current value of the design gradient is displayed as the default value.
  Bearing	Enter the bearing from true north to define the direction to the new point. The bearing must be in DD.MMSS format if the Angle units are degrees, or grads to 4 decimal places if the Angle units are grads.
  Distance	Along - Slope: the slope distance is the three-dimensional distance between two points. If the Z values of the two points are different, then the slope distance is greater than the horizontal distance. Horizontal: the horizontal distance is the distance between the two points in the XY plane. Distance - Enter the distance from the setup point to the new point.
  Angle units	Enter degrees or grads for the unit of angle measurement.

  Note: The following values are not allowed: ratio of 1 in 0 or an angle of 90 degrees or 100 grads. Conversion from a gradient of 0%, degrees or grads to a finite ratio is not possible.

  Mode	Result
  Add	The new point is added to the end of the last segment of the design string in the active layer. If the setup point is not in the active layer then the result will always be as if MODE Add is in effect. Tip: When you run this function, the new point is added to the design string. If you realize that the point is on the wrong string, undo, set the design string, and recreate the point.
  Change	The position of the setup point is changed to the new coordinate position.
  Insert	The new point is inserted into the segment containing the setup point immediately after the setup point.

• In Line

  This function allows you to locate a new point by graphically dragging the new point to a position along a selected line then adjusting the distance from the line origin from the form displayed.

  To run this function: Choose Create > Points > In line between adjacent points

  Function Name :

  • LOCATE IN LINE

  Select line and drag marker to required position displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the line to insert the point into. Drag the marker until the marker lies at the position the new point is to be created.

  The LOCATE IN LINE function will continue until you click Cancel on the select point prompt.

  Selection of the line will display the Locate in line form. Enter the distance from the start point to the new point location along the vector.

  Fields on the Locate in line form

  Field	Description
  Origin Selected	Display only. Northing, Easting and Elevation values for the origin point.
  End Point	Display only. Northing, Easting and Elevation values for the end point.
  New point	Display only. Northing, Easting and Elevation values for the new point. This display is updated as you change the distance from the origin.
  Distance from origin to New point	Enter the distance required to the new point from the start point along the line between the two selected points. The X, Y and Z coordinates of the new point are determined by using data entered.

  Results

  Graphics is updated to reflect the point being inserted into the selected line.

• On Line

  This function allows you to locate a new point by specifying a horizontal distance or a fraction of the distance or a slope distance from a selected setup point towards a selected foresight point.

  To run this function: Choose Create > Points > On line between any points

  Function Name :

  • LOCATE ON LINE

  Select baseline start point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the start point for the line.

  Select baseline end point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the end point for the line.

  The LOCATE ON LINE function will continue until you click Cancel on the select point prompt.

  Selection of the baseline start and end points will display the Locate a point on a line form. Enter the distance from the start point to the new point location along the line.

  Fields on the Locate a point on a line form

  Field	Description
  Horizontal Distance or Fraction or Slope Distance	This input determines how the value entered in the distance field is interpreted: Horizontal Distance, indicates that the value entered below will be the distance to the new point, or Fraction, indicates that the value entered below will be a fraction of the distance between the two selected points, or Slope Distance, indicates that the value entered below will be the slope distance between the two selected points. Note: Using Fraction in the distance value of 0.5 makes it easy to make the new point exactly halfway between the two selected points.
  Distance	Enter the distance required to the new point from the start point along the line between the two selected points. The X, Y and Z coordinates of the new point are determined by using data entered. The Z value is calculated by interpolating along the line between the two selected points.

  Mode	Result
  Add	The new point is added to the end of the last segment of the design string in the active layer. If the setup point is not in the active layer then the result will always be as if MODE Add is in effect. Tip: When you run this function, the new point is added to the design string. If you realize that the point is on the wrong string, undo, set the design string, and recreate the point.
  Change	The position of the setup point is changed to the new coordinate position.
  Insert	The new point is inserted into the segment containing the setup point immediately after the setup point.

• Traverse
• Angle

  This function allows you to locate new points by specifying an angle from a selected reference line, a design grade and a distance from a setup point. After creating a new point, the previous setup point becomes the current backsight point and the previous new point becomes the current setup point. This provides traversing functionality.

  To run this function: Choose Create > Points > By angle traverse

  Function Name :

  • TRAVERSE ANGLE

  Select backsight point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the backsight point.

  Select setup point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the setup point.

  The TRAVERSE ANGLE function will continue until you click Cancel on the select point prompt. For each cycle of the function the backsight and setup points will change.

  Selection of the backsight and setup points will display the Locate point by angle, distance and design grade form. Enter the angle, design grade and distance from the setup point to the new point.

  Fields on the Locate point by angle, distance and design grade form

  Field	Description
  Angle	Enter the angle from the reference line to define the direction to the new point. The angle must be in the format DD.MMSS if you have selected degrees in Angle units or in grads to 4 decimal places if you have selected grads as your Angle units.
  Distance	Along - Slope: the slope distance is the three-dimensional distance between two points. If the Z values of the two points are different, then the slope distance is greater than the horizontal distance. Horizontal: the horizontal distance is the distance between the two points in the XY plane. Distance - Enter the distance from the setup point to the new point.
  Units	angle, for a gradient of the form `X degrees' or `X grads'. percentage, for a gradient of the form `X%'. ratio, for a gradient of the form `1 in X'.
  Gradient	Enter the new design gradient. The value is assumed to be expressed in the units from the field above. The value can be positive or negative. Negative values represent a downhill gradient. Positive values represent an uphill gradient. The current value of the design gradient is displayed as the default value.

  Note: The following values are not allowed: ratio of 1 in 0 or an angle of 90 degrees or 100 grads. Conversion from a gradient of 0%, degrees or grads to a finite ratio is not possible.

  Mode	Result
  Add	The new point is added to the end of the last segment of the design string in the active layer. If the setup point is not in the active layer then the result will always be as if MODE Add is in effect. Tip: When you run this function, the new point is added to the design string. If you realize that the point is on the wrong string, undo, set the design string, and recreate the point.
  Change	The position of the setup point is changed to the new coordinate position.
  Insert	The new point is inserted into the segment containing the setup point immediately after the setup point.

• Bearing

  This function allows you to locate new points by specifying a bearing, design grade and a distance from a selected setup point. After creating a new point, the previous new point becomes the current setup point. This provides traversing functionality.

  To run this function: Choose Create > Points > By bearing traverse

  Function Name :

  • TRAVERSE BEARING

  Select setup point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the setup point.

  The TRAVERSE BEARING function will continue until you click Cancel on the select point prompt. For each cycle of the function the setup point will change.

  Selection of the setup point will display the Locate point by bearing, distance and design grade form. Enter the bearing and distance from the setup point to the new point.

  Fields on the Locate point by bearing, distance and design grade form

  Field	Description
  Bearing	Enter the bearing from true north to define the direction to the new point. The angle must be in the format DD.MMSS if you have selected degrees in Angle units or in grads to 4 decimal places if you have selected grads as your Angle units.
  Distance	Along - Slope: the slope distance is the three-dimensional distance between two points. If the Z values of the two points are different, then the slope distance is greater than the horizontal distance. Horizontal: the horizontal distance is the distance between the two points in the XY plane. Distance - Enter the distance from the setup point to the new point.
  Units	angle, for a gradient of the form `X degrees' or `X grads'. percentage, for a gradient of the form `X%'. ratio, for a gradient of the form `1 in X'.
  Gradient	Enter the new design gradient. The value is assumed to be expressed in the units from the field above. The value can be positive or negative. Negative values represent a downhill gradient. Positive values represent an uphill gradient. The current value of the design gradient is displayed as the default value.

  Note: The following values are not allowed: ratio of 1 in 0 or an angle of 90 degrees or 100 grads. Conversion from a gradient of 0%, degrees or grads to a finite ratio is not possible.

  Mode	Result
  Add	The new point is added to the end of the last segment of the design string in the active layer. If the setup point is not in the active layer then the result will always be as if MODE Add is in effect. Tip: When you run this function, the new point is added to the design string. If you realize that the point is on the wrong string, undo, set the design string, and recreate the point.
  Change	The position of the setup point is changed to the new coordinate position.
  Insert	The new point is inserted into the segment containing the setup point immediately after the setup point.

• Intersect
• Arcs

  This function allows you to determine the position of a new point by finding the intersection of two arcs of specified radii from selected centre points. Since there are two possible solutions to the intersection of the arcs the result which is closest to a selected point is chosen.

  To run this function: Choose Create > Points > At intersection of two arcs

  Function Name :

  • ARC ARC INTERSECT

  Select baseline start point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the centre point of the first arc.

  Select baseline end point is displayed in the Message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the centre point of the second arc.

  Selection of the baseline start and end points will display the Intersection of 2 arcs form. Enter the radii from the two points.

  Fields on the Intersection of 2 arcs form

  Field	Description
  From first point	Enter the required radial distance from the first point.
  From second point	Enter the required radial distance from the second point.

  Digitise a point near the required solution displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and digitise a point near to the desired solution position.

  The X, Y and Z coordinates of the new point are determined by solving the intersection of the two arcs and selecting the solution which is closest to the digitised point. The Z value is calculated using the Z value of the baseline start point, the design gradient and the horizontal distance from the baseline start point to the new point.

  Mode	Result
  Add	The new point is added to the end of the last segment of the design string in the active layer. If the setup point is not in the active layer then the result will always be as if MODE Add is in effect. Tip: When you run this function, the new point is added to the design string. If you realize that the point is on the wrong string, undo, set the design string, and recreate the point.
  Change	The position of the setup point is changed to the new coordinate position.
  Insert	The new point is inserted into the segment containing the setup point immediately after the setup point.

• Lines

  This function allows you to create a new point at the intersection of two lines. The two lines are defined by selecting two pairs of points.

  To run this function: Choose Create > Points > At intersection of two lines

  Function Name :

  • INTERSECT LINES

  Select baseline start point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the start of the first line.

  Select baseline end point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the end of the first line.

  Select baseline start point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the start of the second line.

  Select baseline end point displays in the message window.

  Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the end of the second line.

  The INTERSECT Lines function will continue until you click Cancel.

  The X, Y and Z coordinates of the new point are determined by solving the intersection of the two lines. The Z value is calculated by interpolating along the first line.

  Mode	Result
  Add	The new point is added to the end of the last segment of the design string in the active layer. If the setup point is not in the active layer then the result will always be as if MODE Add is in effect. Tip: When you run this function, the new point is added to the design string. If you realize that the point is on the wrong string, undo, set the design string, and recreate the point.
  Change	The position of the setup point is changed to the new coordinate position.
  Insert	The new point is inserted into the segment containing the setup point immediately after the setup point.

• Pt Chk Seg

  This function forces all points on a selected segment within a defined tolerance distance of points on a selected master segment to have the same X, Y and Z values of the point on the master segment.

  To run this function: Choose Edit > Segment > Snap to master

  Function Name :

  • POINT CHECK SEGMENT

  Tolerance

  Enter the tolerance distance to use to determine if points on the slave segment are to be moved to the coordinates of points on the master segment. This tolerance is treated as a three dimensional tolerance distance.

  Select a point on the master segment displays in the message window.

  Select a point on the master segment. The coordinates of the points on this segment will not change.

  Select a point on the slave segment displays in the message window.

  Select a point on the slave segment. The coordinates of the points on this segment will change if they are within the tolerance distance of any of the points on the master segment.

  Any points on the slave segment which are within the tolerance distance of the master segment will have their coordinates changed to match the point on the master segment.

  After all points in the two segments have been compared to each other and possibly altered, the slave segment is redrawn in its new position.

  Caution: Use of very large tolerance values can have the effect of reducing the slave segment to a single point.

  A common error when using this function is to choose two points that are on the same segment. If this happens you see the following message

  The points selected are on the same segment. This is not permitted.

  To resolve the problem, select both segments again.

• Pt Chk Str

  Snap to Master

  This function forces all points on a selected string within a defined tolerance distance of points on a selected master string to have the same X, Y and Z values of the point on the master string.

  To run this function: Choose Edit > String > Snap to master

  • In the Function Chooser, type POINT CHECK STRING, and press ENTER.

  From the Edit menu, select String, then Snap to master to invoke the function.

  Tolerance

  Enter the tolerance distance which will be used to determine if points on the slave string are to be moved to the coordinates of points on the master string. This tolerance is treated as a three dimensional tolerance distance.

  Select a point on the master string displays in the message window.

  Select a point on the master string. The coordinates of the points on this string will not change.

  Select a point on the slave string displays in the message window.

  Select a point on the slave string. The coordinates of the points on this string will change if they are within the tolerance distance of any of the points on the master string.

  Any points on the slave string which are within the tolerance distance of the master string will have their coordinates changed to match the point on the master string.

  After all points in the two strings have been compared to each other and possibly altered, the slave string is redrawn in its new position.

  Caution: Use of very large tolerance values can have the effect of reducing the slave string to a single point.

  A common error when using this function is to choose two points that are on the same string. If this happens, the following message is displayed

  The points selected are on the same segment. This is not permitted.. To resolve the problem, select both strings again.

• Clean
• Layer
• String
• Segment