Triangulate using centre line and profile
This function allows you to create a 3DM of a given profile along a specified string. The centre line string is chosen by selecting a string in the graphics window with the mouse. The profile is taken from a string file. This profile is placed at each point on the centre line string and rotated to be perpendicular to the centre line string. Finally the strings are stitched together to create a 3DM. The ends of this 3DM may be optionally closed or left open.
To run this function: Choose Solids > Triangulate > Using centre line and profile, or Design > Underground tools > Triangulate using centre line and profile, or...
Note: The results produced by the Triangulate Centre Line and Profile function depend on the particular value of the triangulate stitch algorithm you are using (this may be 0, 1, 2 or 3).
If you do not obtain satisfactory results with the current stitch algorithm you can change it using the Toggle Stitch Algorithm function.
After triangulating the selected centre line the function will prompt for a new centre line to be selected for triangulating with the same parameters. Continue selecting centre line segments as required and press the ESC key to cancel the function.
Triangulate centre line and profile form
Enter Profile String File
Location and ID number
Enter the location and ID number of the file that contains the profile string. The profile string must exist prior to running this function. The profile string must have a Z value of zero, and X and Y values which represent the shape of the design to be created. The relative position of the profile to the centerline is determined by the origin of the shape.
For example: If a 3m wide x 4m high rectangular opening is required, and the centerline design is to be the center of the floor of the profile, the profile would consist of a closed rectangle with coordinates given as Y,X: 0,-1.5 4,-1.5 4,1.5 0,1.5 0,-1.5
For example: If a 10ft wide x 12ft high rectangular opening is required, and the centerline design is to be the center of the back of the profile, the profile would consist of a closed rectangle with coordinates given as Y,X: 0,5 -12,5 -12,-5 0,-5 0,5 Example: If a 4m diameter air shaft is required, and the centerline design is the center of the air shaft, the profile would consist of a circle with a radius of 2 centered about the origin.
The profile string file may contain as many strings and segments as required. The profile segments may be open or closed to give different results as required.
Use explicit object ID
Tick this check box to enter the ID for the triangulated object that will be created. If this checkbox is not ticked the Object ID will be the same as the ID of the profile string.
Object ID
Enter the ID to be used for all trisolations that will be created. This input is only required if the check box described above is ticked.
Profile Scale Factor
The size of the profile is multiplied by this factor, which has an allowed range of between 0.0001 and 99999.9
If the profile to be used is to be increased in size by a constant factor along the entire centre line string, enter the factor here.
For example: If a profile is a circle with a diameter of 2m, and an air shaft needs to be created that is 6m in diameter, a factor of 3 would be used.
Define Offsets from Centre line String
Y, X, Z
Values other than 0, 0, 0 will produce a translation of the profile from its nominal position.
If the profile is to be moved in any direction, enter the amount of the offset.
For example: If the centers of two twin tunnels 6m in diameter are to be bored with a tunnel boring machine 36m apart, the X offset would be +18 for one and -18 for the other.
Profile Rotation (in degrees)
This allows you to rotate the profile, and has an allowed range of 0 to 360. The default value of 0 give no rotation.
Progressive Profile Expansion Along Centre line String
Factor
As well as providing a constant scale factor, you can expand or contract the profile along the string by inputting a non unity value. The formula governing the expansion is
expansion factor = Final profile scale/Start Profile scale
Thus a value of 2 will expand the profile to twice its original size, while a value of 0.5 will contract it to half its original scale. In both cases, the profile at the beginning of the centre line string is original size. If you wish to expand or contract in the reverse sense ( with the final profile size equal to the original scale), then you can input a negative number. For example, a value of -2 produces a 3DM where the first profile is twice the original scale, contracting to the original size at the end of the centre line string.
Note: A progressive expansion value of -2 produces the equivalent result to reversing the direction of the centre line string and using a progressive expansion of 2.
Vertically Constrained
Tick the checkbox to force the profile to be vertical. If the checkbox is unticked the profile will always be perpendicular to the direction of the string.
Triangulate first face
Tick the check box to ensure that triangles are created inside the profile at the end of the trisolation.
Triangulate last face
Tick the check box to ensure that triangles are created inside the profile at the start of the trisolation.
Complete the TRIANGULATE CENTRE LINE AND PROFILE form and choose Apply to display the prompt:
Select your centre line string.
Position the pointer and select a string which is to be the centre line for the 3DM.
Result
A profile string is placed at each point of the centre line string, and automatically stitched together. The newly created 3DM is not saved to a file automatically. To do so you must save in the usual way.