Here are some key tips for OpenRoads Designer users when working with Vertical Alignments. These are very useful for someone who comes from a Microstation background. I previously wrote about tips for Horizontal Alignments here.
Use Smart Lines when sketching out Profiles
- Using the vertical geometry tools can leave hazardous results in the Project Explorer. You end up making dozens of profiles when you’re just trying to make one. You can use them but you will need to delete what is left over. Based on my experience, this does not happen and causes confusion and delay when modeling or communicating design intent.
- Smart lines on the other hand, keep everything clean and easy. You can combine them and make modifications through the table editor or the element handles.
- Just make sure you don’t have any line strings when combining them. Drop your smart lines with line strings toggled when you use the “Complex by Element” tool.
Simple Names
- Your profiles belong to their horizontal alignments and no other. If you name your profile “Proposed” then it is crystal clear. It is the proposed profile of its horizontal alignment. It cannot be found in any other horizontal alignment nor can it be moved to one nor can it be mixed up with any others. The old idea of naming profiles “SR78_PROP_V3” is no longer needed. That is just unnecessary clerical clutter.
Use Table Editor
- I prefer the key-in process of making curves. It reminds me of ol’ Geopak.
- Table editor is the easiest way to make crests and sags.
Simplify Profiles
- Same reason as my other post here.
Never use Persistent Snaps
- Snapping to terrains or other elements is a bad idea.
- You cannot possibly keep up with automatic changes that Persistent Snaps bring.
- Never ever do this unless you are absolutely sure with what you are doing.
