Creating Parallel Features

The Parallel pop-up menu, shown below, gives access to functions that allow you to create strings that are parallel to existing reference features.

The functions are as follows.

• Typed
  • All: Generates a parallel copy of a reference feature. Having indicated the reference string, indicate which side of the string to create the parallel copy.  Then the Parallel Options dialog will be displayed.  Note this tool can also be used with the Select List to parallel all the closed features tagged with the List tool.
  • Between: Generates a parallel copy of a portion of a feature. Start by indicating the two points on the feature to generate the parallel between, then which side of the string to create the parallel. Then the Parallel Options dialog will be displayed.
  • Segment: Generates a parallel copy of a segment on a line feature. Start by indicating the segment to parallel, then which side of the string to create the parallel. Then the Parallel Options dialog will be displayed.
  • To Points: Generates a parallel feature using indicated points as the reference. Indicate the series of points to use by clicking them, then as before indicate which side to generate the parallel. Then the Parallel Options dialog will be displayed.
  • Graded: Generates a parallel feature with a variable grade back to the source string.  Having indicated the primary feature, select the second feature.  This tool allows each point on the primary string to be independently projected onto the second string to calculate the grade to use for that point. The Parallel Options dialog will be then displayed as normal. Click here for more info.
• Through Pt
  • All: Generates a parallel copy of a reference feature, using the distance out to an indicated point to define the offset distance and direction. Having indicated the reference string, indicate the point to use. The Parallel Options dialog will then be displayed.
  • Between: Generates a parallel copy of a portion of a feature, using the distance out to an indicated point to define the offset distance and direction. Start by indicating the two points on the feature to generate the parallel between, then the point to use to control the offset and direction. The Parallel Options dialog will then be displayed.
  • Segment: Generates a parallel copy of a Segment of a feature, using the distance out to an indicated point to define the offset distance and direction. Start by indicating the segment, then the point to use to control the offset and direction. The Parallel Options dialog will then be displayed.
• Indicate
  • All: Generates a parallel copy of a reference feature, using the distance out to an indicated position to define the offset distance and direction. Having indicated the reference string, indicate the point to use. The Parallel Options dialog will then be displayed.
  • Between: Generates a parallel copy of a portion of a feature, using the distance out to an indicated position to define the offset distance and direction. Start by indicating the two points on the feature to generate the parallel between, then the point to use to control the offset and direction. The Parallel Options dialog will then be displayed.
  • Segment: Generates a parallel copy of a Segment of a feature, using the distance out to an indicated position to define the offset distance and direction. Start by indicating the segment, then the point to use to control the offset and direction. The Parallel Options dialog will then be displayed.
• Modify
  • Make: Use this tool to make a selected feature parallel to a second.  The distance from the first point on the string to move, projected perpendicularly to the template string is used as the offset to fix the parallel distance. 
• Multi
  • Indicate: Use this option to apply multiple parallel commands to a series of selected features. So once the command has generated the parallel, another feature can immediately be clicked to generate a new parallel. Click here for more info.
  • Between: Use this option to generate a given number of parallel lines between two segments on separate line features. Having selected this tool the Height mode dialog will be displayed.  Then the two segments need to be identified.  Finally, the number of spacings will be asked for.  In the example below three were requested, so two parallels were added.