Sections - Plotting

This guide covers the plotting and editing of section profiles once they have been committed to a CAD model or paper space drawing in n4ce.

Important!

CAD Models: When sections are plotted in their own CAD model with matching horizontal and vertical scales, correct distances and levels can be measured directly off the section.

Drawings (Scaled / Paper Space): If a section is plotted in a Drawing view (scaled down to fit a specific sheet size) or if different horizontal/vertical scales are applied, measurements cannot be directly queried without accounting for the scale factor.

Layers and Structure

• Automatic Layer Naming: A single-section plot is placed on a dedicated CAD layer, automatically taking the section's name.

• Renaming Current Layers: To rename a layer currently set as active/current, you must first set a different layer as current before selecting Rename from the layer options list on the right.

• Project Select List (v4.20c+): When generating sections, the Project Select List option allows you to project selected lists of points directly onto a long section.

Section Plotting Modes

•  Settings: Configures default CAD parameters used when plotting section profiles for final drawing presentation. Any changes saved here become the system defaults and can also be accessed during the plotting process via the Defaults option (indicated below) in the section preview window. For more information, please click here. 
  
  
   
  • Single: Plots a single section selected from the list or an indicated chainage belonging to a cross-section model (See Red box and elements box below for reference). 
  • Multi-Single: Allows you to select multiple individual sections simultaneously (using Ctrl or Shift) and plot them together in one operation (Orange box below)
    
    
     
  • Lengths: Designed for plotting single long sections that exceed sheet dimensions.

  1. Splitting Sections allows you to break the long section into defined lengths using the Length field (Blue box below).

  2. Title & Layering: The specified title appears at the top-left corner of each plotted segment and forms part of the layer name, followed by the chainage range (Start - Finish). Chainage calculations automatically account for any initial start chainages defined on the section. (Green box below) 

Note that if the chosen section has a start chainage, the values of the start and finish chainages displayed in the titles are calculated taking this into account.

• Multi: Selecting this option begins the process of plotting all or multiple sections taken as a series of cross-sections (A list of sections can be found in the RED box highlighted in the image below). 

  If your sections are organized into folders within the Project Manager, use the top drop-down menu (<Not in a Folder>) to filter by folder. Select your desired folder, and the associated sections will be displaying in the List below the drop-down menu (highlighted below in GREEN).

  All of the chainages corresponding to the section can be selected in the Elements box on the right side (highlight below in BLUE) Highlight all chainages using Select All, alternatively if you want to list specific chainages, you can hold down Ctrl or Shift (ensure Select All is disabled if you don't require all the chainages). 
  Enabling the No Empty Sections option will automatically excludes chainages that contain no data. (ORANGE box below) whilst Select All highlights all the chainages in the list.

  

Note: The list in the dialog box may not display all of the sections. For instance, if you have elected to plot multiple sections, only multiple section models, such as cross, radial or river sections, will be shown.

After you have chosen the sections to plot, a Parameters dialog will display, enabling you to refine the section plot parameters that are specific to the chosen section. (Example from Multi option below)

The Layout box (Highlighted in Green above) hosts several options which allow you to change how the plotted sections are displayed, side by side and below or above each other. You can toggle between Fit to Width and By Columns to plot the sections in a conforming way that best suits your project. The Plot Direction drop-down menu (Highlighted in Blue above) allows you to change the direction in which the sections are plotted i.e: L to R, T to B (example above) would be Left to Right, Top to Bottom. The Direction for plotting would be starting on the left, going right and then moving down a column once the first column is full until you get to the bottom, where the last chainage would be plotted. Examples of placement can be seen below: 

First chainage (Top left corner)	Last chainage (Bottom right corner)

Within the Scales group, you will find the Horizontal and Vertical section plot scales. The default for the horizontal scale is always the current model scale, and the default for the vertical scale is the horizontal scale divided by the default vertical exaggeration factor that has been defined in the section plot defaults (see image below for reference). Changing either scale factor will affect the 

The Levels group allows you to define the datum and top of box levels for the section plot.  The datum level is the effective level of the top of the section annotation boxes and defaults to the lowest height in any of the section profiles that are to be plotted. Increasing the Datum level value will result in the section profile cutting through the annotation sections below; ordinarily, you would lower the Datum level to give the plotted section a less cluttered appearance. The top of box level is the effective level of the top of the section plot frame and defaults to the highest profile level. For clarity and convenience, it is best to lower the datum value and raise the top of box value, rounding the values to a much simpler number, thus expanding the section plot box, allowing for more comfortable viewing of the data. Below you can see examples of both options:

DATUM LEVELS

TOP OF BOX LEVELS

The Chainages group allows you to define which part of the section is to be plotted.  If the Plot All checkbox is ticked, every chainage in the section will be plotted.  If you only wish to plot a portion of the section, untick this checkbox and the Start and Finish fields will enable. The default values are those for the whole section, so you will need to enter the chainages of interest in the Start and Finish text box. 

The Reverse Chainage field allows you to reverse the chainages along the section plot so that they increase from right to left.  Note that this is not the same as reversing the section itself.  If you wish to do this, view the section graphically from the project tree and use the reverse option that is available there. See below for reference:

The Multi options are slightly different to those found in Single and Lengths. The Section Title field in the Profiles group is not displayed as the title for each section plot is taken from the name of each section element. When you change the defaults for section profiles using the Profiles button, the settings apply to all sections in the section model, whether they are chosen for plotting or not. In the Chainages group, the Start and Finish fields are not displayed and, since it is assumed you will be plotting whole sections, the Plot All checkbox is also not displayed. You can, however, still reverse the chainages on the section plots using the Reverse Chainage checkbox.

The major change to the Section Plot Parameters dialog box is in the Parameters group.  An additional checkbox, Height Based, allows you to change the vertical sizing of the section profile area on each section plot.  If this button is not ticked, you are expected to provide the datum and top of box levels in the same way as that for a single section, and the defaults provided are the maximum and minimum heights found across all of the selected section elements.  The values that you specify in these fields will be used for all of the section plots. 

If the Height Based checkbox is ticked, the Datum and Top of Box fields are replaced with the Min Height Above and Min Height Below fields.  These values define the minimum heights above and below the section profiles that should be used to define the datum and top of box levels for each section plot.  The maximum difference between these two values for any of the section plots is used as the height of the section profile plot area so that all section plots will be the same height. The datum levels used for each section will be calculated as above whilst the top of box levels will be the datum level plus the maximum height.  The Round Datum check box allows you to further refine the datum level for each section plot. When selected, the calculated datum level will be rounded down to the nearest whole value.

The Plot Segments option from the Sections menu above allows you to create a series of section plots from one section.  After you have selected the section element to plot, the Section Plot Parameters dialog for section segments will be displayed, which differs slightly from the standard view.

The Chainages group in the dialog box for single sections will have been replaced by the Segments group. This allows you to define the length of the segments to plot in the Length field, with the default for this field being the full length of the selected section. The section segments will be plotted one above the other, and the vertical spacing of the section plots is defined in the Spacing field.

For any type of section being plotted, the Profiles button allows you to alter the parameters used for the section profile lines. When selected, the Section Profiles dialog box is displayed.

The Profiles group shows the names of the profiles in the section. The order of the profiles in the list box defines the order in which any annotation is plotted. You can alter this order by highlighting a section profile to move and then using the Up and Down buttons. The default names for the section profiles are taken from the names of the model or codes of the feature from which the profile was calculated. To rename a section profile, double-click the name in the list, and you will be asked to enter a new name to use on the section plot. This new name will be remembered in the future.

As you select each profile in the list box, the remaining fields will change to display the settings for that particular profile. If the Plot Profile check box is not ticked, all of the fields for the remaining attributes will be disabled, and nothing will be plotted for this profile. The Pen and Line Style fields define the surface profile line. If the Plot Group Depths check box is ticked, a second profile line will be plotted underneath the surface profile. This second line will show the bottom of group levels, should there be groups with depths in the section profile, and will have the same colour and style as the surface profile.

If the Plot Drop Lines check box is ticked, drop lines will be plotted on the section plot for this profile. They will be drawn as a solid line with the pen defined in the Pen field. There is a special pen for drop lines called Profile Pen, which assumes the same colour for drop lines as the section profile to which they relate.

If the Annotate check box is ticked, the style and pen used for drop line annotation can be defined using the Text Style and Text Pen fields. As well as the normal pens, the text pen can be defined as Profile Pen, which assumes the same pen as the section profile, or Drop Line Pen, which assumes the same pen as the drop line to which the annotation relates. Note that you can plot section drop line annotation without the need to plot section drop lines, in which case, vertical lines will only appear in the annotation boxes at the bottom of the section plot.

Once the various settings have all been configured as per requirements, press OK to start the final plot process. If just a single section is being plotted, a small input box will ask for the name of the layer to put the section on before previewing it attached to the mouse cursor. Any Lock modes currently set will also help to position the section if it needs to be locked to some pre-existing layout.

Multi-section plots behave slightly differently. Once you have set the parameters for the section plot, you will be asked to sketch a rectangular area in which the sections are to be plotted.  The spacing defaults will be used to calculate the number of columns and rows needed to plot the sections, and the Multiple Section Plot Spacings dialog box will be displayed.  You can use this dialog to refine the position of the section plots. 

The Columns and Rows fields define the dimensions of the array of section plots.  The Hz Spacing and Vt Spacing fields define the spacing between section plots.  Changing any of the values will result in a change in the preview window.  It is possible that the chosen sections will not fit into the defined plot area.  If this is the case, a warning message will be displayed, but you will still be able to continue.  When you select the OK button, the sections will be plotted where you have indicated.

 

• Plot Delete: This option allows you to delete individual section plots.  You will be asked to indicate the section plot to delete.  After a plot has been found, a simple check is carried out to ensure that the deletion of the section plot is acceptable.
   
• Plot Move: This option allows you to move individual section plots.  You will be asked to indicate a section plot to move and then its new position.  Locking takes place to the indicated element and the lock and axis draw modes will be honoured in the move.
   
• Annotation Delete: This tool allows row(s) of annotation to be completely deleted from an indicated section plot.  Having indicated the top of the annotation row, indicate the last line of the row it should stop at.  Any rows found in between will then be removed from the plot.
   

Editing Section Drop Lines

A drop line consists of a line, which may or may not be multi-segment and may or may not have gaps.  The drop line may also have a number of items of section annotation items associated with it.  There are times when it is necessary to tidy up or thin out items that have not already been filtered when the section was plotted.  The DL Edit options from the Sections Menu allow you some simple tools to edit the drop lines of a section plot.  Note that a drop line is a special type of line and, when you are asked to indicate one, n4ce cannot pick another line in error.

• Drop Line Flip: This allows you to flip the annotation associated with a drop line from one side to the other.  This may be needed where two drop lines both have information that is necessary to the section plot but the annotation of the drop lines overlaps.  You will be asked to indicate the drop line A second flip of the annotation will put the text back in its original place.
   
• Drop Line Bend: Allows you to introduce a bend into a drop line so that the associated annotation is offset, but the top of the drop line still points to the correct location on the section profile.  This may be needed where two drop lines both have information that is necessary to the section plot and the annotation on neither drop line can be flipped without compromising other drop line annotation.  Since it is assumed that you will normally wish to introduce the bend in the drop lines at the same level on the section, you will be asked to indicate the drop line bend datum.  You will then be asked to indicate a drop line to bend and the new position of its annotation.   A bend will be introduced in the drop line at the indicated point, and also at the top of the section annotation area of the section plot.  The portion of the drop line in the section annotation will remain vertical.  After you have introduced a bend into one drop line, you will be asked to indicate another drop line until you press the quit button on the mouse.  The current lock mode can be used to ensure that all drop lines bend from the same datum.  If you indicate a drop line that has already been bent and the bend datum that was used for that line is different to the current bend datum, the bend datum of the indicated line will move accordingly.
   
• Drop Line Straighten: Allows you to remove a bend that has been introduced into a drop line.  After you have indicated a drop line with a bend, the bend points will be removed and the portion of the drop line and its associated annotation will all be moved back so that they are back in the original position that they were plotted.
   
• Drop Line Delete: Allows you to delete a drop line and all associated annotation by indicating the drop line to remove.

Annotating Section Plots

The Draw options from the Sections Menu allow you to sketch points and lines onto a section plot.  They also allow you to label positions and to show the gradient of elements of the section profile.

• Draw Points: Allows you to place construction points at known chainages and heights on a section plot.  After you have indicated the section to add points to, a dialog will be displayed asking you to enter a series of chainage and height pairs.  As you enter each pair, a construction point using the current point settings for point style and colour will be created on the section plot.  The point will be placed on the same layer as the section plot. After you have finished defining points for the section plot, select the Cancel button from the dialog box.  You will then be asked to indicate a further section to continue adding construction points if needed.
   
• Draw Lines: Allows you to create multi-segment line elements on a section plot.  After you have indicated the section plot to which lines are to be added, you will be asked to indicate a start location for the line.  This could be a known location in the section profile or a construction point that has been added to the section.  Note that the current lock mode should be used to ensure that you start the line at the correct position.
  
  A dialog box inviting you to enter a series of line vertices is then displayed.  There are two items that need to be defined so that new chainage and height pairs can be calculated.  The Distance group defines how the distance along the section plot from the previous line vertex is calculated, and there are two possible options.
   
  • Chainage: This option will require you to define the actual chainage of the next line vertex along the section and, when this option is selected, the Chainage field is visible.  When the above dialog is displayed for the first time, the value in this field is the chainage along the section profile of the indicated start point of the line.
     

  • Offset: This option will ask you to enter an offset from the previous vertex along the section, and when this option is selected, the Offset field is visible.  If the offset is negative, the new vertex will be to the left of the previous vertex.
     

    The Height group defines how the height of the new line vertices is calculated, and there are five possible options.

  • No Change: This option allows you to assume that the height of the new vertex is the same as the previous vertex in the line.
     
  • Relative: This option allows you to enter a change in height to the new point from the previous point and, when this option is selected, the dHeight field is visible.  If you wish the new vertex to be higher than the previous vertex, enter a positive value for the change in height.
     
  • New Height: This option allows you to enter a known height for the new point and, when this option is selected, the Height field is visible.
     
  • Grade (1:) This option allows you to enter a grade, in the form 1:g, from the previous point to the new point and, when this option is selected, the Grade (1:) field is visible.  If you wish the new vertex to be higher than the previous vertex, enter a positive value for the grade.
     
  • Gradient (%) This option allows you to enter a gradient, as a percentage, from the previous point to the new point and, when this option is selected, the Gradient (%) field is visible.  If you wish the new vertex to be higher than the previous vertex, enter a positive value for the gradient.

As you define the chainage and height pairs, the line will be redrawn to reflect each new vertex.  This line will use the current settings for line style and colour and will be placed on the same layer as the section plot.

Once you have created a line in the section plot, you are then free to use other CAD tools to modify the lines that have been created.  For instance, you may wish to extend the final segment of a line until it intersects with a section profile.  You can also create other lines using other CAD tools and, so long as they are placed on the same layer as the section plot, these new lines will be assumed to be part of the section plot.

• Draw Gradients: A section plot gradient consists of a line with an arrow and an item of text showing the gradient of a section profile at a point.  The text string can be either in grade (1:) or gradient (%) format.  This option allows you to add such gradients to a section plot.  When selected, the Section Plot Gradient dialog box, as shown to the right, is displayed, allowing you to set up the defaults for the line and text.

The Style group defines the type of gradient and the line.  The format of the gradient text is defined by the two radio buttons.  The Grade radio button should be set if you wish the gradient displayed in the format 1:g.  The Gradient radio button should be set if you wish the gradient displayed in the format g%.  The Line Length field defines the length of the line at the current working scale.  The Arrow Size field defines the length of the arrow that is to be generated at the current working scale.  Note that the arrow that is added to the label line is always an open arrow.  The Up check box defines whether you want the arrow added to the line on the higher point.

The Attributes group defines the basic attributes for the line and text.  The Pen field defines the pen used for all of the elements created.  The Text Style field defines the text style that is used for the gradient text.  The line that is created will always be a solid line.  The Decimals field defines the number of decimal places used when formatting the gradient.

The Minimums and Maximums groups allow you to define a maximum and minimum grade or gradient above or below which the numeric value is not displayed.  Some suggestions are given in the drop list part of the combo box, but you can enter your own value.  If the maximum or minimum gradient is exceeded, you can elect to display Flat or Vertical, whichever is appropriate.  To use either or both of these strings, you should ensure that the appropriate Plot check boxes are ticked.

The examples above show examples of gradient labels.  The example to the left is a grade and did not have the Up check box ticked.  The second example is a gradient with the Up check box ticked.  The third example shows a flat gradient.  The arrow on a flat gradient will point to the right if the Up check box is ticked.

 

• Labels Draw: A section plot label consists of a line with an arrow indicating a position on a section plot and two items of text either side of this line.  The text strings display the chainage along the section and the height of the indicated position.

  This option allows you to add such labels to a section plot.  When selected, the Section Plot Labels dialog box, as shown to the right, is displayed, allowing you to set up the defaults for the line and text.

  The Attributes group defines the basic attributes for the line and text.  The Pen field defines the pen used for all of the elements created.  The Text Style field defines the text style that is used for the chainages and heights.  The line that is created will always be a solid line.  The Decimals field defines the number of decimal places used when formatting the chainage and height.

  The Line group defines further attributes for the line, including its arrow.  The Position field defines where the label will be generated and can take one of three values.

  •  

    Above: This option defines that the line, of length defined in the Length field, will be generated above the position of interest.

  •  

    Below: This option defines that the line, of length defined in the Length field, will be generated below the position of interest.

  •  

    To Datum: This option defines that the line will be generated below the position of interest and will extend down to the top of the section annotation boxes.

  • Datum Marker: This option defines that a filled arrowhead will identify the position of interest. Having picked the position, use a second click to identify where the marker and annotation should sit. Then the Label can be entered or picked from a list.
    
    The Save Labels check box allows the labels which have been used to be saved ready for next time. Where at such time they can be picked from a list if necessary.

The Arrow Size field defines the length of the arrow that is to be generated at the current working scale.  Note that the arrow that is added to the label line is always an open arrow.

The Prefix & Suffix group defines any prefixes or suffixes that you wish to assign to the chainage or height.

The Plot Chainage box controls whether the chainage information is even plotted. Sometimes all that is wanted is the level instead.

The examples above show the four positions of the section plot labels using the settings shown in the example Section Plot Labels dialog box.  These examples are used to highlight a point on a section profile but they can be used to label any location within the section plot, including other points and lines which have been added.

• Labels Project: This option behaves in much the same way as the labels tool above.  However, rather than identifying an indicated location on a profile to annotate. The Project option "projects" an indicated location onto another CAD element within the section profile.  So in the example below, the top of the arch was projected onto the bridge deck to control where the Datum Marker was placed.

• Labels Apply
   
• Cut Lines Plot: Allows you to create linework and end symbols to denote the position and direction of a section or sections. Attached to the line is also a text label which identifies the section name.  When selected, a dialog will be displayed asking you to select the section whose cut lines you wish to plot.  If you select a multi-section, such as cross, radial or river sections, all of the cut lines will be plotted.  After you have selected the section, a property sheet of two pages will be displayed allowing you to specify the defaults you wish to use for the cut line.  The two pages are the Line and Line Labels property pages from the Section Plot Defaults dialog.
   
• Cut Lines Delete: Allows you to delete section lines from the current model.  You will be asked to indicate the section line to delete and you should ensure that you indicate an element within the section line.  Note that if you have plotted cut lines for a multiple section, only the single cut line that you have indicated will be deleted.