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Main Surface Tab

Main Surface Tab

Owned by Omar Lamrani
Last updated: Mar 10, 2025 by Reza Mahmoudi Kuohi
2 min read

Menu: Civil / Start / Surfaces

The Main Surface Tab in VisionLidar’s Civil Module provides essential tools for managing, editing, and optimizing surfaces. This guide explains how to create, load, modify, and validate surfaces efficiently while ensuring optimal performance.

1. Opening and Managing Surfaces

✔ Expand the Surface Tree – Click the "+" icon to access individual surfaces.
✔ Add a New Surface – Right-click "Surface" → "Add surface" to create a blank surface.
✔ Duplicate a Surface – Right-click a surface, then select "Add" to create a copy.

Surface Components

A surface consists of:

  • Outline – Defines the surface boundary.

  • Points – Individual coordinate points that form the surface.

  • Breaklines – Linear features ensuring accurate triangulation.

  • Holes – Areas excluded from the triangulated surface.

  • Triangles – Generated from the surface points for modeling.

✔ Load/Unload Surfaces – Use the "Load Surface" and "Unload Surface" buttons to optimize system RAM and improve processing speed.

 

2. Surface Tab – Key Features

✔ View Surface Statistics – Displays real-time data on:

  • Number of points

  • Breaklines & segments

  • Holes

  • Triangles

✔ Concept of Layers – A single surface can have multiple layers, each with different settings.

  • Copy layers with XY and/or Z translation

  • Multiple Z-values for the same XY coordinate (useful for road projects or multi-layered terrains).

✔ Import/Export with LandXML

  • Supports XYZ points, surfaces, outlines, breaklines, and alignments.

  • Compatible with Civil 3D, InRoads, and other software.

  • XML files can be viewed in a web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer).

3. Surface Editing & Tools

Each surface includes a toolbar with key actions:

Button

Description

Save

Saves surface changes (e.g., triangulation). VisionLidar does not prompt to save on exit, so save regularly.

Move

Moves points using XY/Z translation. Z-translation only affects the chosen layer’s elevation. Used when creating new layers.

Copy Points to COGO

Sends surface points to the Vision database (use with caution for large surfaces).

Sync COGO

Matches COGO points with surface points using either XY coordinates or names. Updates Z-values if a match is found.

Validate

  • Removes duplicate points (same coordinates).

  • Fixes breakline intersections, adding a midpoint with interpolated elevation.

4. Best Practices for Surface Management

✔ Load only necessary surfaces to improve performance.
✔ Use layers effectively to compare different surface conditions.
✔ Regularly validate surfaces to ensure accuracy and prevent duplicate points.
✔ Sync with COGO points to align survey data with surfaces.
✔ Always save changes manually since VisionLidar does not prompt users to save on exit.

🚀 Streamline Your Surface Workflow with VisionLidar’s Civil Module!

With efficient surface management tools, you can enhance terrain modeling, volume calculations, road design, and infrastructure planning. Optimize processing speed, ensure data accuracy, and integrate seamlessly with other BIM and CAD software. 🏗️🌍📏

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