Alignment editing

Last updated: 2026-01-06

Total video time: 12:23

Exercise file: ali-data-C3D22.zip

Video: ali-edit-01.mp4 1:56

Open drawing file

  1. Quick Access > Open
  2. Open File dialog box
    1. Look in: browse to folder dataset is saved.
    2. Select AliProf-All.dwg
    3. Open

Zoom to north end of alignment, north end to first curve.

Selection Cycling

If the cursor displays a double box icon this means the cursor pick box is over more than one object.

  1. Hover over alignment, double boxes appear > left-click > Selection Cycling dialog box > select Alignment

Grip point editing

  1. Left-click end grip point, furthest north, and drag left or right will change the alignment's bearing. Left-click to release.
  2. Left-click next grip point down and drag left or right will move the line segment while maintaining its bearing. Left-click to release.
  3. Left-click circular grip point, top of curve (or the bottom) will symmetrical change the length of the curve. Left-click to release.
  4. Left-click the middle circular grip point, of the curve, and drag left or right will change the curve's radius. Left-click to release.
  5. Left-click the middle triangle, perpendicular to the curve, and drag left or right will change the curve's radius and length at the same time. Left-click to release.
  6. Left-click the point-of-intersection, triangle pointing north, moving it will change the bearing of both incoming and outgoing tangents.

Video: ali-edit-02.mp4 3:19

  1. Open drawing file
    1. Quick Access > Open
    2. Open File dialog box
      1. Look in: browse to folder dataset is saved.
      2. Select AliProf-All.dwg
      3. Open
  2. Zoom to north end of alignment, north end to first curve.
  3. Hover over alignment > left-click > Selection Cycling dialog box > select Alignment

Data grid editing functions

  1. Contextual ribbon > Modify panel > Geometry Editor ORRight-click menu > Edit Alignment Geometry...
  2. Alignment Layout Tools toolbar > Alignment Grid View tool
  3. In Panorama
    1. Select Entity No. 5
      1. Tangency Constraint: Constrained by Previous (Floating)
    2. Select Entity No. 4
      1. Parameter Constraint Lock: Unlock
      2. Parameter Constraint: Radius and Length
    3. X to close
  4. Left-click alignment > Selection Cycling dialog box > select Alignment
  5. Left-click diamond grip point, at the end of curve, and drag south & west. This will change the curve's radius and length. Left-click to release.

  6. Left-click on square grip floating right side of alignment. This is tied to the original alignment's location when first created. Move it and notice how the editing has changed due to the parameter constraint lock. Left-click to release.

  7. Alignment Layout Tools toolbar > Alignment Grid View tool

  8. In Panorama
    1. Select Entity No. 4
      1. Parameter Constraint Lock: Lock
    2. X to close
  9. Alignment Layout Tools toolbar > Pick Sub-entity tool
  10. Pan to south end of alignment and select curve
  11. Left-click > Selection Cycling dialog box > select Alignment
  12. Alignment Layout Parameters dialog box
    1. Geometry
      1. Radius value: 2685Enter
    2. X to close dialog box
  13. X to close toolbar

Video: ali-edit-03.mp4 4:14

Open drawing file

  1. Quick Access > Open
  2. Open File dialog box
    1. Look in: browse to folder dataset is saved.
    2. Select AliProf-4thAve.dwg
    3. Open

Correct alignment direction

Alignment stationing is on the wrong side of the alignment and numbering is in the wrong direction, north to south.

Info: Direction of an alignment should be west to east or south to north.

  1. Left-click on the alignment
  2. Contextual ribbon > Modify panel dropdown > Reverse direction
  3. Warning dialog box > OK
  4. Keep alignment active and continue.

Lengthening alignment west end

The length will be added to the start point, on west end of the alignment.

  1. Contextual ribbon > Modify panel > Geometry Editor
  2. Alignment Layout Tools toolbar > Tangent-Tangent tool dropdown > Tangent-Tangent (No curve)
  3. Specify start point: Select any point beyond (west of) the alignment's start point.
  4. Specify next point:Shift + right-click > Endpoint OSnap > Left-click alignment start point
  5. Right-click to accept.

Establish new start point

The new line segment added has a negative station number because it was added on to the start point, 0+00, going west.

  1. Left-click on the alignment
  2. Contextual ribbon > Modify panel > Alignment Properties
  3. Alignment Properties dialog box
    1. Notice in station information, start station has a negative number.
    2. Station Control tab > Reference point box > select Pick reference point icon, next to Y coordinate.
    3. Warning dialog box > OK
    4. Select alignment reference point location:Shift + right-click > Endpoint OSnap > Left-click alignment new start point
    5. Notice in station information, start station has changed to 0+00.
    6. OK to accept

Lengthening alignment east end

The length will be added to the end point, on east end of the alignment.

  1. Alignment Layout Tools toolbar > Tangent-Tangent tool dropdown > Tangent-Tangent (No curve)
  2. Specify start point:Shift + right-click > Endpoint OSnap > Left-click alignment end point
  3. Specify next point: Select any point beyond (east of) the alignment's end point.
  4. Right-click to accept.

Endpoint stationing continues in sequence.

Video: ali-edit-04.mp4 2:54

Open drawing file

  1. Quick Access > Open
  2. Open File dialog box
    1. Look in: browse to folder dataset is saved.
    2. Select AliProf-4thAve.dwg
    3. Open

Zoom to east end of the alignment. The end segment is missing labeling, numbering is in the wrong direction and needs a curve.

Change line segment direction

  1. Left-click the alignment
  2. Contextual ribbon > Modify panel > Geometry Editor OR Right-click menu > Edit Alignment Geometry...
  3. Alignment Layout Tools toolbar > Reverse Sub-entity Direction tool
  4. Left-click end line segment
  5. Right-click to accept.

Add curve

  1. Alignment Layout Tools toolbar > Curve tool dropdown > Free Curve Fillet (Between two entities, radius)
  2. Select first entity: Left-click on incoming line segment, the line before the end line segment
  3. Select next entity: Left-click end line segment
  4. Is curve solution angle (G)reaterthen180 (L)essthan180:LEnter
  5. Specify radius:90Enter

Edit curve to include 90' radius

  1. Alignment Layout Tools toolbar > Delete Sub-entity tool
  2. Left-click on curve between stations 5+00 and 6+00.
  3. Right-click to accept
  4. Alignment Layout Tools toolbar > Curve tool dropdown > Free Curve Fillet (Between two entities, radius)
  5. Select first entity: Left-click on incoming line segment, west of break
  6. Select next entity: Left-click outgoing line segment, east of break
  7. Is curve solution angle (G)reaterthen180 (L)essthan180:LEnter
  8. Specify radius:90Enter