Sample lines

Last updated: 2023-01-30

Total video time: 18:00

Sample lines are line segments placed at intervals along an existing alignment. Sample lines represent the location and orientation of surface cross sections. Sample lines are used to sample source data from TIN surfaces, corridors, corridor surfaces, pipe networks, or pressure networks. Sampled source data can be used to create sections for section views.

Exercise files: xsec-smpl-lin-data-c3d16.zip

Start with xsec-smpl-lin-begin.dwg

xsec-smpl-lin-01.mp4 03:54

xsec-smpl-lin-02.mp4 02:15

xsec-smpl-lin-03.mp4 05:08

Info: Workflow below may differ slightly from video content.

A sample line group must be created before creating sample lines. Multiple sample lines associated with an individual alignment can be created at once.

Create multiple sample lines by range of stations

  1. Ribbon > Home tab > Profile & Section Views panel > Sample Lines

  2. CREATESAMPLELINES Select an alignment <or press enter key to select from list>:

    1. Enter

    2. Select an alignment from the list

    3. OK

    3. Create Sample Line Group dialog

  3. Checkmark TIN surface EXIST and change Style to EX Ground

  4. Checkmark corridor Crdr-Sth25 and change Style to XS Sheets With Links

  5. Checkmark corridor surface Crdr-Sth25 Crdr-Crdr-Sth251-Top Surf and change Style to Final Top

  6. Checkmark corridor surface Crdr-Sth25 Crdr-Crdr-Sth251-Subgrade and change Style to Final Datum

  7. Checkmark corridor surface Crdr-Sth25 Crdr-Crdr-Sth251-Pave and change Style to Final Base Course

  8. OK

  9. A red station selector will appear on the crosshairs

  10. Pause for next step. Do not click mouse to specify station

  11. Use the Sample Line Tools floating toolbar to specify stations

  12. Sample Line Tools toolbar > Sample line creation methods dropdown > By range of stations...

    13. Create Sample Lines - By Station Range dialog

  13. Set From alignment start field to False

  14. Left click in the Start Station field.

  15. Left click the green pick box, then using the red station picker, select somewhere just inside the start of the corridor.

  16. Set To alignment end field to False

  17. Left click in the End Station field.

  18. Left click the green pick box, then using the red station picker, select somewhere in the corridor near the intersection.

  19. Under Left Swath Width set Snap to an alignment to False and in the Width field, enter 75

  20. Under Right Swath Width set Snap to an alignment to False and in the Width field, enter 75

  21. Under Sampling Increments set Use Sampling Increments field to True

  22. Set Increment Relative To to Absolute Station

  23. In the Increments Along Tangents field, enter 50

  24. In the Increments Along Curves field, enter 25

  25. In the Increments Along Spirals field, enter 50

  26. Under Additional Sample Control set all fields to False

  27. OK

  28. Enter or Esc

  29. QSAVE

Continue working in xsec-smpl-lin-begin.dwg

xsec-smpl-lin-04.mp4 01:45

xsec-smpl-lin-05.mp4 04:58

Info: Workflow below may differ slightly from video content.

Edit a single sample line using grips

Tip: Select a sample line to activate grips

  • Left click the diamond grip in the center of the sample line to adjust station location

  • Left click an arrow grip at the end of a sample line to adjust the swath width

  • Left click a square grip at the end of a sample line to change the angle

Edit a single sample line using dialog box

  1. Select any sample line in a sample line group

  2. Sample Line Contextual ribbon tab > Modify panel > Edit Sample Line

  3. Select the sample line to be edited

  4. In the Edit Sample Line dialog box click Next Vertex or Previous Vertex to cycle between the center point and the endpoints of the sample line

  5. Edit field values

  6. Select a different sample line to edit or press Esc to exit the command

Edit sample line group properties

  1. Select any sample line in a sample line group

  2. Sample Line Contextual ribbon tab > Modify panel > Group Properties

  3. In the Sample Line Group Properties dialog box, select the Sample Lines tab

  4. Select a sample line in the list Use Ctrl or Shift to select more than one sample line at once

  5. Select any of the fields in the list and edit the value or selection

  6. Apply

  7. OK

Sample more sources

  1. Select any sample line in a sample line group

  2. Sample Line Contextual ribbon tab > Modify panel > Sample More Sources

  3. In the Sample More Sources dialog box, select a data source from the left column under Available sources:

  4. Add >> to add a data source

  5. Select a data source from the right column under Sampled sources:

  6. << Remove to remove a data source

  7. OK

  8. Esc