Installation

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Terrain Tools

I downloaded the Terrain Tools Freeware version. What password do I enter when installing?

If you leave the password empty you will be installing the Freeware Version.  Other commercial versions such as 3D, Survey etc. require a password or a hardware lock.

I have a text file with coordinates, can I import this file into Terrain?  

Yes,  Terrain will read x,y,z coordinates in a variety of formats.  
See the example here.

Where can I edit/create my own symbols/linetypes?

You can do this with menu Module|Setup.

How do I enter in radial shots (reference shots)?

Under the Type column change from FS to RS.

How do I append one traverse to another?
How do I insert one traverse into another?

Place the cursor in traverse document where you want the traverse to be inserted (or appended), and activate menu Station|Insert File. After you choose the file to be inserted/appended, note the reverse and station range options available.

How do I reverse a traverse?

Create a new empty traverse with menu File|New; choose Station|Insert File, choose the file you want to reverse and then select the Reverse Insertion Direction option.

Can I geo-reference my traverse?

You can change the coordinates of any station with the Set|Get Coordinates menu option. This will make the traverse station absolute. The first station of a traverse is always absolute. The traverse will be adjusted using the compass rule to distribute the error evenly between absolute coordinates.

How do I enter an initial backshot for a theodolite survey?

You enter this in menu Edit|Survey Information.

How do I change my font?

You can change this with menu Edit|Entry Mode.

How do I change symbols or linetype for a traverse in a Map display?

File | Open the traverse of interest (DB1 file); choose menu Edit|Plot Information.

What happens when I create absolute coordinates?

Absolute coordinates are points where the x,y,z (Easting, Northing, Elevation) values have been explicitly set. Between any two absolute points, the traverse coordinates will be adjusted so that the error between the unadjusted geometry and the new geometry is distributed evenly along that section of traverse (using the Compass Rule). The raw survey data is NOT modified (shot azimuth, distance slope, etc.).

How do I tie the middle of my traverse to a GPS point?

There are two methods to do this.

1) Determine the offset differences (dx and dy) between the calculated coordinates (as viewed in menu Set/Get Coordinates) and the GPS point. Add these offsets to the POC start station coordinate (menu Set/Get Coordinates).

2) Create a single point traverse with the start station coordinate set to the GPS point. Create a Map document containing this traverse and the traverse of interest. Shift the traverse of interest to the GPS point traverse with menu Edit|Coord Adjustment.

How can I change the format of my traverse notes entry?

Choose the appropriate layout from the Screen Layout combo box in the toolbar or use menu Edit|Entry Mode to customise the current traverse. If you use Edit|Entry Mode you may save your format for future use with menu File|Save Traverse Screen Layout.

Can I export features and coordinate information?

Yes, there are two methods for exporting features.

1) Save them as traverse documents using menu File|Export Feature.

2) Save as DXF model using menu File|Save As Menu (select AutoCad Format (*.DXF) in the Save File As Type pull-down box).

I find it tedious selecting features with the mouse, especially if I have a large number of features. What alternate method could I use to select features?

You can select features by name or by range, with menu Edit|Select Features|By Name or By Range. Remember to name drawn or digitized features so that the selection process can be easier later on.

I received a file with contours already created. If I draw a draped feature will it take on the topography of the underlying terrain?

Not unless you have created a Terrain model (Edit|Calculate terrain Model).

Why does the feature that I drew show an elevation of -9999?

This means that it is a draped (no elevation) feature. Elevations will be defined if you create a Terrain model.

How do I create a p-line to be used in the Location Module?

You must first have a terrain model and a selected P-Line feature. Export this feature as a traverse document with side shots and then choose this new file as your P-Line in the Location Module File|New.

Why can't I see anything in my Plan Window after import or after opening a file?

Frequently this occurs when the features you are trying display are off the screen. Press the <Tab> key to move to the next feature and re-center the screen. If it still can't be seen check to see if the scale is appropriate with menu View|Plan Options.

RoadEng

Why do I get the message "This module is running in demonstration mode"?

This message generally indicates that the program has not properly detected the security hardlock key.

Check to see that the security hardlock key is attached to a parallel port (LPT1 or LPT2).

If you are installing RoadEng (or Terrain Tools key versions) on Windows NT, 2000 or XP you may come up with the error message program is running in Demo Mode. This is because the Rainbow Security Drivers have not been properly installed. To resolve the problem.

1) Make sure you have System Administrator privileges. 

2) Find and run the executable file RoadEng\Drivers\Win_NT\setupx86.exe 3)Choose menu Function | Install Sentinel Driver. 

4) Accept the default path when prompted "C:\RoadEng\Drivers\WIN_NT\I386".

This will install the drivers. When you restart RoadEng you should be in Full Function Mode

You may sometimes get the message if a printer is attached to the security hardlock key on the parallel port, and the printer is not turned on. Leave the printer turned on or put the key on a different parallel port from the printer.

If you have purchased/leased a product which doesn't include all the modules, you will get this message if you try to load the excluded sections of the program (For example, the Terrain Tools product will run Location Design in demonstration mode).

You may have damaged your hardlock key by attaching an external zip drive or scanner to the parallel port when your hardlock key was attached. If this is the case you will require a new hardware key. (Don't panic, we won't charge you for a new licence).

Why are cut and fill slope errors occurring when I have gentle sidelopes?

This problem often results from a layer of overburden material (defined in the GND field of the traverse notes) with very shallow cut and/or fill angles (defined in the ground type table - Edit|Edit Ground types). The default template is usually set up to use cut and fill slopes associated with the cut and fill materials; the cut material is defined in the traverse and the default fill material is the layer 1 cut material.

To correct this problem, change the ground types in the traverse (Survey/Map module) and re-open your location design, or change the fill material with Edit|Assign Fill Types, or change the material properties with Edit|Edit Ground types.

Why are the grades I entered in the traverse document not appearing correctly in the Profile window?

The most common cause of the problem is from incorrect traverse adjustment. If a traverse is adjusted to fit between two tie points (perhaps on other traverses) coordinates including elevations are adjusted. If the tie point elevations are incorrect the grade of the traverse will also be incorrect.

To correct this problem, make sure all elevation information at tie points (absolute coordinates) is accurate. Alternately open the traverse in the Survey/Map module and use Coordinates|Remove Absolutes to undo the erroneous adjustments.

Why do I have azimuth errors appearing above my Section Window?

This indicates an L-line segment more than 60 degrees from the local P-Line. You probably have multiple horizontal alignment points that are close together. Try deleting one of the design points or separating them.

What does the message "Station xxx.xx turn> 90 deg. Horz alignment not supported near this hub" mean?

There is a sharp bend in the P-Line at this station. For good results, Location requires a P-Line that is a smooth approximation of the final L-Line (see azimuth errors). To fix the problem, re-survey the problem area with less bend per station.

Can I join two designed roads together to make a new design?

No.

How do I show the average SSR and SSL instead of just the first shot?

With any window active select View | Window Options and press the General Options button. Select the show average slope % option.

How do I change the font for the grid labels, the Profile Sub-Windows text and the Section status text?

With any window active (except Mult-Plot) select View | Window Options, press the General Options button and then the Default Font button. This button allows you to change the default font for all windows.

Why is it important to generate reporting points at survey stations?

The most accurate ground information exists at surveyed stations. If some cross sections are not included, variations in topography will be missed for volume and other calculations. The program will automatically create reporting points when you start a new Location design; be careful to put them back if you remove them with the Edit|Auto Generate function.

How do I change my P-Line start station?

You change it in the Survey/Map Module with menu Edit|Survey Information (or just type it in the first station field). If a design has already been started, close the design, open the Survey/Map Module, make the change, save it and then re-open the Location design.

What will happen if I make changes to my traverse after I have started a design?

If you delete/insert stations or change the length of a shot in the middle of the traverse, you will have to re-design from that point onwards. All other modification can be accommodated into an existing Location design: save the changes to the traverse from the Survey /Map module and then re-open the Location design to see the effects of the changes.

If you change the start station, the Location Design Module will prompt you to shift the design.

If you delete the end of the traverse, you will be prompted to remove the L-Line in the deleted section.

If you delete the beginning of the traverse you must also change the start station to the value the first undeleted point. The Location Design Module will prompt you to shift the design - respond NO; you will then be prompted to remove the L-Line in the deleted segment, respond YES.

If you change culvert information there will be no effect on the design.

What are the two grey lines that move with my cursor when editing alignment in the Profile window?

These lines are the grade guides, and they assist you in maintaining the Maximum Grade, Minimum Grade, and Maximum Grade Break throughout the design process. The limits for these values can be set in menu View|Profile Options: click on the "+" button beside Grade Guides.

How do I change the font for my Data Window?

Print the Data Window on a Multi-Plot page, then the Data sub-view will use the default font. (To change the default font: With any window active (except Mult-Plot) select View | Window Options, press the General Options button and then the Default Font button.)

Why do I keep getting extra reporting points in my design?

The Location module will automatically generate reporting points at places where there is a change in template, fill material or site preparation. If reporting points are deleted these will reappear automatically the next time you make an assignment using these Edit|Assign functions.

Why can't I delete my creek crossing culverts?

Creek crossings can only be deleted by removing the creek from the associated traverse file and then re-opening the location design.

When I change the diameter of my creek crossing culvert, why doesn't the change occur in the traverse file?

The culvert size saved in the traverse file is the default size. Two (or more) designs may exist for one traverse; each one could have different culvert sizes positions etc. Thus culvert information is stored with the design and not the traverse. Of course you can change the traverse creek parameters explicitly if you wish.

Why won't the program remove overburden to the depth I specified?

You can remove up to the depth of the first layer, no matter what the ground type is. If you set the Max Depth of Overburden Removal to a number greater than depth of the first layer, the program will remove only the first layer.

How do I export DXF information from the Location Module?

There are 2 methods of exporting information to DXF. The method you use depends on your requirements.

1) To save a design as a 3 dimensional model use menu File|Save As, select AutoCad Format (*.DXF) in the Save File As Type pull-down box. This method preserves coordinates. Label formatting is not preserved.

2) To save the design windows for drafting purposes you can use menus File|Export (Plan, Profile, Section or Multi-Plot) Drawing. This format of DXF outputs the drawing in printer/plotter ('paper space') coordinates with no elevation information.

I find it difficult to position my plan and profile windows in Multi-Plot?

If you select either of these sub-views, you can scroll with Shift + arrow keys, and rotate the Plan Sub-View with Ctrl+ arrow keys.

How can I override the cut/fill slopes of the ground type without changing them in the Ground type Editor?

You can alter this by changing the Slopes left/right % Final from Auto to something else in the Template Editor. Alternately you can change fill material (and therefore slope) by using Edit|Asign Fill Types or you can change the GND field in the associated traverse. (You must re-read your Location if you change the P-Line Traverse).

Can I exclude either the right or left ditch?

Yes. In the Template Editor you can exclude ditches by pressing the plus sign.

What is a Taper Template?

A taper template is a transition template between two different templates.

What is a Bridge Template?

A Bridge Template is a template that has no cuts or fills.