Introduction

Users manual

PLATEIA 2006

Innovative IT and Environmental Technologies Ltd.

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Contents
Contents...............................................................................................................3 1. PLATEIA 2006 SHORT DESCRIPTION....................................................................5 1.1. Geo Engineering............................................................................................5 1.2. PLATEIA 2006 features...................................................................................5 1.3. Programming Design.....................................................................................6 1.4. PLATEIA and Object Models............................................................................6 1.5. Flexible Modularity........................................................................................6 1.6. Built-in Standards..........................................................................................6 1.7. Program Flexibility.........................................................................................7 1.8. Project Manager.............................................................................................7 2. PLATEIA 2006 Modules Technical description...................................................8 2.1. Layout Module...............................................................................................8 2.2. Digital Terrain Model (DTM)...........................................................................9 2.3. Axes Module................................................................................................10 2.4. Longitudinal sections module......................................................................11 2.5. Cross-sections Module................................................................................12 2.6. Traffic Module.............................................................................................13 2.7. Dynamic Turning Curves Command.............................................................14 2.8. Additional modules......................................................................................15 3. Other usages of the PLATEIA 2006 program.....................................................16 3.1. Reconstructions...........................................................................................16 3.2. Earthworks..................................................................................................16 3.3. Visualisation................................................................................................16 3.4. Data analysis and distribution to GIS systems...............................................16 4. PLATEIA 2006 New Features.............................................................................17 5. Compatibility with older PLATEIA versions........................................................19 6. PLATEIA 2006 Licensing...................................................................................20

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7. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS.....................................................21 8. PLATEIA 2006 INSTALLATION...........................................................................22 8.1. General installation information...................................................................22 8.2. PLATEIA 2006 installation procedure............................................................22 8.3. Obtaining password for operating the program............................................28 8.4. Licence manager..........................................................................................29 9. HOW TO START................................................................................................31 9.1. Preface........................................................................................................31 9.2. Menus in PLATEIA 2006...............................................................................32 9.3. Auxiliary Functions in PLATEIA 2006............................................................36 9.4. Plotting Drawings to Plotter.........................................................................38 10. Commands that appear in more than one module..........................................39 10.1. Projekt-Manager........................................................................................39 10.2. Project working directory...........................................................................45 10.3. Variable setting .........................................................................................46 10.4. CGS Editor.................................................................................................48 10.5. Symbol Manager........................................................................................52 11. Refreshing of the drawing from the project database......................................56 12. Common Rules for Creating PLATEIA ASCII Files.............................................60

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1. PLATEIA 2006 SHORT DESCRIPTION

Surveying Plans Digital Terrain Model Axes Definition Longitudinal sections Cross-sections Traffic Crossings Vehicle curves 3D visualisations
*he plateia (greek) - street, road, wide path

1.1. Geo Engineering

PLATEIA is a member of the Geo Engineering family of products by CGS Ltd. intended for tackling the most challenging civil engineering projects. The rest of the Geo Engineering family includes:

PLATEIA GEO (adapted version) for engineering needs in geodesy, geology and earthwork calculations, FERROVIA for railroad design, AQUATERRA for hydrology design, HYDRA for waterworks design. CANALIS for sewage systems design, and

Programs from the Geo Engineering family of products are intercompatible which helps use the same AutoCAD drawing when working either on road, railroad, watercircuit, sewage or waterworks without any harmful interference between data.

when complex, interdisciplinary civil engineering projects are tackled. That means you can

1.2. PLATEIA 2006 features

Why choosing PLATEIA for your civil engineering tool ? Because... PLATEIA is seamlessly integrated in the AutoCAD program, PLATEIA is simple for learning and use,

PLATEIA offers 500+ functions for solving various engineering problems,

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PLATEIA employs several built-in industry standards,

PLATEIA modular structure allows good project work organization, PLATEIA enables good linking to other programs from the Geo Engineering family, PLATEIA has proven its reliability on hundreds of successful projects, monitoring, PLATEIA is accompanied by its PLATEIA GEO version intended for earthworks PLATEIA data can link to various GIS systems.

1.3. Programming Design

With PLATEIA 2006 we have developed especially efficient data system which comprises so-called intelligent drawings and is complemented by an external database so that a good data transfer between modules and applications is ensured. PLATEIA has been designed by using the latest Microsoft development tools. All the new functions has been programmed using the C++ and Visual Basic tools.

1.4. PLATEIA and Object Models

PLATEIA follows the latest global trends in object model evolution representing a basis for civil engineering data standardisation. PLATEIA is already integrated with the Land XML object model (www.landxml.arg). For the German speaking countries OKSTRA user interface is available (www.okstra.de).

1.5. Flexible Modularity

One of the greatest advantages of PLATEIA 2006 is its flexible modularity. Namely, PLATEIA comprises of 10 modules: Layout-Core, Engineering geodesy, Axes-Core, Axes-Roads, the users view PLATEIA modular structure is simplified in a way that all core and the cores being the common base for designing roads, railroads and waters. This Longitudinal sections-Core, Longitudinal sections-Roads, Traffic and Turning Curves. From applicative modules are joined in the same menu. PLATEIA 2006 highlights importance of modularity allows also individual purchasing of the modules and their separate installing.

1.6. Built-in Standards

In addition to the current Slovenian road design, industry perceived standards, PLATEIA employs many other European ones. Different standards can be used in different language German RAS-L, Austrian RVS or some other technical standards. version of the program. For example, critical design parameters can be checked out by the

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Built-in standards can be divided into calculation standards and layout appearance

standards. While calculation standards are firmly established in individual countries, layout appearance standards field is less defined. Futhermore, PLATEIA incorporates many good ideas for improving the appearance and clarity of the project documentation for your benefit.

1.7. Program Flexibility

PLATEIA 2006 program can be adjusted according to your needs by setting the numerous parameters and variables. These settings affect the calculating part of the program as well as the project documentation appearance. You can save setting such as colors, decimal places number, text appearance and so forth under any name to be invoked anytime later.

1.8. Project Manager

During the project work numerous drawings, ASCII files or some other document type (i.e.DOC, XLS) are generated. Project Manager lets you use survey data from myriad sources at one point. Data can be then surveyed, edited, modified, copied or archived.

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2. PLATEIA 2006 Modules Technical description

2.1. Layout Module
Layout is intended for preparation of surveying plans or templates for the subsequent road designing or any other civil engineering tasks. Plans made by the Layout are intelligent drawings (points with attributes, links to attributes, etc.) where you can store many data that you use during the designing or as a basis for establishing of a GIS system.
While the Layout module contains some commands for surveying calculations (detailed

point calculation, points in sections calculation), bigger emphasis has been put on a quality grafic drawing and surveying data presentation. Using the Data from electronic instrument

conversion command, you can save point data received from many known surveying electronic instruments such as Geodimeter, Huskey, Leica, Rec Elta, Sokkia, Wild, Zeiss, etc. Instrument list has been constantly updated. Using the Data conversion command, you can save point data from the files having a column data structure.
As points are the most important elements of surveying plans, they received further improvements. In addition to standard defined polygon and detailed points, you are now in position to define your own point type with attributes. For example, a sewer manhole having specification including type, manhole depth, inlet/outlet elevation or a pole as an electric cable carrier having specification including pole height, pole foundation type or cable hanging type. Such data structure is very convenient for different cadastres of

municipial and infrastructure objects. Many commands in the Layout module are linked to the Current point type. You can draw points to a drawing either from the text file or by defining them interactively.

To prevent double labeling, PLATEIA readily checks them and provides appropriate feedback.

Data related to connections between point has a similar organization. Besides defined connection types (many line types from topographic line symbol list), you can simply define your own connection type with appropriate attributes. If this connection is pipe diameter and so forth. Layout plans can be worked out either in 2D or 3D way. PLATEIA incorporates improved tools for 2D point and connections data conversion into 3D drawing being a basis for a digital terain model calculation.

represented by a sewer pipe, you can define pipe attributes such as initial/final manhole,

Also new in PLATEIA is a volume calculation based on a prism method. This method you can calculate individual prism volumes below triangles between two terrains

involves defining volumes on the basis of triangular mesh of digital terrain model where

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simultaneously (i.e. between the existing and design state). This way of volume calculation is especially suited to sinkhole fill or building pit cut calculation and for use in stone-pits, mines and alike. The newest Layout module comprises a comprehensive library containing point symbols from the base topographic plan and municipial devices cadaster. To ease your editing in saving the symbols to a text file and for reading them later. the library, a new symbol manager was added. Furthermore, there are also commands for

The Layout module contains also the commands for surveying plan outfit and for data output from drawings. They are as follows: Drawing cuts/fills,

Stake-out data output, Longitudinal and cross-section definition, Making a point element inventory, Parcel definition and Measuring of line elements lengths, Elevation and slopes interpolation.

2.2. Digital Terrain Model (DTM)

PLATEIA supports different programs and methods for digital terrain model processing such as:

Autodesk Civil3D in MAP3D Land desktop Quicksurf GeoniCS 3D faces

so the choice of which to use is entirely yours. By using these programs and given

PLATEIA 2006 points and connections you can quickly and efficiently build a digital terrain model. Then you can draw meshes, contours, perform terrain analyses (slopes, waterflow, visibility) and calculate sections and volumes.

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2.3. Axes Module

The Axes module is intended for a horizontal definition of a road corridor. Basis for design is provided in a form of surveying plan made by the Layout module. Existing scanned drawings and air or satellite images can also be used. You can work on any number of axes within the project or drawing and to each of them you can define a road category. During the design PLATEIA 2006 checks critical technical parameters of the individual axis elements and gives you a constant feedback.

Axis as a crucial road design element has a special place in the PLATEIA program. You

define axis not only in the Axis module but also in the Longitudinal sections and Crosssections modules. All data related to axes is saved to a project database and is available to other modules, drawings or users. Axis is linked also to numerous other data such as terrain longitudinal section, cross-sections data etc. When you select an axis you want to more automated, error-free work procedure. New feature in PLATEIA 2006 are lanes attributed to the individual axes. Lanes can exist in a form of roadways, pavements, cycling paths, shoulders, green surfaces etc. By using the

work on, PLATEIA 2006 automatically uses only data related to the selected axis. Result is

Lane manager command, you can define lane names and their basic widths or you can select a standard type of roadway section from built-in list. Later in the process, you can additionally define widths during the station, slopes and potential curbs between the lanes. That is how you get your lines drawn in the Layout, Longitudinal sections and Crosssections modules.
PLATEIA 2006 allows a three-way axis geometry definition. One is a standard way by using the construction elements. The other way is where after selecting first element (line or arc) you stick on next main element (line, arc or spiral). Program automatically defines a geometry definition.

direction of the preceding element, allows only sensible operations and helps with accurate Third method is by construction of tangent polygon. Tangent polygon can represent any combination of main elements. You can draw tangent polygon interactively or convert any AutoCAD polyline element into a tangent polygon. Axis editing is also done by means of tangent polygon. You can move, erase or add elements. PLATEIA 2006 brings improved accuracy of station definition on longitudinal axes and a possibility to define any broken cross axes. This is especially important for handling socalled correspondent cross-sections in the vicinity of crossroads and road splits.

tangent polygon vertices. You can also offset tangent and change parameters of main

You can define longitudinal and cross-sections in two ways. First, by using a digital terrain coordinates are read out. This method is successful if digital terrain model is accurate

model where axis is projected to a triangular mesh of terrain model and then axis elevation enough. Second, PLATEIA 2006 now offers a new, unique way of calculating longitudinal

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and cross-sections by means of recorded surveying points in sections. The essence lies in that you can read points in the Layout module that were recorded in any section and give them needed attributes for their identification. Using special functions in PLATEIA 2006, points are analyzed, sorted into sections and draped to a given cross axis. At the same time you can perform a 2D or 3D point interpolation to individual cross axis and thus eliminate small inaccuracies with point surveying. This method is perfectly suited for engineering projects where digital terrain model accuracy does not meet requirements. Draining tasks are handled by using additional modules of the CANALIS program. You can define manholes, channels and contributing areas, calculate hydraulic quantities and dimension sewer pipes. Axis module has all needed commands for two-way drawn both in the longitudinal and cross sections. communication between the PLATEIA 2006 and CANALIS programs. Sewer system can be

Axes module incorporates many other commands for processing the lanes and road edges, automatic output of cuts and fills, stake-out data output and so forth.

2.4. Longitudinal sections module

The Longitudinal sections module follows many new features presented in the PLATEIA 2006 program. Numerous modifications were due because of the road lane introduction. New functions allow any table form and content for the longitudinal sections output. from the Geo Engineering family (railroads, waters, municipal network etc.)

Tables are now more flexible and can be linked to other modules for longitudinal sections

You can define level-lines on the basis of selected tangents. First you define a tangent position using interactive functions and then you calculate required roundings. Both whole longitudinal section plan. PLATEIA 2006 calculates needed cross-slopes according to the selected industry standard. You can then edit them in a table form for each lane independently. There is a special command which allows elevation curbs definition between the individual lanes of the roadway. PLATEIA 2006 offers a special longitudinal sections data output (Geschriebener Lngenschnitt) where you can read tangents and vertical roundings, slopes, curbs and elevation labels for all characteristic points of the longitudinal section. tangents and level-lines can be modified at any time later for automatic output of the

PLATEIA 2006 has built-in a special command group for reconstructions and resurfacings

of the existing roads. On the basis of an existing road selected area, program calculates a new level-line elevation taking into account a minimal thickness of the resurfacing. Results can be drawn as contours representing a thickness of a new layer.

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Quick mass calculation provides continuous checking and optimization of the road levelvolumes. Mass line drawing helps you when planning transport of cut and fill material.

line. Using the level-line and simplified cross-section data, program calculates cut and fill

The Stop sight distance command draws a diagram of the sight distances according to the vertical alignment.

For the purposes of drainage many commands devoted for drainage parameters definition has been incorporated in the PLATEIA 2006 program. Moreover, commands for schematic been included. There is also a new possibility of cutting the long longitudinal sections and sections having a big elevation differential into smaller ones while program defines appropriate comparative elevations. Longitudinal sections with edges around plans and appropriate headings are drawn in the AutoCAD Layout and are ready for the hard-copy construction drawing. drawing of the sewer system running along the road in the longitudinal sections have also

2.5. Cross-sections Module

PLATEIA 2006 offers important improvements in the field of automatic cross-sections road objects in an individual cross-section as a program handles them as individual processing and area and volume calculation. Now you can process any number of axes or entities. This option can be extremely useful when processing railroad stations and even roads. Cross-sections can be drawn in a different horizontal and vertical scale which is crucial when processing projects that involve substantial earthworks.

New tables in this module allow subsequent modification of the table form and rubric

content. Next important option is that you can subsequently insert any number of new sections on the selected areas into an existing plan with already processed cross-sections. Of course, you can delete them too.

Introduction of lanes in PLATEIA affects a command for roadway output in cross-sections. Now all lanes are drawn including all roadways, pavements, cycling paths and green surfaces that you define in the Axes module. The Cross-section module has seen the biggest changes in the field of processing crosssections by means of typical cross section elements. While developing new PLATEIA functions, a common goal was to follow the rule Process in one, output in all sections and upgrade a method of automatic processing on a basis of selected, pre-defined normal section type. At the same time also functions for automatic quantity planimetry were developed. New elements of normal cross-sections are based on so-called macros which accurately define geometry and individual element behavior. Such macros are made in the Visual Basic

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syntax and are therefore understandable to all users having at least basic knowledge in programming.

Program provides also an automatic macro so that you can trigger recording of interactive can anytime later process modified sections in the same project or cross-sections in any other project.

processing of cross-sections. You can see a result in a macro form by means of which you

Planimetry and volume calculation is an important command group by which you can humus and shotcreting (shooting) lengths or similar. You can define the planimetry

manually or automatically calculate cut, fills, asphalt, concrete, ditch and drainage areas or quantities by yourself while many of them are already available. A special attention was focused on functions for checking the results of planimetry. Namely, program can output coordinates of all planimetry polygons and lets us checking quantities by using other and also the German REB 21.003 method. programs. Volume calculation can be performed using various methods: standard, Elling

Cross-section module offers many other commands. For example, dimensioning of the slopes, lengths and elevations, intersection point definition of cuts and fills, data preparation for a dimensioned projection in the layout and commands for quick zooming. drainages, moulds, gutters, fences, guidelines, manholes, channels, lights, etc. If needed, this library can be simply updated by adding new elements.

In addition, there is a new detailed library of the cross-section elements containing curbs,

Similarly to Longitudinal sections, Cross-sections module employs commands which fold processed sections on the selected paper of any format and outfit plans with appropriate construction drawings on the smaller paper formats using the Draw cross-section command. edges and headers. Plans made the Layout way are now ready for production of hard-copy

2.6. Traffic Module

This module contains commands for outfitting the plans with floor and vertical signalization and commands for designing crossroads (normal and roundabout). Similarly to other modules, plans can be processed in any scale.

The Traffic module employs a comprehensive library of traffic signs which was made

according to the local standards. Different commands are available for producing tables:

inscriptions and arrows for tables. Using the Horizontal signalization command group you you can calculate areas for coloring floor signs separately for each color.

can design zebras, triangles, traces and floor signs. By using the Calculate area command,

Tractrixes are special geometric curves adapted to the vehicles moving in the crossroad curves. PLATEIA 2006 contains commands for drawing such curves having one, two or

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three arcs. You can link tractrixes tangentially to the flat line or any other curve. In

addition PLATEIA 2006 offers commands for designing small, big and triangular islands. Using the expertise of german road experts we developed functions for designing of

roundabouts that are becoming increasingly popular. On the basis of numerous given parameters, program automatically designs a roundabout geometry. In addition, it colors be later erased, copied or twisted. Furthermore, the Traffic module contains commands for drawing bus stations and a command for simple labeling of lines and curves for city roads. The Traffic module is very frequently used in combination with the Layout and Longitudinal sections modules when designing the city roads. Such module pack is called Verkehrsplaner-Paket in Germany. the individual areas and dimensions lengths, radius etc.. Connections to roundabouts can

2.7. Dynamic Turning Curves Command

At first they were only templates. For PLATEIA 5 we developed functions for simulating vehicle movements in curves. For the latest version of PLATEIA program, we completely reworked and updated this command, added some new commands for the vehicle movement in the longitudinal section view. definition and developed a completely new function devoted to simulation of any vehicle

Templates are still at your disposal but this time adapted to the latest European legislation. They can be inserted to the drawing as usual AutoCAD blocks.

PLATEIA 2006 offers a separated command for a vehicle definition and editing. You can

choose between 13 standard built-in vehicles (from passenger car to different coaches and trucks) or you can define a completely new vehicle with any number of trailers. This way you can prepare definitions even for the most complex vehicles (i.e. vehicles for special transports). The Horizontal dynamic turning curves command simulates selected vehicle movements along the given trajectory or optionally, you can manually guide the vehicle by using the mouse pointer and direction buttons. Both ways, you are in the position to calculate the turning.

vehicle movement limits and eventually a transportability of the crossroad, narrow street or

The Vertical dynamic turning curves command offers similar possibilities with a difference

that you can check the vehicle movements in the elevation sense. This function can be very useful for checking the transportability of slopes, ramps, garage drive-ins, parking houses and alike.

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2.8. Additional modules

RUTINE are indispensable miscellaneous functions for any AutoCAD user. They allow: Editing layers, texts and blocks,

Drawing tables and frames around the drawing,

In addition, they comprise: Commands for finding elements, labelling and dimensioning, Multi-trim and multi-extend commands and Auxiliary lines as means of help when constructing drawings.

CANALIS is a module for solving drainage tasks. Using CANALIS you can define shafts and canals, contributing areas, calculate hydraulic quantities and dimension pipes. The Axis module incorporates all needed commands for communication between the PLATEIA and longitudinal and cross sections.

CANALIS programs. Sewer system can be drawn using the PLATEIA 2006 program both in

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3. Other usages of the PLATEIA 2006 program

3.1. Reconstructions
PLATEIA 2006 has built-in special functions for reconstructions and resurfacing of existing roads. As many current civil engineering projects deal with reconstructions, we put some extra effort into developing some new functions that will be added the existing ones in short time.

3.2. Earthworks
Each road project is accompanied by extensive earthworks. To improve the efficiency of PLATEIA GEO. It is intended for monitoring and calculating earthwork procedures. the cut and fill calculations on the site, PLATEIA 2006 has a special sister version named

3.3. Visualisation
Road design in PLATEIA 2006 operates in the AutoCAD environment which enables you to make dimensional drawings. PLATEIA commands can draw all important road elements such as axis, road edges, cuts, fills and so forth in the form of three-dimensional polygons. By efficient usage of the selected commands, you can prepare quality data for or similar. By using these programs you can update your computer road model with simulations or photographic layouts.

further road processing in the RDV (Rapid Design Visualisation), 3D STUDIO VIZ, Accu Render materials, lightning conditions, views and then work out professional still renderings,

3.4. Data analysis and distribution to GIS systems

Data produced during the road design using the PLATEIA 2006 or Autodesk MAP commands can be successfully transferred to the GIS systems. Appropriately reworked data can be analyzed and distributed by the Autodesk programs such as On Site and Map Guide.

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4. PLATEIA 2006 New Features

1. New flexible modular structure, 2. Improved time savings when performing important functions, 3. Improved user interface in many functions, 4. New possibilities of installing PLATEIA in local area networks, 5. New external database allows better data transfer between modules, 6. Separated commands for data management, standard settings and road category setting,

7. Improved possibilities for program variables settings, 8. Possibility of defining any road tracks (road lane, pavement, green plot or cycle track, etc.) 9. New block & symbol manager with an option of adding your own symbols, 10. Many additions at points and connections in the Layout module, 11. support for 3D Face DTM terrain 12. New option for defining horizontal elements by using the Drop (Stick) method, 13. automatic line draw between cut & fill 14. Improved station accuracy with longitudinal axes, 15. Full support for broken cross axes, 16. New, more flexible tables in longitudinal sections, 17. interactive drawing of longitudinal axes and editing 18. Possibility for definition of slopes and skips for each individual track, 19. new tools for reconstructions / rehabilitation 20. More flexible tables in Cross-sections, 21. Cross-sections can be drawn in different horizontal/vertical scale, 22. predefined catalogues of typical cross-section elements

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23. Automatic refreshment of cross-sections according to the modified axis or levelline,

24. Interactive vehicle guidance with horizontal turning curves, 25. Moving vehicle simulation using the longitudinal section view. 26. support for 3D visualization and integration with RDV (Rapid design visualization) software

27. new LandXML interface

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5. Compatibility with older PLATEIA versions

When developing the PLATEIA 2006 a special care was taken to provide maximum compatibility with older PLATEIA versions. Many functions have been built-in for automatic recognition of old or new text file formats. Old layout and cross-sections drawings from the PLATEIA 5 and PLATEIA 6 can be further worked on with PLATEIA 2006.

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6. PLATEIA 2006 Licensing

New system of protecting the Geo Engineering program modules and applications offers some new possibilities of using available licences. PLATEIA 2006 can be installed locally or Both individual modules or packs can be installed permanently or temporarily (for lease purposes). in network. Modules can be installed independently or grouped in so-called module packs.

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7. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

PLATEIA 2006 requires similar software to that required to run the AutoCAD 2002 program that represents PLATEIA's working environment. Memory requirements:

128 MB RAM working memory (recommended), 180 MB free disk space (minimum), 64 MB swap file size (minimum),

Hardware requirements: Pentium 233 or higher processor, 1024 x 768 VGA display (minimum), CD ROM drive for program installation, Graphic card supporting Windows environment, Mouse or any other AutoCAD compatible pointing device.

Software requirements:

Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating systems or higher, AutoCAD Release 2004 or higher, Autodesk MAP 2004 or higher, Autodesk Civil 3D 2005 or higher.

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8. PLATEIA 2006 INSTALLATION

8.1. General installation information
When you buy the PLATEIA 2006 program, you receive a package consisting of: PLATEIA 2006 CD,

PLATEIA 2006 User manuals for individual modules.

If your package covers also the Quicksurf module, you will receive also: Quicksurf CD,

Quicksurf hardware key, Quicksurf User manual.

PLATEIA 2006 program should be installed first. After you have successfully installed it, explained further on.

you need to obtain a password for its permanent operation in the period of 7 days as it is

Prior to installing the PLATEIA 2006 on your PC, make sure you have already installed the AutoCAD program.

8.2. PLATEIA 2006 installation procedure

PLATEIA 2006 CD usually consists of three components needed for full operation of the program: CGSAPPS 2006 ... basis for operation of PLATEIA 2006, PLATEIA 2006 ... PLATEIA program modules, QUICKSURF ... digital terrain model.

The installation procedure is as follows: 1. If you have installed Windows NT 4.0, 2000 or XP on your PC, first login as an administrator. 2. Insert PLATEIA 2006 CD into the CD drive of your PC. 3. After you have inserted your CD, program will perform an automatic setup. If this is

not the case, run SETUP.EXE from the main area on the CD. The Welcome dialog box

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opens. Close all running programs and click Next.

And confirm the Licence Agreement:

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4. The Choose components dialog box opens. Select an AutoCAD version needed for running the program.

5. After you have selected your AutoCAD version, select also PLATEIA 2006 components.

The best installation practice is to select all offered components.

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6. Select destination folder to which PLATEIA 2006 components are to be installed.

7. You can see the list of all chosen settings in the last dialog box.

Click Install to start installing the program. 8. Program starts loading of individual components. For each component you can define a new destination folder or use offered default settings (recommended operation. The following dialog box opens: practice). After the installation procedure is finished, PLATEIA program is ready for

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Installation procedure can automatically create an AutoCAD profile and set needed paths in the AutoCAD Options, Support Files command. Choosing the Launch

Profile Creator is recommended.

9. If Launch Profile Creator has been selected, the following dialog box opens:

Click Next >.

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10. A new dialog box opens prompting you to select an AutoCAD version needed for running the PLATEIA 2006 program.

11. After you have selected desired AutoCAD version, you can select an existing profile as a template for a new profile. By clicking New profile >, you can define a completely new profile (recommended).

12. In the last dialog box, click Finish to create a new profile. Geo Engeneering icon

appears on your Windows desktop as a shortcut for running the PLATEIA program.

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After the installation is completed you should restart your computer in order to start Plateia properly.

8.3. Obtaining password for operating the program

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1. Run PLATEIA 2006 by doubleclicking the Geo Engeneering icon on your Windows desktop. After the AutoCAD program has initialized, Geo Engineering menu appears on the right side. 2. Select the Licence-Manager command from the Geo Engineering menu. 3. In the Licence-Manager dialog box select Code and password tab.

Click Generate file with code and select folder (destination area) to which the file will be written. 4. Send generated file with code to our mail address support@cgs.si and include the following data: Your name and surname, your company name and address, Your PLATEIA 2006 serial number, Modules you want to activate, Your decision regarding the temporary or permanent program activation.

5. In short time you will receive a file with password. Select the file by clicking File

with password. A dialog box opens in which you select the path to the file with password. Your copy of PLATEIA 2006 program will be definitely registered.

8.4. Licence manager

In addition to obtaining a password, Licence manager enables a licence status survey. After invoking the Licence-manager command from the Geo Engineering menu and choosing the

Status tab, the following dialog box appears:

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Status list contains names of modules and licence types. There are several licence types:

permanent ...permanent licence, up to (date) ... licence is active up to defined date, for x hours... licence is valid for defined amount of hours.

You can write licence status data to an ASCII file simply by clicking Export data.

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9. HOW TO START
9.1. Preface
After successful installation, you can find the CGS Applications icon on your Windows desktop that runs both AutoCAD and PLATEIA 2006.

After double-clicking the CGS Applications icon, AutoCAD opens. At the end of the menu bar there is a pop-up menu named Geo Engeneering that helps you navigate among different modules of the PLATEIA 2006 program and other Geo Engeneering modules.

Before you can start using the PLATEIA 2006, you have to select which module you would like to use by clicking the appropriate selection in the Geo Engeneering menu (e.g.

PLATEIA 2006 Layout). After you have selected a module, a new corresponding pop-up menu appears. If you want to close the module, you have to select the last command from the menu labelled x Z, where x represents the adjacent module number (e.g. 11Z End PLATEIA Layout).
After you have selected the appropriate module, you have to register the drawing in a module:

certain project. Registration is performed via the Project command located in each program

11A1 ... for the Layout Module, 21A1 ... for the Axes Module, 31A1 ... for the Longitudinal sections Module, 41A1 ... for the Cross-sections Module, 51A1 ... for the Traffic Module.

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Detailed description of the project usage follows later in the manual. Commands available in any module can be called in several ways. You can: Select a command from the pop-up menu using a mouse, Pick the appropriate icon in the toolbar In AutoCAD command line, you can just type the command label. Label consists of letters and digits where the first number defines the adequate module as follows:

Module Layout module Axes module Longitudinal-sections module Cross-sections module Traffic module number 5

Label 1st No. 1 2 3 4 5

Other letters and numbers follow the menu structure and are present in all menus. For type 11B and for the command INPUT POINTS <- XYZ 11F1.

example, if you want to use the Scale command in the Layout module, you just have to

For commands that are more important there are also icons in toolbar menus. Besides

commands available from the menu, you have also some additional auxiliary commands that can be called via command line in AutoCAD. These commands are listed later in the manual.

Descriptions of other Geo Engeneering menus are described later in the manual.

9.2. Menus in PLATEIA 2006

PLATEIA 2006 commands are usually called through the pop-up menus. Here we need to point out that the order of commands follows the standard usage procedure. That means if you are using the program PLATEIA 2006 following the standard process order, you just have to follow the commands as listed in the pop-up menu. The main commands are users. Icons can be very useful for quick access to the desired commands. Because you need a quick access not all commands can have icons for there would be too many of them. Only commands that are more important are represented by icons. written in capital letters in order to provide some navigational help for less experienced

PLATEIA 2006 Layout Module:

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PLATEIA 2006 Axes Module:

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PLATEIA 2006 Longitudinal-Sections Module:

PLATEIA 2006 Cross-Sections Module:

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PLATEIA 2006 Traffic Module:

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9.3. Auxiliary Functions in PLATEIA 2006

Auxiliary commands are accessible through the AutoCAD's command line. Auxiliary other commands. Abbreviations for AutoCAD commands : Abbreviation ZA ZE ZW ZP ER OF MO CO MI RO BR TR EX ST CH CI LI DT RE VP EN SA AutoCAD command Zoom All Zoom Extents Zoom Window Zoom Previous Erase Offset Move Copy Mirror Rotate Break Trim Extend Stretch Change Circle Line Dtext Redraw Viewports End Save commands represent abbreviations of frequently used AutoCAD's commands as well as

Other commands: UB Undo Back ... undo last transaction including PLATEIA commands

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LF SS

Last File ... opens last read or written file in PLATEIA with Notepad. Select Special ... enables user to select all AutoCAD elements on selected layers.

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9.4. Plotting Drawings to Plotter

Drawings designed with the program PLATEIA can be plotted by means of the AutoCAD's PLOT command.

While setting scale you should be careful of the following instructions:

Layout, Axes and Traffic module drawings can be plotted in different scales by following the rules below:
Scale 1:1000 ... Plotted MM = Drawing Units: 1=1 Scale 1:500 ... Plotted MM = Drawing Units: 2=1 Scale 1:2000 ... Plotted MM = Drawing Units: 1=2 Similar rules apply for other scales.

Module Longitudinal-sections: drawing in all scales is plotted by using:

Plotted MM = Drawing Units: 10=1

Plotted MM = Drawing Units: 10=1

Module Cross-sections: drawing in all scales is plotted by using:

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10. Commands that appear in more than one module

10.1. Projekt-Manager
Project or Project Manager stands for a management system for data produced during the design work in the PLATEIA 2006 program. Each project has its own name and description. A building project that you want to work on consists of numerous drawings and other data saved in text files. Project Manager knows searching for project related data easy and at the same time takes care of the data consistency no matter which module they belong to. which drawings and data belong to a specific project. In addition, Project Manager makes

New Project Manager differs from the one built in PLATEIA 5.0 in that it does not contain data related to the processed road category, calculation velocity and road-lanes. New Project Manager tasks are limited exclusively to the data management. After the individual PLATEIA 2006 module has been installed, you need to perform a project logon prior to using any of the chosen module commands. This is done by invoking the appropriate Project command for a certain module. 11A1 ... for Layout module, 21A1 ... for Axes module, 31A1 ... for Longitudinal-sections module, 41A1 ... for Cross-sections module, 51A1 ... for Traffic module.

Project Manager is built into each of the basic PLATEIA 2006 modules: Layout, Axes, into each of them and positioned at the top of their pull-down menus. The Project command group comprises: Project, Icons.

Longitudinal sections, Cross-sections and Traffic. Project command group is incorporated

Project working area,

In the text that follows, you can find the individual command descriptions.

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PROJECT You should invoke the PROJECT command from the Project command group in the following cases: When you start processing a new drawing with the PLATEIA 2006 program, When you want to process the existing drawing for the first time and this drawing does not originate from the PLATEIA 2006 program, previously made in. When you want to process the drawing with a different module from the one it was

You can set all the necessary parameters in the following dialog box:

In the dialog box, there is a list of all existing projects. This list is arranged in a tree-like structure with each project having three branches: Settings ( ), DWG files ( ) and ASCII files ( ). In the Settings branch you can find: Short project description ( Project working area( HDR file ( ). ),

) and

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Short project description stands for an additional description along the project name usually consisting of few words. Example: Ljubljana Eastern Bypass Project. Project working area stands for an area (directory, folder) on disk where output ASCII files are stored and input ASCII files are read. HDR file stands for a file defining a commentary header that is written to each output text file (at the start or top of output file). Commentary or header can be designed freely according to the rules mentioned below. So-called Header file has a HDR ending. Standard built-in HDR file in the PLATEIA 2006 program is PLATEIA.HDR and is located in the area where the PLATEIA program is installed.
Example of a standard built-in HDR file:
******************************************************* * <APPLICATION> * Filename : <FILE_NAME> * Date : <DATE> * Time : <TIME> *******************************************************

Example of a customized HDR file:

******************************************************* * ABC engineering * London * * Filename : <FILE_NAME> * Date : <DATE> * Time : <TIME> *******************************************************

You can simply customize a HDR file using the Notepad word processor and assigning any name. When editing the HDR file, you should follow the following rules:

Every HDR file line should start with a star (*) in the first column, <APPLICATION> ... program name generating the file, <FILE_NAME> ... ASCII file name, <DATE> ... file production date, <TIME> ... file production hour.

Names between less-than signs and greater-than signs represent the following:

It is not necessary for a HDR file to contain all the variables. Example of output ASCII file with a header:
******************************************************* * ABC engineering * London * * Filename : C:\PROJECT\DEMO.LON * Date : 1.1.2004 * Time : 10:10 ******************************************************* # 1 0 -46.356 114.906 P1 0 -34.919 115.417 P1A

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0 0 0

-26.356 115.800 -9.509 116.553 -6.356 116.796

P2 0 P3

Majority of output ASCII files contains a header while some files of lesser importance dont.

Beside the Settings branch there are also DWG files and ASCII files lists.

DWG files list shows DWG files list assigned to the chosen project. ASCII files list shows a list of all ASCII files that were made or merely opened when you were logged on to the particular project.

At the upper menu there are two groups of commands, File and Settings. All commands from the File group can be invoked also by using icons that are ready one line lower.

New project ( ) you use this command to open a new project file to which you assign a name and/to show an area where it is located. PLATEIA 2006 project name usually consists of several words. For example Draft project or LjubljanaCelje Highway or similar. Open project ( ) you use this command to open an existing project file and thus add a selected project to the project list. The last open project is automatically set to the currently active project. Erase project ( ) you use this command to erase a selected project from the project list. Several options are possible. You can select either: a) To erase a particular project from the project list (files belonging to the selected project are not erased). b) To erase the files both from the list and disk.

If you have selected b, all the files belonging to the selected project file will be erased.

Refresh list ( ) this command checks out if the PRJ files stored in the PLATEIA list are available or not. Projects not available or not found are automatically erased from the list.

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Copy project ( ) you use this command to make a copy of the existing project file. Using a dialog box, you first specify the name and path of the input project file and afterwards the name and path of the output file. Program then creates a file in which the settings, DWG and ASCII files are written are identical to those written in the original input file.
Active project ( Dialog box settings ( ) you use this command to make a selected project active. ) using this command you switch on/off an optimized

project management. If this option is switched on, only a branch with active project opens. This way a dialog box opens much faster in case of longer lists.

The Settings group consists of two commands: Buttons and About program. Using the

Buttons command, you can switch on/off the icons. On the other hand the About program command gives you some additional information regarding the program itself (version).
Project file has a PRJ (Project) ending and comprises the following: Settings: working area, path to the .HDR file and short project description, DWG files list, ASCII files list.

Note that a right-click of your mouse plays a very important role in the Project Manager as enables you to use some shortcut menus. These shortcut menus help with reaching the commands from the upper menu. They have different content according to the mouse

pointer position. Therefore, if you right-click and your mouse pointer is positioned over:

The project name, then the next shortcut menu opens:

Active project, you make the selected project active. And by clicking Erase project, you erase the selected project (as if you would use the command from the upper menu). The working area, then the next shortcut menu opens offering the Set working area option. Using this option, you can set the project working area.

. By clicking

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The HDR file, then the next shortcut menu opens offering the following options: o

Select HDR file you can select a HDR file, o Disable usage of HDR file you can disable usage of a HRD file (ASCII files will be created without their headers). The DWG files list, then the next shortcut menu opens offering the following options: o New DWG file a new empty drawing opens in AutoCAD already assigned to the selected project. o Add active DWG file currently active drawing is added to the project. o Add DWG file adding of any existing drawing to the project. After invoking this command, a standard browse-type dialog box appears offering you a selection of the files name and path. o Erase all Erases all files from the DWG files list belonging to the project. o Refresh refreshes the files list (see the Refresh list command). o Arrange by alphabet files get arranged by alphabet. o Arrange by date files get arranged by date. The individual DWG file, then the next shortcut menu opens offering the following options: o New DWG file a new empty drawing opens in AutoCAD already assigned to the project. o Open DWG file opens selected drawing in AutoCAD. o Add active DWG file currently active drawing is added to the project, o Add DWG file adding of any existing drawing to the project. After invoking this command, a standard browse-type dialog box appears offering you a selection of the files name and path. o Erase erases a selected file from the DWG files list. o Erase all erases all files from the DWG files list belonging to the project. o Refresh refreshes the files list (see the Refresh list command). o Arrange by alphabet files get arranged by alphabet. o Arrange by date files get arranged by date. The individual ASCII file, then the next shortcut menu opens offering the following options: o Editor... a selected ASCII file opens in the word processor (Notepad). o Excell... a selected ASCII file opens in MS Excel program (if the program is installed. o Erase erases a selected file from the ASCII files list. o Erase all erases all files from the ASCII files list belonging to the project. o Refresh refreshes the files list (see the Refresh list command). The ASCII files list, then the next shortcut menu opens offering the following options: o Add file any ASCII file is added to the project. o Arrange by alphabet files get arranged by alphabet. o Arrange by date files get arranged by date.

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10.2. Project working directory

This command opens the working directory in the Windows Explorer. Working directory can be set in the Project dialog box (Working directory).

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10.3. Variable setting

PLATEIA 2006 modules such as Layout, Longitudinal-sections, Cross-sections and Traffic contain the Variables command located in the Project command group. This command is used for setting of the individual module variables. By means of setting the variables for made by the module. Example of the settings in the Axes module:

each individual module, you can affect the way the drawings, outputs and calculations are

Due to easier use, settings are separated by means of groups. You can select a group of settings in the left part of a dialog box. After selecting the group, chosen parameters appear along with their values. Also, you can select a basic group from which all other in the right part of the dialog box.

groups originate (Groups: DEU) In this case, all parameters regardless of the group, appear

You can modify any individual setting by clicking twice the parameters ID in the right part of the dialog box. See example of the drawing scale setting in the Axes module in the picture below:

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In the Parameter setting dialog box, set an appropriate value and confirm it by clicking OK or cancel it by clicking Cancel. In addition, there is also an option called Initial settings. in case if you want to establish the initial state of the program (state established immediately after the installation). Using this button, you can set a selected parameter to its initial value that was stored just

Frequently changed settings can be arranged to the Favorites group. This group can be

customized independently by each user in order to save some time. You can add a specific setting to the Favorites group simply by right-clicking with your mouse. A shortcut menu appears offering one single option - Add to Favorites.

One of the PLATEIA 2006 new features is a possibility to save the parameter settings under any name. After clicking Save, the following dialog box opens:

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Type a name in the field called Setting name. Under this field, you can see the existent users settings. Note that you must select a different name from the existing ones.

You can erase any of the parameter settings simply by clicking Erase. Just select a setting to be erased from the list and click OK.

You can erase the users settings but not the built-in standards. Also, you can not erase a current active user setting.

By clicking Initial values, you can set all parameters to their initial values.

10.4. CGS Editor

CGS Editor is intended for easier editing of ASCII files needed for work with the PLATEIA program. User can simply enter all the necessary data into a file and also edit and erase them via dialog boxes. When you invoke the program, you get an environment resembling a classic ASCII files processor such as Notepad.

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For saving data into a new file, select New and a dialog box opens in which you can select a file type for editing:

When you have selected one of the possible file types, a dialog box opens in which you enter a section name and a line with a commentary. Section name is obligatory while the in which you enter data. Window form differs according to the selected file type. Moving commentary is not. After a successful saving of the section name, a new dialog box opens between the basic window and a window for saving data is enabled (window for data input can remain on the screen all the time). Entered data is always written at the end of a file. If you want to insert a new data group, you move your mouse pointer above the data group behind which you want to add some data and in menu (Icon) select Add data.

You can add a line with a commentary or a new section at any place in a file. Data is written as a currently selected data group. Currently you can select among the following files:

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QNG BRE GLS

ACH

When you have selected one from the possible file types, a dialog box opens in which you enter a section name and a line with a commentary. Section name is obligatory while the commentary is not. After a successful saving of the section name, a new dialog box opens in which you enter data. A window form differs according to the selected file type. Moving can remain on the screen all the time). Entered data is always written at the end of a file. If you want to insert a new data set, you move zour mouse pointer above the data group behind which you want to add some data and select Add data. between the basic window and a window for saving data is enabled (window for data input

You can add a line with a commentary or a new section at any place in a file. Data is written as a currently selected data group. In basic window data sets appear in different colors. The following table presents color legend: Color Black Red Green light blue Icons: Meaning data set section name commentary read only lines

Add dat

Add section Add commentary

Add data ... data set is added always behind the currently active data group. Data group in file can be written in one or more lines.

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Edit data ... you edit data by double-clicking a current data group. According to the data group type, a dialog box opens in which you can edit data. Erase data ... by clicking Erase, erase a currently active data group. You can erase all data groups except the first in a file representing a file name.

Specific issues when editing ACH files

Axis file can comprise of four possible axis elements: Tangent, Arc, Spiral, Partial spiral.

Beginning of axes definition is the same as with the rest of files (first you enter a section name and optionally also a commentary). Then a dialog box which links entering of individual parts opens:

According to the selected axis part, a dialog box opens in which you enter all the necessary data. Data block consists of five lines. With data that is not obligatory or does

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not make sense, a ? sign appears. The fastest way of saving the infinity radii is by using a 0 value.

10.5. Symbol Manager

Symbol manager is intended for saving and editing of symbols (blocks saved in DWG files). It uses a database where all symbol related data is saved (name, scale factors, rotation, description)

Symbol Manager (SM) appears in two view modes, icon view (left) or text view (right):

The new Symbol Manager operates in modeless mode, which means that it stays on the display during the insertion of the symbols. It is also possible to dock the Symbol Manager window.
From the Tables list, select a symbol table. Symbols of selected table appear in the Insert tab. Besides the Insert tab there is also the Favorites tab which displays a table with favorite symbols.

Below the Symbol frame there is another window with symbol properties: name, description, layer, scale factors and explode option.

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To specify scale factors and rotation in the drawing instead of in the dialog, check the appropriate checkboxes. To use the values from the database, leave the checkboxes unchecked. To change the scale factors or rotation in the dialog box, right click and

uncheck Values from database, which allows editing of the parameter values. If you want to save the value of the parameter into the database, right-click and select Insert to database. Select Explode option to explode the inserted block. Customization of the Symbol Manager By right-clicking inside the Insert/Favorites frame, a floating menu appears with commands for customization of Symbol Manager.

Add to favorites Add blocks Delete blocks Icon view Display options Enable anchoring

Copy selected symbol to Favorites Add symbols (dwg files) to the list of symbols Delete selected symbol(s) from the list Toggle between icon and text view Setting of the view mode and icon size Enable anchoring of the SM window

Add to favorites copies the selected symbol to Favorites Add blocks add a new symbol to the current table of symbols. The standard Open file dialog box appears for selection of a DWG file. You can save your own symbols (blocks) to a file by using AutoCAD WBLOCK command. SM will not add a symbol that already exists in the list. Delete blocks removes the selected block(s) from the list. Does not delete the corresponding DWG file(s) on the disk. Icon view toggle the view mode between icon view (when checked) and text view (when unchecked). Display options define size of icons in the icon view with sliders. Enable anchoring if checked, you will be able to dock the SM window as shown in the Figure below.

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By right-clicking above the list of tables in the Tables frame it is possible to add and

remove tables of symbols from the database. A floating menu appears with commands

Add, Delete and Enable anchoring. The Enable anchoring option works as in the previous menu.

By selecting Add you can add a new table to the symbols database. The following dialog box opens:

Enter a name for a new table and click OK. Program will not allow two tables having the same name.

You can erase a currently selected table by selecting Delete.

Erase.

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11. Refreshing of the drawing from the project database

By means of the project database, AQUATERRA enables automatic refreshing of certain project elements. Working with project database has the advantage of keeping the data up-to-date in all drawings, connected to the project. Example: in the layout, the user changes the horizontal alignment and drapes it to the terrain model, thus changing its

longitudinal profile. After switching to the drawing, where the actual longitudinal profile of this axis is drawn, the program issues a warning that the longitudinal profile in the project database has been changed and automatically refreshes the profile in the drawing. Automatic refreshing is supported for the following elements: Elements of the horizontal alignment Longitudinal profile (when created by drape functions) Cross sections (when created by drape functions)

Automatic refreshing of the drawing can be switched on and off in the project settings (PROJECT>SET PROJECT, button ). To switch it

on, check the Enable database checkbox. When this setting is changed, the program must be restarted.

If the database is switched on, the data on the mentioned elements is saved in the project data in the database. The synchronization is preformed in the following cases:

database, while the program checks that the data in the drawings is synchronized with the

When the user saves the drawing. The data on horizontal elements, 3D longitudinal and cross sections is transferred from the drawing to the project database (all these entities belong to the Axes module).

When opening or switching to a drawing that contains elements from the project the data in the drawing and the database:

database. In this case, the following dialog box appears if there are differences in

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There are three options to choose between. If the user selects copy data from the project

database to the drawing, the drawing will be refreshed with the data in the database. In the given case the horizontal elements of the AXIS_0 will be changed to match those in the database. In some cases, it is possible to copy data from the drawing to the project database. This can be the case when two users work with the same axis. The third option, connect the drawing to another project, does not do anything.
In the following text an example of automatic refreshment of a longitudinal profile is given. In the layout, a longitudinal and cross axes have been drawn and draped to a triggered the transfer of the data into the database. surface. The drawing is shown in the Figure Axes/1. The drawing has been saved, which

Then, the longitudinal profile has been drawn in the Longitudinal sections with command 33E1, where the option From project database has been used. The resulting longitudinal profile is shown in the Figure LS/1.

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Axes/1 From now on, the program will automatically refresh the longitudinal profile when necessary. If the user changes the layout as shown in the Figure Axes/2, the following

LS/1

dialog box will appear next time when the Longitudinal sections drawing becomes active:

By clicking the Synchronize button the program refreshes the longitudinal profile together with the corresponding labels in the table (Figure LS/2).

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Axes/2

LS/2

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12. Common Rules for Creating PLATEIA ASCII Files

The PLATEIA 2006 uses ASCII files for storing results of different functions and reading data from different modules or manually written files. File types used in the PLATEIA 2006 are listed in the Appendix A.

ASCII files can be created with simple word processors like Notepad. When writing files you should take care of the following rules:

star "*" in the first column represents a remark line,

hatch "#" in first column always represents a new section or block of data, and "&" represents the contact between the data inside one section, you can use both capital and small letters, numbers and spaces, separator between columns is one or more spaces, use spaces instead of tabulators. with some file-types the certain data order is expected (columns, rows),

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