Practice Workbook

This workbook is designed for use in Live instructor-led training and for OnDemand self study.
OnDemand videos for this course are available through CONNECT Advisor and on the LEARN Server.

QuickStart for OpenRoads Designer

Geometry
CONNECT Edition Update 2 (10.02.00.60)
About this Practice Workbook...

 This PDF file includes bookmarks providing an overview of the document. Click on the bookmark to quickly
jump to any section in the file.

 Both Imperial and Metric files are included in the dataset. Throughout this practice workbook Imperial
values are specified first and the metric values second with the metric values enclosed in square brackets.
For example: 12’ [3.6 m]

 This training uses the Training and Examples workspace delivered with the software. It is important that
you select the Training and Examples workspace and the appropriate workset when working the exercises
in this course.

 The terms Left-click, Click, Select and Data are used interchangeably to represent pressing the left mouse
button. The terms Right-click and Reset are also used interchangeably. If your mouse buttons are assigned
differently, such as for left-handed use, you will need to adjust accordingly.

Have a Question? Need Help?

If you have questions while taking this course, submit them to the Civil Design Forum on Bentley
Communities where peers and Bentley subject matter experts are available to help.

TRNC02823-1/0004

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 OpenRoads Designer Geometry Overview
OpenRoads Designer Geometry is a dynamic, interactive and rules-based approach to geometry. Civil Geometry or geometric rule-based
elements are created intelligently as the tools are used and elements are constructed.

Rule-based elements provide Design Intent that builds associations and relationships between civil elements. Object information (how, where,
and by what method it was created) is stored with the object to insure the original intent is retained and honored in the design. If an element is
modified, any related elements will recreate themselves based on these stored relationships.

All Geometric data is stored directly in the dgn file and can be easily edited and reviewed via the drag handles, dynamic dimensions, text
manipulators, etc.

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Course Overview
In this course you will be creating the horizontal and vertical alignment for London Rd. using the
OpenRoads Designer Geometry tools. You will learn how to create, edit, annotate and review
geometric elements. You will also learn how to attach an existing terrain model and aerial
imagery as well as define 2D and 3D views.
 OpenRoads Designer Geometry Course Workflow

1. Select WorkSpace & WorkSet.

2. Create 2D dgn file.
3. Attach Aerial Image dgn.
4. Create Horizontal Alignment
a. Set Active Feature Definition.
b. Create Horizontal Elements: Lines and Arcs.
c. Complex Horizontal Elements together.
d. Define Stationing.
e. Create and Review Geometry Report.
f. Annotate Geometry (as needed).
5. Attach Existing Terrain Model and Set as Active Terrain Model.
6. Define 2D & 3D Views.
7. Review Design File Models.
8. Create Vertical Alignment
a. Define Profile Model View.
b. Create Vertical Elements: Lines and Curves.
c. Complex Vertical Elements together.
d. Set Active Profile.
e. Create and Review Geometry Report.

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 Exercise 1: Select the WorkSpace & WorkSet, Create a New Design File and Review the Ribbon
Interface
In this exercise, you will learn how to select the proper workspace/workset, create a new 2D dgn file and review the
ribbon interface.

Skills Taught
 Selecting a WorkSpace and WorkSet

 Create a 2D dgn file

 Review the Ribbon Interface

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 Select the WorkSpace & WorkSet and Creating a New 2D Design File
In this section, you will create a new 2D dgn file. When working with OpenRoads Designer Geometry always start in 2D.

1. Start the software.

2. Set the WorkSpace and WorkSet
The WorkSpace and WorkSet define standards that are used by the software. The WorkSpace and WorkSet used for this training are
installed during the software installation.

a. Select Training and Examples from the WorkSpace menu.

b. Select Training-Imperial [Training-Metric] from the WorkSet menu.

3. Create a new 2D dgn file.

a. Select New File.
b. Browse to c:\Bentley Training\QuickStart for OpenRoads Designer Geometry or other folder where you unzipped the dataset files.
c. Set the Seed to Seed2D - Imperial Training.dgn [Seed 2D - Metric Training.dgn].
d. Create a new file named Geometry.dgn [Metric-Geometry.dgn].

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 Review the Interface

1. Activate the OpenRoads Modeling workflow from the pick list in the upper left
corner if it is not already active.

The ribbon menu will change to OpenRoads Modeling tools. The tools are organized
into categories on the ribbon tabs.

 Home - Common tools such as Attributes, Explorer, Attach Reference Tools, Models, Level Display and Element Selection.
 Terrain - Element selection and terrain modeling tools.
 Geometry - Element selection, Civil AccuDraw and geometry tools.
 Corridors - Element selection, superelevation and corridor modeling tools.
 Drawing Production - Element selection, saved views, notes, text, annotations, and plans production (cross section, plan, and profile)
tools.

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  Model Detailing - Element selection, Civil Cells and 3D tools (Linear Templates, Surface Templates, etc.).
 Drawing - Commonly used MicroStation drawing tools. To the complete set of MicroStation tools change the active workflow to
Drawing, Modeling (3D only) or Visualization (3D only).

 View - Commonly used view control tools.

2. Click on each of the Ribbon tabs and notice how each tab has a different set of tools.
Also, notice the tools to the right of the OpenRoads Modeling drop down list. Tools such as Create New File, Open File, Save Settings
Compress File, Undo, Redo, Print, Explorer and Properties can be found here.

A search ribbon tool is also available to assist with finding tools on the ribbon interface. When you are not sure where to find a tool on the
ribbon interface simply key in the command in the Search Ribbon field and a search will be performed across all ribbon menus.

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 3. Search for a tool using the search ribbon. Key in Arc in the Search Ribbon field.

4. Notice the results of the ribbon search are displayed in a dialog below the Search Ribbon field.

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 5. Hover over Arc Between Points.
The search results expand showing where the Arc Between Points tool is located on the ribbon: OpenRoads Modeling -> Geometry ->
Horizontal -> Arcs

6. From the search results dialog, Left-click, Arc Between Points to launch the command.

7. Right-click to close the Arc Between Points toolbox.

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 8. Introduction to the Back Stage View.
a. Activate the Back Stage View by clicking File in the ribbon menu.
b. Notice the various other options on this screen such New, Open, Save, Save settings, etc. Whenever you need to open a file or create
a new file you will have to access the Back Stage View.

c. Select Settings.
Design File settings, preferences, customizations, etc. are found in the Back Stage View, keeping the ribbon menus focused on the
tools.

d. Click the Arrow in the upper left corner to return to the main ribbon interface.

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 Exercise 2: Creating Horizontal Geometry
In this exercise, you will learn how to create a horizontal alignment using the horizontal element tools.

Skills Taught
 Attach aerial imagery reference file

 Create horizontal geometric elements using the Place Line Between Points and Simple Arc tools

 Combine geometric elements into a complex element to create the horizontal alignment

 Review the geometric elements with OpenRoads Model Explorer

 Define the start stationing of the horizontal alignment

 Create horizontal geometry report

 Annotate horizontal alignment

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 Attach Reference File
Let’s first attach the Aerial_Topo.dgn [Metric-Aerial_Topo.dgn] as a reference file to your dgn file. The Aerial_Topo.dgn [Metric-
Aerial_Topo.dgn] contains the PI locations that you will use to create the tangent elements of the alignment.

1. Attach Aerial_Topo.dgn [Metric-Aerial_Topo.dgn] as a reference.

a. Click on Attach Tools and select References.

The References dialog will now appear as shown above. You use this dialog to attach reference files to dgn files.

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 b. In the References dialog, Click on Tools and choose Attach.

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 c. The Attach Reference dialog will appear, browse to the location of Aerial_Topo.dgn [Metric-Aerial_Topo.dgn] and select it.

d. Change the Attachment Method to Coincident World and then Click Open to attach the file as a reference.

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 The Aerial_Topo.dgn [Metric-Aerial_Topo.dgn] will now be attached and displayed in the
References Dialog.

e. Close the Reference dialog.

f. Click the Fit view icon so you can see all of the graphics in the design file.
g. Locate and review the PI points (magenta circles) drawn in the Aerial_Topo.dgn [Metric-
Aerial_Topo.dgn]. Notice there are 5 PI points, you will be creating tangent lines between
these points.

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 Create Horizontal Elements for London Rd.
In this section, you will be creating the horizontal alignment for London Rd. (see image to the
right). London Rd. runs from south to north and is made up of 4 tangents and 3 curves. You will
first define the tangents between PI points and then add horizontal curves.

1. Set a Feature Definition to be used with your geometric elements.

Feature Definitions are used to control symbology, annotation, and various other properties
that are applied to the geometric elements. The feature definitions are used to:

 Define what the geometric elements actually are. What is being modeled such as
curb, centerline, edge of pavement, etc.

 Control symbology in various views, including capability to define differing symbology

in plan, profile, and 3D spaces

 Define terrain modeling attributes (spot, break line, void, etc.)

 Define surface display characteristics

Feature Definitions are defined and stored in a dgn library delivered with the WorkSpace.
a. Open the Feature Definition Toggle Bar tool by going to Geometry > Standards > Feature
Definition Toolbar.

b. Set the active feature to Geom_Baseline by pressing the down arrow.

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 c. Enable the Use Active Feature Definition tool on the Feature Definition Toggle Bar.
Setting the Active Feature Definition ensures that all geometric elements created will have the selected feature definition assigned to
them as you create geometric elements.

2. Prior to creating geometry, review the Civil Formatting options for the design file. Civil Formatting is used to control the formatting and
precision of OpenRoads Designer design file settings. Coordinate format and precision as well as Station format and precision can be
adjusted here.

a. Select File > Settings > Design File Settings > Civil Formatting

b. Close Design File Settings

c. Click the Arrow in the upper left corner to return to the main ribbon interface.

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 3. Create the tangent lines between known PI points. Use the image to the right as a guide.
a. From the ribbon menu select Geometry > Lines > Line Between Points
Notice the heads up display attached to your cursor will be prompting you for a start point.

b. Left-click on the Center Snap tool. Be sure AccuSnap is enabled as shown below.

c. Snap to the center of PI#1 and Left click to accept.

Hint: If you have trouble snapping to the center just approximate the center point and
move on to the next step.

A Note About Snaps and Design Intent:

When you snap to elements OpenRoads Designer remembers how you snapped to
elements and what type of snap was used. Thus, a relationship exists between the
elements. This is an example of Design Intent.

Design Intent builds associations and relationships between civil elements. Object
information (how, where, and by what method it was created) is stored with the object to
insure the original intent is retained and honored in the design. This is a very important
concept to remember as you work with OpenRoads Designer Geometry.

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 The heads up prompt changes and gives you the option to key in the distance and/or direction as needed. Pressing the Right arrow or
Left arrow on your keyboard will toggle between Distance and Line Direction input fields.

d. Define the Distance, key in 546.00 [166] in the Distance field and press Enter to lock the value.
e. Press the Right Arrow on your keyboard to switch to the Direction field.
f. In the Direction field, key in: N01^33'00"W, press Enter to lock the value.
g. Left-click to accept.
4. Select the Element Selection tool. The Element Selection tool is used to select elements so they can be edited or manipulated with other
commands.

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 5. Set the Element Selection tool to the individual mode by selecting the Individual and New icons in the Element Selection tool setting
window.

a. Select the line you just created.

Recall, geometric elements are rule-based elements that provide Design Intent. Notice the line has a distance and direction associated
with it. The distance and direction represent the rules associated to the element.

Also, note the Drag Handles as well as the Text Manipulators (direction/distance) attached to the line. These provide the ability to
quickly modify the line. If you need to modify the distance and/or direction you can simply click on distance/direction Text Manipulators
and key in new values in the edit fields. You can use the Drag Handles to trim/extend, rotate or move the line.

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 b. Hover your cursor over the beginning point of the line, the Drag Handle arrows will appear as well as the center point snap indicator.

The Drag Handle arrows give you the ability to dynamically adjust the end point of the line. By selecting the Drag Handle arrows you
can extend or trim the line and also change the location of the end point.

The center snap indicator shows that the beginning point of the line was placed by snapping to the center of the circle. This is an
example of Design Intent. A relationship exists between the beginning point of the line and the circle. Be aware, if the circle is moved
the line will move. If the circle is deleted the relationship will be removed but the line will remain. This is an important concept to
understand with regards to snaps.

c. Next, Hover your cursor over the line for a few seconds. A context sensitive menu will appear giving you access to other tools related
to the element. Context sensitive menus appear if you hover your cursor over OpenRoads Designer elements or objects.

d. Select the Properties tool and review the properties of the line.
Note that the line can be edited within the Properties dialog. The Length, Direction, Start Point, End
Point, Feature Name and Feature Definition can all be modified within this dialog if needed.

e. Left-click anywhere in the view to de-select the line.

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 6. Continue placing tangent lines.
a. Click the Chain Commands tool on the Feature Definition Toggle Bar. When the Chain
Commands tool is enabled, the next element is automatically connected to the previous
element without having to select the start point each time.

b. Snap to the end point of the first tangent line to place the start point of the second tangent
line.

c. Left-click to accept.
d. Left-click near the center of the circle at PI #3 to complete placing the tangent line between
PI #2 and PI #3.
e. Left-click near the center of the at PI #4 to place the tangent line between PI #3 and PI #4.
f. Left-click near the center of the at PI #5 to place the tangent line between PI #4 and PI #5.
g. Right-click to complete.

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 Your geometric elements should look like the image to the right once you have completed
placing all tangent lines.

7. Create horizontal curves between tangent lines using the Simple Arc tool.
a. From the ribbon menu select Geometry > Arcs > Arc Between Elements > Simple Arc
b. Following the heads up prompts, locate and select first tangent element (line between PI #1
and PI #2).

c. Locate and select second tangent element (line between PI #2 and PI #3).
d. Define the arc Radius as 600 [183 m], press Enter to lock the value and Left-click to
accept.

e. Set the Trim/Extend option to Both and Left-click to trim both tangent elements.
NOTE: In lieu of using the heads up prompts, you can also key in values in the dialog box
but you still need to Left-click to accept the values entered.

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 8. Create remaining curves for PI#3 and PI#4 using the same methods described in steps 7a.
through 7e. on the previous page. The radius values are given below:
 Curve at PI#3 Radius =10000 [3048] (curve to the right). Take care when placing this
curve, since it has a very flat radius. It must curve to the right.
 Curve at PI#4 Radius = 2100 [640] (curve to the left)

9. Modify the first horizontal curve radius.

a. Pick the Element Selection tool.
b. Select the first horizontal curve, notice the radius is displayed as 600 [183].
c. Left-click the 600 [183] value, an edit field will appear.
d. Enter 700 [213] in the edit field to change the radius and Left-click to accept.
The curve will update with the new radius and the tangent lines adjust automatically to
maintain their relationship with the curve. This is another example of Design Intent and
the rules and relationships that exist between civil geometry elements. OpenRoads
Designer remembers that the original curve was placed between the two tangents and
when the radius value changed the geometry adjusted itself to maintain the geometric
relationship.

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 Now that you have all of your elements created, you need to combine them together into an alignment. You will do this by using the
Complex By Elements tool.
10. Use Complex By Elements tool to create horizontal alignment for London Rd.
a. From the ribbon menu select Geometry > Complex Geometry > Complex By Elements
b. When the Complex by Elements toolbox appears set it as follows:
 Method: Automatic

 Maximum Gap: 0.10 [0.01]

 Name: LondonRd

c. Following the heads up prompt, locate and select first tangent element (line between PI#1 and PI#2). Be sure to select the element
near the beginning of the alignment. Left-click to accept and the alignment will be created.

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 NOTE: Where you select the element is important. Each element has a midpoint. Notice
when selecting the element near the start point an arrow appears pointing north, indicating
the direction the alignment will be created. If you select the element near the end point, the
arrow will change direction, pointing south and will not create the alignment in the proper
direction.

The completed alignment should look like the image to the right. The alignment is made up
of 4 tangents and 3 curves.

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 Review Geometry with OpenRoads Model Explorer
In this section, you will learn how to review geometry with OpenRoads Model Explorer. The Explorer tool can be used
to browse and manage data in the design file. You can also use it to search, zoom to and isolate data. All OpenRoads
Designer data is organized and displayed in the OpenRoads Model Explorer. As the design progresses, the information
is continually created/updated automatically.

1. Review geometric elements with OpenRoads Model Explorer

a. From the ribbon menu select Explorer
Expand the OpenRoads Model group by pressing the down arrow.

TIP: It is wise to always have Explorer open when working in OpenRoads Designer.

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 Geometric elements associated with alignments are grouped under the Alignments category. To see which elements are part of the
Alignments category simply click on the small arrow next to the category to expand the list.

b. Click the small arrow next to Alignments to expand the list to see next item in the list.
c. Click the small arrow next to Geom_Baseline to the expand the list (recall Geom_Baseline was
the feature definition you used to create your geometry.

d. Select Complex Element: London Rd, observe that the London Rd. alignment is highlighted in
View 1. This is an example of how Explorer can be used to locate and select an alignment in the
design file.
e. Right-click on Complex Element: London Rd. to review other tools related to the alignment. You
can Right-click on any item in the list to gain access to other tools that can be used.

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 Continue reviewing items in the list.

f. Click the small arrow next to Complex Element: London Rd to expand the list to see geometric elements associated with the alignment.

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 Create a Horizontal Geometry Report

1. Right-click on Complex Element: London Rd. to access the Horizontal Geometry Report

2. Select Horizontal Geometry Report

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 3. The Civil Report Browser dialog will appear and the report will be displayed. Review the report.

After reviewing the report you may want to adjust the precision and format of distances, angles, bearings, etc. You can easily adjust the
report with the Format Options tool.

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 4. Go to Tools > Format Options in the Civil Report Browser.

5. Change the Format Options as follows:

 Angular Precision: 0

 Angular Format: ddd^mm’ss.s”

 Slope Format: 50%

 Station Precision: 0.12 [0.123]

 Station Format: ss+ss.ss

[s+sss.ss]

 Direction Precision: 0

 Direction Format: ddd^mm’ss.s”

6. Close the Format Options window.

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 7. Review the report to ensure the formatting has been adjusted.

8. Save the report.

a. In the Civil Report Browser window, Select File > Save As
 File Name: key in HR-LondonRd

 Save As Type: choose Doc (*.doc).

 Click Save, to save the report.

NOTE: You can also print the report by going to File > Print or Right-click in the report window and choose Print.

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 Review the Civil Report Browser
The list in the left pane of the Civil Report Browser dialog shows the different report categories available. Clicking on each category will give
you access to a list of report types known as XSL Style Sheets (or simply called Style Sheets). Each Style Sheet contains the formatting for
how a report is displayed. Selecting a Style Sheet will display the report in the right portion of the dialog.

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 Also, by Right-clicking on a Style Sheet you can select from a list of report types for which you want to make the selected Style Sheet the
default. The default Style Sheet for horizontal geometry is HorizontalAlignmentReview.xsl The default Style Sheets are stored in the registry
by user and can be changed any time you like.

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 View Other Horizontal Geometry Reports

1. Left-click the small arrow next to the Civil Geometry category to expand the report list to display available style sheet reports.

2. Select the HorizontalAlignmentCheckIntegrity.xsl style sheet.

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 3. Review the report.

4. Select several other Horizontal Alignment style sheets and review how the same alignment data is presented differently.
5. Close the Civil Report Browser.

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 Define the Start Station
In this section, you will learn how to define the start station value and assign it to the horizontal alignment.

1. From the ribbon menu select Geometry > Modify > Start Station
2. Following the heads up prompts:
a. Locate Element: Select the London Rd. alignment.
b. Start Distance: 0, press Enter to lock the value and Left-click to accept.
c. Start Station: 50+00 [5+000], Left-click to accept.
3. Review the stationing
a. Click the Element Selection tool.
b. Select the alignment, notice the alignment displays the new beginning station value. The begin station is dynamic text which can be
adjusted by simply selecting the begin station value and keying in a new value. The stationing of the alignment will then update.

c. Hover your cursor over the alignment until the context sensitive menu appears.

d. Select Horizontal Geometry Report to review the alignment again to verify the stationing.
e. Close the Civil Report Browser dialog box.
f. Right-click to de-select the alignment. Or left-click anywhere in View 1 to de-select the alignment.

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 Annotate Horizontal Alignment

1. From the ribbon menu select Drawing > Annotation Scale Lock and set the
scale to 1”=100’ [1=50]

2. From the ribbon menu select Drawing Production > Element Annotation >
Annotate Element
3. Select the alignment and Right-click to complete.
The alignment is now annotated. The annotation is also dynamic and
associated to the alignment. Any changes made to the alignment will update
the annotation.

The annotation is defined by an Annotation Group which is associated with the

Feature Definition. The text size is controlled by the Annotation Scale Lock.

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 Exercise 3: Existing Terrain Model and Define 2D & 3D Views

Skills Taught
 Attach Terrain Model

 Set Terrain Model Active

 Define 2D & 3D Views

 Review Design File Models

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 Attach Terrain Model
In this section, you will learn to attach a terrain model to your design file. Terrain models are stored in 3D dgn files. Any time you need to use
a terrain model within your design file, you need to attach the terrain model as a reference.

1. Attach Terrain_Existing.dgn [Metric-Terrain_Existing.dgn] as a reference.

a. Click on Home > Attach Tools > References.

The References dialog will now appear as shown above. You use this dialog to attach reference files to dgn files.

b. From the References dialog, select Attach Reference icon

or Tools > Attach
c. Select the file Terrain_Existing.dgn [Metric-
Terrain_Existing]

d. Set the Attachment Method to Coincident-World.

e. Click Open

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 f. The terrain model, Terrain_Existing.dgn [Metric-Terrain_Existing] is now attached to the file.

g. Close the References dialog box.

h. Click the Fit View icon in the top of the view window so you can see all of the graphics in the design file.
Notice the green shape that is now present in the design file. This green shape represents the boundary of the terrain model.

NOTE: For the purposes of this course we are not going to view the terrain model triangles or features.

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 Setting the Active Terrain Model

1. Click the Element Selection tool

2. Set the Element Selection tool to the individual mode by selecting the Individual and New icons in the Element Selection tool setting
window.

3. Left-click anywhere on the green shape that outlines the terrain model.

4. Hover the cursor at this location for a few seconds and context sensitive toolbar appears displaying tools commonly used with terrain
models. More terrain model tools can be found on the Terrain ribbon menu.

5. Select the Set As Active Terrain Model tool.

Setting the terrain model active instructs the software to use the active terrain model as the default terrain model when using other
OpenRoads Designer tools. You can always change or clear the active terrain model at any time.

Also, when setting the Active Terrain Model the software will automatically create a 3D model inside of your 2D design file. The 3D model
will be used for the display of 3D data.

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 Define 2D and 3D Views

1. Press F9 on your keyboard.

Notice the views change, you now have 2 view windows open. View 1 on the left is the 2D model view that you started with and View 2 on
the right is the 3D model view. Pressing the F9 key automatically configures this particular view setup for you, 2D on the left and 3D on the
right. This will come in handy as you move through the design process.

Also, observe the existing terrain model boundary is displayed in 2D and 3D. The terrain model triangles are not displayed at this time.
Triangles, breaklines, feature spots and contours can be displayed via the terrain model properties as needed.

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 2. Alternatively, you can Right-click in View 1 and hold down the right mouse button to access special view control tools.

a. Select View Control > 2 Views Plan/3D.

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 Review Design File Models

1. From the ribbon menu select Home > Models

2. Review the Models dialog, notice there are 2 models available, Default and Default 3D.

Models can be 2D or 3D. It’s very important to realize that even though you started with a 2D dgn it is possible to have a 3D model also
available in the same design file. Recall that setting a terrain model active automatically creates a 3D model for you. The 3D model must
be created by OpenRoads Designer. Do not create your own model named Default 3D, it will not work properly.

Also, the 2D and 3D models are directly related to the model views, recall View 1 is named Default and View 2 is named Default 3D.

3. Close the Models dialog.

4. Close the View 2.

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 Exercise 4: Creating Vertical Geometry
In this section, you will learn how to create a vertical alignment using the vertical geometry tools.

Skills Taught
 Define Profile Model View

 Create vertical geometric elements using the Place Line Between Points and Parabola Between Elements tools.

 Combine geometric elements into a complex element to create the vertical alignment

 Create vertical alignment report

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 Define Profile Model View
In this section, you learn to define a profile view. Prior to creating vertical geometry you must first define a profile model
view to display the vertical geometry.

1. Maximize View 1 by clicking the maximize view icon in the view window.

2. Click the Fit View icon in the top of the view window so you can see all of the graphics in the design file.
3. Click the Element Selection tool.
4. Select the horizontal alignment. Hover your cursor over the alignment until the context sensitive menu appears.

5. Select the Open Profile Model icon, the heads up display will prompt you to select or open a view.
6. Open View 4 by selecting the view 4 button from the views toggle menu at the bottom of the screen. Profiles can be displayed in any view.

7. Click inside of the View 4 window. View 4 is now defined as the profile model view. Only 1 model view can be active at a time.
8. In View 4, click Fit View. You should now see the existing ground profile (green dashed line).
9. Select the Element Selection tool.
10. Select the existing ground profile line (green dashed line). Hover your cursor over the existing ground profile line until the context
sensitive menu appears.

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 11. Click the Set As Active Profile icon to set the existing ground line as the active profile. Setting the existing ground profile active associates
it with the horizontal alignment. It also, will draw the profile in the 3D model. This will be the default profile for now until you design the
proposed vertical alignment. The active profile can be changed at any time.
12. In View 4, select View Attributes in the upper left corner of the view window.
13. Set the profile view Exaggeration to be 20.

Notice how the profile view dynamically adjusts itself to reflect the new vertical exaggeration. The vertical exaggeration can be changed at
any time.

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 Define Vertical Geometry
In this section, you will be creating the vertical alignment for London Rd. (see image below). The vertical alignment is
made up of 4 tangents and 3 vertical curves. You will first define the profile tangent lines and then add vertical curves.

1. Prior to placing profile elements ensure the Active Feature Definition is still set to Alignment > Geom_Baseline on the Feature Definition
Toggle Bar.

2. Click the Chain Commands tool on the Feature Definition Toggle Bar. When the Chain Commands tool is enabled the next element is
automatically connected to the previous element without having to select the start point each time.

3. Activate Civil AccuDraw from the bottom of the screen. Civil Accudraw is used for precision input with civil geometry. Civil AccuDraw will
be used to place profile elements by station and elevation.
a. Click the elevation icon on the Civil AccuDraw toggle bar. Civil AccuDraw gives you the ability to input station and elevation values.

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 4. Create first profile tangent line between PVI’s.
a. From the ribbon menu select Geometry > Vertical > Lines > Profile Line Between Points
a. Move your cursor into View 4, notice the heads up prompts for Station and Z (elevation). These are the Civil AccuDraw input fields.
b. In the Station field key in 50+00 [5+000] and press ENTER. Notice the station value is now locked.

c. In the Z field key in 167.74 [50.7] and press ENTER.

d. Left click to accept.

5. Continue following the heads up prompts to place the end point of the profile tangent line.
a. Key in 57+16.00 [5+218] in the Station field and press ENTER.
b. Key in 172.31 [52.1] in the Z field and press ENTER.
c. Left click to accept. The first tangent line is now placed.

Note the dynamic display showing the slope and length as you place the line. In addition to placing the line by station and elevation
you can also place it using a length and slope.

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 6. Select the Civil AccuDraw tool to turn off Civil AccuDraw.
We will now place profile tangent elements by length and slope.

7. Follow the heads up prompt to place the next profile tangent #2

a. In the Length field enter 700 [213], press Enter to lock the value.
b. Press the right arrow to toggle to the Slope field and enter -2.0%, press Enter to lock the value.
c. Left-click to accept and move to the next prompt.
8. Create the remaining tangent elements (#3 and #4) using the previous step and the image below as a guide. If you are having trouble
keying in values, you can approximate the lengths and slopes. If you make a mistake you can use the Undo button to get back to the
previous steps.

9. After the last tangent line is placed, Right-click to complete.

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 10. Review tangent lines.
a. Left-click profile tangent line #1 and notice the slope and length are displayed as well as the Drag Handles and Text Manipulators.
Clicking on the slope, length, station or elevation will enable you to enter new values at any time. Adjusting the Drag Handles will trim/
extend or move the line.

b. Right-click to de-select the line. Or Left-click anywhere in the view.

11. Review the remaining tangent lines using the procedures described in step 10.
Define the Vertical Curves
12. Define a 300’ [91’ m] vertical curve between tangent lines #1 and #2.
a. Select Geometry > Vertical > Curves > Curves Between Elements > Parabola Between Elements
b. Following the heads up prompts, select tangent line #1 and when prompted select tangent line #2.
(Be sure to keep your cursor below the tangent lines to ensure a crest curve will be created).

c. Following the heads up prompts, in the Length field key in 300 [91] and press ENTER to lock the value.
d. Left-click to move to the next prompt.
e. Set the Trim/Extend option to Both and Left-click to complete the command.
A 300’ [91’ m] vertical curve is now placed between tangent lines #1 and #2.

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 13. Define a vertical curve with a K value of 171.00 [52] between tangents #2 and #3.
a. Select Geometry > Vertical > Curves > Curves Between Elements > Parabola Between Elements
b. Following the heads up prompts, select tangent line #2 and when prompted select tangent line #3.
c. Following the heads up prompts, press the Left Arrow key to toggle to Vertical Curve Parameter.
d. Key in 171.00 [52] in the Vertical Curve Parameter field and press ENTER to lock the value.
e. Left-click to move to the next prompt.
f. Set the Trim/Extend option to Both and Left-click to complete the command.
A vertical curve with a K value of 171.00 [52] is now placed between tangent lines #2 and #3.

14. Repeat step 12 and create a 400’ [122 m] vertical curve between tangent lines #3 and #4.
The completed vertical geometry elements should look like the image below.

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 15. Modify vertical curve #1 length to be 400’ [122]
a. Select vertical curve #1, notice the curve length 300 [91] is displayed as well as the K value.

b. Left-click on the curve length value, enter 400 [122] in the edit field.
c. Left-click to accept.
16. Group the London Rd. vertical geometry elements into a single complex element to create the vertical alignment.
a. Select the Geometry > Complex Geometry > Profile Complex by Elements tool.
b. Following the heads up prompts, select tangent line #1 near the beginning and then Left-click to accept it:
 Method: Automatic

 Maximum Gap: 0.10 [0.01]

 Name: LondonRd

c. Left-click to accept and create the complex profile element.

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 17. Set the newly designed profile as the active profile.
a. Select the Element Selection tool.
b. Select the complex profile element and hover your cursor over it until the context sensitive menu appears.

c. Select the Set Active Profile tool. The newly designed vertical alignment will now be the active vertical alignment associated with the
horizontal alignment. A relationship now exists between the horizontal and vertical geometry. Be aware that deleting the horizontal
geometry or dropping the horizontal geometry will impact the vertical geometry.

NOTE: Whenever you set the active profile a 3D alignment feature will automatically be displayed in 3D.

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 Create the Vertical Geometry Report and View the Vertical Alignment in 3D
In this section, you will learn how to create a vertical geometry report and also how to view the vertical alignment in 3D.

1. Select the Element Selection tool.

2. Select the complex profile element and hover your cursor over it until the context sensitive menu appears.

3. Select the Profile Report tool.

4. Review the report, adjust the report formatting as needed.
5. Close the report window.
6. Close the profile window.
Review the vertical alignment in the 3D view.

7. Press the F9 key to switch the view windows to display the 2D and 3D views.
8. Alternatively, you can Right-click in View 1 and hold down the right mouse button to access special view control tools.
a. Select View Control > 2 Views Plan/3D.

9. Click the Fit View icon in View 2. Notice a 3D element is displayed in the 3D view. This is the newly created vertical alignment shown in
3D.

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