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POINT Related CAD Commands

General Information on Points

A Point is defined as a Co-ordinated Point whose [Y, X, Z], or [E, N, H]
values, Name and other data are stored in the currently defined Co-
ordinate file, or in the case of Tacheometric data, in the currently defined
Tacheometric file. Refer to the Co-ordinate File Editing topic for a full
discussion on the manipulation of SURPAC Co-ordinate File information.
For CAD programmes, Points are very often used as Snap Items, to
ensure that Lines, Arcs etc. are located exactly at prescribed positions,
that are defined by the Point data.
NB : The Display Co-ordinate Points Option must be set to ON, in order
for all the following Commands to be active.

Point Layering System (General CAD only)

This Layering System is based on the Beacon Descriptions used for the
current Co-ordinate file. For Cadastral Mode Co-ordinate Files there are
up to 55 Point Layers, and for Engineering Mode Co-ordinate Files there
are up to 300 Point Layers.
For Co-ordinate files using the Cadastral format, there are 55 Beacon
Descriptions available, hence a General CAD Sheet using this format will
have 55 Layers available.
For Co-ordinate files using the Engineering format, the Layer system is
more flexible and there are 300 Layers available for a General CAD Sheet
when using this format.
In the Cadastral format, Layers are identified by number (1 – 55). The
Layer Description is then that of the Beacon Description corresponding to
that number.
In the Engineering format, Layers are identified by either numbers (1 -
300), or by a Layer ID. A Layer ID may be up to 8 characters in length. A
Layer ID typically is a cryptic description of the Point surveyed. For
example, “PL 33” could refer to a 33Kw power line pylon.

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When you start a new General CAD drawing sheet, the programme will
search through the list of existing Points in the Co-ordinate file and
determine which of the Beacon Descriptions for that file have actually been
used. The Point Layers corresponding to these used Descriptions will be
Activated and set as being Visible. As you add and, modify or delete
Points from the Co-ordinate file, the list of Active and non-Active Point
Layers will be modified accordingly.
To change the Visibility of the Active Layers, click the programme’s
Layer menu heading and then select the Change Layer and/or Active
Settings item. An easier method of doing this is pressing the [F3] SFK.
The displayed form will show all the available Layers for the Co-ordinate
file. All the non-Active Layers (Beacon Descriptions not used) will be
shown in grey, italic text. The Active Layers will be in black, standard text
with either a green tick (Layer is Visible), or a red cross (Layer is not
Visible) displayed on the right hand side. Click on an Active Layer to
change its Visibility status.
This function has the primary use of making visible only those Layers
required at a given time. It also makes the allocation of Mark Points to
certain Descriptions easier.
NB : Refer to the Layer Commands Help topic for a full description of the
General CAD Layer system.

[PA] - Point Add

This Command allows for the Adding of a Point to the current Co-
ordinate file. On calling this command, the programme will first Snap onto
the closest Line, unless the Snap Mode has been disabled. The [Y, X], or
[E, N] co-ordinates of the line terminal nearest to the cursor position will be
displayed in the Point Add form, along with a default Name and
Description. Any of the Items shown on the form may be manually
modified. When the [OK] Button is clicked, the Point will be Added to the
current Co-ordinate file.
For the Contour CAD programme, it is possible to Add a defined Point to
either the current Co-ordinate file or the current Tacheometric file.

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[PD] - Point Display (Alt Commands are [V] or [?])

When the [PD] (or [V] or [?]) Command is given, the programme will
search for the nearest Snap Item (Point, Line, Arc or Grid point) to the
current Cursor position. The co-ordinates of the located Item will be
displayed in the Top display Boxes.
The alternative Single Key Commands that may be used are [V] and [?] .

[PE] - Point Edit (Modify) (Alt Command [PM])

This Command allows for the Editing (modifying) of an existing Point, held
in the current Co-ordinate file. Move the cursor close to the Point that is to
be Edited, and give the [PE] (or the [PM]) Command. That current Point
data will be displayed, on the Screen, in the Point Edit form. The Point's
Name, [Y, X, Z], or [E, N, H] co-ordinates and Description may be
modified via this Command.

[PH] – Height Points from the DTM (General CAD only)

If a DTM File has been selected in the Sheet Setup Information function,
and if this DTM covers a portion, or all of the current General CAD Sheet,
then you can select the “Point” menu item “Height Points from DTM”.
This option will allocate DTM interpolated heights to all Points falling within
the area covered by the defined DTM file. A further option exists that will
restrict the Heighting to those Points which have a null (zero) height value,
i.e. Points that are already Heighted will not be changed.

[PI] - Point Intersect (Alt Command [F9])

This Command is used to create a new Point at the Intersection of two
Directions given from any two existing Co-ordinate file Points.
First, make sure that the Snap Mode is ON. Then move the cursor close to
the first fixing Point, and give the [PI] (or [F9]) Command. The Point
Intersection form will be displayed on the screen, showing the Name of
the first intersection Point. On this form, enter the required Direction and
then move the Cursor close to the Second fixing Point and either again
give the [PI] Command, or click the mouse [MB]. On the Point
Intersection form, enter the second Direction and the Name for the New
Point. The new Point will then be displayed on the Screen and the cursor
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set onto it (unless it falls off the Screen). The new Point will be added to
the Co-ordinate file.

[PJ] - Point Join (Alt Command [F8])

This Command is used to calculate the Direction and Horizontal Distance
between any two Points on a CAD Sheet. This Command may also be
used to compute the Join information between any two Items, such as
Line terminals. The programme will first search for Points, and if none are
found, it will then search for Line terminals.
First, make sure that the Snap Mode is ON then, after giving the [PJ]
Command, move the Cursor to the first required Point or Line Terminal,
and then give the [S] - Start Command, or click the Mouse [LHB]. The
cursor will then Snap onto the nearest Point/Line. Now move the Cursor to
the second required Point or Line Terminal, and give the [E] - End
Command, or click the Mouse [RHB]. Again the cursor will snap onto the
nearest Point/Line found and then display the Join data. If two Points are
identified then their Names will also be displayed.

[PL] - Point Locate & View (Alt Command [X])

This Command will locate a User defined Point, by setting the Cursor onto
the Point and displaying its Co-ordinates
After giving the [PL] Command, enter the Name of the Point that is to be
located, or select it from the displayed list of Points. If the Named Point
exists, and if it lies on the current Screen display area, the cursor will snap
onto the Point and display its co-ordinates. The Sheet position will be
changed to be centered on the located Point, and the sheet display scale
will be zoomed. If the Point cannot be found, an appropriate message will
be displayed.

Convert Line Terminals to Points (General CAD only)

This Command allows for the automatic generation of Point Co-ordinates,
and adding these Points to the current Co-ordinate file, by searching for
all Line Terminal and Bend positions. For this reason, all SURPAC Line
Items are stored to double precision (16 significant figures) accuracy.
The programme will prompt for a Starting Name, for the first Point
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determined. This Starting Name can be any string from 1 to 4 Alpha

characters, followed by a 1 to 4 Numeric characters. Names such as A1
and Marg1000 are valid examples. This Starting Name will be allocated to
the Point determined from the first Line Terminal found.
Subsequent Points will be allocated Names with the same Alpha
characters, but with the next logical sequential number. Points will be
created, named and stored strictly in the order in which they are found
within the CAD Sheet’s Line file.

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[PP] - Point Polar (Alt Command [F7])

This Command allows the User to carry out an on-Screen calculation for a
single Polar.
First, make sure that the Snap Mode is ON then, then move the cursor
close to the Point from which the Polar is to be calculated, and give the
[PP] Command. If the Snap Mode is enabled, the cursor will Snap onto the
closest defined Point within range of the currently set Snap Radius.
The Point Polar form will be displayed, showing the Name of the Point
from which the Polar will be calculated, plus the currently Logged Direction
(if available) as the default Direction. A default Name will be offered for
the new Point. Enter the required data for the Polar then click the [OK]
Button.
NB : You can select a Direction by either :-
1) adopting the displayed default direction or, by entering a New
Direction or,
2) by giving the Name of a required on-line Terminal Point or,
3) by supplying an Angle (preceded by + or -) to be applied to the
displayed Direction.
The computed Point will be displayed on the current CAD Sheet and
stored in the current Co-ordinate file .

Point Off-Line Calculations (General CAD and General Plan only)

This function allows for the calculation of “Points Off-Line” between two
User defined terminals, or along a line of best fit. This programme is also
available under the SURPAC General main menu heading. Using this
version, the calculation can be carried out whilst working in the either of
these two CAD programmes. The required line terminals are defined
graphically.
To call this function, click on the Point menu heading and then select the
menu item Point off-Line Calculations. Move the cursor onto the first
required line terminal and click the mouse LHB. Then move the cursor onto
the second required line terminal and again click the mouse LHB. The Off-
Line form will then be displayed and will show the two terminals selected.
Proceed by selecting the required tolerances etc. and then click the
[Locate Line Points] button. Finally, either of the two options may be
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selected to move the located points on-line, or to calculate new on-line

points.

Spot Height at Cursor Defined Point (General CAD only)

This Command will display a Spot Height at a Point, having a non-zero
Height ([Z]) value, and identified by the cursor position. The Height value
of the Spot Height is written (to 2 decimal places) such that the decimal
point represents the physical position of the Spot Height.
Move the cursor close to the Point whose Spot Height is to be shown.

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The programme will Snap onto the closest Point to the cursor, if the Snap
mode is ON. If this Point has a height, then any existing Mark Symbol
and Point Name will be removed and replaced with the Point’s height
displayed as a Spot Height.
The colour used to display the Spot Height is the colour set for the Layer
in which the Point lies, and the character size of the Spot Height text is
the size currently set as the Mark Point Size.

Spot Heights at All unMarked Points (General CAD only)

This Command will display Spot Heights at all Points that are currently
unMarked and which have non-zero Height ([Z]) values. The Height
value of each Spot Height is written (to 2 decimal places) such that the
decimal point represents the physical position of the Spot Height.
The colour used to display the Spot Height is the colour set for the Layer
in which the Point lies, and the character size of the Spot Height text is
the size currently set as the Mark Point Size.

Rectangular Point/Line Mesh (General CAD only)

This Command allows for the creation of a Mesh of Points, Lines, or both
Points and Lines. The Mesh be at any User given position, cover any
User given rectangular area and be at any User defined Mesh Interval or
Orientation.
The Mesh position and Area to be covered are defined by selecting two
Points and an Orientation. The first Point is usually the Point on the left
(West) side of the area. The second Point should be diagonally opposite
the first Point.
Click the appropriate Command on either the Lines or Points menu
headings and complete the required options on the displayed form :-
The rectangular Area to be covered with a Mesh of Lines and/or Points is
User defined. This is done by entering the First Corner Point, usually
being the Point nearest to the North West corner of the area. The second
Point entered is the Point that is approximately diagonally opposite to
the first Point. These two Points, along with the entered Mesh
Orientation, will define the rectangle to be covered by the Mesh.
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The rectangular area does not need to have its boundaries running North-
South and/or East-West. When a Point Name is entered, SURPAC will
attempt to locate this Point in the current Co-ordinate file. If no Point can
be found, the co-ordinate values must be entered manually.
The second Point chosen should be approximately diagonally opposite the
first Point chosen. Hence, for a Mesh oriented NS and EW, the second
Point needs to be approximately SE of the first Point. However, for a Mesh
oriented at about 225°, or 45° for UTM Systems, (i.e. The Mesh lines
running NW to SE and SW to NE), the second Point needs to be
approximately due East of the first Point.
Enter the required Mesh Orientation and Mesh Interval. The Orientation
of the Mesh is set by providing the required Direction of the primary Mesh
axis. This value should be greater or equal to 180° and less than 270° (for
UTM Systems use, greater or equal to 0° and less than 90°). However,
SURPAC will automatically adjust entered values that are outside these
limits. The direction of the secondary Mesh axis will automatically be set
perpendicular to the primary Mesh axis.
If Points are to be generated for the Mesh intersection positions, then set
the Description Code and the Display Options for these Points.

Highting of the Mesh Intersection Points

OPTION #1 - Highting from a SURPAC DTM :-

If the current General CAD Sheet has a defined and underlying DTM,
then the first of the Height Options may be used to determine heights
for the generated Mesh Points."
To define a DTM for a General CAD Sheet, Click on the "File" Menu
heading and select "CAD Sheet Setup Information"

OPTION #2 - Highting from the Google Earth Surface DTM :-

If the current Co-ordinate File System is defined as using the WGS
1984 Ellipsoid, then the Mesh Point Heights may be interpolated from
the Google Earth Surface DTM, via SURPAC's activation of the
Google Elevation API.
The smaller the Mesh Interval, the more Points will be added to the file
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and the more accurate will be the resulting Contours and DTMs.
However, Users must bear in mind that the Google Earth Heights have
a relative accuracy of about +-3 metres and the resulting Contours and
DTMs are only to these accuracies.
Further to this, the Google Earth DTM may also have a significant
vertical shift compared to surveyed ground heights. It may be
necessary, therefore, to adjust the interpolated heights based on a
comparison with control Points, such as Trig. Beacons, close to the
area."
NB : The use of the Google Elevation API is subject to a limit of 2,500
requests per day. Each SURPAC request consists of 4 locations Points,
providing a maximum daily (i.e. a 24 hour period) download of 10,000
Points."

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