I was labeling this frame detail and remembered how frustrating it was when i couldn’t get disconnected Balloons to reconnect with an arrowhead.

The trick is the selection priority.  By default, edges are selected during the placement of the Balloons. However when the Balloons are disconnected due to placement needs, the Selection priority takes over for the reconnection.  If the method is set to Part Priority, then the arrowhead cannot reconnect to an edge, but the dot takes over to connect to the surface of the part.

So if this happens, simply change the selection priority to edges again.

Now, the edges become the priority, and the arrowhead edge configuration will reappear, and attach as desired.

An associate contacted me recently regarding how to move 2 sets of train tracks through a single corridor, while keeping the ability to deviate the overall width.  The example I received had the sets of tracks identically elevated and on a single bed.  I decided to go a bit overboard, and add vertical and horizontal control.

Above you can see that I mocked up something real fast.  2 separate alignments, and 2 respective profiles.  I wanted to create a open area in the middle to add a freight depot.  I used the profiles to help me adjust the grades for the buildings.

The Assembly

Here is the first half of the solution.

I’ll list the steps below the example image, and then I’ll discuss some important items afterward.

1. Create the Alignment;
2. Add the generic Rail Subassembly to it, this is our Primary subassembly;
3. Add the Link Width and Slope link to the Assembly Marker, oriented to the Right;
4. Add another generic Rail subassembly to the end of the link added in #3, this is our secondary Subassembly;
5. Add the appropriate daylighting to the outer sides of the Subassemblies;
6. Create a Marked Point on the inside of the secondary Subassembly where we want the FG to flow to; here it was named ‘raillink’.
7. Add a ‘Link to marked point’ on he inside edge of the Primary Subassembly where we want the FG to flow from, and direct it to the marked point ‘raillink’ that we set in #6.

Notes:

2. the Corridor will run the Primary Alignment and Profile, using the assembly, just like a typical roadway Corridor.

3) The ‘Link With and Slope’ will allow us to attach a secondary alignment and profile to the end of the link in the corridor properties. Make sure you check ‘YES’ at the bottom where it says, ‘Omit Link’.  If the link is included, the FG surface will build across this.  We do not want that to happen.  Omitting the link provides an invisible holding place for the secondary subassembly to be placed (and controlled by the corridor).

4) Our secondary alignment and profile will run directly through the end of the link in #3, so that same point is where we want to attach our second rail subassembly.  This way the widths and elevations (directed by the secondary alignment and profile) will be directly related to the control point of the secondary subassembly.

6. At this point the Major assembly components are in place and will run perfectly in our corridor.  What we are missing is the FG surface between them.  We need a direct link between the 2 rail beds, a bridge to build across.  Creating the Marked Point named ‘raillink’ will allow us to remotely extend a link to the location that the point is set at.

7) Addin the ‘Link to Marked Point’ to the primary Subassembly will create a ‘bridge’ between the 2 subassemblies, projecting from the link start point, to the marked point named in it’s definition.  Make sure you edit the link to include he marked point name ‘raillink’.

Don’t forget to edit the Assembly

The codes in the Assembly are processed in order.  If the Link comes up first looking for a marked point (that comes later) that it doesn’t know about, Civil 3D cannot connect them.  Yes the point will come up later, but too late.

Right click the Assembly marker, and pick Assembly properties.  In the construction tab you will find the list of construction features that will be evaluated, and a load of settings.  What we need to concern ourselves with now is making sure the MarkPoint is higher in the list than the LinkToMarkedPoint.  If it is not, pick the group with the MarkPoint feature, right click, and select move up until it is above the group with the link.

The Corridor

Create a corridor, and use the primary alignment and profile as a basis, along with the Assembly we just created.  Then, edit the corridor properties, and add a baseline.  Set all targets, make sure your daylighting is targeting the surface desired, and add the secondary alignment to the width control, and the secondary profile to the Slope control.

Apply the changes and go look at the corridor.

To the Left is the primary alignment, and to the Right, curving away is the secondary assembly.

Afterthoughts

I want to acknowledge a good article that reminded me of the assembly feature order.  SeanT over at Edge of Wedge is a corridor writing fool.  I think you’ll like this article. SeanT and link slopes

My latest article was published in AUGI World Magazine!

This one was a summary of 3 months of study and research, because someone told me “that’s just the way it is”.  Well the evidence did not support the statement, and I wanted facts.  I really enjoyed writing it, and I hope everyone enjoys reading it.

Page 28

AUGI Low-Res Link

AUGI Hi-Res Link

AUGI World Magazine location

I’m not much into general news and things, and don’t blog about all the stuff going on, but I do like AU.

We lost events like AEC overrunning the TAO nightclub, and holding the bartenders hostage in exchange for 20 cases of Absolute and Heineken; and don’t forget the Blueman group.  I wrote about it in the past , yes, and I’M STILL UPSET. And what about breakfast ?!!

Anyway, we need some entertainment venues, so I offer the next best thing.

Shaan Hurley Bald.  Ok…It ain’t the Blueman Group, but it should still be fun.

http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2009/11/shave-my-head-at-autodesk-university-2009-for-a-good-cause.html

Shaan needs money and 2000 Twitter followers for charity. I need to laugh.  Go to his link and help me get some entertainment this year.

Back to SAP – Point Clouds

Previously I discussed being invited to watch a preview of the Civil 3D 2010 Subscription Advantage Pack, and had been quite surprised at the features.  We discussed the Point Clouds, and today we’ll peek at the Roundabout Layout.

Roundabout Layout

This was cool.  Dana Probert showed us how easy it was to start the tool, pick incoming alignments, preset standards, and a variety of options to include, like offsets, widths, standardized markings, etc.  The configuration pages were huge, but most had presets available, making it easy to run through typical layouts.  Yes, that’s paint and signage shown in the image, and it updates well.  All the additional alignments are created automatically.

The edits were probably the best part.  The incoming alignments were edited, and the Roundabout would keep up.  Dramatic changes with no tip-toeing at all (Civil users know exactly what I mean).  This thing is sick. You can even add incoming alignments after the fact. There no vertical profiling at this time, but perhaps in the future it will be available. For now you just have to add that yourself.

This was my favorite part of the SAP.  Sadly I have no roundabout designs before me, but I’ll be a lot happier to tackle them in the future.

If you are going to AU, or just interested on keeping up with things, follow the Autodesk University twitter feed at AU_Online.

http://twitter.com/AU_Online

This year they are planning various things for the AU twits, including some fun things.  If you suddenly see 20% of the population run in the direction of the vender expo area, it’s probably AU twitter, and someone announced a ‘blue light special’. 

Log into your Autodesk University profile, and in the edits select the twitter setup button. 

Be sure to include the tag #AU2009 it in your tweets.

Community AU Twitter scan

If you don’t have a profile (and don’t want to set it up), you can still watch all the AU tweets using a tag scan.  I could see all AU_Online tweets, but not the rest of the community. Here I am using twhirl to illustrate.  It took me awhile to figure it out. 

Just go to search, and swap over to tweetscan, then scan for #AU2009.  The list will come up.

Then check the Add to home and Notify boxes.

Now on your home box, you’ll see them, even if you don’t follow the author.  Pretty sweet.

I still have not figured out what to do with Facebook, but twitter has become part of my daily life.  I’m looking forward to how it will shake out this December.

Now, if I can just figure out how to get this functionality on my WM6 phone…

Autodesk released the Subscription Advantage Pack recently, and can be downloaded at he subscription site.  I’ll summarize some of the items that we were shown during the preview.

Point Cloud support

• New point cloud objects
• Control display density, thematic display control
• Ability to snap to points in object

The point cloud utility is included in this SAP to prepare the market, and to stage future integrations into other applications.

Dana Probert added a 1 gig dataset of the Manchester office, and showed us some properties that included dataset count limitation (she was at 500K), and styling (which included display size and categorical coloring by elevation range). While the main dialog was up, I noticed that multiple sources can be used to create the cloud.

It looked awesome.  You could see every detail.  Imagine being able to walk the site, preplan your storage and parking, and see vertical problems that might not have been noted on a survey.

I am concerned about the impact the dataset will have on a processor and RAM.  There is no way currently to thin the cloud density.  Subsequent discussions with co-workers has brought up various scenarios for the use of the tool, but also many reasons not to.

I think that as Autodesk enhances the toolset, and broadens the scope of it’s adaptation, we will see many more demands for this type of data, and many uses we have not yet conceived.

Next is Roundabouts!

Are you going to AU this year? Stop by the LinkedIn AU group and tell us what you have planned, and what you are looking forward to. 

Come join he discussion and help me figure out who is going where and when ( and where I am supposed to be next). 

Autodesk University LinkedIn Group

Recently Autodesk hosted a blogger day invitation to preview the new Civil 3D subscription advantage pack.

I missed the meeting.  I had formatted my machine, and had no updates or email for a few days.  David Mills was kind enough to get me up to speed.

The SAP contains numerous tools, but here are the highlights:

• Point Cloud support
• Roundabout layout
• Visualization and Analysis tools
• Transportation productivity tools
• Survey productivity tools

Dana showed us the layout of the SAP, which shows up in your toolbox located in the Toolspace.  Each category is contained in the familiar tree view containing Alignment, inquiry, Point Clouds, Points, profile, Roundabaouts, Surface, and Visibility Checks.

I’ll cover various topics on this over the next few days, and add some screenshots as well.

You can download this from the subscription site.  You must have Civil 3D SP2 installed before attempting this addon.

That’s right ladies and gentlemen…  I got a sponsor, so…

I’m goin’ to Autodesk University 2009!!!

No one here would take a picture of me tap dancing on my desk, and no video either. 

Now all I have to do is figure out how to get there…ummm.

In an attempt to fill in the gaps, I’ll also be working my oshiri off as a lab assistant.  It appears as though I will be assisting in the following classes:

• CV214-4L Designed for Success
• CV118-6L  Making the Grade
• CV204-1L  Making the Grade

I was unable to get any manufacturing labs, sorry folks.  But that’s ok, I’m happy to get any of them. It’s kind of like going off to college and getting a part time job.

If you will be nearby, check me out after the class (just not during please, as they will string me up if I am chatting during duty hours, very strict).  Manufacturing, Education, and Civil Engineering, everyone.

The fine print on the lab assistant agreement was real small and hard to read,  so if you see me dressed in a bellhop getup, carrying some Autodesk tech’s luggage, don’t worry.  Just laugh and point, and get a cold one ready.