3D Line Guidance

The system supports guidance along 2D lines and 3D lines. Lines do not have to be straight. They can include curves and change direction.

The system supports names for 3D lines.

3D line surfaces

When you select a 3D line for guidance, the system generates a temporary surface for it. You can do the following with a 3D line:

• Vary the width of the line's surface.
• Extend the length of the 3D line. This also extends the line's surface. See Line extensions.
• Set the slope, or slopes, of the line's surface.

Types of line guidance

A 2D line does not include elevation, so it rests along the surface of the design. The guidance to a 2D line is called Horizontal Guidance. For more information, see the Horizontal Guidance guide.

A 3D line includes elevation and has a surface of its own, so it is independent of the design's surface. The guidance to a 3D line can be:

Guidance Type	Description
2D (Horizontal)	The line's elevation follows the design surface. You can apply 2D guidance to a 3D line.
3D (Level)	Generates a level surface attached to the line.
3D (Slope)	Generates a cross slope surface attached to the line. NOTE – This type of 3D line guidance requires a license.
3D (Dual Slope)	Generates a surface attached to the line that is comprised of two sloping planes. Each plane is half the width of the surface. The planes can be mirrored or they can be different angles. NOTE – This type of 3D line guidance requires a license.

Line extensions

A 3D line has named start and end points. The start point is named A and the end point is named B.

When you select the line for 3D guidance, you can extend the line beyond the start and end points. The points themselves do not move.

When you extend a line before the A point, the stationing/chainage has a negative value.

Loading a 3D lines file

You need to load a design containing a 3D line before you can enable 3D line guidance. You can do this from the Dashboard:

1. On the Dashboard, tap the Job Setup tile. The Job Setup screen displays.
2. From the Project drop-down, select a project that contains a 3D lines design.
3. From the Modes drop-down, select the Design mode.
4. From the Design drop-down, select a design that contains 3D lines. If the selected design contains 3D lines, the infobox will show the 3D lines icon.
5. Tap Apply. The Dashboard displays.
6. Tap Start. The work screen displays.
7. Use the shortcut key or context menu to select a 3D line for guidance.

Option 1: Selecting a 3D line with the 3D line shortcut key

When your design contains one or more 3D lines, the 3D line shortcut key becomes available. To select a 3D line for guidance:

1. Tap the shortcut key . The work screen view changes to plan view and the screen border turns blue.

2. In the plan view, select the line that you want to work with. You can pan and zoom the plan view as required.

3. Tap the appropriate line. Only 3D lines are visible. 2D lines are hidden.

   NOTE – If there is only one 3D line within the radius of where you tap the screen, the line is selected automatically. If your tap covers more than one line, a list of lines displays.

4. Select the type of guidance required.

Option 2: Selecting a 3D line with the context menu

1. In Plan view, touch and hold on a 3D line. The context menu displays.

2. Tap Select 3D Line.

   NOTE – If there is only one 3D line within the radius of where you tap the screen, the line is selected automatically. If your tap covers more than one line, a list of lines displays.

3. Select the type of guidance required.

Level guidance

1. Select Guidance (Level) to create a level surface for your line. The 3D Line Guidance (Level) screen displays.

2. Define your surface's features:

   1. Surface alignment:

      Icon	Description
      	Surface is centered on the line
      	Surface is to the right of the line (relative to the A-B direction)
      	Surface is to the left of the line (relative to the A-B direction)

   2. Surface width: Define how wide the surface is. The value must be between 0.10 of a meter and 600.00 meters (4 inches and 1968.5 feet).

   3. Point A Extension (optional): Extend the line's start point and, therefore, the surface start point. The maximum length that you can add is 100 meters (328 feet).

      NOTE – When you select the Point A or B Extension fields, the view jumps to show that point. An extension displays as a dotted line.

   4. Point B Extension (optional): Extend the line's end point and, therefore, the surface end point.

3. Tap Apply. The work screen displays with the view reverted to its original state. The selected line is shown in red. Any end point extensions display as a dashed red line, and the guidance surface that is generated displays in dark gray. Horizontal guidance is to the 3D line. Vertical guidance is to the line's surface.

Slope guidance

Select Guidance (Slope) to create a surface with a cross slope for your line. The 3D Line Guidance (Slope) Step 1 screen displays:

1. To define the cross slope, either:

   • Enter a value in the Cross Slope field.

   • Drag the line in the image.

   A positive value slopes up to the right. A negative value slopes up to the left.

2. Tap Next. The Select Guidance (Slope) Step 2 screen displays.

3. Define the surface:

   • Surface alignment:

     Icon	Description
     	Surface is centered on the line
     	Surface is to the right of the line (relative to the A-B direction)
     	Surface is to the left of the line (relative to the A-B direction)

   • Surface width: Define how wide the surface is. The value must be between 0.10 of a meter and 600.00 meters (4 inches and 1968.5 feet).

   • Point A Extension (optional): Extend the line's start point and, therefore, the surface start point. The maximum length that you can add is 100 meters (328 feet).

     NOTE – When you select the Point A or B Extension fields, the view jumps to show that point. An extension displays as a dotted line.

   • Point B Extension (optional): Extend the line's end point and, therefore, the surface end point.

4. Tap Apply. The work screen displays with the view reverted to its original state. The selected line is shown in red. Any end point extensions display as a dashed red line, and the guidance surface that is generated displays in dark gray. Horizontal guidance is to the 3D line. Vertical guidance is to the line's surface.

Dual slope guidance

Select Guidance (Dual Slope) to create a surface comprising of two sloping planes. The 3D Line Guidance (Dual Slope) Step 1 screen displays:

1. Select whether the two planes are mirrored or unique:

   Icon	Description
   	The left surface slope is the same as the right surface slope
   	The left surface slope can differ from the right surface slope

2. Select the slope of the left plane. Either:

   • Enter a value in the Left Angle field.

   • Drag the left side of the line in the image.

   A positive value slopes up to the left. A negative value slopes down to the left.

3. Select the slope of the right plane. Either:

   • Enter a value in the Right Angle field.

   • Drag the right side of the line in the image.

   A positive value slopes up to the right. A negative value slopes down to the right.

4. Tap Next. The Select Guidance (Dual Slope) Step 2 screen displays.

5. Define the surface:

   • Surface alignment:

     Icon	Description
     	Surface is centered on the line. The left angle slope applies to the left of the line and the right angle slope applies to the right of the line.
     	Surface (comprised of two sloping planes) is entirely to the right of the line (relative to the A-B direction). The two planes meet halfway across the width of the surface.
     	Surface (comprised of two sloping planes) is entirely to the left of the line (relative to the A-B direction). The two planes meet halfway across the width of the surface.

   • Surface width: Define the entire width of the surface (each sloping plane will be half this width). The value must be between 0.10 of a meter and 600.00 meters (4 inches and 1968.5 feet).

   • Point A Extension (optional): Extend the line's start point and, therefore, the surface start point. The maximum length that you can add is 100 meters (328 feet).

     NOTE – When you select the Point A or B Extension fields, the view jumps to show that point. An extension displays as a dotted line.

   • Point B Extension (optional): Extend the line's end point and, therefore, the surface end point.

6. Tap Apply. The work screen displays with the view reverted to its original state. The selected line is shown in red. Any end point extensions display as a dashed red line, and the guidance surface that is generated displays in dark gray. Horizontal guidance is to the 3D line. Vertical guidance is to the line's surface.

Lightbar guidance to a 3D line

You can use the vertical guidance and horizontal guidance lightbars to guide you to your chosen 3D line.

Preview the guidance surface

When you create the line's guidance surface, the preview shows in Plan view by default. It can be difficult to assess your surface in Plan view, so you can tap the icon on the preview frame to see the surface in the 3D view.

Useful text items

• Cut/Fill Left
• Cut/Fill Center
• Cut/Fill Right
• MA Offset (you can use this to gauge how far you are from your chosen 3D line).