Workflow for Site Data Preparation

The primary goal in data preparation for a site is to create high-accuracy surfaces for stakeout on controllers running Site Controller Software (SCS) or machine control on Grade Control Systems (GCS). A secondary goal may be to create a variety of surfaces for takeoff calculations. Your data for these models may come in any number of formats: paper drawings that describe what to construct, files with 2D or 3D surveys or designs, or some combination of all three. To create surfaces for these purposes, you will need to prepare data using some or all of the steps below.

Note: Your tasks may vary from these typical steps, so feel free to use a different order or skip steps.


Steps		Help by Command
1.	Setup your program and project.	Program and Project Setup
2.	Clean up the imported data (primarily the CAD objects).	Project Cleanup
3.	Explode blocks and delete other unneeded objects.	Explode Delete
4.	Organize data by layer: Create new layers and rename existing layers. Delete objects on unneeded layers. Relayer remaining objects so they are logically segregated.	Layer Manager
5.	Make your lines, symbols, and text objects easier to identify by changing their names and appearance.	Properties pane Line Style Manager Symbol Manager Text Style Manager
6.	Edit the lines in your data by breaking, trimming, extending, and deleting segments. Then simplify the remaining lines by joining them.	Break Line Delete Line Segment Trim/Extend Lines Join Lines
7.	Transform objects in your data by moving, rotating, and scaling them.	Move Objects Rotate Objects Scale Objects Move/Rotate/Scale Objects Move/Rotate/Scale Objects by Points
8.	Create additional objects by copying and offsetting from existing ones.	Copy Objects Offset Line
9.	Manually create other missing objects: Create points and points from spot elevations. Create linestrings, polylines, and alignments.	Create Point Create Points from Spot Elevations Create Polyline Create Linestring Create Alignment
10.	Elevate all objects with elevations: Elevate labeled contour lines. Elevate contours by crossing contour lines where the elevation can be inferred by two or more lines with known elevations. Elevate contours one at a time for each of the remaining contours. Elevate lines using nearby and intersecting objects. Elevate building pads.	Set Line Elevation Change Elevation Elevate Contours by Label Elevate Contours by Crossing Elevate Contour Elevate Lines Elevate Pads
11.	Create boundaries around areas of interest from various lines that cross or overlap.	Track Region Outline Create Boundary
12.	Check your data for accuracy: Review the elevation at any distance along a line. Measure distances and angles between objects. Exaggerate vertical distances and orbit around contours and other lines in 3D. Review the attributes of objects.	Explore Object Measure Measure Angle 3D View Settings 3D View Properties pane
13.	Create generalized surfaces or surfaces for takeoff, or proceed to one of the field data workflows.	Surface Creation Workflow Takeoff Workflow SCS Field Data Workflow GCS Field Data Workflow