Hello,
Looking at produce a good looking cut/fill color map with Carlson civil. I tried a few over the years with limited success due to inexperience I would say. The help menu does not help much on this one. So I just use the trial and error method.
I am not too sure about the map subdivision toggle. The default is 50. What is that subdivision? Pixels? How does that relate to a real-world dimension? Another question would be: Is there a way to control the "hues" of the color range automatically. Example the cut range is 0-5ft. Key in the color at 0ft and 5ft and let the software generate automatically the in-between shades.
Looking for a happy medium between printing quality and best pixel resolution for a 1000 ft x 1000 ft plot on D size. Anyone that have useful tips, thank you for sharing.
I could e-mail tech support but today is Friday, a good day to start hitting the sauce bright and early, with Spring in the air and all that comes with it. So, I don't want to bother them with a cut/fill map question. Beer-leggers, I do not mind bothering them, they like that! 😉
Start by creating grids from your surface models. You can create multiple grids with different resolutions, the smaller the division the longer the process time, but the finer the resolution. You can run some tests at a coarse scale and cut it down.
I believe the routine converts your tnet to a grid using the resolution you furnish. It should ask for the limits of the grid, then the resolution as to how small you want to sample the grid.
The color map is a good backdrop, but I would suggest overlaying an isopach contour layer.
You can create this contour layer (representing depths) using the two surface volumes routine. Simply toggle the box that says "write difference to tnet".
Then you can add spot elevations showing areas where the cut or fill is the greatest.
Be sure to carefully read the volume report. I have had an instance where I used the wrong number because it was close to the actual cut/fill. I think my area was close to 1 acre and I read the volume per acre quantity rather than the actual total.
You can either divide your selection window into a given number of blocks in the x and y direction. Or... you can set the dimensions of your sampling blocks. I like to set the size to 10 feet. When you run an earthwork routine, CC calculates based on the geometry of each 10' block. I like to have the program color cut areas red and fill areas blue. I also like to have it label the depth difference on eackh block. For a large site, this produces a hell of a lot of numbers in display but I usually erase them once I'm satisfied everything looks right.
Thanks folks, got something out the door half-decent I think.
I used triangulated/tin files as opposed to grid, which are the ones I always use. I keyed in 1000 (unit unknown) for subdivisions by trial and error. As long as program did not stall, I increased the number, figuring it would sharpen the image quality. At 1000, I said, good enough. Still looking for the "magic" number for optimal balance between quality image and resources demand.
At 1000 subdivision, hard on machines: computer and printer. All this data takes a while to load. It reminded me why I don't use cut/fill color maps often.
I should try with grid files, it seems that's what you guys use for cut/fill color maps. That might be the ticket right there.
I wouldn't worry about the grid files. Those are mostly utilized to simplify the programming and in the early days the demand on the CPU.
Now days, with the programming and computing power, the tnet is the way to go, because it is the basis of the actual surface.
The cut/fill shading is simply a tool to develop a visual exhibit, so as long as it looks good, the resolution is fine. I would still use the tnet to tnet volume routine for actual volumes. I usually also run a comparison check using a baseline and average end area from sections.
I have heard the grid files are still used extensively in open pit mining operations (which I believe is where Carlson began developing civil type applications).
Cut fill contours are much more accurate than an interpolated grid.
I have Paydirt that will do what you want. Send the data to me and I will send you back an example.
Thanks for the offer, got it done: Color map + isopach.
