Draw/Edit General Reference Line

Form:     General Reference Lines, Draw General Reference Line Plan Projection, Edit General Reference Line, Define Curve at Gen Ref Line Point

Use the Advanced > Draw > More > Draw/Edit General Reference Line command to display the General Reference Lines form and add, change or delete a general reference line. Objects can be extruded relative to a general reference line, and bridge layout lines can be specified using a general reference line as long as the reference line complies with the restrictions applicable to layout lines with respect to vertical and horizontal alignment.

1. Click the Advanced > Draw > More > Draw/Edit General Reference Line command to display the General Reference Lines form.

2. Use the following buttons to complete the appropriate action:

• Add New Gen Ref Line Name button.

• 1. Type a name for a general reference line in the Gen Ref Lines edit box at the top of the display list.

  2. Click the Add New Gen Ref Line Name button. The newly specified name will appear in the display list.

  3. If it is not already highlighted, highlight the newly specified general reference line name by clicking on it in the display list.

  4. Click the Draw Selected Gen Ref Line button to display the Draw General Reference Line Plan Projection form and draw the general reference line.

Note:  Similar to the Properties of Object forms that appear when other objects are drawn in CSiBridge, the Draw General Reference Line Plan Projection and Edit General Reference Line forms "float" over the display in the active window. As necessary, move the forms out of the drawing area by clicking on the blue title of the form and dragging the form to the desired location.

The items on the Draw General Reference Line Plan Projection include the following:

1. 1. • Gen Ref Line Name display box. The name of the general reference line as specified on the General Reference Lines form appears in this display box.

      • Ref Line Coord Sys display box. The general reference line coordinate system is the coordinate system that was active when the general reference line was first defined (i.e., the first time the Draw menu > Draw/Edit General Reference Line command was used to define the general reference line). This coordinate system cannot be changed by the user.

      • Color display box. The color shown in this display box will be used to display the general reference line as it is being drawn. Click on this box to display the Color form and change the display color.

      • Maximum Segment Length edit box. Use this edit box to specify the maximum length of the segments used to define any curves in the general reference line. The shorter the segment lengths, the smoother the curve.

      • Maximum Subtended Angle edit box. This edit box can be used to specify a maximum angle in degrees when a circular alignment for the general reference line is required. The length of the segments used to define the general reference line will be based on this angle. The smaller the angle, the smoother the curve.

      • Visible Plan check box. When this check box is checked, the general reference line will be visible in any windows displaying the model. When the check box is unchecked, the general reference line will not be shown in any windows displaying the model.

   5. After setting the above parameters, draw the reference line as follows:  

      1. Click the mouse button anywhere in the active window to specify the beginning of the general reference line.

      2. Move the mouse pointer to the next point along the general reference line and again click the mouse button. Continue this process until the general reference line has the desired alignment. Note that the general reference line cannot intersect/cross itself.

      3. Double click on the last point or click the OK button to exit the drawing mode. The window will refresh and the Edit General Reference Line form will automatically appear. The options available on the Edit General Reference Line form are the same as those on the Draw General Reference Line Plan Projection form, with the following additions:

1. 1. • • Display Control

        • • Show Plan check box. When this check box is checked, the program will display the general reference line on a plan view of the model.

          • Show Developed Elevation check box. When this check box is checked, the program will display the general reference line on a developed elevation view of the model.

   • 4. With the Edit General Reference Line form displayed,

        1. Click on a point along the general reference line (not the line itself) to display a drop-down menu of commands, including the following:

Note: As necessary, use the other options described in this topic  (see below) to add points to the general reference line before using these commands.

1. • 5. • • Define Curve at Point option. Use this option to display the Define Curve at Gen Ref Line Point form. Use the form to select a Curve Type (select an option from the drop-down list) and specify the associated curve parameters, which vary depending on the type of curve selected.  

          • Move Point option. Use this option to display the Move form. Specify a Move Option:

          • • Move by Specified Distance option. When this option is selected, specify the distance to move the selected point by entering a distance value, as measured from the start of the general reference line, in the Delta X/S and Delta Y/Z edit boxes.

            • Move to Specified Coords option. When this option is selected, specify the values to Change Coordinates To in the X/S and Y/Z edit boxes.

Note:  The Reshape mode also can be used to move points on the general reference line.

• • 5. • • Add Adjacent Points. Both of the following options will display the Divide Selected Segments form. Use the form to specify the number of objects into which the segment of the general reference line is to be divided. Type in the ratio of the last object to the first, if the division is not to be in equal lengths. Dividing a segment into sub-segments will add a point or points to the general reference line.

         • • Add to Segment Before Point option. When this option is chosen, the additional object(s), and thus the point(s), will be added to the segment of the general reference line preceding the point. If no segment precedes the point, this option will not be available.

           • Add to Segment After Point option. When this option is chosen, the additional object(s), and thus the point(s), will be added to the segment of the general reference line after the point. If no segment follows the point, this option will not be available.

         • Delete Point option. Use this option to delete the selected point.

       2. Click on the general reference line (not on a point) to display a drop-down menu of commands to divide or combine segments of the general reference line, including the following:

          • Divide Segment option. This option will display the Divide Selected Segments form. Use the form to specify the number of objects into which the segment of the general reference line is to be divided. Type in the ratio of the last object to the first, if the division is not to be in equal lengths. Dividing a segment into sub-segments will add a point or points to the general reference line.

          • Combine Segments (and remove points)

          • • Combine with Preceding Segment option. When this option is used, the selected segment will be combined with the segment that precedes it, thereby removing points from the general reference line.

            • Combine with Following Segment option. When this option is used, the selected segment will be combined with the segment that follows it, thereby removing points from the general reference line.

• Change Gen Ref Line Name button.

• 1. Highlight a general reference line name in the display list by clicking on it. Note that the selected name will appear in the Gen Ref Lines edit box.

  2. Type a new name in the Gen Ref Lines edit box.

  3. Click the Change Gen Ref Line Name button to change the name of the general reference line.

  4. If appropriate, click the Edit Selected Gen Ref Line button to display the Edit General Reference Line form and edit the selected general reference line as described above.

• Delete Gen Ref Line button.

• 1. Highlight a general reference line name in the display list by clicking on it. Note that the selected name will appear in the Gen Ref Lines edit box.

  2. Click the Delete Gen Ref Line button to delete the general reference line.

When a general reference line is displayed in the active window, it is also possible to select the line and use the Delete key on the keyboard to delete the general reference line.