Profile Window Options dialog
The Profile Window Options dialog is accessed through the Profile ribbon or from the context menu displayed with a right click on the Profile window.
Note that most of the options and formatting defined here are saved in Screen Layouts.
Scales
Vertical and Horizontal Scale
The Profile window horizontal scale is displayed in the View ribbon; you can change the scale there (outside of this dialog box) and the vertical distortion (ratio of horizontal and vertical scales) will remain constant. If the scale is unlocked, then zoom operations will also change the scale.
Display and Formatting Options
Much of the optional linework in the Profile window is created by connecting calculated cross section points. For example, lines representing Template codes are formed by "connecting the dots" at cross sections. For this reason, linework can appear inaccurate if there are not enough cross sections calculated along the alignment. Cross sections are created at plan, profile and reporting points; you can easily add more reporting points by using the Report Points options described below.
Alignment (check box and options button)
The Alignment profile cannot be turned off; the check box is always set. The "+" button beside the check box allows you to change the color, line style and symbol.
The Alignment is generated from vertical curves and tangents and is independant of cross section spacing.
Note that this line may represent the sub-grade, the final grade or some other template feature depending on the design of the template.
L-Line Topo (check box and options button)
This option displays the profile of topography under the Alignment. This option is always enabled. The "+" button beside the check box allows you to change the color, line style and symbol.
If a a surface model exists (TOPO), the ground line is draped on the model and is independant of cross section spacing.
Road Edges (check box and options button)
If selected, the vertical projection of the road subgrade edges (point code RE) on ground will be displayed. The vertical road edge projections are useful for moving the alignment to full bench cut. To do this move the grade line to the lower road edge projection.
Slope Stakes (check box and options button)
This option displays the profile of the slope stakes (catch points). The "+" button beside the check box allows you to change the color, line style and symbol for the slope stake display. See Profile Window displayed features for more information.
Ground Layer 1 (check box and options button)
If selected, stratum layer 1 will be displayed along the profile. The "+" button beside the check box allows you to change the color, line style and symbol for layer 1.
If your design contains a P-Line traverse, stratum layers are defined in the traverse document. Refer to Survey/Map module Online help for more information on setting up stratum layers.
Finished Grade (check box and options button)
This option displays the profile of the surfaced road grade (see Templates for more information on road surfacing). The "+" button beside the check box allows you to change the color, line style and symbol.
For many templates, the Finished Grade is coincident with the Alignment and therefore this option should be disabled.
Report Points (check box and options button)
If selected, Report points will be displayed along the alignment. The "+" button beside the check box pops up the Report Point Properties dialog, which allows you to show/hide and change the color and symbol of the various Report points. It also allows you to change the spacing for Auto interval points.
Scroll Bars (check box)
If selected, scroll bars will be placed on the right hand side and along the bottom of the Profile Window allowing the view to be shifted using the mouse.
Note that click and drag with the middle mouse button is dedicated to the Pan function (if your mouse software does not override this). Scroll bars may be unnecessary if you prefer to use Pan.
Fixed Window (check box)
If selected, Profile Window's position will be fixed.
Grid (check box and options button)
This check box allows you to enable/disable the display of axis labels and grid lines. Clicking on the "+" button will popup the Grid Options dialog allowing control over the format and spacing of the grid lines.
P-Line Topo (check box and options button)
The P-Line traverse is optional for many RoadEng products; if it doesn't exist this control has no effect.
This option displays the profile of topography under the P-line. The "+" button beside the check box allows you to change the color, line style and symbol. If the alignment contains no horizontal offsets, then P-line Topo is the same as the L-line Topo.
HINT: If you find that the P-line topo is "moving" as you enter the grade line, use Report Point Properties (see above) to enable automatic reporting points at survey stations.
Culvert Symbol (check box)
If selected, culvert will be drawn to scale on the profile. NOTE: with different horizontal and vertical scales pipe culvert will appear oval in shape. For more information see Culverts.
Bridge Symbols (check box and options button)
If selected, a vertical line from the alignment to the ground will be drawn at the interfaces between bridge templates and standard templates. The "+" button beside the check box allows you to change the color, line style and symbol.
Labels (check box and options button)
Various labels can be displayed along the profile. Checking Labels will enable the display of those labels. Pressing the "+" button beside the Labels button allows you to select and format the Profile Window Labels to be displayed. The font size and position of these labels can be controlled. Also see Working with Text for more information on label formatting.
Grade Guides (check box and options button)
This option allows you to display grade and grade break constraint lines while entering or editing points on the screen. A click on the "+" button will produce the Profile Grade Guides dialog, which will display the minimum, maximum grades and grade break.
To ensure your design falls with the acceptable grade limits keep the L-line inside the dashed grade constraint lines when you edit or create new design points.
Ref. Features
Ref. Terrains
This check box allows you to enable the display of terrain reference surfaces. Clicking on the "+" button will popup the Reference Surfaces dialog, allowing you to choose the surfaces for display and format selection.
Template Codes (check box and options button)
Any point code from the assigned template(s) can be shown as a profile feature. Click on the "+" button to open the Point Codes dialog box where you can define which point codes to display and what color and line style they should have.
Sub-Windows
The Sub-Windows are optional windows appearing at the bottom of the Profile Window. A window divider control allows you to move the border up and down between the main Profile and the sub-windows.
Sub-Windows (list box)
Shows all the sub-windows selected for display.
Options (button)
Allows you to change options for the currently highlighted Sub-Window.
Select (button)
Allows you to add and remove sub-windows.
Height (edit box, drop list and Auto check box)
These controls determine the total height of the sub-windows area below the main Profile graphic.
When Auto is cleared, the drop list defines how the value in the edit box is interpreted (%, mm. or in.). If you use the mouse to move the divider control in the Profile window, the units are set to %.
Set the Auto check box to size the sub-windows area to fit all selected items. The Auto check box is only available if all selected sub-windows have a well defined Height. Some sub-windows (Mass haul and Cut/Fill Area) have variable height and selecting one of these will disable Auto. The other sub-windows have a Height control in their Options but you must choose units mm. or in.; defining a height in chars will disable Auto.
