Creation of 3-D PDF
This appendix presents an outline of the procedure used to create the 3-D PDFs used for the RSAs in this study.
Software used
- Bentley Microstation (v8) Version 08 05 02 70
- Bentley Microstation (v8i) Version 08 11 07 443
- Bentley InRoads Version 08 09 03 06
- Adobe Acrobat Pro Version 9 4 0
Base Information
- Existing feature DTM or 3-D Contours
- Proposed feature DTM or 3-D Contours
- 2-D or 3-D survey (3-D preferred)
- 2-D or 3-D proposed design (3-D preferred)
- 2-D or 3-D pavement markings (3-D preferred)
Displaying and Breaking-out Base Information
- Open InRoads > open existing and proposed DTMs.
- If only 3-D contours exist, import each as a separate surface.
- Display Proposed perimeter.
- Select and Import Proposed perimeter as external boundary for the existing surface.
- Display existing and proposed surface triangles on separate layers.
- Breakout the triangles into separate layers/colors based on the feature as needed:
- Existing roadway, existing sidewalk, existing ground, existing water, etc.
- Proposed roadway, proposed sidewalk, proposed ground, proposed wall, etc.
- Create pavement markings by offsetting the line string of the pavement marking to the correct width. Line thickness cannot be read by the 3-D PDF.
- Import the pavement markings shapes/lines and drape on the proposed/existing surface.
- Display triangles and modify and delete triangles where necessary.
- Check the model and modify, add, or remove points as necessary to create desired result.
Creating 3-D objects
- Building Objects:
- Objects like buildings, non standard signs, and other unique items are best if built on their own level/color using the tools in the 3-D main toolbar.
- Importing Objects:
- Microstation can import or reference a large number of formats including skp (Sketchup) and 3-Ds (3-D studio).
- Use the snap buttons to snap to the 3-D surface when placing objects so they will show up at the correct elevation.
- Quick Check: View the model from the front or side and locate any rogue objects or triangles and modify them to the correct elevation.
Creating Materials
- Using the material editor, create a material for each surface class.
- Place that material by color/layer.
- In some instances, buildings for example, it may be preferable to place a material on the face.
- Using an aerial photo for the existing ground material can be a good way to provide extra contrast in the model without additional 3-D objects.
Setting View Locations
- In Microstation, create a vehicle path by snapping 50 ft (or other predetermined spacing) line segments on the proposed surface.
- Select the vehicle path level and increase the z elevation by 6 ft This simulates the view from the eyes of the driver.
- Turn on the camera in View 1.
- Using two windows, View 1 as the camera and View 2 as top, manipulate the camera so the view is from the first point of your vehicle path and the target point about 100 ft from the view point.
- Use the define camera tool to help keep consistency in each view.
- Preferred settings: Projection > two point, reference point > eye, focal distance > 100'.
- Once the camera view is established, create a new saved view, using the station/road name and direction as a view name (for example, Sta 100+00 EB or Main St EB).
- Move the camera using View 2 to the next point.
- Continue moving the camera and saving the view for each of the vehicle paths.
- Include a plan, elevation, and isometric as saved views, as well.
Rendering
- The final rendering should be done in v8i or higher.
- Open the print dialogue box.
- Select the pdf pltcfg that comes with Microstation v8i.
- Select the print to 3-D check box.
- Settings > 3-D plotting options.
- These settings will need to be modified depending on how complex the model that has been
developed is Enabling the "Place Walk on PDF Toolbar" will assist the end user. - Print to desired location.
PDF Modifications
- Open the model tree Here the views that have been saved in Microstation can be seen using the arrows in the views box, you can toggle quickly through the created views.
- In the model tree dialogue box, one can also modify the levels and references and save new views, but note that any modifications here will not be reflected if a new PDF is printed from Microstation.
Viewing Tips
- The model is best viewed in the latest release of Acrobat Pro, Standard or Reader.
- Change the following setting to optimize the appearance of the PDF:
- Edit > Preferences > 3-D & multimedia.
- Optimization scheme for a low frame rate: NONE.
- Make sure "Enable View Transitions" is checked.
- Advance the model through the preset views in two ways:
- Manually selecting the view from the views tab.
- Clicking the model tree button to the right of the views tab, in the middle window there is the option to move forward or backward through the preset views.
- At each view, the "walk" tool can be used to look around, move forward or backwards Use this tool by selecting it from the tool bar, clicking a point on the screen, and-keeping the mouse button depressed-moving the mouse in the direction that you want to look (left or right) or move (top or bottom).
Internet Resources
- 3-D Google Warehouse: https://www.sketchup.com/products/3d-warehouse
- Federal Lands Highway Division Design Visualization Guide: https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/design/visualization-guide
- Bing Birds-Eye Maps: http://www.bing.com/maps/
- Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/
- Bentley Communities: http://communities.bentley.com/
- Adobe PDF Reader: http://get.adobe.com/reader/