Create a profile that follows the most logical path through a series of surface profiles, feature lines, COGO points, or AutoCAD 3D polylines, points, or blocks.
This tool uses a complex algorithm that you can adjust to obtain the desired results based on the type and the accuracy of the source data.
For example, when you use COGO points as source data, the specified points are projected onto the alignment and then sorted by chainage. The chainage on the alignment and the level of each point is determined; if a second path of points is specified, then the offset distance from the alignment is also determined.
Next, the algorithm calculates straights (2) based on the sequence of the points and the specified Maximum Radius For Curve Detection setting. When a sequence of points has a radius that is greater than this setting, the points form a straight. The apparent intersection of the straights (3) are the intersection points for the profile straights. The algorithm calculates arcs or parabolas (1) by approximating the curvature by linking the sample points together with linear segments. To increase the accuracy when using either feature lines or 3D polylines, intermediate sample points may be either weeded from the original input data or created between each pair of sample points.
