About Creating an Alignment With the Alignment Layout Tools

Create an alignment with the Alignment Layout Tools.

Use the layout command to create an alignment. Specify a unique name, site (if desired), style and label set, and criteria-based design options. Then, use the Alignment Layout Tools to draw the alignment.

This toolbar provides two types of alignment creation tools:

• Freehand drawing tools for lines, curves, and transitions.
• Constraint-based tools that define individual elements by parameters such as length and radius.

You can use either of the following commands to create a quick layout of the alignment. The lines and curves you create are fixed elements that can be edited without losing tangency.

Straight-Straight No Curves

Use this command to create a quick layout of an alignment. Specify straight intersection points (IP). Optionally add curves later.

Straight-Straight With Curves

Use this command to lay out an alignment, automatically creating curves at intersection points (IP). Curve parameters are the current values in the Curve and Transition Settings dialog box.

Tip: You can use transparent commands when you are prompted to specify direction, radius, or length, or use chainage offsets to specify any points. For more information, see About Transparent Commands.

Tutorial Exercise: Creating an Alignment with Transitions and Curves