Topology Reference

Industry models use topologies to model objects and phenomena of the real world. Typically, a GIS user needs information about relationships between objects with topological characteristics. Modeling of land and other flat surfaces is a perfect application for area topology. Logical topology is appropriate wherever real world objects are connected to each other in networks. AutoCAD Map 3D toolset supports Area Topologies and Logical Topologies.

Topologies are maintained at the client-side using feature rules.

Use Data Model Administrator to

• Create feature classes.
• Create the topology and enable topologies for the feature classes.
• Initialize the topology using an offline batch operation mode.

  Industry model topologies support two operation modes: online and offline.

  In offline or initialization mode, you build topologies from all available elements as a batch. Offline mode is used mostly at topology creation time, when a huge number of features are related topologically, but corresponding secondary objects, such as areas, are still missing.

  In online or interactive processing mode, the topology subsystem responds to certain user actions, causing a specific result. For example, an area is built when the edges make a topologically valid configuration, after the user creates new edges or edits existing ones.

• Feature rules in AutoCAD Map 3D toolset control the online processing of area topologies that occur during user interaction with topology-enabled master feature classes (centroids and/or edges).

Use AutoCAD Map 3D toolset or Infrastructure Application Extension to

• Explore and validate the topology using the topology checker. See "Checking an Area Topology" and "Checking a Logical Topology" in the User's Guide.
• Process topologies in online operating mode.