When your grading objects, various constraints, and objectives are set, you can begin the optimization process. The process is interactive and can be stopped and restarted as needed. It is likely that several iterations of optimization, adjusting constraints, and restarting the optimization will be required to achieve a viable grading.

The Progress Bar on the Optimization Toolbar displays both a visual reference of the progression of the processing and what is happening at specific stages.

Start the Optimization

Start the optimization process by clicking Optimize on the Optimization Panel or the Optimization Toolbar.

Stop the progress at any time in the event you want to make changes. You can then either click Optimize again to continue, or Reset to set the surface back to its original state.

Once started the optimization begins by loading the grading object data such as their constraints, locations, and their vicinity to each other and the surface. This prepares the calculations required for optimization and is a quickly executed stage.

Surface Retriangulation

The surface will then enter the retriangulation stage. Surface retriangulation is based on the grading object locations and their configurations.

Any grading objects with a breakline enabled will be used in the retriangulation. Building Pad and Curb grading objects will also retriangulate along their boundaries.

Calculation Precheck

Once the surface retriangulation is complete, the calculation precheck stage is executed. At this time high level errors can be discovered based on the new triangle data, global constraints, project objectives, object constraints, and geometry locations. If detected, you are alerted by the Notification Center.

Errors detected during precheck are typically issues that can prevent a feasible optimization. It is recommended to review the notifications, stop the optimization, and make changes to the project as necessary to avoid wasted time waiting on a failed grading optimization.

Optimization

The final optimization stage will then run. Elevations of triangle points are adjusted in the model. Each iteration of the optimization will try to improve the surface grade based on the grading objects, the global constraints, and objectives specified for the project.

This is a long process depending on the iterations you specified in the Optimization Options dialog. During this stage you can observe and analyze the changes as they occur in real time in the visualization display and using several themes on the Visualization Toolbar.

Use the Optimization Panel for examining slope constraint issues and progress in cut and fill balance.

Use the Convergence Plot for a broader look into this analysis and progress.

If the project is not tracking a feasible solution, stop the optimization, make changes to the objects or project constraints and objectives, and rerun the optimization.

Important: Grading Optimization is an interactive and iterative process based on observing what is happening and analyzing the violation feedback. A number attempts and adjustments will be likely needed to achieve success.

Completion

Once complete, review your project in the various visualization themes available and the Optimization Panel. If it meets your criteria withing reasonable thresholds, it is ready to be sent back to your source drawing as an optimized surface.