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Using Bounded Points (Video)

Learn how to create and constrain points along a surface for optimization.

This video demonstrates:

  • Tagging points in a drawing.
  • Defining elevation range constraints for points.
  • Controlling zone elevations with bounded points.

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A Bounded Point specifies a constraint on any given point along a surface. Place points in your drawing where you need to constrain elevation. In the Grading Object Tool Palette, select Bounded Point.

Select the points in the drawing, and then press Enter to create the bounded point objects. Click Optimize to open Grading Optimization.

Expand the Bounded Point node in the Grading Objects Browser. In this example, we have set the elevation constraint between 750 and 800 feet. During optimization, the elevation constraint will try to be met when solving the surface grade.

In the legend to the right, 750 feet is in green, so the elevation constraint has been met.

To exaggerate, let's set Minimize Earthwork to 100%.This will reduce the flattening of the slope to just what is needed to maintain elevation. And again, the surface at the bounded point is green, so the elevation constraint has been met.

This is an exaggerated example to show how bounded points work. When global settings and zone constraints are more specific, a point may be too high or too low to satisfy the slope constraints.

Bounded points can also be used to affect zones. This bounded point is placed on a zone with zero slope constraints and an aligned surface. The bounded point elevation works to change the elevation of the zone.

It is important to not use too many bounded points as it can exponentially increase calculation times and impact performance.

Use bounded points to constrain elevation points for elements coming into your optimized surface that require clearances, such as pipes and roads.

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