Optimization Panel Analysis

The Optimization Panel provides a look at how the optimization is progressing in terms of success and allows for interactive feedback in the Visualization Display. Reviewing data here, in the Convergence Plots dialog, and the violation view provided in the Visualization Toolbar.

To open the Optimization panel click or click on the left side of the Visualization Display. When opened, you can click to minimize the panel.

Reviewing violations with the Optimization Panel

The Violation view tab of the Optimization Panel allows you control over visualization thresholds.

Click on the Optimization Panel to view the Violation view tab. When the Violation tab is active, the Violation View is also enabled. The violation legend displays to reference what is happening in the Violation View. It contains additional control over the visualization.

• Deselect Max Slope Violation to hide the surface triangles (in red) that cannot meet its maximum slope constraint.
• Deselect Min Slope Violation to hide surface triangles (in blue) that cannot meet the minimum drainage slope constraint. When selected, the triangles are visible and either of the following thresholds may be implemented.
  • Select Drain Direction to show violations of surface triangles not meeting the minimum drainage slope toward the intended drain direction. The drain direction represents the path toward a drain line, low point, or the minimum drain inclination.
  • Select Relaxed Direction to show violations of surface triangles not meeting the minimum drainage slope within 90 degrees of the intended drain direction. The drain direction represents the path toward a drain line, low point, or the minimum drain inclination.
• Multiple violations (in dark red)draws attention to surface triangles that cannot meet either slope constraint.

The Feasibility chart of the Convergence Plots Dialog displays on the Violation tab.

You can click to open the full Convergence Plots dialog.

The optimization status at the top of the chart indicates the probable solution status as a color-coded message above the chart.

• Green. Trending toward an optimal solution. This shows the optimization will likely be successful.
• Orange. More iterations need to determine a solution. This prompts that more time is needed to determine if hte solution is viable.
• Red. Review the results for conflicts. This indicates there are too many conflicts for a reasonable optimization and requires that the global and object constraints need to be adjusted. The grading object locations may need to be modified as well depending on the project.

The line in the chart also displays these colors as it processes. The feasibility line should track downward. If it levels off before reaching zero, the desired constraints and objectives cannot be met 100%.

Reviewing cut-fill balancing with the Optimization Panel

The Cut-fill view tab of the Optimization Panel allows you to observe the cut and fill balancing progress during optimization.

Click on the Optimization Panel on the Optimization Panel to display the Volumes chart of the Convergence Plots Dialog on the Cut and fill view tab.

Click to open the full Convergence Plots dialog.

The cut and fill legend displays to reference the current processing status of balancing above the chart.

• Red. Shows the current anticipated total earthwork cut volume.
• Green. Shows the current anticipated total earthwork fill volume.
• Orange. Shows the current anticipated net earthwork volume.

The ranges and net volume line in the chart also displays these colors as it processes.

This chart helps you identify any fill that needs to be brought in, or cut that needs to be removed from the site. This chart also calculates and displays the net volume target as specified in the Optimization Options dialog.