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Finding and Resolving Overlapping Site Objects

Product Documentation
Intermediate
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Use the FindSiteOverlaps command to locate overlapping (collinear) objects in the same site that could be causing problems with your drawing.

When creating site objects (alignments, gradings, feature lines, or parcels), you may end up with collinear segments. In most cases, this will not create a problem. However, in some cases, AutoCAD Civil 3D may close unexpectedly because of these overlapping segments.

If the FindSiteOverlaps command detects collinear segments, the command will recommend the usage of a subsequent command to resolve them. The FindSiteOverlaps command does not, however, diagnose exactly what may be causing a particular problem and the recommended commands may not resolve every possible issue you may encounter.

Important

Anytime you experience problems with a drawing, you should use the RECOVER and AUDIT commands first before using the FindSiteOverlaps command.

To identify collinear site objects

  1. At the Command line, enter FindSiteOverlaps .
  2. Press F2 to display the text window.
  3. Review the command results. For example, you may see results as follows if you have overlapping feature lines in your drawing: 
    Checking Alignments
Checking Lot Lines
Checking Feature Lines
    2 overlapping segments found
    This command will move these to their own new site: RemoveDupFeatureLines
Checking Gradings and Attached Lot Lines
    2 overlapping segments found
    Can only be moved with Move To Site
AutoCAD points on layer _OVERLAPPING_SEGMENT_LOCATIONS indicate location of overlapping segments.
  4. An AutoCAD point is placed in the center of each overlapping segment. If needed, use the DDPTYPE command to change the AutoCAD point style to better see the point nodes. Or use the LAYER command to isolate the _OVERLAPPING_SEGMENT_LOCATIONS layer.

    Overlapping feature lines with an AutoCAD point marking the center of the collinear segment

  5. Use one or more of the following recommended commands to resolve the overlapping segments:
    Note

    If the FindSiteOverlaps command recommends removing more than one type of object from the site, it is recommended to use the following order:

    • Remove feature lines first.

      This option removes only those feature lines that do not have grading criteria applied to them. Often these types of feature lines are only being used as surface breaklines, so there is less impact if they are moved out of the site.

      Since overlaps are often between different kinds of objects, removing only the feature lines may resolve the problem.

      Alignments and lot lines may form parcels within the site, so removing them may have greater impact than removing feature lines.

    • Remove alignments second (if needed).
    • Remove lot lines third (if needed).
  6. Erase the AutoCAD points that were created and run the FindSiteOverlaps command again to see if any overlaps remain.
    Note

    If, after removing any overlaps that can be found, there are overlaps reported for gradings, it may be possible to edit the gradings slightly so that they no longer overlap.

  7. Use the AUDIT command to detect and resolve any remaining issues with your drawing.

To remove overlapping feature lines

This command moves each overlapping feature line to its own individual site, with the site names Overlap 1, Overlap 2, and so on. For example, if there are two features lines in Site 1 that overlap, they are both removed from Site 1. One of the feature lines will be moved to Overlap 1, and the other will be moved to Overlap 2.

This command will not remove feature lines that use grading criteria. Feature lines created from survey data are included only if they are part of a named site.

Best Practice

This command cannot be undone. Save a copy of your drawing before using it.

  1. Run the FindSiteOverlaps command to diagnose the issue.
  2. If overlapping feature lines are found, then at the Command line, enter RemoveDupFeatureLines.

To remove overlapping lot lines

This command moves each overlapping lot line to its own individual site, with the names Overlap 1, Overlap 2, and so on. It operates on the linework, not the parcels themselves, so removing some of the parcel linework to its own site may either create new parcels or remove existing parcels (a similar effect to moving the lines with the Move To Site command).

Best Practice

This command cannot be undone. Save a copy of your drawing before using it.

  1. Run the FindSiteOverlaps command to diagnose the issue.
  2. If overlapping lot lines are found, then at the Command line, enter RemoveDupLotLines.

To remove alignments from a site

This command moves all alignments in a selected site to the Alignments collection in Prospector. The alignments will no longer be part of the site, but their names will be maintained.

Best Practice

This command removes all alignments from the site, not just those with overlapping segments. It is the equivalent of using the Move To Site command and selecting the <None> site.

  1. Run the FindSiteOverlaps command to diagnose the issue.
  2. If overlapping alignments are found, then at the Command line, enter RemoveAlignmentsFromSite.
  3. Select the site from which you want to remove the alignments and click OK.

Command Line

FindSiteOverlaps

RemoveDupFeatureLines

RemoveDupLotLines

RemoveAlignmentsFromSite


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