Bentley MX - 2004 Edition MXROAD_Introduction 022004

Introduction

Introduction

DAA034400−1/0001

DAA034400−1/0001

Bentley

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Table of Contents

MX Basics . . . 1−1

MX Basics − Overview . . . 1−1 What is String Modeling? . . . 1−2

MX Environment −Overview . . . 1−8 CommonComponents . . . 1−11 Windows Environment . . . 1−15 AutoCAD Environment . . . 1−16

MicroStation Environment . . . 1−22 The Applications Toolbar . . . 1−28

Starting MX . . . 1−30 Starting a Project . . . 1−31 Typical Project Sequence . . . 1−33

Creating a survey model from imported data . . . 1−33 Assigning model defaults . . . 1−35

Creating aworking display . . . 1−35 Viewing the working display . . . 1−37

Producing a design . . . 1−38 Analyzing the design . . . 1−40

Modifying the design . . . 1−42 Creating drawings . . . 1−43 Producing visualizations . . . 1−44 Creating reports . . . 1−45 Exporting data . . . 1−46 Help . . . 1−46 System Administration . . . 1−49 User Support . . . 1−52 MXROAD . . . 2−1 MXROAD− Overview . . . 2−1 Standard String Naming Convention . . . 2−2 Options in MXROAD . . . 2−2 Import . . . 2−2 Surface Analysis . . . 2−3 Alignment Design . . . 2−4 Road Design . . . 2−7 Intersection Design . . . 2−11 Pavement and Subgrade Design . . . 2−12 Modifying the design . . . 2−14 Project Sequence . . . 2−15

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MX Basics

MX Basics − Overview 

 This section gives an overview of MX and describes the basic principles of  operation. In particular, the concepts of string modeling are given together with a description of how MX data may be manipulated from any of the three MX  environments; Windows, AutoCAD or MicroStation. An overview of each MX  option is also provided in a typical project sequence.

 This section covers the following topics: S  What is string modeling?

S  The MX environments − Windows, AutoCAD and MicroStation S  The Applications toolbar

S Starting MX  S Starting a project 

S  Typical project sequence

S Using the on−line help and tutorials S System administration

S User support 

MX Basics

What is String Modeling?

1

 What is String Modeling?

In any project, MX uses a simple hierarchy of models, strings and points to store data. Each model can be thought of as a separate surface. Models are stored in a model file and contain strings which are made up of 3D coordinate points (X, Y, Z) linked together. These strings are used to represent physical features. Generally, all project data is stored in a single folder on your PC.  The model file and models

 The illustration below shows the content of a typical model file for a project.  There is only one model file for each project, but many models can coexist   within the model file, each storing a specific set of data. For example, one

model may contain survey data while the other is used for the proposed design.

Survey Alignment Isopachyte Triangulation Survey Stations Existing

Ground Design Boundary

Triangulation Sections Drainage

Contours Visualization

MX Basics

What is String Modeling? Strings and string links

 All MX data is held as strings. A string is a series of points, each joined to its predecessor and successor by a straight or curve−fitted line. This is referred to as a string link. Strings in MX have dimensions at each point, where a

dimension is simply a piece of data such as an X, Y or Z coordinate, or another attribute such as the bearing at the point.

MX recognizes many types of string:

S Station strings link survey instrument stations. The dimensions of each station are the X,Y and Z co−ordinates and the name of the station, so a station string is a 4D string.

S Contour strings represent contours. The dimensions of each point are the X and Y co−ordinates, so a contour string is a 2D string. The elevation of  the contour (the Z value) is only stored once because it is common to all string points.

S Feature strings define either linear ground features such as a ridge or the base of a hill, or design features such as a roadway edge or back of unpaved shoulder. The dimensions of each point in the string are the X,Y and Z co−ordinates of the point, so a feature string is a 3D string.

S Point strings represent discrete items such as manholes and lamp columns.  A point string records the X,Y and Z co−ordinates of a set of like items, but 

there is no physical continuity from item to item, ie, there is no string link. MX processes these strings differently from other strings, particularly when sectioning or triangulating. Point strings generally record detail in survey  models.

S Master strings are used to represent road or railroad alignment center lines and other master design lines. They are 6D strings. The first three

dimensions of each point in the string are the X,Y and Z co−ordinates, followed by the station along the string, the bearing of the string at that  point, and the radius of curvature.

S Section strings represent cross−sections, profiles or baseline sections (profiles taken along a straight baseline). These are all 5D strings. With cross−sections, for example, the first three dimensions of each point are the X,Y and Z coordinates, followed by the offset of the point from the

reference string, and the name of the string that was cut to produce the section.

 When MX creates section strings, elevations are linearly interpolated to the point at which the section line intersects the string link.

S Earthwork strings represent the outer limits of embankments and cuttings.  These are 5D strings. The first three dimensions of each point are the X,Y 

and Z coordinates, followed by the offset and bearing of a line normal to the line used to generate the string (called the reference line).

S  Volume strings generally contain earthwork volumes. These are 10D strings and are used to store volumes calculated between successive sections. The

MX Basics

What is String Modeling?

1

first three dimensions of each point are the X,Y and Z coordinates, followed by the station and the volume between the sections of two specified models (usually ground and design models). The remaining  dimensions record volumes between the various strata, though since this information is not always available, these dimensions are often zero. S Mass−haul strings contain accumulated mass−haul balances along a road

design. These are 10D strings, the first three dimensions of each point are the X,Y and Z coordinates, followed by the station and the accumulated mass−haul balance at that station. The remaining dimensions record cumulative balances for various strata, where these are known; otherwise they are zero.

S  Triangulation strings contain a lattice of links between 3D triangle vertices.  Adjacent triangle information is also stored to optimize the display and

analysis of a triangulated surface. MX always includes string links when triangulating.

S  Text strings are multi−dimensional strings that hold character information for naming items in drawings. The first two dimensions of each point are the X and Y coordinates of the start of the text. The third dimension specifies the height of the characters when plotted. The fourth dimension is the bearing of the baseline of the characters, and subsequent dimensions contain the characters themselves.

 All strings must have a four−character name, but cannot include spaces or special characters. ABCD, 1234, and XA45 are valid examples, though MX uses a convention for names to indicate the type of the string. Some string types such as cross section strings only require a single character − MX automatically  allocates the remainder. These conventions are stored in feature sets, which are described in more detail later.

Points

 Within a string, a point is held as a set of dimensions that are associated with each other. Each point has a set of coordinates and may also have other information, for example, to define geometry. For example:

S On a contour, a point is just two dimensions X and Y. The Z value is stored only once because it is common to all the points in the string. S  Along a ridge or a curb line, three dimensions X, Y and Z are used. S On a road center line, there are six dimensions; X, Y and Z, station,

bearing, and radius of curvature (ch, b, rad).

 A point can have any number of dimensions between 2 and 15, depending on the information needed to record in addition to its position. The following  illustration shows the dimensions of points on contour, ridge and road center line strings.

MX Basics

What is String Modeling?

(x, y) (x, y) (x, y) (x, y, z) (x, y, z) (x, y, z) (x, y, z, ch, b, rad)

Figure 2 − String points Point numbers

Strings consist of sequences of points and, to address and retrieve individual points, MX assigns each point a number relative to the start of the string. The number always remains relative to the start of the string, so if a string has 24 points and point 12 is deleted, the old point 13 becomes point 12, and so on to the last point.

Discontinuities

 There are two types of discontinuity used in MX; a discontinuity between points on a string, so creating a gap, and a discontinuity of bearing, which indicates an instantaneous change of direction at a point.

Gaps 

It may be that one or more gaps or discontinuities in a string are required, for instance, to create a break or gate in a fence. In this case, MX creates a string as a series of part sections of the same string, with a common name.

 This technique avoids a profusion or duplication of strings and difficulties in names. gap CASI CASI CASI before before after

MX Basics

What is String Modeling?

1

Bearing discontinuities 

 These are used to mark a change in direction within a string, such as in estate roads where curbs often turn through 90 degrees.

Null elevations

In horizontal alignment design, master alignment strings are created without  elevations, and the elevations are added later in vertical alignment design. Because, the horizontal alignment is defined as a 6D master alignment string, MX assigns a null elevation of −999.0 to every point on the string. In this way  MX is able to register the presence of a elevation while ignoring its value. Null elevations are also useful when recording feature strings for objects such as hedges and fences, where elevations are often not required. Again, MX  automatically assigns null elevations to create a 3D string. Null levels are ignored when creating a triangulation of a surface.

Feature sets

Feature sets are a means of grouping strings and identifying them with a description. They are used throughout MX to make it easier for you to select  strings for subsequent operations. The strings belonging to a feature set are specified using a partial string name.

 As an example, a design feature set might include the following:

Feature Partial Name String Type Road Center Line MC?? Master Carriageway (Edge) CE?? Feature Carriageway (Top of Curb) CT?? Feature Shoulders (Edge) ES?? Feature Shoulders (Unpaved shoulder) EV?? Feature

 When a model is created, you can associate a feature set with the model using  Tools ⇒ Model Defaults . This sets up a string naming convention for the model. Different models can have different feature sets.

Default feature sets are provided with the software. Style sets

 A style set is a collection of styles which is used to draw a complete model or a selected part of it. Different style sets are used to draw different types of  model. Many style sets are provided with MX and you may add your own style sets if you wish.

MX Basics

What is String Modeling? For example, there is a style set to draw a complete contour model with all contours drawn as solid lines and curve fitted. Prominent contours are also drawn for every 5 normal contours with the contour height embedded in the contour line.

 Another style set draws a plan view of a road design model with different line styles for each feature type, the alignment with station annotation and the  vertical intersection points with their associated elevations and grades.

Style sets rely heavily on the string naming convention used for a model. For this reason, they are closely associated with feature sets and by convention are given the same name as the feature set with which they are associated.

Model defaults

 You can specify which feature set and which style set to associate with a model  when you create it. You can also specify these defaults for an existing model

using Tools ⇒ Model Defaults. Once these defaults have been set up , they are automatically used for every relevant option, such as when you display or create a string. Another way to assign model defaults is to click the right hand mouse button in any model name field on a panel, or on the model name field of the MX Toolbox.

 You can also make these assignments automatically if you use a standard model naming convention.

Standard string naming convention

 A standard string naming convention has been introduced to allow you to take full advantage of the power and flexibility of feature sets and style sets. It may  be switched on or off on a per project basis from the message box which appears when you start a new project, or from the System Parameters tab on the Project Settings panel. It uses the feature and style sets MXROAD.fns and  MXROAD.pss  for the design model.

If you have purchased MXROAD, an application developed for highway design, youmust use the standard string naming convention.

MX Basics

MX Environment − Overview

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MX Environment − Overview 

MX can run in any of three environments; Windows, AutoCAD and MicroStation.

Windows

AutoCAD MicroStation

Figure 4 − MX Environments

 When running under Windows, MX uses its own built−in frame and user interface, presented in the usual way as a series of menus and panels. When running in either of the other two CAD environments, similar options and panels are available from an MX menu which is added to the AutoCAD or MicroStation menu bar. In this way, when you are running in a CAD

environment, you have access to both the MX options and the standard CAD options at the same time.

Data interoperability and drawings

 Whichever environment you are using, MX creates working displays (DPWs) or drawing page files (DPFs) to store the MX graphical elements you create from the model file data.

However, MicroStation uses DGN files and AutoCAD uses DWG files. MX  addresses this difference by presenting you with a DGN or DWG file, but in the background it is constantly updating a working display or drawing page file.  The name of the working display or drawing page file corresponds to your

current CAD drawing file. In this way, although you are using MX in one environment, for example, MicroStation, the MX drawings created may be opened and edited in any MX environment, for example, AutoCAD. Whichever environment you are using, changes to the drawing are also passed on to the model file where appropriate.

MX Basics

MX Environment − Overview In MX, there is a fundamental difference between a DPW and a DPF. A DPW  is an elastic area that grows to accommodate changes to the graphics it holds, and so lets you create, assess, and edit model data to design the project. Once the design is complete, paged drawings are needed, and it is at this point that a DPF is created. This file also displays the MX graphics, but does not let you edit the model data; the only operation available is the addition of lines and text  (enhancements).

MX Basics

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CAD−only layers/levels MX layers/levels

DWG or DGN

MX Basics

Common Components

Common Components

Many components of the MX interface are common to all environments, and these are described in the following paragraphs.

 The MX user interface is Windows compliant. This means that many of the operations you have learned in other Windows software, such as Open, Save and Browse are just as valid in MX. Help is obtained for an item on a panel by  clicking the question mark icon on the panel header and dragging it onto the item in question. What’s This Help is then automatically displayed. You can also press the F1 key.

 The following sections do not provide all the answers about how to work with MX, they do however provide enough information to begin with. Much

MX−specific information is provided as Help and there are many books written about working in the Windows environment, although there is no substitute for trying for yourself. Given that all data critical operations require confirmation before they are carried out, and that Cancel provides an escape route,

experimentation will quickly make you proficient.  The mouse

 The mouse is used to interact with the display, the data input panels, toolbars and menus. Essentially, the left−hand mouse button selects the data under the position of the cursor. For example if a string name is to be entered in a panel field, move the cursor over the string on the display and click the left−hand button.

 You can also click and hold the left−hand button to expand menus, display lists, increment values using spinners and so on. Simple clicking selects items from a list.

 The right hand mouse button presents available options. For example, if you click in an XY field on a panel to provide focus, and then click the right hand button the Point Selection Method (PSM) options appropriate to that field are listed. Click the PSM you require to reposition the tick ( √ ) marking the current  method.

 Three types of cursor are used in MX to help you recognize the type of input  the program is expecting. By default, these are as follows:

the Windows cursor − used in panels and for manipulating Windows. the CAD cursor − used when specifying CAD commands in

 AutoCAD or MicroStation.

MX Basics

Common Components

1

 The keyboard

 The keyboard is used for entering data into a field or working in the MX 

Linemode panel. Shortcut keys are available, they are marked by _ and activated by using ALT + the character key. For example, use ALT F to gain access to the File menu.

Panels

 There are many panels, each providing access to one or more MX options. You  will find that, in most cases, you can have more than one MX panel open at any 

one time.

Some panels are arranged to appear in sequence, this sequence is known as a  Wizard. A Wizard is a simple means of guiding you through a complex process,

making sure that you provide all the information necessary to complete the task.

 The panel below is typical and shows the key elements, for which explanations follow;

Figure 6 − Typical panel layout

1.  The panel header bar and the title Design a String: Intersection of Two Slopes  defines the function of the panel.

MX Basics

Common Components 2.  To find out more about any of the panel data requirements click the ?

button, place it on the text about which you need to know more, and click  again. What’s This help will be displayed. What’s This help tells you how to complete the data field, and provides other essential information.

3. Clicking this button will dismiss the panel without completing the function. 4. Rather than using 3, use one of these three buttons; OK completes the

function with the data you have supplied and then dismisses the panel,  Apply completes the function with the data you have supplied and keeps

the panel displayed, Cancel dismisses the panel.

5.  These tabs allow you to get at all the data fields for the option. The left or top tab contains all the mandatory fields, subsequent tabs and their fields are optional.

6. Radio buttons permit you to select one of a number of choices, the one  with the black center is the one currently selected. On this particular panel

changing the option will gray out some of the other data fields as they are not relevant for the selected option.

7. Clicking the list button will give you a list of models, strings or options from which to choose. As you run the cursor down the list, the highlight  moves, and clicking transfers your selection to the data field.

8. Click and hold the up or down spinner to increment the value in the data field.

9. Click either the up or down arrow button to define the direction of the slope.

10. Click in the check box to apply normal offset. This will change the text  beside the data field beneath, as the value to be entered into the field changes.

11.  The panel id. If ever you have a problem, and need more information than the help gives, quoting the panel id to your MX support engineer will help locate where you are and what you are trying to do.

MX menu bar

 The standard MX menu or menu bar choices are File, View, Tools, Design,  Analysis, Modify, Display, Draw, Visualize, Report, Add−Ins  and Help. You will

quickly learn which options are available from each of the pull down menus, but  a click on each will display the menu content.

In the CAD environments, MX appears as a separate entry on the AutoCAD or MicroStation menu bar. Once a project is opened, the MX menu changes to reveal all the MX options which are available to you. If you wish, you can display the MX options as an alternative menu bar to the CAD menu bar by  selecting  MX ⇒ MX Menu .

 You may find some options are grayed out in the menus. This may be because they are not installed, you are not licensed to use them or they are not suitable for use at that particular moment.

MX Basics

Common Components

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 Toolbars

 There are a number of MX toolbars which provide shortcuts to the MX  options. You can display the toolbars so that they are docked to the frame, you can move toolbars to different screen locations, or turn them off using the MX  option View ⇒ Toolbars .

 To dock or undock a toolbar, double−click the toolbar header.

 The Plan with Tools toolbar is shown below. If an icon needs explanation, rest the cursor on it to display its tool tip.

Figure 7 − Plan with Tools toolbar  Message boxes

If you make a mistake or MX wants to communicate with you, a message box  will be displayed. You will have to acknowledge the message by clicking the OK 

button.

Generally, if you have made a mistake, such as missing a mandatory data field, the message will tell you what’s wrong and how to correct the error. You will have to click OK to dismiss the message before you can re−apply focus to the panel field requiring correction.

 The MX output window 

 The MX output window shows the commands sent to the MX engine to carry  out your instructions throughout your MX session. It is not necessary to

understand these commands, but they can be decoded using the Linemode Reference Help. The window also displays errors and warnings, and these together with the messages and prompts may assist you in changing the option data to achieve the results you require.

In AutoCAD, when focus is in the AutoCAD application you can display the output window by pressing SHIFT−F2. AutoCAD output and command prompts are displayed in the AutoCAD text window, which you can access by  pressing the F2 key. You can also direct MX output to the AutoCAD text   window from the View ⇒ Configuration panel.

Moving MX data to other Windows applications

Using standard Windows cut and paste techniques, or simply by opening MX  data files in editor applications you can transfer MX data to any other Windows compliant application. Once there, the data can be re−formatted, tabulated into columns or totally reorganized using standard word processing options. This means that you can transfer MX data to tender or contract documents, and present it in any way you choose.

MX Basics

Windows Environment

 Windows Environment

MX in Windows runs within a frame, but has other windows within the frame.  When you start a new project, two windows are displayed within the MX frame,

the display window and the output window. The output window is docked  within the frame, and can be detached and moved to any location.

Figure 8 − The MX frame

 You can only have one drawing open at any time, but within the MX frame you can create additional viewports, showing different views of the drawing.

MX Basics

 AutoCAD Environment

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 AutoCAD Environment

MX runs within AutoCAD, so that when you start the program, the only  obvious changes from standard AutoCAD are that there is an extra MX menu and two extra toolbars, the MX Controls toolbar at the foot of the graphics  window and the MX toolbar. The MX toolbar controls which model an object is

added to when it is drawn, and which type of feature is created. As with

standard AutoCAD, the display reflects the contents of the DWG file, but with MX in AutoCAD, some or all of the layers in the DWG file contain data which is linked to the MX model file via an MX drawing file. In this way, you can create a DWG file containing both MX layers and layers which contain only   AutoCAD data.

MX Basics

 AutoCAD Environment MX strings in AutoCAD

 You can use either MX options or AutoCAD commands to create and draw  MX model information such as strings in an AutoCAD DWG file. A string is a sequence of points which represents a physical feature, such as a fence or a hedge, or it can represent a non−physical feature such as a contour. MX strings  which are related to each other are stored in models, for example, all strings  which represent a survey are stored in a survey model, and all strings which

represent a proposed design are stored in a design model. The set of features used by a model is stored in a feature set and associated with the model. MX model data is displayed on layers created with the same names as the features or a group of features in the model’s associated feature set. These layers are called MX layers, in that anything you draw on them can be linked to the MX model file. You must associate a feature set with the model before using the MX options to ensure that the strings are correctly displayed in their relevant layers.

Using AutoCAD commands, when you create a polyline on an active MX layer, MX in AutoCAD creates and displays an MX string custom object and a

corresponding string is also written to the MX model file. The string is

automatically given the next name in the feature set corresponding to the name of the layer.

 A custom object is an object such as an MX string which is not a native  AutoCAD object, but is created by another program (in this case, MX in  AutoCAD). When you modify or delete an MX string, both the MX string 

custom object in the drawing and the string itself (in the MX model file) are updated. Custom objects can also be exploded back to equivalent AutoCAD objects and the corresponding data removed (optionally) from the model file.  You can use layers which are not MX layers for information which is not 

required by MX, so you can work in AutoCAD (possibly constructing objects or adding annotation) on a layer such as layer 0 and the data is not sent to the MX model file.

 The MX Toolbar

 The MX toolbar gives you control of the creation of MX strings when using   AutoCAD commands. It has no effect when you use MX options.

For example, in MX in AutoCAD you can use most of the AutoCAD Draw and  Modify commands such as PLINE and MOVE to create and edit MX strings.  With no objects selected, the MX toolbar lets you know what will happen if you

create a new AutoCAD object. It tells you if you can successfully create MX  strings, in which MX model any new strings will be created, and the feature that   will be created.

MX Basics

 AutoCAD Environment

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Traffic Lights Hide Current Model

Current Model Current Feature

Convert Object Create New Feature

Set Active Document Display Current Model with Style Set

Figure 10 − The MX toolbar 

If you select an object, the toolbar provides information about the object you select. If the object is an MX string, then the model and feature of the string are displayed in the toolbar.

 The toolbar is described in more detail in the following paragraphs. Traffic Lights 

 The traffic lights indicate whether you can create MX strings using AutoCAD commands.

S If a green light is displayed, then when you create an AutoCAD object on an MX layer it will be automatically converted to an MX string in the currently displayed model.

S If an amber light is displayed, then when you create an AutoCAD object  you can manually convert it to an MX string by clicking the Convert Object  button and then selecting the objects to be converted.

 To switch between automatic and manual conversion, you click the auto−convert box at the foot of the frame.

So, if you were to use an AutoCAD command on the layer Roadway_Edge and the current model’s feature set contained the feature description Roadway (Edge ) then you would see a green (or amber) light and the resultant MX string would have a string name of CE??.

Show/Hide Current Model 

 The Show/Hide Current Model icons provide a quick way to hide or redisplay all the drawn information from the model in the current model field. For example, you can hide the ground model so that only the design model is displayed. Current MX Model 

 The current MX model is the model in which MX strings will be created. This field is grayed out if you select an object which is not in the current model. Current Feature 

 The current feature is the feature type which is given to any MX string you create using AutoCAD options. The field lists all the features in the feature set  associated with the current model.

MX Basics

 AutoCAD Environment If you create an AutoCAD object, it will be created on the layer associated with this feature.

 To create a layer corresponding to a feature, just select the feature from the list. If you select an object, the current feature list changes to reflect the feature of  the object you have selected.

 You can change the feature type of an object by simply selecting the object and then selecting a feature from the list.

Convert Object Button 

If an amber traffic light is displayed, select the object to be converted to an MX  string, then click this button . The object will be converted to the feature corresponding to the layer that the object is on.

 Auto−Convert Mode 

 Auto−convert allows you to toggle between the automatic and manual modes of  creating MX strings from AutoCAD objects. The auto−convert toggle box is located at the bottom of the MX frame.

 With auto−convert on, if the current layer is an active MX layer, when you create an AutoCAD object it is automatically converted to an MX string. The traffic light is green in this case.

 With auto−convert off, if the current layer is an active MX layer, when you create an AutoCAD object it is not converted to an MX string. The traffic light  is amber in this case. To convert it manually, use the Convert Object icon.

 A red traffic light indicates a plain AutoCAD layer or an inactive MX layer, ie, a layer whose corresponding features do not exist in the current model.

 The auto−convert setting has no effect if you modify an MX string; the MX  model will be automatically updated.

 The auto−convert setting has no effect if you change the layer property of an object to an active MX layer; the object is automatically converted to an MX  string.

Create New Feature 

 The Create New Feature button allows you to add features to your feature set  and to create additional AutoCAD layers from the feature set descriptions. If  you use an MX option to display an MX model (for example, Display ⇒ Plan  with Style Set  ), then you will find that the MX layers are automatically created for you. You only need to use Create New Feature if you want to create a new MX  layer and feature for use with AutoCAD commands.

 You can create a new layer from a feature in the current feature set just by  selecting the feature from the MX toolbar.

 Any feature you create must have an entry in the corresponding style set so that  MX knows how to draw it. Use the Style Set Editor to modify the appropriate style set.

MX Basics

 AutoCAD Environment

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Set Active Document 

 The Set Active Document button defines which drawing is the current MX  drawing. In AutoCAD, you may have more than one drawing open at any one time, but MX operates on one drawing only.

MX and AutoCAD commands

 You may use either MX options or AutoCAD commands to create and edit MX  strings. For details of the operation of individual AutoCAD commands, refer to the on−line Help.

 When you select an MX option from the pulldown menus, it is processed and the AutoCAD command prompt is replaced by an MX prompt. At this stage, some AutoCAD menus, such as Layer and Linestyle , will be grayed out, because MX in AutoCAD is expecting an MX screen selection. If you then want to use an AutoCAD command, click in the command window or the graphics area, and press the Esc key.

 To review any information on the command line, press the F2 key to display the full AutoCAD text window. Use SHIFT F2 to display the MX output window,  which contains details of the MX options which are processed.

In general, only 2D and 3D MX strings can be edited using AutoCAD

commands, although 6D master strings can be moved, copied or rotated. This is because MX uses different types of strings for sections, master alignments, geometry, cadastre, earthworks and drainage, with information stored in extra dimensions of the string that standard AutoCAD commands cannot maintain.  AutoCAD grips are therefore not available for these string types.

MX in AutoCAD configuration

 The MX in AutoCAD Configuration panel is used to configure the way in  which MX interacts with AutoCAD. It is available from both the MX View % 

Configuration option and from the MX tab of AutoCAD Tools ⇒ Options panel.  There are four tabs on the panel:

S File handling  S General

S Data conversion S  Warnings

 There is one additional tab on the Configuration panel; MX Custom .

 A summary of the available preferences is given below, but for full details, refer to the on−line help.

File handling 

 The file handling settings allow you to define the AutoCAD drawing templates for creating new DWG files. You can also specify where macros created by MX  in AutoCAD are stored, and whether or not to leave an MX drawing open if  you change the active MX drawing.

MX Basics

 AutoCAD Environment General 

 These settings determine whether objects are displayed according to the MX  style set or the current AutoCAD line style and color settings. There are several other settings which relate to how MX data is treated following certain

  AutoCAD operations. Data conversion 

 The data conversion settings allow you to define how block attributes are converted, the curve step tolerance, the model and paper space scale factors, and the default auto−convert setting.

Warnings 

 You can choose to display warnings when strings are modified which indicate the effects of certain operations. It is recommended that you leave MX in  AutoCAD warnings enabled until you are familiar with MX in AutoCAD.  MX Custom 

 These settings allow you to view line widths and enable AutoCAD geometry  snaps to MX string points. You can also set geometry snap tolerances to control how the geometry of an object is reconstructed from an MX string, and define how null levels are interpreted by AutoCAD.

MX Basics

MicroStation Environment

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MicroStation Environment

 The MicroStation environment

MX runs within MicroStation, so that when you start the program, the only  obvious changes from standard MicroStation are that there is an extra MX  menu, an extra panel called the MX Toolbox and an MX output window. The MX Toolbox controls which model an element is added to when it is drawn. As  with standard MicroStation, the display reflects the contents of the DGN file,

but with MX in MicroStation, some or all of the levels in the DGN file contain data which is linked to the MX model file via an MX drawing file. In this way, you can create a DGN file containing both MX levels and levels which contain only MicroStation data.

MX output, such as that from commands and reports, is displayed in the MX  output window.

MX Basics

MicroStation Environment MX strings in MicroStation

 You can use either MX options or MicroStation tools to create and draw MX  model information such as strings in a MicroStation DGN file. A string is a sequence of points which represents a physical feature, such as a fence or a hedge, or it can represent a non−physical feature such as a contour. MX strings  which are related to each other are stored in models, for example, all strings  which represent a survey are stored in a survey model, and all strings which

represent a proposed design are stored in a design model. The set of features used by a model is stored in a feature set and associated with the model. MX model data is displayed on levels created with the same names as the features or a group of features in the model’s associated feature set. These levels are known as MX levels, because anything you draw on them can be linked to the MX model file. You must associate a feature set with the model before using the MX options to ensure that the strings are correctly displayed on their relevant levels.

Using MicroStation tools, when you create a SmartLine on an active MX level, MX in MicroStation also creates a corresponding string in the MX model file.  The string is automatically given the next name in the feature set corresponding 

to the name of the level.

 You can use levels which are not MX levels for information which is not  required by MX, so you can work in MicroStation (possibly constructing  elements or adding annotation) and the data is not sent to the MX model file.

MX Basics

MicroStation Environment

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 The MX Toolbox

 The MX Toolbox gives you control of the creation of MX strings when using  MicroStation tools. It has no effect when you use MX options.

For example, in MX in MicroStation you can use many of the MicroStation tools to create and edit MX strings.

 With no elements selected, the MX Toolbox lets you know what will happen if  you create a new MicroStation element. It tells you if you can successfully  create MX strings, the MX model in which any new strings will be created, and their feature type. It also gives you control over whether the elements you draw  are converted to strings automatically or whether the elements are to be

converted later.

Current Model Traffic Lights Hide Current Model

Current Feature

Convert Element Create New Feature Display Current Model with Style Set

 Autoconvert ON/OFF

View/change System Parameters

List of MX Keyins Locked/Unlocked

MX/MicroStation focus

Single/Multi Pick

Figure 12 − MX Toolbox and MX Controls

If you select an element, the toolbox provides information about the element  you select. If the element is an MX string, then the model containing the string  is displayed in the toolbox.

 The toolbox is described in more detail in the following paragraphs. Traffic Lights 

 The traffic lights provide a visual indication of whether you can create MX  strings using MicroStation tools.

S If a green light is displayed, then when you create a MicroStation element  on an MX level it will be automatically converted to an MX string in the currently displayed model.

S If an amber light is displayed, then when you create a MicroStation element  you can manually convert it to an MX string by clicking the Convert Element  button and then selecting the elements to be converted.

MX Basics

MicroStation Environment  To switch between automatic and manual conversion, you click the

auto−convert box on the MX Controls toolbar..

So, if you were to use a MicroStation tool on a level named Roadway_Edge and the current model’s feature set contained the feature description Roadway (Edge) then you would see a green (or amber) light and the resultant MX string would have a string name beginning with CE?? if this were the partial string name corresponding to the feature.

Show/Hide Current Model 

 The Show/Hide Current Model icons provide a quick way to hide or redisplay all the drawn information from the model in the current model field. For example, you can hide the ground model so that only the design model is displayed. Current MX Model 

 The current MX model is the model in which MX strings will be created. If you select an element, the current model is updated to reflect the model containing the element you have selected.

Current Feature 

 The current feature is the feature type which is given to any MX string you create using MicroStation tools. The field lists all the features in the feature set  associated with the current model.

If you create a MicroStation element, it will be created on the level associated  with this feature.

If you select an element, the current feature is updated to reflect the feature of  the element you have selected.

Convert Element 

If an amber traffic light is displayed, select the element to be converted to an MX string, then click this button . The element will be converted to the MX feature corresponding to the level that the element is on.

Create Feature Set 

 The Create Feature Set button creates a feature set from all the named MicroStation levels. This feature is useful if all you have is a MicroStation drawing and you wish to create a feature set to match. In this way, you can create a feature set having feature names derived from MicroStation level names.

 Any feature you create must have an entry in the corresponding style set so that  MX knows how to draw it.

MX Basics

MicroStation Environment

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MX Control

Point Selection Methods 

 The Point Selection Method mode controls how points are selected from an MX option on MX strings. As an alternative, you could use MicroStation tentative points instead of MX Point Selection Methods.

 Auto−Convert Mode 

 Auto−convert allows you to toggle between the automatic and manual modes of  creating MX strings from MicroStation elements.

 With auto−convert on, if the current level is an active MX level, when you create a MicroStation element it is automatically converted to an MX string. The

traffic light is green in this case.

 With auto−convert off, if the current level is an active MX level, when you create a MicroStation element it is not converted to an MX string. The traffic light is amber in this case. To convert it manually, use the Convert Element option.  A red traffic light indicates a standard MicroStation level (ie, a level having no

interaction with MX) or an inactive MX level, ie, a level whose corresponding  feature is not assigned to the current model.

 The auto−convert setting has no effect if you modify an MX string; the MX  model will be automatically updated.

MX and MicroStation tools

 You may use either MX options or MicroStation tools to create and edit MX  strings. For details of the operation of individual MicroStation tools, refer to the MicroStation on−line help.

Only 2D and 3D MX strings can be edited using MicroStation tools. MX uses different types of strings for sections, master alignments, geometry, cadastre, earthworks and drainage, with information stored in extra dimensions of the string that standard MicroStation tools cannot maintain.

MX and MicroStation drawings

MX creates working displays or drawing page files with a suffix of either DPW  or DPF respectively. These files hold the MX graphics, and can also be plotted. However, MicroStation uses DGN files. MX in MicroStation addresses this difference by presenting you with a DGN file, but in the background it is constantly updating a working display or drawing page file. The name of the  working display or drawing page file corresponds to your current MicroStation

DGN file. In this way, although you are using MX in MicroStation, the MX  drawings created may be opened and edited in any MX environment, for example, using MX in AutoCAD.

MX Basics

MicroStation Environment In MX, there is a fundamental difference between a working display and a drawing page. A working display, like a DGN, is an elastic area that grows to accommodate changes to the graphics it holds. A working display lets you create, assess, and edit model data to design the project. Once the design is complete, paged drawings are needed, and it is at this point that a DPF is created. This file also displays the MX graphics, but does not let you edit the model data; the only operation available is the addition of lines and text  (enhancements). The DPF is therefore similar to a MicroStation sheet file. Configuration

 The Configuration panels are used to configure the way in which MX interacts  with MicroStation. A summary of the available preferences is given below, but 

for full details, refer to the on−line help.  MX to MicroStation 

S Mappings − define how fonts, line styles, macro line styles, line widths and macro symbols are mapped.

S Options − you can choose to ignore line widths, and change the seed file used to create a DGN from MX data. You can also define whether MX  standard point symbols are reproduced as points, and whether elements defining the geometry of a string are created as individual vectors and arcs or as complex chains.

 MicroStation to MX 

S Mappings − defines whether cells are mapped to macro symbols or model data.

S Options − define whether level overrides are considered, the curve step tolerance, the default MX drawing scale and whether construction lines are stored in the MX model file. You can also define whether information is deleted from the model file when it is erased from the drawing.

S Convert elements − defines which settings are used when drawing elements (MX or MicroStation).

General 

S Mappings − defines how colors and line styles are mapped and how features are mapped to levels.

S Options − defines how MX null elevations are interpreted in MicroStation, the default marker size and a check box for scaling to world coordinates, ie, 1:1..

MX Basics

The Applications Toolbar 

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 The Applications Toolbar

 The Applications toolbar is a special toolbar which provides access to any  applications you have purchased, such as MXRAIL or MXRENEW.

Figure 13 − The Applications toolbar 

MXROAD is an application developed for highway design. It provides all you need for preliminary design, roadway widening, superelevation, intersection, pavement layer and subgrade design. You can also customize reports using the report generator and modify designs using the cross section editor. MXROAD requires the standard string naming convention to be in operation, and that all strings (such as alignments) created outside of MXROAD conform to the convention.

MXRENEW is an application for the realignment, resurfacing and rehabilitation of existing roads. Parametric fitting is used to automatically generate a new  profile with specified minimum overlay depth, cross slope tolerances and design speed.

MXURBAN is an application for the design of road improvements in urban areas. It caters for all kinds of urban rehabilitation works, from overlays within the existing curb lines to full reconstruction of both the road and sidewalks. MXDRAINAGE is an integrated environment for the design of drainage networks for any MX project − road, railway or airport design; urban

redevelopment schemes and road upgrades; industrial and residential estate design; landscape design and rehabilitation works. It can be applied at any stage of the design process, from preliminary analysis through to detailed design. MXRAIL is used for the design of railway alignments, light railway alignments, and intersection layouts. It enables you to design three−dimensional alignments representing plain line track, simple turnouts, grade crossings, crossovers and complex multi−lead layouts. Used in conjunction with MXSITE, the MXRAIL package allows you to integrate the design of railroad associated developments, such as depots or freight terminals. Used in conjunction with MXROAD, railroads can be interfaced with highway schemes or street−running light  railroads.

MXSITE is an application for the design of housing and industrial estate layouts. It enables you to design three dimensional surfaces representing roads, intersections, cul−de−sacs, building slabs, car parks and earthworks. You can also design storm and foul drainage networks. Sections, volumes, quantities and drawings can all be produced making MXSITE a comprehensive design system.

MX Basics

The Applications Toolbar  MXDRAW is used to produce final drawings from working drawings in a rapid and efficient manner. You can create layouts for plans, profiles, composite plans and profiles, and cross sections. In addition, because the final drawings are created using views of a working drawing, any changes you make to the design are automatically reflected in the final drawings so that they are always

up−to−date and ready to plot. MXDRAW also provides a suite of geometric annotation tools. You can annotate geometric elements such as arcs, spirals, straights, grades and vertical curves by transferring information from a tool tip directly to the drawing in a pre−defined style. Any annotation you add to the drawing is dynamically updated if the design changes.

 A link is provided to the Bentley Home Page on the Web.

 Arenium is a technology which enables MX to be used for collaborative engineering projects over a local or wide area network or the Internet. It  provides all the file management and communication facilities required for multiple users to create and complete an MX project no matter where they are located in the world. It also acts as a project control system as it records all events and actions carried out on data.

MX Basics

Starting MX

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Starting MX

 There are several ways of invoking MX. These are:

S Click Start ⇒ Programs ⇒ Bentley MX ⇒ MXROAD. Once the program starts up, an MX menu is loaded in the main menu bar and the MX startup panel is displayed.

S Open the MX Program Group and double−click on the MXROAD icon.  Alternatively, create a shortcut to this program and place it in a convenient 

location, such as on your desktop.

S Once you have created and saved a project, you can double−click on the project icon (.mmd) and the project will be opened automatically from  within MX (provided that this was the association you chose at installation

time). Alternatively, create a shortcut to this project and place it in a convenient location, such as on your desktop.

MX Basics

Starting a Project

Starting a Project

Creating a new project

 When you start MX, a startup panel is displayed. The startup panel gives you quick access to the options on the initial File menu (Windows) or MX menu (AutoCAD and MicroStation), as well as providing additional facilities for accessing Help and your project settings.

Figure 14 − The MX menu on the MicroStation menu bar 

MX Basics

Starting a Project

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From either the startup panel or the File / MX menu, you can create a new  project, open an existing project, archive projects using the zip/unzip facility or access the on−line Help. In addition, the most recently opened projects are listed at the bottom of the menu.

MX uses projects to g roup information which relates to a particular design scheme, such as the survey and design models, the drawings and the design parameters used for the project.

 To create a new project, click the New Project button on the Startup panel or select  New Project from the MX menu bar, then specify the name of your

project, its location and the location of the design parameters to be used for this project. If the folder you specify does not already exist, it is created for you.  You are also given the opportunity to edit the default project settings as you

create the project. It is a good idea to look at these even if you do not think you  will want to change them, to familiarize yourself with the settings that are

available.

 An empty model file is created in your project folder when you start a new  project. However, if MX finds that there is already a model file in the folder, you can choose to keep it rather than overwrite it with an empty one. This gives you the opportunity to move an existing model file in to place so you can

continue with a design.

if you are working on a project on the network, perhaps because several people need access to the project, you can use the network project facility to copy the project temporarily to your local disk, work on the project, then copy it back  again when you have finished.

 You should only have one project in a folder.

 You should not create project folders within the MX program structure, ie, C:\Program Files\mfw.

MX Basics

Typical Project Sequence

 Typical Project Sequence

 The MX project sequence is a broad sequence of activities that must be followed to design any project with MX. The sequence is as follows:

NTF DXF SURVEY GENIO IMAGE Import

Plan with Style Set

Plan with Tools

Display Design Output Export

Alignment Design Modify Sections Analysis Draw Report Perspective Print Plot GENIO MIFILE VOLUMES DXF SETOUT Visualization

Figure 16 − Typical project sequence S import existing survey data

S create a working display 

S design, analyze and, if necessary, modify the new work  S output new work in all required forms.

Creating a survey model from imported data

 The survey model describes the existing ground and any other features which are present in the area of your proposed design. It is essential that the data describing this model is both complete and accurate, as any errors could have a serious impact on the proposed design. It is also important that the string  names in the import file conform to a string naming convention used in a feature set and style set combination. You can either change the names of the strings in your import file to suit an existing feature set and style set, or you can create new ones (see Assigning model defaults  ).

MX Basics

Creating a survey model from imported data

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 The data describing the survey model can be input to MX in any of the following formats: S MX Input  S MX GENIO S MX Survey  S General ASCII S MicroStation DGN S  AutoCAD DXF / DWG

S Ordnance Survey NTF (UK only) S Softdesk Alignment and DTM S   Autodesk LDDT

S Eagle Point Triangulation

S LandXML

Figure 17 − File menu

If you are running MX in AutoCAD or MicroStation, to import data from an  AutoCAD DWG, a MicroStation DGN or a DXF file, first open the drawing in  AutoCAD or MicroStation. Once you have set the layer or level names to match

a feature set for a model (see Assigning model defaults below), open your MX  project, select the elements and use the Convert Object/Element button on the  AutoCAD MX toolbar or the MicroStation MX Toolbox to store the data in the

MX Basics

 Assigning model defaults  To import data in ASCII file format, select File ⇒ Input for any of the MX 

formats (eg, GENIO) or File ⇒ Import for the external formats. If the imported file contains drawing information, the survey model will be created and drawn on the screen; otherwise you will need to create a plan working display. See Creating a working display for details.

If you already have a model file and wish to use the models in MX, you should exit MX, copy the model file into your project folder and then restart MX.  To create a new, empty model, use Modify ⇒ Edit Models ⇒ Create Model.

 Assigning model defaults

Now that you have created the survey model, you can set up model defaults by  associating a feature set and a style set with it using  Tools ⇒ Model Defaults . If  you do not have a feature set or a style set which match the string naming  convention you have used, you must create them to take full advantage of the automatic features in MX.

Figure 18 − Tools menu

 To create a new style set, use Tools ⇒ Style Set Editor to open a similar style set.  When you have finished, save the style set with a different name. A

corresponding feature set is automatically created. Feature sets have the file extension ’.fns’.

Plan style sets have the file extension ’.pss’.

Creating a working display

 A working display is a plan drawing which is not divided into pag es, but is used to display model information while a project is in progress. From a working  display, you can create plan drawings with the scale and page layout you require at any stage in a project using the Draw options.

 There are several options which are used in association with a working display.  These are accessed from the Display menu:

MX Basics

Creating a working display

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Plan with Style Set is a quick and simple method of displaying information from one or more models in a predefined style. You specify the features to be drawn (or all the features), and a style set is used to interpret each feature and display it  on the screen with any associated annotation. Different style sets are required for different types of model; for example, there is a default style set  MfW Simple  Survey.pss which can be used for displaying survey models. Each style set is associated with a feature set to ensure that all features in the feature set are drawn appropriately.

Many standard style sets are provided with MX and you should experiment with them to decide whether you can use them directly or whether you need to modify them to suit your own requirements. Use Tools ⇒ Style Set Editor to browse, create or modify style sets.

Plan with Tools provides a series of individual display options which may be used to display and annotate features. They may be used either instead of or in combination with Plan with Style Set . The styles used by the Plan with Tools  options, such as line color, line style etc, are not stored in style sets, but are accessed from the Styles Toolbar. The Styles Toolbar can also be used to change the style and color of features which have already been drawn. You can display the Styles Toolbar by selecting View % Toolbars % Styles Toolbar .

 Erase Display erases the contents of the working display. No model information is deleted.

Raster is used to add an image as a background to your model, such as an aerial photograph or map data. You can either add the image directly or drape the image over a triangulation giving a relief effect. You can then draw over the image using the other Display options. A complete list of supported image formats is provided in the on−line Help.

MX Basics

Viewing the working display

 Viewing the working display

Once you have a working display on your screen, you can use the View menu options and the native zoom facilities to examine the survey model in more detail.

Figure 20 − View menu

Status is an interactive tool for providing information from the display, such as the distance between two points, or information about a point.

 You can temporarily or permanently remove information from the working  display using Show/Hide Graphics . For example, you can hide spot elevations  while you are working on the design. Although information may be hidden on

the display, it is still present in the model file.

Linemode provides access to the MX command language (not available in MX  Standard). This is a powerful tool for manipulating and drawing MX model data using commands typed in from the keyboard or processed from an input file.  The Toolbars option is used to switch toolbars on and off. Toolbars provide

rapid access to many of the menu options. In particular, the Applications toolbar is used to launch the additional applications MXROAD, MXRENEW, MXSITE, MXRAIL and MXDRAW.

 The Output Window is used to display reported information and the commands  which are sent to MX. Use this option to hide or display the window, or use the

Shift F2 key.

Preferences are used to configure various settings, such as the display of tool tips and the startup panel.

Panel Position sets the default position of panels on your screen; for example, you can set the panel position so that panels are always displayed at the top left of  the screen.

MX Basics

Producing a design

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 MX Toolbar  (AutoCAD) or MX Toolbox (MicroStation) gives you control of the creation of MX strings when using CAD commands. It has no effect when you use MX options. For example, in MX in MicroStation you can use most of the MicroStation placement, manipulation and modification tools to create and edit  MX strings.

Configuration is used to configure the way in which MX interacts with AutoCAD or MicroStation.

 You can also correct any discrepancies you find in the model using the Report  and Modify options.

Producing a design

 With the survey model in place, you can now begin to create your design. The design options are located on the Design menu:

Figure 21 − Design menu

Some of the options in this menu may be grayed−out dependent on which applications such as MXROAD, MXRAIL or MXRENEW, you have purchased.  You may also find some of the Modify options useful in the course of your