12d Model Training Notes

T01: TINS (Triangulated Irregular Network)

Version 14.0
6 July 2020
 Table of Contents

1.0 INSTALL EXDS TRAINING DATA 1

1.1 Install Training Data 1
Working Folder Setup for EXDS Training Data 1

2.0 CREATE A NEW PROJECT 2

2.1 Create a New 12d Model Project 2
The ‘Open/New 12d Model’ Panel 2
The Create a New Project Panel 3
2.2 12d Model – When it is opened 4
12d Model View Setup 4
‘Setup Project Details’ Panel 4
The ‘Recalc’ Panel 4

3.0 IMPORTING SURVEY DATA 5

3.1 Importing 12daz Survey Data into 12d Model 5
No Mapfile 5
3.2 Delete Survey Data 6
3.3 Import Data Utilising a Mapfile 6
3.4 Importing XYZ Point Data into 12d Model 7
3.5 Delete Lidar Data 9
3.6 Import XYZ Data Utilising a Mapfile 9

4.0 TRIANGULATION (TIN) 10

4.1 Triangulate a Data Set 10
4.2 Creating a Tin 10
General Tab 10
General Tab – Additional Settings 10
Data Tab 11
Nulling Tab 12
4.3 Looking at the TIN 13
4.4 Check for Crossing Breaklines 13
Check Breaklines Results 14
Report File Results 14
Output Window Results 15
Model Information Table 15
4.5 What is wrong with the data? 16
4.6 Editing a Tin 16
Remove the UT WATER Model from the Tin 17
4.7 Tin Nulling 18
Null by Points 18
Resetting Triangles 19
Null by Strings 20
4.8 Create a Tin Boundary 21
4.9 View the TIN in 3D 22

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5.0 TIN INFORMATION AND INQUIRY 23
5.1 TIN Info 23
5.2 Tins on a View Inquire 23
5.3 View Toggles for Tins 24
5.4 View Properties Panel 25
Tin Toggle Settings – Properties Panel 25
Tin Settings – Toggle Settings 25
5.5 Tin Manager 26

6.0 CONTOURING AND LABELLING A TIN 27

6.1 Creating Contours 27
Contour Tab 27
Major Contours Tab 27
Range Tab 28
Labels Tab 28
6.2 Contour Label Methods 30
Above Line Contour Direction 30
Above Line Read From Below 30
Centred Line Read From Below 31
Line Removal and Centre Line Read From Below 31
Above Line Facing Up Hill 31
Centre Line Facing Up Hill 32
Line Removal and Centre Line with Labels Facing Up Fill 32

7.0 IMPORT RASTER IMAGE 33

7.1 Import Raster Image 33
Source Image Tab 33
Location Tab 33
Output Tab 34
Crop Tab 34
7.2 Import Multiple Raster Images 36
7.3 Model Order 36
To Change the Model Order on a View 37
Send Tins and Rasters to the Back 38

8.0 READY FOR DESIGN 39

8.1 Import Proposed Cadastral Data 39
8.2 Sharing 39

9.0 EXPORTING DATA FROM 12D MODEL 42

9.1 Exporting CAD Data 42
9.2 Exporting 12daz Data 42
9.3 Exporting XYZ Data 43

10.0 ADVANCED TIN EDITS 44

10.1 Add Breaklines 44
Option 1 44

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Option 2 45
10.2 Flip Triangles 45

11.0 EXERCISE – TRIANGULATION AND CONTOUR STRINGS 46

NOTES: 47

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1.0 INSTALL EXDS TRAINING DATA

1.1 Install Training Data
To install the Training Data, please download the data set from the EXDS - 12d Wiki website:
via the following link:
http://12dwiki.com.au Search for the Training Menu and the 12d Model Introduction area.
NOTE: The Password to access the digital course notes and data sets will be emailed after
completion of the training course.
The data set used in this training session is to be saved on the c:\ drive.
Once you have downloaded the zip file, open the file and extract the files to the c:\drive, and
ensure that the ‘Use Folder Names’ option is select.
The training data will then be placed into the correct folders:
C:\12d\Training\Introduction to 12d Model\Basic\
C:\12d\Training\Introduction to 12d Model\Modelling\
The folders above are referred to as the ‘Working Folders’ and will contain the 12d Model
‘Projects’.
The data set used in this training session is also located in the project folder:
• 12d Model Data - .12daz
• XYZ General Data - .xyz (coordinate file for vertices of strings)
• AutoCAD Data - .dwg file (drawing format)

Working Folder Setup for EXDS Training Data

Your folder structure may look slightly different, but the ‘Working Folder’ will be the
“Modelling” Folder.
The folder contains the data set for this course, as well as where the 12d Model projects will
be placed.

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2.0 CREATE A NEW PROJECT

2.1 Create a New 12d Model Project

To create a New 12d Model project double click on the Desktop icon,
or select 12d Model from the Windows Start button.

The ‘Open/New 12d Model’ Panel

12d Model will start, and show a list of the most recently opened projects on the left of the
panel.
To open a project select it from the list of projects or hit the <Browse> button to find the
required project.
Do not open any of the existing projects; instead we will create a new project.
Hit the <New> button at the bottom of the panel to start a New Project.

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The Create a New Project Panel

To create a New 12d Model project browse (hit the yellow folder) to the location:
C:\12d\Training\12d-1A Introduction to 12d Model\Modelling\
Type in the Project Name: 12d T01
<Untick> the “Create Working Folder?” option.
(Otherwise there would be another folder created called 12d-T01)

Once the details are in the panel, hit the <New> button to create the new project.

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2.2 12d Model – When it is opened

12d Model View Setup

When a new 12d Model project is opened, there will be some views created:
• SURVEY (Plan View)
• DESIGN (Plan View)
• LS (Section View)
• XS (Section View)
• 3D (Perspective View)
• 1 (Plan View)
‘Setup Project Details’ Panel
Also when a new 12d Model project is opened for the first time, the Setup Project Details
panel will be opened. It is used to enter and keep saved metadata relevant to the project.
The Setup Project Details panel opens automatically for a new project, and can be accessed
at any time using: Project => Details => Details
The Project Details panel is documented further in Section 8.1 in the B01 course notes.
The ‘Recalc’ Panel
The Recalc panel is also opened at the creation of a new 12d Model project. The Recalc
panel is used a lot by designers to speed up their workflow. The Recalc panel can be
accessed at any time using: Utilities => Recalc (Click on the top of the Menu [Recalc] to
paste the panel back onto the screen. Then move it to the preferred location on the screen).
Note: These two panels can be closed at any time, by clicking the top right X button.

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3.0 IMPORTING SURVEY DATA

3.1 Importing 12daz Survey Data into 12d Model
No Mapfile
Let’s import the survey data into the new project, with no changes.
The survey data is in a 12d Model archive file (12daz).

Open the Read 12da panel: File => Input 12d

Hit the <yellow folder> for the File to Read and select the
T01-SURVEY.12daz file from the working folder location.

Type in the ‘survey ‘ Prefix for the models to be imported.

Once the panel is filled out hit the <Read> button to import the
data set into the new project.

Here below the ‘T01-SURVEY.12daz’ file has been imported into 12d Model.
A new plan view named ‘DATA IMPORT’ has been created and the model from the
12daz file has been added to the view. This allows the user to see what data was included in
the imported file.
Hit the <-> button, and the model added to the view is shown.
The survey data has been added to one (1) model and one colour, linestyle etc.

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3.2 Delete Survey Data
The Survey data is not mapped; basically when importing the data it can be mapped to have
multiple models, change colours and linestyles.
The survey data needs to be deleted and imported again,
Use: Models => Delete => Delete a Model

Hit the <Model> button and select the ‘survey SURVEY FIELD
DATA’ model from the drop down list.
Tick the <Permanently Delete> option to remove the data from the
project.
Hit the <Delete> button.

After the Delete button has been clicked, the user is

prompted by this panel to ensure that it is understood that
the data selected will be deleted from the project, and that:
“THERE IS NO UNDO FOR THIS OPERATION”
Hit the <Yes> button, to delete the data from the project.

3.3 Import Data Utilising a Mapfile

If the panel was closed, re-open the Read 12da panel: File => Input 12d

Hit the <yellow folder> for the File to Read and select the
T01-SURVEY.12daz file from the working folder location.
Hit the <yellow folder> for the Mapfile and select the
T01-SURVEY.mapfile file from the working folder location.

Type in the ‘survey ‘ Prefix for the models to be imported.

Once the panel is filled out again hit the <Read> button to
import the data set into the new project.

Now the survey data has been

imported and separated into
different models with colours and
linestyles to differentiate the data.

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3.4 Importing XYZ Point Data into 12d Model
Let’s import the lidar data into the new project. The lidar data is in a XYZ file (.dat).
This data will fill in the gaps – where the detailed survey has not been picked up in the field.

Open the Read 12da panel:

File => Data Input => x y z => x y z general

The Files Tab:

Hit the <yellow folder> for the File to Read and select the
T01-SURVEY.dat file from the working folder location.

The Basic Tab:

Hit the <AA> button and select a ‘Default text style’ of
Text 3.5mm

Type in a Default Model for Data model name: unknown

Hit the <View> button to add the DATA IMPORT view, this
will add all the imported data to the specified view.

The Format Tab:

Hit the <Delimiter> button and select the ‘comma’

option. This is the format of how the input file is set
up. i.e. between each piece of information there is
a comma to separate the numbers.
To create the rows, make the cursor active in one of the
cells and hit the enter key on the keyboard multiple times.

Left click (make blue) and then right click on a cell in the
Information Type column, then select the option required.
Fill out the table as per this image.

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The Mapfile Tab:

No selection is required.

The Fencing Tab:

No selection is required.
A polygon can be selected to restrict the input data within or
outside of a selected area of a polygon.

Once the panel is filled out, hit the <Read> button to import the data set into the new project.

The view named ‘DATA IMPORT’ has had the data from the xyz file added. This allows the
user to see what data was included in the imported file.
The data is not the lidar point data as expected, the data is joined together not the data that
is required for the project.

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3.5 Delete Lidar Data
The Lidar data is not mapped; basically when importing the data it can be mapped to a
specific model, change the colour and linestyle.
The lidar data needs to be deleted and imported again,
use: Models => Delete => Delete a Model
Hit the <Model> button and select the ‘unknown’ model from the
drop down list.
Tick the <Permanently Delete> option to remove the data from the
project.
Hit the <Delete> button.
After the Delete button has been clicked, the user is
prompted by this panel to ensure that it is understood that
the data selected will be deleted from the project, and that:
“THERE IS NO UNDO FOR THIS OPERATION”
Hit the <Yes> button, to delete the data from the project.

3.6 Import XYZ Data Utilising a Mapfile

If the panel was closed, re-open the Read XYZ General panel:
File => Data Input => x y z => x y z general
Fill the panel out as described before, only exception is to add the Mapfile to the panel.

The Mapfile Tab:

Hit the <yellow folder> for the Mapfile and select the
T01-SURVEY.mapfile file from the working folder location.
Type in the ‘survey ‘ Prefix for the model/s to be imported.

Hit the <Read> button to import the lidar data.

Now the lidar data has been

imported into the project
and added into a different
model, and changed to a
point type, where only
vertices/points are used.

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4.0 TRIANGULATION (TIN)

4.1 Triangulate a Data Set
A “Triangulated Irregular Network” (TIN) is used to find interpolated elevations at any location
on the site.
A Tin can be created from any string/point data in 12d i.e. either survey or design data that
has z-values.
A 12d Model Tin is an accurate method of representing surfaces, especially those described
by strings. 12d Model uses tins in most operations involving surfaces, for example,
contouring, interfacing and volume calculations.
Unlike strings, tins can be in more than one model or even no model at all. However, to be
displayed in a view or used for profiling on a section view, tins need to be in at least one
model.
Starting off, it is suggested that each tin be in its own model, with a prefix of “tin” and called
the unique “tin_name”. This makes it easy to find the model of a tin for viewing and allows
users to search and obtain lists of all the tins in a project.

4.2 Creating a Tin

From the Main Menu select: Tins => Create => Triangulate Data
General Tab

Type in a New Tin Name, we will use ‘survey’ (the tin name
must be unique) then press the <Enter> key.
After the <Enter> key has been hit, the model name for the
new tin will be filled out automatically with the ‘tin ‘ prefix.
Highlight and copy the Model for Tin: ‘tin survey’ and paste it
in the Retriangulate Function name.
Note: This ensures that the Tin name, Retriangulate function
and Model name for the new tin are all related to each other.
Pick the <Colour> button and select a colour from the drop
down list.

General Tab – Additional Settings

Preserve Strings – Meaning that the strings in the project will
be used as breaklines in the triangulation, the triangle edge
will follow the string line. This option is always ticked as a
default.

Remove Bubbles – This will remove any flat areas created in

the tin. Used mainly when triangulating contour strings, it
means that a triangle will not be created with its three points
connected to the same string.

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Weed Tin – This will only use one point in the tin where there
are multiple points at the same location. This will not be used
with the survey data.

Triangle Data – This is used when triangulating a set of

triangle mesh data (i.e. a set of triangles from a CAD
drawing), this will also turn on the Weed Tin option. This will
not be used with the survey data.

Cell Method – This is used for large data sets, i.e. lidar data,
point clouds etc. In the background 12d Model will split the
data set up into smaller sections and enable it to process the
tin faster. The cell method does not work at its best until the
triangulation reaches 1 million points.

Colour by Triangle Data – This is used for matching the

colours of the new tin triangles to the existing triangles from
the triangle data selected for the tin.

Data Tab
Add the survey models to the ‘SURVEY’ view ready to be used as the data selection method
for creating the tin.

Choose the View option

Select the ‘SURVEY’ view, all of the data required for the tin
has been added to the survey view.

The minimum and maximum Z-values are shown here after

the data is selected – a good check!

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Nulling Tab
Nulling of triangles represents the removal of unwanted triangles from the tin. These
triangles are not deleted, merely turned off, so as to not be seen or used in any further
calculations (i.e. volumes) within 12d Model.
The initial Nulling operation (tick box) is the fastest and most dynamic way of removing the
bulk of unwanted triangles outside the extents of the data being triangulated.
These setting are remembered for future “re-calculations” of the tin and can be modified by
angle/length or a combination of the two.

To activate the Nulling Tab, tick on the Apply Nulling option.

12d Model default values that can be modified, experiment

with different length values. i.e. 10m and 50m.

If you have a Polygon surrounding the area to null then you

can select the string here and load it into the panel. The tin
triangles will not be created outside of the polygon, unless its
centroid is outside the polygon.

Hit the <Triangulate> button to create the Tin.

Note: Nulling by angle and length start the nulling procedure from the outside of the data and
nulls back in towards the data. It will remove the triangles in the tin that match these nulling
values until it reaches a triangle that doesn’t meet the parameters or it encounters a string
(which is a breakline). As shown below the tin does not have any triangles outside of the
survey data.
Add the new model ‘tin survey’ onto the plan view to display the Tin, and below the ‘survey’
tin has been added to the view.

Note: The tin was the last

model added to the view,
so it is sitting on the top of
the survey data.

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4.3 Looking at the TIN
This is a large data set, but there are a few triangles long the side of cul-de-sac road that do
not look correct.

4.4 Check for Crossing Breaklines

It is important to ensure that the dataset that has been triangulated is correct and checked for
any issues that might be found. Underground services can often be an issue when
triangulating survey data.
From the Main Menu select: Tins => Check/Clash => Check Breaklines
Note: Views are used often in 12d Model to select data. It is very easy to add the required
data to a view and select that view in a panel as the dataset, than choosing a model or model
list.
Ensure all the survey data has been added to
view DATA IMPORT, which is the
‘survey SURVEY FIELD DATA’ and the
‘unknown’ models. Then pick the <View>
button and choose this view for Data Set 1.
Note: Adding models to a view, and then
choosing that view as the Dataset is a
convenient way to select a group of models.
Type in a new (temporary) model name for
the panel Intersecting Strings with Valid
Heights. 12d will create this model and use it
to store the results of the Check Breaklines
operation.
Type in a Report file name to store the
results from the Check Breaklines option.
Pick the <Colour> button and select a colour
from the drop down list. This colour will be
the colour of the intersection locations shown
after the Check Breaklines has been run.
Hit the <Check> button to run the Check Breaklines panel. Leave the panel open.

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Check Breaklines Results
The Check Breaklines panel finds that there are multiple crossing breaklines in this dataset.
Hit the <+> button to add the ‘temp’ model onto the view.
Here below are the magenta diamonds that were created at the intersection points of the
two strings with valid heights. There are multiple intersections found.

Report File Results

Here is the Report File opened with the 23 intersection locations listed.
The file will contain the X and Y coordinates for the intersection point, followed by the two
z-values for the two strings. Then the string = model -> string information for both strings.

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Output Window Results
The Output Window will show the results in the same format as the Report File, as shown:

The extra thing that the output window will do is, when a line of the results is highlighted, it
will highlight the intersection on the view with cursor lines. Any line in the output window that
has a green exclamation mark (!) at the start is an intelligent log line and you can access
more information.

The Check Breaklines panel has also been

documented at the 12d Wiki website, if you would
like to learn more about the Check Breaklines
panel and how to utilise it, visit this post:
https://12dwiki.com.au/check-breaklines/

Model Information Table

The Model Information Table is a useful tool to check the data that is created/imported in the
project. If you would like to learn more about the Model Information Table option and how to
utilise it, visit this post: http://12dwiki.com.au/model-information-table/

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4.5 What is wrong with the data?
If we look at the results in either the Report File or the Output Window, we can see that there
is one Model and string name that occurs in all the intersections, it is:
Survey UT WATER -> WS LOC

When the survey was first picked up, the WS LOC string was set to be Tinable, this was a
mistake as it is a Water Pipe string.

Note: To remove this model from the Tin will fix the issue.

4.6 Editing a Tin

Once the Triangulation is created 12d Model automatically changes the Create Triangulate
panel to the Edit Retriangulate panel.
The Tin is available to edit at any time via: Tins => Edit => Tin

The General Tab has all the

setting loaded for the new ‘survey
tin.
The Data Tab has changed from
the ‘SURVEY’ view selection to a
model list; basically all the models
that were on the view at the time
have been loaded into and
associated with the ‘survey’ tin.

Models can be added and

removed from the model
list at any time.
The Models can be moved
up and down in the list
using the up and down
arrows at the top of the
panel.

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Remove the UT WATER Model from the Tin

To remove a model from a Tin so that it is not included in the

Triangulation, open the Tin Edit panel.

Go to: Tins => Edit => Tin

Select the Data Tab

Select the ‘survey UT WATER’ model from the list of models.
Hit the <Delete> button to remove the model from the list.

Then hit the <Retriangulate> button to process the tin again,

with the new model list.

Here below is the retriangulated Tin, and a close up of the cul-de-sac.

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4.7 Tin Nulling
The triangulation process forms triangles throughout the convex polygon enclosing the data
set. This means that some triangles may cross regions where there is very little data,
producing strange results in the ill-defined regions.
In 12d Model, it is possible to make triangles invisible (called nulling triangles) so that they
are not used in any further 12d options, including volume calculations or reporting.
Note: Nulled triangles are not deleted from the 12d Model database and can be made visible
again at any time. See the Resetting Triangles option.

Null by Points
To null triangles by points, use: Tins => Null => By Points
This option allows single triangles to be nulled (removed) from the triangulation, one at a
time.
Select the <Tin> button and pick the tin from the drop down list,
this tin will be the tin to null triangles from.

Hit the <Pick> button to pick a triangle to be nulled.

Below shows an image before the Triangle is nulled:

Select with a cursor snap in the centre of the

triangle to be nulled.

Then accept the pick to null the

triangle.

Below shows an image after the Triangle is nulled:

The selected triangle has been nulled, and

removed from the triangulation.

Note: When 12d Model nulls the triangles they

are not deleted, they are merely turned off and
not used.

Note: The Nulling can be continued by picking and accepting inside the required triangles
until they have all been nulled as required.

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Resetting Triangles
The Null Triangles by Points panel will also enable triangles to be ‘reset’. Any triangles that
have been nulled from the triangulation can be reset and made active again.

Select the <Null Mode> button and select Reset

from the drop down list.

Hit the <Pick> button to pick a triangle to be reset.

Select with a cursor snap in the centre of where

the nulled triangle would be, and accept to reset
the triangle.

The triangle has been reset.

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Null by Strings
This option allows multiple triangles to be nulled (removed) from the triangulation at a time.
Use: Tins => Null => By Strings

Hit the <Tin> button and select the ‘survey’ tin from the
drop down list.

Right click on the <String> button.

Select the Line option to draw a straight line through

the triangles to be nulled.

Select the Polyline option to draw a squiggly line

through the triangles to be nulled.

The Line Option:

Hold the Left button down and drag the line
through the triangles to be nulled.
Once the line is drawn press the <Set> button
to Null the triangles.

To increase the speed of this panel: Tick on <Null on accept of strings>

This option means you do not have to press the <Set> button for every line drawn.
Warning: There is no undo available for this option. (But the triangles can be reset, one
triangle at a time, see previous page)

The Polyline Option:

Hold the left button down and drag the polyline
around and across the triangles to null.
Once the polyline is drawn hit the <Set> button
to null the triangles.

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4.8 Create a Tin Boundary
When the unacceptable triangles around the edges of the tin have been nulled, we can
create a boundary around the tin. The boundary string will save the settings completed by
the ‘null by points’ and ‘null by strings’. The boundary string can then be saved with the
triangulation for when it has to be retriangulated.
Use: Tins => Boundary => Boundary

Hit the <Tin> button and select the ‘survey’ tin from the drop
down list.
Type in the <New Model Name> ‘bdy survey tin’, the bdy
prefix is so all the bdy models are grouped together and
‘survey tin’ refers to the tin.

Hit the <Create> button to create the boundary string.

Open the Edit Tin panel: Tins => Edit => Tin

The Tin Boundary can then be utilised and saved in the

Retriangulate Tin panel, by selecting it as the <Null Polygon>
on the Nulling tab.

Select the newly created boundary string. Left click and pick
and accept the new boundary string. If it is not on the view,
turn the ‘bdy survey tin’ model onto the view.

Note: If you Retriangulate the Tin without loading the boundary string into the panel, the
nulling you did with Points and String will be lost. Basically the triangles that were nulled will
be active again and return to the tin.
The boundary string set for Null Polygon allows you to keep the settings. Once loaded into
the panel hit the <Retriangulate> button, and see the triangles outside of the boundary
string will have been nulled.

All the nulling is completed to the selected

boundary.

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4.9 View the TIN in 3D
Another way to see what the existing ground surface looks like is to view it in the Perspective
Open GL view.
There is a perspective view already created, named ‘3D’ – add the model ‘tin survey’ using
the Plus button.

Under the Toggle button, select the <Shade> option

The Orbit button allows the survey tin to be moved around,

lifted up and down and turned around.
The Orbit button works by holding the LB down and moving the
cursor around the view.
The MB can be held down and roll in and out to zoom over the tin.

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5.0 TIN INFORMATION AND INQUIRY

There are a number of ways you can inquire and receive information about a tin in
12d Model. This can either be immediate feedback from the interface about an aspect
or value of a tin or even reporting for future reference.

5.1 TIN Info

This option will open a panel in 12d Model that, once a tin is selected will give the minimum
and maximum values for a tin as well as the number of points and triangles contained within
the tin.
To use the Tin Info panel, go to: Tins => Tin Info

Hit the <Tin>

button to
select the tin
from the drop
down list.

The values
will be filled
out in the
panel.

5.2 Tins on a View Inquire

With the required tin model/s present on a plan view, the Tins on a View Inquire panel will
provide a dynamic readings for height (z-value), slope and aspect information at the cursor
location in real time.
To use the Tin on a View Inquire panel, go to: Tins => Inquire => Tins on a View

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5.3 View Toggles for Tins
There are Tin toggles available for viewing the tin. These toggles are found under the Plan
view Toggle Button menu.

The Toggle Button

There are four tin toggle options:

• Tin Contours
• Tin Edges
• Tin Flow
• Tin Solid

Tin Contours and Tin Edges

Tin Flow and Tin Edges

Tin Solid

Note: These are great tools for quickly viewing

the tin on the screen.

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5.4 View Properties Panel
Tin Toggle Settings – Properties Panel
The Toggle settings can be changed for the Contours, Edges, Flow Arrows, Mesh, Solid and
Tuflow options when viewing the Tin in a view.

These can be found in the

View Properties Panel, the panel is
found on the plan view toolbar.

The settings found on the View Properties Panel will only be associated and applied to the
tin/s added to the current Plan View.
Note: If the tin/s is turned onto another view it will not have these settings for the tin toggles.

The ‘Plan View Properties’ panel will display most of the settings for the view in a tree
structure and clicking on an item from the left hand side list will display the settings for that
option.

The ‘SURVEY’ view is selected in

the panel, and the Tin settings are
selected.
At the moment no tin toggles are
turned on.

Tin Settings – Toggle Settings

To activate/draw the
Contour settings tick the
<Contours> box, then the contour
settings will become active.
The Contour Increments and
Contour Colours can be changed
to suit the specified tin on the view.

Flow Arrows, Edges, Solid, Mesh

and Tuflow toggle options are also
available in this panel.

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Tick the boxes

to activate/
draw the Tin
options on the
view.

The Tin
settings are
updated
automatically
as the changes
are made to
the panel.

Contours
Change the Contour Intervals and the Contour Colours here for both contours (minor) and
bold contours (major).
Flow Arrows
Change the Flow Arrow Length and the Flow Arrow Colour.
Mesh
Change the Mesh X and Y grid lines for both the mesh and the bold mesh. The colours of the
mesh can also be changed.

5.5 Tin Manager

The Tin Manager panel will list all the tins in the project with their relevant information.

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6.0 CONTOURING AND LABELLING A TIN

6.1 Creating Contours
The Contours created using the Toggle Button from the View menu are just display contours;
they are NOT Contour Strings.
Display contours cannot be exported or labelled, if you do try a string inquire option, they
cannot be selected – that’s because they are not strings.
To create Contour Strings for export or plotting, go to:
Tins => Contour => Contour Smooth and Label
Contour Tab

Type a <Function Name> ‘Contour survey tin’, the

function will remember all the settings in this panel for
future reference.
Select the <Tin to Contour> button and select the ‘survey’
tin from the drop down list.
Type a new <Model for Contours> ‘Contour survey tin
1m’, this will be a new model that 12d will create and add
the newly created contours into.
Type a new <Contour Increment> ‘1’, this will be the
interval between the contour strings, measured in metres.
Select the <Colour> button and pick a colour from the
drop down list.

Major Contours Tab

Tick the <Create Major Contours> tick box to create

major contours. (If unticked the major contour and minor
contour strings are saved in the same model on the
Contour Tab)
Type a new <Model for Contours> ‘Contour survey tin
5m’, this will be a new model that 12d will create and add
the newly created major contours into.
Type a new <Contour Increment> ‘5’, this will be the
interval between the contour strings, measured in metres.
Select the <Colour> button and pick a colour from the
drop down list.

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Range Tab

A Minimum and Maximum Contour Level can be specified,

if left blank the TIN’s overall minimum and maximum z-
values are used.

A Height Range File can be selected to colour the contour

strings.

Labels Tab

Tick the <Label Contours> tick box to create contour

labels. (If unticked no contour labels are created).
Tick the <Label Major Contours Only> tick box to create
contour labels only at the major contour strings. (If unticked
contour labels are created at each contour string).
Type a new <Model for Labels> ‘Contour survey tin
Labels’, this will be a new model that 12d will create and
add the newly created contours labels into.
See Section 5.2 for a full description of the Contour Label
Methods available.
Type the number of <Decimal Places> ‘3’, for the contour
labels.
Select the <Textstyle> ‘Contour Label 2.5’, for the contour labels.
The <Start Distance> and <Separation> is the distance along the string the label will be
placed.
Tick the <Label Start and End> tick box to create contour labels at the start and end of the
contour strings.

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Hit the <Process> button to create the contour strings and

labels.
Hit the <Finish> button to close the panel.

Here are the newly created contours and labels.

Use the <+> button to add the 3 new models to the view.

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6.2 Contour Label Methods
These are the descriptions of the labelling methods that can be used for contour labelling.

There are seven methods available:

Above Line Contour Direction

Text is placed above the contour string and

follows the string direction.

Above Line Read From Below

Text is placed above the contour string.

The text is created so it can be read from
the bottom of the plotted sheet.

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Centred Line Read From Below

Text is centred on the contour string, but is

created so it can be read from the bottom of
the plotted sheet.

Line Removal and Centre Line Read From Below

Text is centred on the contour string, but is

created so it can be read from the bottom of
the plotted sheet.
The Contour string is removed from behind
the Label Text.

Above Line Facing Up Hill

Text is placed above the contour string, but

is orientated so it faces up-hill.

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Centre Line Facing Up Hill

The text is centred on the contour string, but

is orientated so it faces up-hill.

Line Removal and Centre Line with Labels Facing Up Fill

Text is centred on the contour string, but is

orientated so it faces up-hill.
The Contour string is removed from behind
the Label Text.

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7.0 IMPORT RASTER IMAGE

7.1 Import Raster Image
Raster or images such as JPEG’s ECW’s can be imported into 12d Model to better show
existing features.
To import raster images use: Strings => Rasters => Create

Source Image Tab

Select the <Image Format> button and select the

ECW option from the drop down list.

Select the <Raster File> button and select

the aerial_photo1.ecw from the working
folder location.

The Width in Pixels and Height in Pixels is

displayed once the raster has been loaded into the
panel.

Location Tab

Check to ensure that the origin coordinates and

World Width and World Height values have been
added to the panel.

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Output Tab

Type in the <Model for Raster> ‘Raster survey’

model name, this will be a new model that
12d Model will create and add the newly created
raster image into. If a ‘Raster ‘ prefix is used any
raster models will be grouped together for easy
access.

Tick the <Show Border> tick box to create a

border around the raster image.
Select the <Colour> button and pick a colour for
the border from the drop down list.

The <Transparent Blend> option controls the level of transparency of the raster,
i.e. ‘0’ means that the raster is totally see-through (and invisible), whereas a transparency
of ‘1’ means that the raster is opaque (visible) and can’t be seen through at all.

Select the <Tin> button and select a tin and the raster will be associated/tagged to that tin.
This will drape the raster onto the tin when the tin is used for visualisation purposes. In this
example the tin will be the ‘survey‘ tin.

Crop Tab
The Crop Tab allows the raster image to be cropped to a given rectangle dimensions.
This means that any part of the raster outside the rectangle will not be displayed.

Tick the <Crop> tick box to utilise the cropping

options for the raster image.

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Hit the <Create> button to create the raster image.

Hit the <Finish> button to close the panel.

Here is the newly created raster image.

Use the <+> button to add the new model to the view.

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7.2 Import Multiple Raster Images
There has been an option created for importing multiple raster image files with one operation.
This will save you a lot of time if you have many ECW files to import into 12d Model.
To import multiple raster images use: Strings => Rasters => Create From ECW’s

Type in the <Model for ECW’s> ‘Rasters’ model

name.
Tick the <Many Files> tick box to import multiple
raster images at one time. The ECW files must all
be located in one folder for 12d to add the multiple
files to the panel.
12d Model will list all the ECW files located in the
folder and add them to the grid.

Tick the <Show Border> tick box to create a

border around the raster image.
Select the <Colour> button and pick a colour for
the border from the drop down list.
Hit the <Create> button to create the raster image/s.
Hit the <Finish> button to close the panel.

7.3 Model Order

In 12d Model there is a model order, this occurs when the models are turned onto the view.
When the raster image was imported and added to the survey view it was turned onto the
view last, and hence it sits on top of the other models on the view.

Here the raster image is

on top of the other
model on the view, so
only the raster image is
shown.

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To Change the Model Order on a View
The model order on the view can be changed on each view.

Use the: Plan View Properties panel.

The <Properties> button that is on the
Plan View Toolbar.

The ‘Raster survey’ model is displayed on

the ‘SURVEY” view.
There are other models on this view too, but
the ‘Raster survey’ model was the last model
to be added to the view, it is sitting on top of
the other models.

Here is the list of all the

models turned onto the
‘SURVEY” view.
The ‘Raster survey’ model
is at the bottom of the
model list. The bottom of
the list represents the last
model turned onto the
view.
The top of the list is the
first model turned onto the
view.

Use the <Up> and <Down> buttons on the

RHS of the panel to move the ‘Raster survey’
model to the top of the model list.

Now the Raster image model has been

moved to the top of the model list.
The survey data is now visible on top of the
raster image.

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Send Tins and Rasters to the Back
There is an option in 12d Model to send all Tins and Rasters that are turned onto any views
in the project, to the back of the view. Basically the option will allow the string data to sit on
top of tins and rasters on the view.
Use: Views => Send Tins/Rasters to Back
Other options are available to move one model at a time to either the front of the view or the
back of the view:
Use: Display View Menu => Models => Model to Back
Use: Display View Menu => Models => Model to Front

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8.0 READY FOR DESIGN

8.1 Import Proposed Cadastral Data
To enable the future road design the proposed property and road boundaries are to be
added to the survey project.
There are a couple of ways to add the cadastral data to the survey project, for this project we
will share the cadastral data into the survey project.

8.2 Sharing
To share the cadastral data into the survey project, use the sharing options.
The Sharing options are found: Project => Sharing => Manage

Here is the Share Management panel,

this will display all the models and tins
created in this project and that are
available to be shared out, however
we do not need to share out any
models or tins.

This panel is only displaying the data

currently in the project.

To share in the Cadastral data into the

project, hit the <New Project> button.

Select the <Folder> button

and browse to the 12d-B01
folder location. This is where
the 12d B01 project is located.

Then select the

12d B01
project from
the projects
panel.

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Once the 12d B01 project is

loaded into the panel, then hit
the <Set> button to load the
cadastral project into the share
management panel.

Here the new 12d B01 project has

been loaded into the Share
Management panel.
By clicking on the Models option, it will
display the list of models available to
be shared into the current project.

Tick the <Share?> tick boxes beside

the models to be shared into the
project. Here both models have been
selected.
Hit the <Add> button to share the two
models into the project.

Once the <Add> button has been hit

the two models shown will be
highlighted yellow.
Note: The yellow highlight indicates
that the two models are already
shared into the current project. If any
other models from the 12d B01 project
are shared, then they will be displayed
here, and made available to be shared
into this project.

Note: There are no tins available for

sharing, select the Tins option to see
the list of tins available.

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The two cadastral models have been shared into the project, and here they are available to
add to the ‘SURVEY’ view.

The Models are displayed with different colours to indicate that they have been shared into
the project. The blue colour is a standard 12d Model colour setting.

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9.0 EXPORTING DATA FROM 12D MODEL

9.1 Exporting CAD Data
To export the Cadastral data from the project, first ensure
that the models to export have been turned onto a view.
Open the Write DWG/DXF File panel:
File => Data Output => DWG/DXF/DXB =>
DWG/DXF/DXB

Select the <View> button for the Data to Write option.

Hit the <View> button and select the ‘SURVEY’ view from
the drop down list.
Type in the File Name: ‘Exported Cadastral Data.dwg’.
Hit the <Dimension> button and select the ‘2d’ option from
the drop down list.

Hit the <Write> button to export the cadastral data to the

dwg file.

9.2 Exporting 12daz Data

To export the Survey data from the project, first ensure
that the models to export have been turned onto a view.
Open the Write 12d Data panel: File => Output 12d

Select the <View> button for the Data to Write option.

Hit the <View> button and select the ‘SURVEY’ view
from the drop down list.
Type in the File Name: ‘Survey Data.12daz’.

Hit the <Write> button to export the survey data to the

12daz file.

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9.3 Exporting XYZ Data
To export the Lidar point data from the project, open the Write 12d Data panel:
File => Data Output => xyz => xyz General

Select the <Model> button for

the Data to Write option.
Hit the <Model> button and
select the
‘survey SURFACE POINTS’
model from the drop down list.
Type in the File Name:
‘Exported Lidar Data.dat’.
Select the comma”,” Delimiter
option from the drop down list.

Fill in the Column number/

Position in File grid area.
Firstly select the cell under the
Information Type column and
then right click to display the
choice box, here are all the
options available to be
exported from 12d Model.

Fill out the Column number/ Position in File grid area ready for exporting.

Hit the <Write> button to export the survey point data to the xyz file, a .dat file.

Note: Attributes that are associated with string data can also be exported from 12d Model.
To export the information to the clipboard, hit the <Clipboard> button at the bottom of the
panel. The data can then be pasted into other programs, i.e. Excel.

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10.0 ADVANCED TIN EDITS

10.1 Add Breaklines
This option allows extra breaklines to be created; the breaklines are created by join existing
vertices in the tin data together, where there is no string line. Breaklines within tin data
ensure that a triangle edge will follow the breakline.
Option 1
There are two ways to set up extra breaklines for a tin. The first option is to create a model
so that when the tin is retriangulated the results will be saved with the tin. To reference a
model of breaklines with a Tin, we need to firstly create a new model and then add that
model to the list of models included within the tin.
Open: Models => Create
Type in the Model Name: ‘survey tin breaklines’.
Hit the <View> button and select the ‘SURVEY’ view
from the drop down list.
Hit the <Create> button to create the new model.
Open: Tins => Edit => Tin

On the Data Tab right click on the blank model row and select
the new breakline model.

Hit the <Retriangulate> button to add the new model into the
model list for the triangulation.

Use the CAD Toolbars to create breakline strings into the new model, then Retriangulate the
tin and see the updated tin and view contours.

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Option 2
The Add Breakline panel will create the 2 point breaklines and add them to the new model.
The model will be added to the retriangulate tin panel and updated.
Open: Tins => Edit => Add Breaklines

Hit the <Tin> button and select the ‘survey’ tin from the drop down
list.
Type in the Model Name: ‘survey tin breaklines’.
Hit the <Breakline> button to pick and accept on the first point to create the new breakline.
Pick and accept the second point for the new breakline. The new breakline will be created
and added into the ‘Model for breaklines’ model which will be saved with the tin if the tin is
retriangulated at a later time.
The new breakline will be used every time the Tin is retriangulated, and the Tin will also be
updated on the screen with the changed triangles.

10.2 Flip Triangles

Similar to the Add Breaklines option above, the Flip Triangles option tries to flip the common
side of two triangles to form two new triangles. That is, the option takes two triangles with a
common side (edge) and if possible, removes the common side from the two triangles and
replaces it with a new common edge that joins the two vertices that were NOT on the original
common edge.
Open: Tins => Edit => Flip Triangles
Hit the <Tin> button and select the ‘survey’ tin from the drop
down list.
Type in the Model Name: ‘survey tin breaklines’.

Hit the <Click side to Flip> button, and then select a cursor snap along the common side of
the two triangles to flip. Accept the cursor snap to flip the triangles.
Open the Retriangulate Tin panel: Tins => Edit => Tin, then add the new model to the model
list and hit the <Retriangulate> button to update the tin.
Here image 1 shows the original two triangles, with the proposed flip.
Image 2 shows the flipped triangles and how the contour line has changed after the flip.

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11.0 EXERCISE – TRIANGULATION AND

CONTOUR STRINGS
1. Start 12d Model and go to the New Project option.
Type in a New Project name and browse to
C:\12d\14.00\EXDS Training\12d-T01\Exercise this is the Working Folder for this
exercise.
2. Start a new project in this folder.
3. Load the CivilCAD file: 02170.as5. Use File => Data Import => CivilCAD
Use a Prefix = ‘survey_’.
Note: There are 42 non contourable points, 166 non contourable lines and
50 non contourable arcs.
4. Viewing the data on the plan view, investigate the models and coordinates of the
data. Use Strings => Inquire or the <F2> button.
5. Check for crossing Breaklines. Use Tins => Check/Clash => Check Breaklines
6. Triangulate the data. Use Tins => Create => Triangulate Data.
Use the Nulling Tab to null the triangles by Angle and Length when the triangulation
is being created.
7. Null by Points or Strings.
Use Tins => Null => By Points or use Tins => Null => By Strings to remove any
unnecessary triangles.
8. Create a Boundary around the Nulled Triangulation and apply it in the Edit Tin panel.
Use Tins => Boundary => Boundary
9. View the Tin by using the Tin options under the Toggle Button,
a. Tin Contours
b. Tin Edges
c. Tin Flow
d. Tin Solid
10. Create the natural surface
contour strings,
use Tins => Contour =>
Contour, Smooth and Label
select the Major Contour Tab
and the Label Tab to complete
all in one go.

Turn the contour strings onto

the plan view.

11. View the Tin and contours onto an Open GL perspective view.
12. Export the survey and contours to a CAD .dwg file.
Use: File => Data Output => DWG/DXF/DXB => DWG/DXF/DXB
In the Data to Write panel, select the view (green button), and then fill in the other
details.

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NOTES:

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