Sections Introduction

The Sections module is used to generate sections (and profiles) from geometry in the drawing, sampling of pre-built surfaces or external files. Sections are typically assigned stations and are related to alignments.

Generation Process:

To generate section views in a drawing, use this process overview.

1. Open a drawing containing an alignment or create one in the current drawing.
2. Use the Section Sample Lines tool to generate sample lines. These are required for all section generation tools (except connect points).
3. Use one of the section creation methods to generate the 3D section object in the model. These are 3dPolys with absolute elevations and additional information attached.
4. Use the Section Generate tool to create the section views based on the previously created section objects (3dPolys). The results are not immediately visible, geometry has been drawn to blocks with the name in the form of "CenterlineName Station" such as "Shaker 18+00.00". These blocks can be placed manually or in automation with the final step.
5. Use the Section Place tool to place the prebuild blocks into the drawing.

The advantage of the block approach is that if changes are made to the source object and the Section Generate is executed, the previously placed blocks update automatically (may require an AutoCAD regen).

Alignment Objects:

• The alignments in MapWorks must be CAD lightweight polylines.
• Before a polyline is considered an alignment, it must contain tag information identifying it's name and other information, see the Alignment Tag Relatives tool.