VectorWorks Sitework

The sitework-related commands allow the development of complex 2D and 3D models of site terrain in VectorWorks, it gives many features to do full Digital Terrain Modeling (DTM) using Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN).

Site Model Input

The data the Site Model accepts are:

• 3D Loci (and Stake objects)
• 3D polygons
  

Survey Input tools

The above data can be entered directly or using the Survey Input tools:

• Import Survey File (Convert a table of X, Y, Z coordinates into Stake objects)
• 2D Polys to 3D Contours (Convert a collection to 2D Polygons to 3D Polygons and enter their heights interactively)
• 3D Polys to 3D Loci (Convert the vertices of 3D polygons into 3D loci)
• Grid Method Entry (Create an array of Stake objects and enter their heights interactively)
  

Creating the Site Model

To actually create the DTM use AEC -> Terrain -> Create Site Model, this will show the Create Site Model dialog where you can select the Minor Contour Interval, the Major Contour Multiplier (how many minor contour lines will be counted to the major contour line), the Smoothing Interval (when selecting a triangulation method for 2D and/or 3D site model display, sets the distance for adding new points to the contours) and many others settings.

Editing the Site Model

After the DTM is created it can be edited using the context menu Edit (or double clicking on it) to show the Site Model Settings dialog, or selecting Edit Source Data from the Site Model context menu (which can also be done using Modify -> Edit Group or Ctrl+[).

Custom Boundary

To create a custom hull shape (the outer edge) for the DTM, select the site model and select Modify -> Edit Group. Using the 2D Polygon tool, draw the desired hull. Exit the group and update the site model; with a contour style of 2D display and the Draw Hull option selected, the custom hull displays.

Alternatively, can be specified at creation time by selecting a single closed 2D polygon when creating the DTM to be used as the hull shape.

Labels

Labels can be changed by selected the DTM and changing the desired text properties from the Text menu (Typeface, Size, Style, ...)

Sending objects to the Model Surface

A handy feature when working with DTM is the ability to send any 3D object to the surface elevation of it using AEC -> Terrain -> Send to Surface.