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Existing Ground Models - Part 3

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 In Part 2 of this series I talked about the pre-process steps I take when creating ground models.  This preprocessing steps to get large datasets slimmed down to make them usable.   In this part of this series I’m going to focus on the process I have developed, primarily around Civil3D to create validation where surfaces are created, post processed and passed through a check and review process before being released for consumption by the wider design team The diagram above outlines my process.  On the far right of the diagram is the existing ground model file (green box), this is where we need to get to.  This existing ground model file is what will house the surface(s) that will be datashortcutted for use in other models.  So why are we doing everything to the left? Doesn't extra files mean more files to manage? Why do you XML out the surfaces from the validation models? Lets look at these questions in turn Q. So why are we doing everything to the l...
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Existing ground models - Part 2

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Part 2 - My ground surface process As I said in Part 1 , a poor setup of the existing ground model has knock on impacts not only on the ground model opening times but also on every other model that interacts with it, whether that's displaying it or some other interaction like interfacing earthworks.  So starting off with a clean and well performing ground model is fundamental to your project. The diagram below shows the high level process I use for developing those master ground model(s).  The main problem I see at the minute the majority of users jump straight to master ground model creation, skipping the first two very important steps. So, lets talk about the "Pre-process" step.   What do I mean by "Pre-process"?  Well, fundamentally that's getting the data in to a format and size that will allow it to be imported in to the modelling software to create a surface so it can be post processed and validated. This pre-process phase predominantly applies t...
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Existing ground models - Part 1

Part 1 - The Problems One of the reoccurring problems I keep seeing is issues with projects that result from poor creation processes when setting up the existing ground surface model. Some of the issues are software agnostic, these include Not undertaking a proper validation exercise on the existing ground data received, leading to inaccurate ground model Taking lidar, drone, mobile mapping or stationary laser scan data and using it "raw" automatically thinking "more points = more accurate" Not having a documented strategy for setting up the ground model so that it's easier for other models that interface with the existing ground.  We need to ensure that updates to the ground model, such as supplemental data can be incorporated without needing to go and check which surface is used with every target, profile, cross section etc. Some of the issues are more product specific Civil3D creates a companion file (.mms) when the surface point count exceeds approximately 2...
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My First Public Blog

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For someone who purports to be a "digital" person and tech savvy, why has it taken me until 2022 to start blogging? Well, firstly I'm not a natural writer nor have I ever had the discipline to keep adding fresh content. So what has changed my mind? In mid 2019, in my late 40's, my world was destroyed when I very suddenly lost my beautiful wife of 20 years to a very aggressive cancer.  Fortunately now I'm happily remarried but one of the side effects of horrific grief for me has been some impact on my memory.  I struggle to recall things I used to be able to do easily.  So I thought I better start writing things down for my own sanity. Since started my digital journey in 2011 my role has evolved from being a day to day software produce user to a role today that has a much wider remit across technology, processes and people.  Therefore, I don't sit on the tools everyday so I have a habit of forgetting how I get products to do what I want.  Again, thought I be...
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