5. introduction to mx road 2004

Introduction

DAA034400−1/0001

Bentley� MXROAD 2004 Edition

MXROAD Intr oductionii

MXROAD Intr oduction iii

Trademarks

Trademarks

Bentley, the ’B’ Bentley logo, and MircoStation are registered trademarks ofBentley Systems, Incorporated or Bentley Software, Inc.

MX, the MX logo, Infrasoft, Arenium and the Arenium logo are registeredtrademarks of Infrasoft.

Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, the Acrobat logo, Distiller, Exchange andPostScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

AutoCAD, and AutoCAD Map are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc.

HOOPS is a registered trademark of Tech Soft America.

OpenGL is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc.

NetWare® is a trademark of Novell, Inc.

Internet Explorer, MDAC, Windows, Windows NT, Windows 2000 andWindows XP and True Type are registered trademarks of Microsoft�

Corporation.

Copyright

Copyright

� 2004 Bentley Systems, Incorporated.All rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States.

Portions Copyright © ComponentOne, LLC 1991−2002. All Rights Reserved

DWGdirect � 2002 by OpenDWG Alliance Inc. All rights reserved..

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MXROAD Intr oduction v

Table of Contents

MX Basics 1−1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MX Basics − Overview 1−1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What is String Modeling? 1−2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MX Environment − Overview 1−8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Common Components 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 a working 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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Index i−1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table of Contents

MXROAD Intr oductionvi

MXROAD Intr oduction 1−1

1MX Basics

MX Basics − Overview

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

This section covers the following topics:

� What is string modeling?

� The MX environments − Windows, AutoCAD and MicroStation

� The Applications toolbar

� Starting MX

� Starting a project

� Typical project sequence

� Using the on−line help and tutorials

� System administration

� User support

The next section deals with the options specific to MXROAD.

MX BasicsWhat is String Modeling?

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MXROAD Intr oduction1−2

What is String Modeling?

In any project, MX uses a simple hierarchy of models, strings and points tostore data. Each model can be thought of as a separate surface. Models arestored in a model file and contain strings which are made up of 3D coordinatepoints (X, Y, Z) linked together. These strings are used to represent physicalfeatures. 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 coexistwithin the model file, each storing a specific set of data. For example, onemodel may contain survey data while the other is used for the proposed design.

Survey AlignmentIsopachyte

Triangulation

SurveyStations

ExistingGround

Design Boundary

Triangulation Sections Drainage

Contours Visualization

Figure 1 − The model file



Strings and string links

All MX data is held as strings. A string is a series of points, each joined to itspredecessor and successor by a straight or curve−fitted line. This is referred toas a string link. Strings in MX have dimensions at each point, where adimension is simply a piece of data such as an X, Y or Z coordinate, or anotherattribute such as the bearing at the point.

MX recognizes many types of string:

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

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

� Feature strings define either linear ground features such as a ridge or thebase of a hill, or design features such as a roadway edge or back of unpavedshoulder. The dimensions of each point in the string are the X,Y and Zco−ordinates of the point, so a feature string is a 3D string.

� 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, butthere is no physical continuity from item to item, ie, there is no string link.MX processes these strings differently from other strings, particularly whensectioning or triangulating. Point strings generally record detail in surveymodels.

� Master strings are used to represent road or railroad alignment center linesand other master design lines. They are 6D strings. The first threedimensions 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 thatpoint, and the radius of curvature.

� Section strings represent cross−sections, profiles or baseline sections(profiles taken along a straight baseline). These are all 5D strings. Withcross−sections, for example, the first three dimensions of each point are theX,Y and Z coordinates, followed by the offset of the point from thereference string, and the name of the string that was cut to produce thesection.When MX creates section strings, elevations are linearly interpolated to thepoint at which the section line intersects the string link.

� Earthwork strings represent the outer limits of embankments and cuttings.These are 5D strings. The first three dimensions of each point are the X,Yand Z coordinates, followed by the offset and bearing of a line normal tothe line used to generate the string (called the reference line).

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


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first three dimensions of each point are the X,Y and Z coordinates,followed by the station and the volume between the sections of twospecified models (usually ground and design models). The remainingdimensions record volumes between the various strata, though since thisinformation is not always available, these dimensions are often zero.

� Mass−haul strings contain accumulated mass−haul balances along a roaddesign. These are 10D strings, the first three dimensions of each point arethe X,Y and Z coordinates, followed by the station and the accumulatedmass−haul balance at that station. The remaining dimensions recordcumulative balances for various strata, where these are known; otherwisethey are zero.

� Triangulation strings contain a lattice of links between 3D triangle vertices.Adjacent triangle information is also stored to optimize the display andanalysis of a triangulated surface. MX always includes string links whentriangulating.

� Text strings are multi−dimensional strings that hold character informationfor naming items in drawings. The first two dimensions of each point arethe X and Y coordinates of the start of the text. The third dimensionspecifies the height of the characters when plotted. The fourth dimensionis the bearing of the baseline of the characters, and subsequent dimensionscontain the characters themselves.

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

Points

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

� On a contour, a point is just two dimensions X and Y. The Z value isstored only once because it is common to all the points in the string.

� Along a ridge or a curb line, three dimensions X, Y and Z are used.

� 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 onthe information needed to record in addition to its position. The followingillustration shows the dimensions of points on contour, ridge and road centerline strings.



(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 individualpoints, MX assigns each point a number relative to the start of the string. Thenumber always remains relative to the start of the string, so if a string has 24points and point 12 is deleted, the old point 13 becomes point 12, and so on tothe last point.

Discontinuities

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

Gaps

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

This technique avoids a profusion or duplication of strings and difficulties innames.

gap

CASI

CASI

CASI

beforebefore

after

Figure 3 − Gaps in strings


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Bearing discontinuities

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

Null elevations

In horizontal alignment design, master alignment strings are created withoutelevations, 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 wayMX is able to register the presence of a elevation while ignoring its value.

Null elevations are also useful when recording feature strings for objects suchas hedges and fences, where elevations are often not required. Again, MXautomatically assigns null elevations to create a 3D string. Null levels areignored when creating a triangulation of a surface.

Feature sets

Feature sets are a means of grouping strings and identifying them with adescription. They are used throughout MX to make it easier for you to selectstrings for subsequent operations. The strings belonging to a feature set arespecified 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 usingTools ⇒ 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 aselected part of it. Different style sets are used to draw different types ofmodel. Many style sets are provided with MX and you may add your own stylesets if you wish.



For example, there is a style set to draw a complete contour model with allcontours drawn as solid lines and curve fitted. Prominent contours are alsodrawn for every 5 normal contours with the contour height embedded in thecontour line.

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

Style sets rely heavily on the string naming convention used for a model. Forthis reason, they are closely associated with feature sets and by convention aregiven 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 modelwhen you create it. You can also specify these defaults for an existing modelusing Tools ⇒ Model Defaults. Once these defaults have been set up, they areautomatically used for every relevant option, such as when you display or createa string. Another way to assign model defaults is to click the right hand mousebutton in any model name field on a panel, or on the model name field of theMX Toolbox.

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

Standard string naming convention

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

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

MX BasicsMX Environment − Overview

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MX Environment − Overview

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

Windows

AutoCAD MicroStation

Figure 4 − MX Environments

When running under Windows, MX uses its own built−in frame and userinterface, presented in the usual way as a series of menus and panels. Whenrunning in either of the other two CAD environments, similar options andpanels are available from an MX menu which is added to the AutoCAD orMicroStation menu bar. In this way, when you are running in a CADenvironment, you have access to both the MX options and the standard CADoptions at the same time.

Data interoperability and drawings

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

However, MicroStation uses DGN files and AutoCAD uses DWG files. MXaddresses this difference by presenting you with a DGN or DWG file, but inthe background it is constantly updating a working display or drawing page file.The name of the working display or drawing page file corresponds to yourcurrent CAD drawing file. In this way, although you are using MX in oneenvironment, for example, MicroStation, the MX drawings created may beopened and edited in any MX environment, for example, AutoCAD. Whicheverenvironment you are using, changes to the drawing are also passed on to themodel file where appropriate.



In MX, there is a fundamental difference between a DPW and a DPF. A DPWis 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. Oncethe design is complete, paged drawings are needed, and it is at this point that aDPF is created. This file also displays the MX graphics, but does not let youedit the model data; the only operation available is the addition of lines and text(enhancements).


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MX Data

MX Environment

Windows

User Interface

User Interface

Model file DPW or DPF

AutoCAD or MicroStation

CAD−only layers/levels MX layers/levels

DWG or DGN

Figure 5 − MX data interoperability

MX BasicsCommon Components


Common Components

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

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

The following sections do not provide all the answers about how to work withMX, they do however provide enough information to begin with. MuchMX−specific information is provided as Help and there are many books writtenabout working in the Windows environment, although there is no substitute fortrying for yourself. Given that all data critical operations require confirmationbefore 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, toolbarsand menus. Essentially, the left−hand mouse button selects the data under theposition of the cursor. For example if a string name is to be entered in a panelfield, move the cursor over the string on the display and click the left−handbutton.

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 alist.

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

Three types of cursor are used in MX to help you recognize the type of inputthe 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 inAutoCAD or MicroStation.

the MX cursor − used when specifying MX options


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The keyboard

The keyboard is used for entering data into a field or working in the MXLinemode panel. Shortcut keys are available, they are marked by _ and activatedby using ALT + the character key. For example, use ALT F to gain access to theFile menu.

Panels

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

Some panels are arranged to appear in sequence, this sequence is known as aWizard. A Wizard is a simple means of guiding you through a complex process,making sure that you provide all the information necessary to complete thetask.

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

Figure 6 − Typical panel layout

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



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 clickagain. What’s This help will be displayed. What’s This help tells you how tocomplete 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 thefunction with the data you have supplied and then dismisses the panel,Apply completes the function with the data you have supplied and keepsthe panel displayed, Cancel dismisses the panel.

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

6. Radio buttons permit you to select one of a number of choices, the onewith the black center is the one currently selected. On this particular panelchanging the option will gray out some of the other data fields as they arenot relevant for the selected option.

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

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

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

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

11. The panel id. If ever you have a problem, and need more information thanthe help gives, quoting the panel id to your MX support engineer will helplocate 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 willquickly learn which options are available from each of the pull down menus, buta click on each will display the menu content.

In the CAD environments, MX appears as a separate entry on the AutoCAD orMicroStation menu bar. Once a project is opened, the MX menu changes toreveal all the MX options which are available to you. If you wish, you candisplay the MX options as an alternative menu bar to the CAD menu bar byselecting MX ⇒ MX Menu.

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


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Toolbars

There are a number of MX toolbars which provide shortcuts to the MXoptions. You can display the toolbars so that they are docked to the frame, youcan move toolbars to different screen locations, or turn them off using the MXoption 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 thecursor 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 boxwill be displayed. You will have to acknowledge the message by clicking the OKbutton.

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 willhave to click OK to dismiss the message before you can re−apply focus to thepanel field requiring correction.

The MX output window

The MX output window shows the commands sent to the MX engine to carryout your instructions throughout your MX session. It is not necessary tounderstand these commands, but they can be decoded using the LinemodeReference Help. The window also displays errors and warnings, and thesetogether with the messages and prompts may assist you in changing the optiondata to achieve the results you require.

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

Moving MX data to other Windows applications

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

MX BasicsWindows 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 dockedwithin 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 youcan create additional viewports, showing different views of the drawing.

MX BasicsAutoCAD Environment

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AutoCAD Environment

MX runs within AutoCAD, so that when you start the program, the onlyobvious changes from standard AutoCAD are that there is an extra MX menuand two extra toolbars, the MX Controls toolbar at the foot of the graphicswindow and the MX toolbar. The MX toolbar controls which model an object isadded to when it is drawn, and which type of feature is created. As withstandard AutoCAD, the display reflects the contents of the DWG file, but withMX in AutoCAD, some or all of the layers in the DWG file contain data whichis linked to the MX model file via an MX drawing file. In this way, you cancreate a DWG file containing both MX layers and layers which contain onlyAutoCAD data.

Figure 9 − The AutoCAD frame



MX strings in AutoCAD

You can use either MX options or AutoCAD commands to create and drawMX model information such as strings in an AutoCAD DWG file. A string is asequence of points which represents a physical feature, such as a fence or ahedge, or it can represent a non−physical feature such as a contour. MX stringswhich are related to each other are stored in models, for example, all stringswhich represent a survey are stored in a survey model, and all strings whichrepresent a proposed design are stored in a design model. The set of featuresused 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 thefeatures or a group of features in the model’s associated feature set. Theselayers are called MX layers, in that anything you draw on them can be linked tothe MX model file. You must associate a feature set with the model beforeusing the MX options to ensure that the strings are correctly displayed in theirrelevant 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 acorresponding string is also written to the MX model file. The string isautomatically given the next name in the feature set corresponding to the nameof the layer.

A custom object is an object such as an MX string which is not a nativeAutoCAD object, but is created by another program (in this case, MX inAutoCAD). When you modify or delete an MX string, both the MX stringcustom object in the drawing and the string itself (in the MX model file) areupdated. Custom objects can also be exploded back to equivalent AutoCADobjects and the corresponding data removed (optionally) from the model file.

You can use layers which are not MX layers for information which is notrequired by MX, so you can work in AutoCAD (possibly constructing objectsor adding annotation) on a layer such as layer 0 and the data is not sent to theMX model file.

The MX Toolbar

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

For example, in MX in AutoCAD you can use most of the AutoCAD Draw andModify 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 youcreate a new AutoCAD object. It tells you if you can successfully create MXstrings, in which MX model any new strings will be created, and the feature thatwill be created.


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Traffic Lights Hide Current ModelCurrent Model Current Feature

Convert Object

Create New Feature

Set Active DocumentDisplay Current Model with Style Set

Figure 10 − The MX toolbar

If you select an object, the toolbar provides information about the object youselect. If the object is an MX string, then the model and feature of the string aredisplayed 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 AutoCADcommands.

� If a green light is displayed, then when you create an AutoCAD object onan MX layer it will be automatically converted to an MX string in thecurrently displayed model.

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

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

So, if you were to use an AutoCAD command on the layer Roadway_Edge andthe 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 wouldhave a string name of CE??.

Show/Hide Current Model

The Show/Hide Current Model icons provide a quick way to hide or redisplay allthe 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. Thisfield 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 youcreate using AutoCAD options. The field lists all the features in the feature setassociated with the current model.



If you create an AutoCAD object, it will be created on the layer associated withthis 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 ofthe object you have selected.

You can change the feature type of an object by simply selecting the object andthen 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 featurecorresponding to the layer that the object is on.

Auto−Convert Mode

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

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

With auto−convert off, if the current layer is an active MX layer, when youcreate an AutoCAD object it is not converted to an MX string. The traffic lightis 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, alayer whose corresponding features do not exist in the current model.

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

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

Create New Feature

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

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

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


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Set Active Document

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

MX and AutoCAD commands

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

When you select an MX option from the pulldown menus, it is processed andthe AutoCAD command prompt is replaced by an MX prompt. At this stage,some AutoCAD menus, such as Layer and Linestyle, will be grayed out, becauseMX in AutoCAD is expecting an MX screen selection. If you then want to usean 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 thefull 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 AutoCADcommands, although 6D master strings can be moved, copied or rotated. Thisis because MX uses different types of strings for sections, master alignments,geometry, cadastre, earthworks and drainage, with information stored in extradimensions 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 inwhich 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:

� File handling

� General

� Data conversion

� 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, referto the on−line help.

File handling

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



General

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

Data conversion

The data conversion settings allow you to define how block attributes areconverted, 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 indicatethe effects of certain operations. It is recommended that you leave MX inAutoCAD warnings enabled until you are familiar with MX in AutoCAD.

MX Custom

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

MX BasicsMicroStation Environment

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MicroStation Environment

The MicroStation environment

MX runs within MicroStation, so that when you start the program, the onlyobvious changes from standard MicroStation are that there is an extra MXmenu, an extra panel called the MX Toolbox and an MX output window. TheMX Toolbox controls which model an element is added to when it is drawn. Aswith 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 containdata 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 containonly MicroStation data.

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

Figure 11 − The MicroStation frame



MX strings in MicroStation

You can use either MX options or MicroStation tools to create and draw MXmodel information such as strings in a MicroStation DGN file. A string is asequence of points which represents a physical feature, such as a fence or ahedge, or it can represent a non−physical feature such as a contour. MX stringswhich are related to each other are stored in models, for example, all stringswhich represent a survey are stored in a survey model, and all strings whichrepresent a proposed design are stored in a design model. The set of featuresused 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 thefeatures or a group of features in the model’s associated feature set. Theselevels are known as MX levels, because anything you draw on them can belinked to the MX model file. You must associate a feature set with the modelbefore using the MX options to ensure that the strings are correctly displayedon 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 correspondingto the name of the level.

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


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The MX Toolbox

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

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

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

Current ModelTraffic 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 elementyou select. If the element is an MX string, then the model containing the stringis 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 MXstrings using MicroStation tools.

� If a green light is displayed, then when you create a MicroStation elementon an MX level it will be automatically converted to an MX string in thecurrently displayed model.

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



To switch between automatic and manual conversion, you click theauto−convert box on the MX Controls toolbar..

So, if you were to use a MicroStation tool on a level named Roadway_Edge andthe 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 wouldhave a string name beginning with CE?? if this were the partial string namecorresponding to the feature.

Show/Hide Current Model

The Show/Hide Current Model icons provide a quick way to hide or redisplay allthe 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 modelcontaining the element you have selected.

Current Feature

The current feature is the feature type which is given to any MX string youcreate using MicroStation tools. The field lists all the features in the feature setassociated with the current model.

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

If you select an element, the current feature is updated to reflect the feature ofthe 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 theMX 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 namedMicroStation levels. This feature is useful if all you have is a MicroStationdrawing and you wish to create a feature set to match. In this way, you cancreate a feature set having feature names derived from MicroStation levelnames.

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


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MX Control

Point Selection Methods

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

Auto−Convert Mode

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

With auto−convert on, if the current level is an active MX level, when you createa MicroStation element it is automatically converted to an MX string. Thetraffic light is green in this case.

With auto−convert off, if the current level is an active MX level, when youcreate a MicroStation element it is not converted to an MX string. The trafficlight 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 nointeraction with MX) or an inactive MX level, ie, a level whose correspondingfeature is not assigned to the current model.

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

MX and MicroStation tools

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

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

MX and MicroStation drawings

MX creates working displays or drawing page files with a suffix of either DPWor DPF respectively. These files hold the MX graphics, and can also be plotted.However, MicroStation uses DGN files. MX in MicroStation addresses thisdifference by presenting you with a DGN file, but in the background it isconstantly updating a working display or drawing page file. The name of theworking display or drawing page file corresponds to your current MicroStationDGN file. In this way, although you are using MX in MicroStation, the MXdrawings created may be opened and edited in any MX environment, forexample, using MX in AutoCAD.



In MX, there is a fundamental difference between a working display and adrawing page. A working display, like a DGN, is an elastic area that grows toaccommodate changes to the graphics it holds. A working display lets youcreate, assess, and edit model data to design the project. Once the design iscomplete, paged drawings are needed, and it is at this point that a DPF iscreated. This file also displays the MX graphics, but does not let you edit themodel 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 interactswith MicroStation. A summary of the available preferences is given below, butfor full details, refer to the on−line help.

MX to MicroStation

� Mappings − define how fonts, line styles, macro line styles, line widths andmacro symbols are mapped.

� Options − you can choose to ignore line widths, and change the seed fileused to create a DGN from MX data. You can also define whether MXstandard point symbols are reproduced as points, and whether elementsdefining the geometry of a string are created as individual vectors and arcsor as complex chains.

MicroStation to MX

� Mappings − defines whether cells are mapped to macro symbols or modeldata.

� Options − define whether level overrides are considered, the curve steptolerance, the default MX drawing scale and whether construction lines arestored in the MX model file. You can also define whether information isdeleted from the model file when it is erased from the drawing.

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

General

� Mappings − defines how colors and line styles are mapped and how featuresare mapped to levels.

� 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 BasicsThe Applications Toolbar

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The Applications Toolbar

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

Figure 13 − The Applications toolbar

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

MXRENEW is an application for the realignment, resurfacing and rehabilitationof existing roads. Parametric fitting is used to automatically generate a newprofile with specified minimum overlay depth, cross slope tolerances and designspeed.

MXURBAN is an application for the design of road improvements in urbanareas. It caters for all kinds of urban rehabilitation works, from overlays withinthe existing curb lines to full reconstruction of both the road and sidewalks.

MXDRAINAGE is an integrated environment for the design of drainagenetworks for any MX project − road, railway or airport design; urbanredevelopment schemes and road upgrades; industrial and residential estatedesign; landscape design and rehabilitation works. It can be applied at any stageof 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 alignmentsrepresenting plain line track, simple turnouts, grade crossings, crossovers andcomplex multi−lead layouts. Used in conjunction with MXSITE, the MXRAILpackage 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 lightrailroads.

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

MX BasicsThe Applications Toolbar


MXDRAW is used to produce final drawings from working drawings in a rapidand efficient manner. You can create layouts for plans, profiles, composite plansand profiles, and cross sections. In addition, because the final drawings arecreated using views of a working drawing, any changes you make to the designare automatically reflected in the final drawings so that they are alwaysup−to−date and ready to plot. MXDRAW also provides a suite of geometricannotation tools. You can annotate geometric elements such as arcs, spirals,straights, grades and vertical curves by transferring information from a tool tipdirectly to the drawing in a pre−defined style. Any annotation you add to thedrawing 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 collaborativeengineering projects over a local or wide area network or the Internet. Itprovides all the file management and communication facilities required formultiple users to create and complete an MX project no matter where they arelocated in the world. It also acts as a project control system as it records allevents and actions carried out on data.

For further information on Arenium, refer to the Arenium User Guide.

MX BasicsStarting MX

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Starting MX

There are several ways of invoking MX. These are:

� Click Start ⇒ Programs ⇒ Bentley MX ⇒ MXROAD. Once the programstarts up, an MX menu is loaded in the main menu bar and the MX startuppanel is displayed.

� Open the MX Program Group and double−click on the MXROAD icon.Alternatively, create a shortcut to this program and place it in a convenientlocation, such as on your desktop.

� Once you have created and saved a project, you can double−click on theproject icon (.mmd) and the project will be opened automatically fromwithin MX (provided that this was the association you chose at installationtime). Alternatively, create a shortcut to this project and place it in aconvenient location, such as on your desktop.

MX BasicsStarting a Project


Starting a Project

Creating a new project

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

Figure 14 − The MX menu on the MicroStation menu bar

Figure 15 − Typical startup panel

MX BasicsStarting a Project

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

MX uses projects to group information which relates to a particular designscheme, such as the survey and design models, the drawings and the designparameters used for the project.

To create a new project, click the New Project button on the Startup panel orselect New Project from the MX menu bar, then specify the name of yourproject, its location and the location of the design parameters to be used for thisproject. 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 youcreate the project. It is a good idea to look at these even if you do not think youwill want to change them, to familiarize yourself with the settings that areavailable.

An empty model file is created in your project folder when you start a newproject. 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 givesyou the opportunity to move an existing model file in to place so you cancontinue with a design.

if you are working on a project on the network, perhaps because several peopleneed access to the project, you can use the network project facility to copy theproject temporarily to your local disk, work on the project, then copy it backagain 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 BasicsTypical Project Sequence


Typical Project Sequence

The MX project sequence is a broad sequence of activities that must befollowed 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

� import existing survey data

� create a working display

� design, analyze and, if necessary, modify the new work

� 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 whichare present in the area of your proposed design. It is essential that the datadescribing this model is both complete and accurate, as any errors could have aserious impact on the proposed design. It is also important that the stringnames in the import file conform to a string naming convention used in afeature set and style set combination. You can either change the names of thestrings in your import file to suit an existing feature set and style set, or you cancreate new ones (see Assigning model defaults).

MX BasicsCreating a survey model from imported data

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The data describing the survey model can be input to MX in any of thefollowing formats:

� MX Input

� MX GENIO

� MX Survey

� General ASCII

� MicroStation DGN

� AutoCAD DXF / DWG

� Ordnance Survey NTF (UK only)

� Softdesk Alignment and DTM

� Autodesk LDDT

� Eagle Point Triangulation

� LandXML

Figure 17 − File menu

If you are running MX in AutoCAD or MicroStation, to import data from anAutoCAD DWG, a MicroStation DGN or a DXF file, first open the drawing inAutoCAD or MicroStation. Once you have set the layer or level names to matcha feature set for a model (see Assigning model defaults below), open your MXproject, select the elements and use the Convert Object/Element button on theAutoCAD MX toolbar or the MicroStation MX Toolbox to store the data in theMX model file.

MX BasicsAssigning model defaults


To import data in ASCII file format, select File ⇒ Input for any of the MXformats (eg, GENIO) or File ⇒ Import for the external formats. If the importedfile contains drawing information, the survey model will be created and drawnon the screen; otherwise you will need to create a plan working display. SeeCreating a working display for details.

If you already have a model file and wish to use the models in MX, you shouldexit 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 byassociating a feature set and a style set with it using Tools ⇒ Model Defaults. Ifyou do not have a feature set or a style set which match the string namingconvention you have used, you must create them to take full advantage of theautomatic 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. Acorresponding 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 pages, but is usedto display model information while a project is in progress. From a workingdisplay, you can create plan drawings with the scale and page layout you requireat 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:

Figure 19 − Display Menu

MX BasicsCreating a working display

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Plan with Style Set is a quick and simple method of displaying information fromone 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 iton the screen with any associated annotation. Different style sets are requiredfor different types of model; for example, there is a default style set MfW SimpleSurvey.pss which can be used for displaying survey models. Each style set isassociated with a feature set to ensure that all features in the feature set aredrawn appropriately.

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

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

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

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

MX BasicsViewing the working display


Viewing the working display

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

Figure 20 − View menu

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

You can temporarily or permanently remove information from the workingdisplay using Show/Hide Graphics. For example, you can hide spot elevationswhile you are working on the design. Although information may be hidden onthe display, it is still present in the model file.

Linemode provides access to the MX command language (not available in MXStandard). This is a powerful tool for manipulating and drawing MX model datausing commands typed in from the keyboard or processed from an input file.

The Toolbars option is used to switch toolbars on and off. Toolbars providerapid access to many of the menu options. In particular, the Applicationstoolbar is used to launch the additional applications MXROAD, MXRENEW,MXSITE, MXRAIL and MXDRAW.

The Output Window is used to display reported information and the commandswhich are sent to MX. Use this option to hide or display the window, or use theShift F2 key.

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

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

MX BasicsProducing a design

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

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

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

Producing a design

With the survey model in place, you can now begin to create your design. Thedesign 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 yourdesign.

MX BasicsProducing a design


Alignment is used to create the master string on which the rest of your design isbased; typically, this would be a highway or railway center line or equivalent.

Firstly, in Alignment, you create your alignment horizontally using any of theavailable methods; Element, Intersection Point (PI) or Spline. The Elementmethod allows you to construct an alignment from a series of elements, eitherstraights or circular arcs, connected by spiral curves as required. The PI methodproduces the same end result but allows you to construct the alignment byentering a series of intersection points. The lines joining these points aretangential to the curves which connect the straight elements. Spirals can also beincluded if required. Finally, the Spline method allows you to specify a series ofpoints through which a cubic spline curve is fitted.

In all three methods, design and display parameters govern the properties of thecurves and how they are displayed on the screen.

Once the horizontal design is in place, you can do the vertical design, ie, addelevations to the alignment. Again, three methods are available to you, and toassist you in specifying the elevations, a profile of the ground from the surveymodel is displayed so you can see where to position the alignment.

When the alignment is completed, two strings are created in your design model;the master string and its associated geometry string which describes thegeometry of the alignment.

In addition to smooth alignments, non−tangential alignments can be created forthe design of car parks, house pads etc.

Design a String options are used to derive additional strings from a master string;typically, for a highway project, these would be strings such as roadway edge orhard shoulder strings. The different options allow you to specify differentinformation to create the strings, for example, you can specify a horizontal anda vertical offset from the master string, or a horizontal offset and a cross slope.

Feature sets are particularly useful here as you can select the type of feature youwant (eg, shoulder) and the next available string name is automatically assigned.

Amend a String options are similar to those described above, except that theyamend existing strings rather than create new ones.

The Earthworks Wizard is used to create earthworks strings, ie, strings whichdefine the intersection between your design and the ground. The earthworkdesign relies on the specification of earthwork styles, together with anyalternative strategies to be used when certain criteria are met. These strategiesdetermine the shape of the earthworks slope in particular situations.

To make the procedure as simple as possible, the Wizard has access to a libraryof earthwork styles such as simple slope and slope/bench combination styles,which can be used immediately. Additionally, you can create your own customearthworks styles specific to the current design or your national design rules.These custom earthwork styles can be saved in your own library for future use.

Once created, the earthworks strings may be drawn with tadpole annotation orwith slope signature strings.

MX BasicsAnalyzing the design

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MXDRAINAGE creates a drainage network from manhole positions youspecify by linking them with pipes. You can place manholes individually oroffset them from an existing string. Once the manholes have been linked, inletscan also be added. Data from the drainage network can be exchanged betweenMX and an external program which analyzes the data and calculates pipe sizesand elevations according to the layout of the network and the hydraulicconstraints. Total and impervious sub−catchment areas can also be calculatedfor each pipe in the network.

Drainage proximity checking searches for a clash between manholes andselected strings. If the distance between the manhole and the string is less thana specified value the clash position is displayed on screen with a warning, and analternative position is offered.

Analyzing the design

When you have a preliminary design, you may wish to analyze the design modelto check for any errors or to see if the design can be improved in any way. Youcan do this with the Analysis options:

Figure 22 − Analysis menu

The Triangle options create various types of triangulation. A triangulation is amesh of triangles created from all the string points in a model. If you imaginethat the model strings are the frame of your model, then triangulation is theprocess of applying a skin over the frame. The links in the strings form trianglesides unless the points contain null elevations. Using a triangulation, the surfacecan be analyzed anywhere and not just at the string locations.

Section is used to create cross sections from a string, and profiles along a stringor a straight line. Both types of section are useful for checking the quality of adesign, and cross sections can also be used to calculate volumes. The sectionscreated are displayed in a separate viewer which can be docked to the MXframe. In the viewer, you can add many types of annotation and inspect thedesign for any errors or weaknesses. At any time, you can create a workingdrawing of the sections you are viewing.

Contour generates height contours from a triangulation. The contours arecategorized as either index contours or normal contours, where index contoursare used to indicate a significant height interval, for example, an index contourcan be generated for every five normal contours.

Generate ridge, valley and flow lines creates ridge and valley strings from which flowlines can be generated to work out surface water run−off.

The Area options calculate the plan or surface area of a model. You can definethe part of the model whose area is required either by boundary strings or bymeans of two strings limited in extent by normals to a reference string.

MX BasicsAnalyzing the design


Volume is used to calculate volumes from either triangulated surfaces orsections.

Surface Checker is used to check a surface created from surveyed data once it hasbeen input to MX. It can be used to check any surface in applications such aslandfill and quarrying to identify incorrect or incomplete data. This includes nulllevels, zero levels, single point strings, high points, low points, coincident pointsand intersection points. The results may be output graphically or as a report.

Surface Analysis is a Wizard which simplifies the analysis processes and displaysthe results in graphical form. You can perform analyses to show elevations,slopes or aspect bands, or show all slopes which are less than a specified grade.You can also display flat spots and flow arrows. The Wizard also handlessectioning and triangulation automatically.

Volumetric Analysis is a Wizard for calculating cut and fill areas and volumes,either between two surfaces, or between a surface and a plane. It has manypotential uses in civil engineering, from the analysis of linear schemes such asroads and railroads, through to quarrying and dredging works. Comparing twosurfaces could be used to analyze the difference between the existing groundand a pad for a building, or the bottom of a layer of contaminated material.Comparing a surface with a plane could be used to model navigation channels(where the plane could be the mean low water level), or to model retainingstructures such as reservoir dams.

Cross Slope Checker displays a graphical analysis of the superelevation applied to aroadway. The superelevation can be displayed using either drop/rise orpercentage diagrams. A superelevation report is then displayed in a separatewindow, which you can save or print.

Visibility checks and dynamically displays the analysis of through visibility,visibility at junctions and radial visibility. The analysis can then be output as areport. You can then save or print the report.

MX BasicsModifying the design

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Modifying the design

At any stage of the design, you can edit any of your data using the Modifyoptions:

Figure 23 − Modify menu

Edit Models allows you to create, rename or delete a model as well as providingtrimming, security options, and automated generation of composite models.Trimming allows you to trim a model to a boundary, while the security optionsallow you to provide read−only access to a model.

Edit Strings and Edit Points give you complete control over the strings in yourmodel. Although you normally design your main strings using the Designoptions, you can also create strings with Modify, and you can also edit any part ofa string and the points within a string. You can also automatically generateboundary strings around a model.

Copy, Move and the Copy Transformation Wizard may be used to copy an entiremodel, copy or move information from one model to another, or copy or movestrings within a model. Model information can also be transformed by definingshift, rotation, scaling, tilt or mirror parameters.

Explorer is a project management tool which allows you to manage the modelfile and other information in your project. You use Explorer in the same way asyou would use Windows or Internet Explorer, except that it works on MX filesrather than all files on your disk.

MX BasicsCreating drawings


Creating drawings

So far, you have seen how to use Display to draw your model information on thescreen without dividing it up into pages. To create a series of drawing pagesfrom a working display, you use the Draw options.

Figure 24 − Draw menu

Draw divides the drawings that MX can create into distinct groups of workingand final drawings. Working drawings are those needed by the engineer duringthe design phase of a project, and final drawings are those required for theconstruction phase of a project.

The final drawings functionality is only available in the CAD environments anduses CAD drawing techniques and drawing style sets to quickly and efficientlycreate and annotate the final drawings to a pre−defined standard.

Working Drawings � Create New Drawing creates a series of drawing pages fromthe current working display. Firstly, you select an existing page setup or create apage setup interactively to define the page size, margins, grids etc. There aredifferent page setups for plan, cross section and long section drawings.Depending upon the page setup you select, you are presented with differentoptions.

For cross and long sections, the appropriate viewer is invoked (as from theAnalysis menu) and you display the sections and annotation you wish to draw,either by starting from scratch or by using previously saved settings. You thenclick the Create a Drawing icon to create a full working drawing of theinformation you have viewed.

For plan drawings, you are led through the process of dynamically placing thepages, either along a string or as adjacent pages in rows and columns. Once youhave created your layout, you can save it for future use, and then optionallycreate the drawing pages. You have full control over the position of every pagein the layout.

Working Drawings � Recreate Existing Drawing recreates a set of drawing pagesfrom a saved page layout.

Working Drawings � Enhance Drawing is a drawing toolbox used for addingannotation to a drawing. It may be used to draw lines, boxes, circles, arcs,symbols, fill areas and text. The major difference between Display � Plan withTools and Enhance Drawing is that Enhance Drawing adds information to thedrawing only, it does not add any information to the model.

MX BasicsProducing visualizations

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The Final Drawings option uses components of MXDRAW to produce finaldrawings from a working drawing in a rapid and efficient manner. You cancreate layouts for plans, profiles, composite plans and profiles, and crosssections. In addition, because the final drawings are created using views of aworking drawing, any changes you make to the design are automaticallyreflected in the final drawings so that they are always up−to−date and ready toplot.

Final Drawings also provides a suite of geometric annotation tools. You canannotate geometric elements such as arcs, spirals, straights, grades and verticalcurves by transferring information from a tool tip directly to the drawing in apre−defined style. Any annotation you add to the drawing is dynamicallyupdated if the design changes.

You can specify the content of each view with a high degree of flexibility. MXobjects provide access to model information, while MX style sets and layeringtechniques define the way in which the information is presented.

Producing visualizations

Visualization is useful for checking the accuracy of a model at any stage in adesign (provided elevations have been assigned to the strings in the model), andalso for presentation of a design when it is complete. The visualization optionsare:

Figure 25 − Visualize menu

Simple Perspective creates a wire frame view from anywhere in a model. Youspecify the eye and target points, and whether or not you wish hidden lines tobe removed. The resulting perspective view can be enhanced in the same way asany other drawing.

For a greater degree of realism, you can use 3D View and Flythrough to producefull colored textured renderings of your design. You can also create and saveanimated 3D views as AVI files. Alternatively, you can use any of the AutoCADor MicroStation 3D viewing and rendering capabilities at any time.

MX BasicsCreating reports


Creating reports

Figure 26 − Report menu

Dynamic Reports provides access to a wide range of reporting options from anexpanding toolbar. You can include information from models, strings andpoints, as well as perpendiculars, normals and intersections. You can use theinformation to annotate the working display or save it to a file for importinginto a spreadsheet.

Alignment Reports

The alignment report options allow you to create customized reports ofhorizontal alignment, vertical alignment and setting out data which can beoutput to the screen or to a file. You can also use cut and paste techniques tocopy the data to a spreadsheet.

Figure 27 − Alignment Reports

MX BasicsExporting data

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Horizontal Alignment Report provides details of the horizontal geometry of thealignment, including details of arcs, spirals and straights such as arc length,radius and intersection point coordinates.

Vertical Alignment Report provide details of the vertical geometry of thealignment, including details of curves, spirals and grades such as curve length,radius, stations and elevations.

Many other types of reports can be produced in MX which are written to theoutput window. You can then copy and paste these reports using standardtechniques in to any suitable Windows application.

Exporting data

Model and drawing data can be exported in several forms from MX. This allowsyour design to be transferred easily between different sites, different computertypes and other drawing packages. Supported file formats are:

� MX GENIO

� MX MIFILE

� DXF

plus any of the native AutoCAD or MicroStation export formats.

Add−Ins

You use the Add−In Manager to add or remove applications so that you caninvoke them from within MX for your convenience. For example, you can addWindows Explorer to the Add−In menu using the Add−In Manager.

Add−In programs (previously known as Bonus Tools) are available to all BentleySELECT users from the Bentley web−site at www.Bentley.com.

Help

The Help menu gives access to the on−line help, tutorials, Bentley Web Siteinformation and information about the version of MX currently installed onyour machine.

Figure 28 − Help menu

MX BasicsHelp


Help � About MX gives information about the license you are using, and thecurrently installed version of MX. It also provides access to the security reportwhich defines the applications that you are authorized to use.

For further details about the on−line help and tutorials, refer to Using the OnlineHelp and Tutorials.

Overview

The MX Online Documentation suite links together all the documentation forthe different MX products. You can access the help, tutorials and various onlinedocuments in Adobe PDF format from the relevant Contents page for eachproduct.

MX Help

The MX Help system dynamically updates depending upon the MXenvironment you are using. It contains information on the following:

� MX Online Documentation − contains a navigation page, essential information,a guide to using the help, Release Notes and System Configuration.

� MX − gives access to three folders; Help, Tutorials and Linemode. Fordetails of the content of each folder please see below.

� Getting Started − an overview of MX.

� Using MX in Windows / Using MX in AutoCAD/MicroStation − an overviewof features specific to Windows / AutoCAD / MicroStation, and details ofhow MX interacts with the CAD application. Plus information about CADspecific commands and configuration settings.

� Administration − information on how to configure your MX software.

� Options in MX − contains detailed information about each main menuoption.

� Reference Information − contains reference material for all file formats(including style sets), and software fonts.

� Tutorials − contains the tutorials for MX in each of the environments,Windows, AutoCAD and MicroStation.

� Linemode − contains complete Help for Linemode. The help has enhancednavigation functions available at the bottom of the frame allowing selectionof help by Major and/or Minor option number.

� Applications − contains information about MX application packages,including; MXROAD, MXRENEW, MXRAIL, MXSITE, MXDRAW,MXURBAN and MXDRAINAGE. Each of these sections includes bothHelp and Tutorials for the application

� Glossary − contains the definition of terms used in the MX products. Theglossary is also directly accessed from the Help by clicking red text.

� Technical Information Resources − contains information about Bentley andshortcut access to many of the Bentley websites.

MX BasicsHelp

1


Accessing help and documentation

Help and documentation can be accessed in a variety of ways as follows:

� By selecting Start ⇒ Programs ⇒ Bentley MX ⇒ Help and Tutorials

� By selecting either the Help ⇒ Contents or Help ⇒ Contents Docked optionon the MX menu bar within MX itself.

� By pressing the F1 key on the current panel (ie, the panel with the highlitbar at the top). This method provides in−context Help by taking youdirectly to the topic associated with the panel.

� By clicking on the Help (?) button at the top right of any panel to obtainWhat’s This? Help. When you click the button, the cursor changes to a ?which you can then place and click over any piece of text on the panel forwhich you require Help.

Tutorials

The MX tutorials provide step−by−step instructions about how to use many ofthe options in MX. They are written in a typical project sequence. You canaccess them from the relevant Contents page in the MX Online Documentationsuite.

Online Manuals

These are provided in Adobe PDF format for online viewing and printing. Youcan access them from the relevant Contents page in the MX OnlineDocumentation suite.

MX BasicsSystem Administration


System Administration

Backing up your projects

You should take backup copies of all your project files at regular intervals. Youshould also back up any style sets, styles, macro symbols, or macro lines whichyou have created. Note that these may not be contained in your project folder;for example, you may have created a new style set and stored it in the…\??_styles folder in the MXROAD software structure. It is important thatyou organize your work in such a way that you know where all your files arelocated so you can back them up.

The options Zip Project and Unzip Project, which are available from the File menu,create a compressed backup file of an entire project in WinZip compatibleformat. See the on−line help for further details.

It is also a good idea to take a backup copy of your system files (ie, theMXROAD software structure) at less frequent intervals.

You should not create any project folders under the MXROAD softwarestructure.

Checking and backing up your model file

Many options in MX make extensive use of temporary models. Although thesemodels are deleted on completion of an option, the space taken up in the modelfile is not regained automatically; you must compress the model file in order toregain the space.

It is advisable that you carry out a model integrity check and take a freshbackup prior to compressing. The process can be interrupted and fail wherethere is insufficient disk space, a power supply problem or a corruption in thedata. Should a failure occur in compression for any of these reasons the modelfile will have to be restored from a backup.

The compression process requires that the models are written to a temporarymodel file, deleted from the original model file and then read back into theoriginal model file. To do this, you need three times the original model file sizeof free space available on your hard disk.

It is recommended that a regular backup of the model.fil is taken, ideally on adaily basis. This avoids data loss should a problem occur.

Problems with model files are very rare, but this should not lead tocomplacency in maintaining backups. The procedure below describes how tocompress a model file.

1. Open Windows Explorer

2. Browse the folders to get to your project folder, for example, c:\mx tutorial.

3. Locate the file model.fil, and click on it with the right mouse button.


1


4. From the menu, select Copy.

5. Click the right mouse button again, and select Paste.

A new file is created, called Copy of model.fil. This is a copy of the MX model file.Note that there is no problem doing this even though MX is still running,although you should not have any MX panels open.

1. From the File pull down, select File Management ⇒ Report Model file

Figure 29 − Report Model File

The Check Model File Records option is checked by default.

1. Click Apply to run this check.

The results are displayed in the output window; you will probably need to scrollup a few lines to see it all. It lists the number of records in the model file whichare actually filled with data, out of the total number that have been used, andalso the total space that will be available after compression.

Before you compress the model file, there are two options that you can use tocheck that it is OK.

1. On the Report Model File panel, click Check Model Pointers, followed by Apply.

MX looks through the model file, and checks it to ensure that each of themodels is arranged correctly inside the model file. The results of this aredisplayed in the output window again with a summary at the end, where the textshould say ‘END OF POINTER CHECK − 0 POINTER ERROR(S)FOUND’, which indicates that the model file is OK. If there is a number hereother than zero, it means that there is a problem with one or more of themodels on the model file, which must be investigated before continuing withany MX work. Scrolling up the list in the output window will show you whichmodel(s) and string(s) are affected. These need to be deleted using the MXoptions on the Modify pull down, until running this report indicates that thereare no pointer errors.

1. On the Report Model File panel, click Cancel.

2. In Windows Explorer, click on View ⇒ Refresh.

3. Browse the folders to get back to your project folder, and check the size ofthe model file model.fil.



4. Ensure that the Status bar shows there to be at least three times the size ofthe model file available as free disk space.

If there is not, you will have to create extra free space on the hard disk beforeyou can safely compress the model file. Once you have done this:

1. From the File menu, select File Management ⇒ Compress.

2. On the Compress panel, click Model File.

3. Click OK.

The option may take a few moments to run, then a note in the output window,if visible, should say W127 Model file stored & initializsed. If this message is notgiven, you should contact your System Administrator, or your MX supplier forfurther advice.

Disk maintenance

In order to maintain optimum performance from MXROAD, you shouldmanually delete files from your temporary directory (normally C:\temp) toensure that it does not become full (you can use Windows Explorer to do this).

You should also empty the Recycle Bin on your desktop at regular intervals.Select the Recycle Bin, click the right hand mouse button and select EmptyRecycle Bin. Alternatively, double−click the Recycle Bin icon and check thecontents first.

MX BasicsUser Support

1


User Support

United States and Canada

For support on this release, please e−mail the Bentley Helpdesk at:

[email protected]

Alternatively, phone the number below:

Tel: +1 800−BENTLEY

Elsewhere

For worldwide local contacts, see the contacts list on our Web site athttp://www.bentley.com to contact your local MX supplier.


2MXROAD

MXROAD − Overview

MXROAD is an application constructed of a number of modules to permit theefficient design of a road scheme from the input of the existing ground datathrough to the production of drawings and reports defining the scheme.Throughout the design, tools are available to permit analysis or visualization ofthe design so that you can check and confirm each step of the design process.

The modules that make up MXROAD are:

� Quick Alignment

� Road Design and Delete String Groups.

� Shoulder Design and Roadway Widening

� Rule−Based Superelevation

� Intersection Design

� Pavement and Subgrade Design

� Cross Sectional Editor

� Report Generator

Other MX options such as MX Explorer and Surface Analysis are included onthe MXROAD toolbar for your convenience.

The options within the modules can be accessed via the main menu bar or viathe MXROAD toolbar, which in turn is accessed from the Applications toolbar.The method of access is not important; however, the advantage of theMXROAD toolbar is that the order of the options reflects the order of a typicalproject sequence.

Figure 30 − MXROAD toolbar

MXROADStandard String Naming Convention

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Standard String Naming Convention

The MX standard string naming convention (SNC) has been introduced to giveautomatic integration of any design produced from any of the MXROADoptions. It may be switched on or off on a per project basis from the messagewhich appears when you start a new project, or from Tools ⇒ System Parameters.

Strings created by the MXROAD options are assigned names which store thefollowing information:

� the string type (first character, eg, M for master string)

� the specific road feature (second character, eg, C for center line)

� the associated master alignment which defines the string group (thirdcharacter, eg, 0 for the first alignment)

� the side of the master alignment on which the string was created (fourthcharacter, eg, 0 for the left hand side, I for the right hand side)

Because many of the options within MXROAD rely on the informationreturned from the string names, it is not possible to use MXROAD on modelsthat do not follow the convention.

Any alignment you create and intend to use with MXROAD options mustconform to the convention, ie, the first two characters must be MC, and thethird character must be unique.

You must assign the feature set MXROAD.fns to any design model which usesMXROAD options. You can do this using Tools ⇒ Model Defaults.

For full details of the SNC, refer to the on−line help.

Options in MXROAD

This section describes the options which are available from MXROAD. All theoptions in MXROAD can be found within the standard menus, such as Designand Edit. They are also available from the MXROAD toolbar (accessed fromthe Applications toolbar) for your convenience to help you with the projectsequence.

For all the options in MXROAD, you can find more detailed information in theon−line help.

Import

Although not strictly an MXROAD option, File ⇒ Import allows you to importexisting ground data on which the road design scheme is to be implemented.The data may be imported in one of several formats:

MXROADSurface Analysis


� AutoCAD DXF (*.dxf)

� National Transfer Format NTF (*.ntf)

� MX GENIO (*.txt)

� MX Survey data (*.inp)

� Softdesk Alignment and DTM

� Eagle Point Triangulation

� LandXML

In all cases, a model is created from the ground data. You should assign adefault feature set and style set immediately to the new ground model whichyou can then draw using the option Display ⇒ Plan with Style Set if required.

If you have MX in Windows, but not MX in MicroStation or MX in AutoCAD,you can still import data from a MicroStation DGN or AutoCAD DWG file.You can either convert the file to DXF format or use the MX data translatorprogram MX Change.

NTF file format is used by the United Kingdom Ordnance Survey for mapdata.

Surface Analysis

This option lets you perform analyses of the surface on which the design is tobe built. This is essential to confirm that the imported data is correct andcontains no errors. Typically the analysis will highlight errors in level and willalso provide a graphical representation of the existing surface; both of whichcan provide essential information for your design.

There are nine different types of analysis each taking you through the necessarysteps in a minimum amount of time. The options are:

� Display contours

� Elevation bands

� Slope bands

� Aspect bands

� Flat spots

� Steep slopes

� Flow arrows

� Simple profile

� Display triangulation

MXROADAlignment Design

2


Figure 31 − Ground model showing contours

In MX in Windows, you can also highlight any errors in elevation by color fillingthe triangulation and illuminating the view from the Zoom toolbar.

Alignment Design

The Alignment Design options enable you to create the alignment for the roaddesign. You may use either the Quick Alignment options Horizontal Design andVertical Profile, or Alignment which gives greater flexibility but may take longer tolearn.

Whichever method is used, the end result is the same, a complete alignmentdefined both horizontally and vertically. The alignment is converted to a masterstring which is generally used as the center line along which a roadway and otherfeatures can be designed.



Figure 32 − Alignment Design

Quick Alignment

Horizontal Design

Horizontal Design enables you to create horizontal alignments using dynamicIntersection Point (PI) placement and manipulation.

The following layout options are available:

� Add PI − adds an PI to an alignment.

� Move PI − dynamically moves an PI to a new location.

� Insert PI − inserts an PI between existing PIs

� Remove PI − select a point near the PI to be removed.

Other features enable you to:

� edit curves

� view details of the currently selected curve

� draw clearance lines and circles

� amend the design parameters

� delete a whole alignment


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� snap PIs to an existing point

� alter the position of a finished alignment

� undo up to 20 previous actions.

You can also obtain a printed report of the horizontal alignment.

Vertical Profile

Vertical Profile enables you to create vertical alignments using dynamic PIplacement and manipulation. The backcloth is a vertical profile of an existinghorizontal alignment extracted from the triangulation model of the ground.

The following options are available:

� Add PIs

� Move PIs

� Remove PIs

� Insert PIs

� Lock PIs

� Delete profile

� Calculate overall cut and fill

� Calculate grade and radius

� View details of a curve

� Change the vertical exaggeration

� Amend design parameters

� Set the curve data

� Change the view of the display area.

There is also a table editor which you can use instead of dynamic placement tospecify values such as grade and curve radius using the keyboard.

MXROADRoad Design


Alignment

Alignment is used to design alignments for roads and other engineering features.

An alignment describes the basic horizontal and vertical position of a designfrom which all other surface features are generated. For a road, the alignmentusually represents the center line, but may represent a pavement edge or anyother convenient feature.

Alignments are created in two stages: first the horizontal design, then thevertical design.

For both horizontal and vertical design, there are three design methods; theElement method, the Intersection Point (PI) method and the Spline method.

The Element method allows you to construct an alignment from a series ofelements, either straights or circular arcs, connected by spiral curves as required.The PI method produces the same end result but allows you to construct thealignment by entering a series of intersection points. The lines joining thesepoints are tangential to the curves which connect the straight elements. Spiralscan also be included if required. Finally, the Spline method allows you to specifya series of points through which a cubic spline curve is fitted.

Complete alignments are converted to master strings for use with the otherMXROAD options.

Road Design

Road Design is a series of options that take you through the process ofdesigning a road from an existing master string. It consists of a number ofstages; Roadways, Rule−based Superelevation, Road Widening, Shoulder Design andCurbs, Shoulders and Sidewalks.

MXROADRoad Design

2


Figure 33 − Road Design

Roadways

Roadways creates a road surface using either a standard template or one you havecustomized yourself. The templates contain all the details of the road surface,including the roadway width and the cross slope or vertical offset to theroadway edge strings. There are standard templates for many different types ofroadway, including single roads, with a single lane either side, and dual roadwayswith two or three lanes.

The process you follow through the Road Design Roadways Wizard is asfollows:

� Specify the model and master string along which you wish to create theroadway. This will generally be the model containing the alignment createdusing one of the Alignment options.

� Select the template to be applied.

� Check the template design details and modify them if required.

� Specify the start and end of the roadway design.

� Generate the roadway strings (including a center line level string).

� Repeat the operation with another template, if the start and end of theroadway was not the whole extent of the alignment.

You should design the roadway along your alignment in one session of the RoadDesign Wizard.

If you change templates along the master string, you can choose to join theequivalent strings in the two portions of roadway automatically. The roadway

MXROADRoad Design


strings are joined either linearly or with a reverse curve, both horizontally andvertically. If you include a central reserve in one roadway but not the other, youmay need to modify the center line level string to include a vertical step at thecorrect position.

If the results are not what you want, you can remove the roadway strings usingModify Design ⇒ Edit Strings ⇒ Delete String Groups. This option allows you toselect all the roadway strings and delete them. Recreating the roadway using amodified template is quickly achieved.

Rule−based Superelevation

Rule−based Superelevation provides a simple approach to the application ofsuperelevation to a road. The superelevation applied is based on parametersspecified in design rules files, which conform to either a local or nationalstandard.

The process is defined by the following steps:

� Specify the master string of the road to which you wish to addsuperelevation.

� Specify the design rules and design speed to be used. The design rules willdetermine whether single or dual roadway parameters are to be used.

� Select the pivot method to be used.

� Choose a linear, reverse curve or biquadratic curve application (only thelinear type is available for some pivot methods).

� Select the roadway edge strings to which you wish to apply superelevation.

The calculations are then made and a summary of the results is displayed.Before you apply the superelevation, you can confirm that the superelevation iscorrect or amend the calculated values if required. Following the reviewprocess, the superelevation is applied to the roadway.

Road Widening

The Road Widening Wizard provides a simple approach to the process of roadwidening, and can be used to create extra lanes, bypass lanes, parking areas orintersection widening.


� Select the road center line and the string to widen.

� Select the type of taper to apply, either linear (as illustrated below) orreverse curve.

� Define how the taper is to be specified; by length, by ratio to the width orby station.

� Specify the length and width of the widening.

� Specify either projected cross slope or hinged cross slope as the method ofapplication for the widened section.

� Create the widening.

MXROADRoad Design

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Length oftaper

Road string to widen

before

after

Road center line

Figure 34 − Road Widening

You can retain the original roadway string along the widening, or you can deleteit.

Shoulder Design

Shoulder Design is used to create shoulders from the edge of the roadway. Severaldifferent methods are available to apply the cross slope across the shoulder, andthe method can be changed automatically when certain criteria are met.

The standard shoulder methods are:

� Fixed cross slope − specify the cross slope from the roadway edge to theshoulder.

� Follow roadway cross slope − use the same cross slope for the shoulder asthat used for the roadway.

There are other methods which you can specify for the outside curve of ashoulder. These include:

� Maximum shoulder break − uses the standard shoulder settings until theroadway is superelevated and a maximum cross slope difference betweenthe roadway and shoulder is reached. At this point, the shoulder cross slopeis set to a specified value or to match the roadway cross slope, dependingon the option selected. The transition length between the maximum crossslope difference and the point at which the new values are in force may bespecified, and may also be offset along the roadway from the point ofmaximum cross slope difference.

� Shoulder rollover − this works in a similar way to the maximum shoulderbreak method, except that during restoration the shoulder is split in twowidthways so that the cross slope break at the edge of the roadway isdecreased.

� Maximum algebraic difference − uses the standard shoulder settings untilthe roadway is superelevated and a maximum cross slope difference

MXROADIntersection Design


between the roadway and shoulder is reached. From this point until theroadway achieves full superelevation, the shoulder cross slope is varied sothat the maximum algebraic difference is maintained.

� Maximum algebraic difference (part width) − for this method, the shoulderis split in two widthways by a new string and cross slope is applied to theouter portion in the same way as for the maximum algebraic differencemethod. For the inner portion, ie, between the roadway edge and the newstring, the standard shoulder cross slope is applied at the point ofmaximum algebraic distance, which gradually changes to the roadway crossslope at the point where full superelevation begins. It is also over thisdistance that the new string is created.

Curbs, Shoulders and Sidewalks

Curbs, Shoulders and Sidewalks is similar in operation to Roadways, except that adifferent set of templates is used to create the required strings. You can chooseto apply the templates on either the left of the roadway, the right of the roadwayor both sides.

Normally, you would use this option after you have applied superelevation andcompleted any intersection design.

Intersection Design

The Intersection Design options are used to create a T intersection between athrough road and an intersecting road.

Figure 35 − Intersection Design

MXROADPavement and Subgrade Design

2


Before attempting intersection design you must have completed the design ofboth roadways including widening at the intersection and appliedsuperelevation. Once the intersection design is complete, you can complete thedesign and add curbs, unpaved shoulders or sidewalks.

You can also create cross roads by adding fillets to all corners of twointersecting roadways. You may create fillets from circular arcs or three centercurves, and then regrade the entire intersection by dynamically editing thevertical profile using information from the roadway edges. This may be toimprove water flow across the intersection or to relocate a low spot.

Once this is done, you can add traffic islands from a pre−defined traffic islandstyle library, and then complete the intersection by automatically joining thefillets to the roadway edges.

Earthworks Wizard

The Earthworks Wizard is a standard MX option which is used to design anearthworks structure between two models, the design model containing the newdesign surface and the existing ground model. The earthwork design relies onthe specification of an earthwork style, together with a number of strategies tobe used when specified criteria are met.

The Wizard guides you through the process of specifying models, section sets,earthwork styles and strategies, the criteria to trigger the strategies and so on,until you apply your earthwork design requirement to the models.


� Specify the models and essential strings.

� Assign styles to the four style definition areas (left and right cut and fill).

� Set up analysis control.

� Create the earthwork design.

To make the procedure as simple as possible, the Wizard has access to a libraryof earthwork styles such as simple slope and slope/bench combinations. Youcan apply different earthwork styles and strategies to lengths of the road byspecifying the start and end points. Alternatively, you can create your owncustom earthworks styles specific to the current design or your national designrules. These custom earthwork styles can then be saved in your own library forfuture use.

Pavement and Subgrade Design

The Pavement and Subgrade Design Wizard is used to create pavement layersand the subgrade for a roadway. You can also produce working drawings of thecross sections, which show the pavement construction in detail, and calculatevolumes between the different construction surfaces and the existing ground.

MXROADPavement and Subgrade Design


Pavement and Subgrade Design requires the following information before youbegin your design:

� the design model and center line of the roadway

� existing cross sections for every point on the road center line (ie, themaster string) for both the ground model and the design model. Forexample, if you have generated cross sections at tangent points on themaster string in your design model, these must also exist in the groundmodel.

Figure 36 − Cross section showing pavement layers

MXROADModifying the design

2


Modifying the design

Figure 37 − Modify

Edit Strings and Edit Points

You can use the standard MX Edit options during all stages of an engineeringdesign as follows:

� for the existing surface − to correct erroneous elevations and the groundposition of points and strings.

� for feature design − to remove redundant parts of strings where theyintersect other features, or to insert non−standard features.

� for analysis − to create boundaries within which areas or volumes arederived.

� for visualization − to enhance and improve model information for drawings.

Delete String Groups

The MXROAD option Delete String Groups is particularly useful because it allowsyou to delete strings of a particular type in one operation. For example, if youcreate a roadway and wish to re−design it using the same alignment, you candelete all the roadway strings associated with the alignment.

Cross Sectional Editor

The cross sectional editor allows you to view cross sections and modify thepoints on them. The changes you make to the cross sections are reflected in themodel data. For example, you can use this to adjust earthworks slopes so thatthey lie within the land take limits of your construction project.

MXROADProject Sequence


Sections can be dynamically edited at individual stations by specifying an offset,elevation or slope. You can either edit a cross section element in isolation, ie,without affecting the elements which lie outside of the element you are editing,or you can edit an element and have all outer elements retain the same relativeposition.

Volumes can be calculated at any time between the ground and design modelswithin a selected station range.

Project Sequence

The project sequence is critical in MXROAD. For example, you cannot use roadwidening if the roadway has not been created, and, if you wish to superelevatethe roadway, you must do this before creating an intersection.

The MXROAD project sequence is shown below:

� Horizontal Alignment

� Vertical Alignment

� Roadways

� Rule−based Superelevation

� Road Widening

� Create Fillet

� Regrade Intersection

� Create Traffic Island

� Tidy Intersection

� Shoulder Design

� Curbs, Shoulders and Sidewalks

� Earthworks Wizard

� Cross Sectional Editor

� Pavement and Subgrade Design

Not all steps need to be carried out each time; for details of which options aremandatory and which are optional at any particular stage, refer to the on−linehelp.

MXROADProject Sequence

2


MXROAD Intr oduction i−1

IndexNumbers

3D View, 1−44

3D View and Flythough, 1−44

A

Add−In menu, 1−46

Alignment, creating, 1−39

Alignment design, 2−4

Alignment reports, 1−45

Analysis menu, 1−40

Analysis options, 1−40

Applications toolbar, 1−28

Area calculation, 1−40

B

Backing up projects, 1−49

C

ConfigurationMX in AutoCAD, 1−20MX in MicroStation, 1−27

Contours, generating, 1−40

Cross sections, editing, 2−14

Cross Slope Checker, 1−41

Curbs, shoulders and sidewalks option, 2−11

D

Data interoperability, 1−8

Deleting strings, 2−14

Design menu, 1−38

Design options, 1−38

Disk maintenance, 1−51

Disontinuities. See Gaps

Display, Menu, 1−35

Display options, 1−43

Drainage networks, 1−40

Draw menu, 1−43

Draw options, 1−43

DXF format, 2−3exporting, 1−46

Dynamic reports, 1−45

E

E−mail address, 1−52

Eagle Point Triangulation, importing, 1−34

Earthworks wizard, 1−39, 2−12

Editing strings and points, 2−14

Exporting data, 1−46

F

Feature set, definition of, 1−6

File menu, 1−34

Final drawings, 1−44

Flythrough, 1−44

Full alignment, 2−7

G

Gaps, 1−5

GENIO format, 1−34, 2−3exporting, 1−46

H

Help desk, 1−52

Help menu, 1−46

Horizontal design, 2−5

I

Import option, 2−2

Importing data, 1−33

Intersection design, 2−11

L

LandXML, 1−34

M

Menu, Display, 1−35

Menu bar, 1−13

Index

MXROAD Intr oductioni−2

Model defaults, 1−35how to assign, 1−7

Model file, 1−2

Models, editing, 1−42

Modify menu, 1−42

Modify options, 1−42

Mouse, use of buttons, 1−11

MX Basics, 1−1

MX Controls toolbar, 1−26

MX environments, 1−8AutoCAD, 1−16MicroStation, 1−22Windows, 1−15

MX toolbar, 1−17

MX Toolbox, 1−24

MXDRAINAGE, 1−28

MXDRAW, 1−29

MXRAIL, 1−28

MXRENEW, 1−28

MXROAD, 1−28

MXSITE, 1−28

MXURBAN, 1−28

N

Null elevations, 1−6

O

Output window, 1−14

Overview, 2−1

P

Panels, components of, 1−12

Pavement and subgrade design, 2−12

Perspective views, 1−44

Points, 1−4

Preferences, 1−37

Profiles, creating, 1−40

Project, creating, 1−31

Project sequence, 1−33

Q

Quick alignment, 2−4

R

Raster backcloth, 1−36

Report menu, 1−45

Report options, 1−45

Road design options, 2−7

Road widening option, 2−9

Roadways option, 2−8

Rule−based superelevation, 2−9

S

Security Report, 1−47

Shoulder design option, 2−10

Shoulder rollover, 2−10

SNC, 2−2

Standard string naming convention, 1−7, 2−2

Starting MX, 1−30

Startup panel, 1−31

Stringsediting, 1−42types of, 1−3

Style setdefinition of, 1−6using to create a working display, 1−36

Support, 1−52

Surface analysis, 1−41of the ground, 2−3

T

Toolbars, 1−14

Tools menu, 1−35

Triangulation, creating, 1−40

U

User support, 1−52

V

Vertical design, 2−6

View menu, 1−37

Visibility, 1−41

Index

MXROAD Intr oduction i−3

Visualize options, 1−44Visualize menu, 1−44Volume calculation, 1−41

W

Web page address, 1−52

Widening, 2−9

Working display, creating, 1−35

Working drawings, 1−43

Index

MXROAD Intr oductioni−4

5. introduction to mx road 2004

Documents

mxroad intr oduction

mx basicssystem administration4

cross sectional editor

adobe pdf format

maximum algebraic difference

pi method produces

main menu bar

mx basicsautocad environment