Configure 12d User_Lib directory files

  • Rodney Burns

 

12d Model Configuration files “$User_Lib” directory;

AutoCAD Drawing Templates (*.dwt)

For complete control of your exported 12d Model project data both a drawing template (DWT) and Autocad map file (acadmf) should be created.

AutoCAD Map File (*.acadmf)

This text file should be setup with a matching company Autocad drawing template (*.DWT).  It directs the various 12d Strings (Objects) to specific layers when exporting project data to a DWG/DXF file.

Design Template files (*.tpl)

These text files can contain one or many standard templates to be read into and used on all company projects.  By having a library of templates within the User_Lib directory, users can produce consistent project work and the names and colours can be correctly mapped to cad or for visualisation within 12d.  To create a *.tpl file you must first have a template and then open the File I/O => Templates output menu, there you can output a single template or many within a single tpl file.  These files are first saved into the working directory and can then be moved into the User_Lib directory.  To load a tpl file in a new project users can input the file via the File I/O => Templates input panel.

Plot Parameter Files (*.ppf)

ppf files are used for Road, Drainage, Sewer, Pipeline Longitudinal Sections along with Cross Sections and Drainage Plan information.  These files give users the ability to plot 12d Model information for presentation and are flexible to match the majority of users needs.  Edits to a ppf file for the matching of a company standard should be saved within the User_Lib, to be accesses by all users, on all projects.  Note: the colours selected within the ppf’s can further determine the cad layer the information is output onto, via the plotters.4d and associated *.amf file as outlined above.  All the ppf files can be access through the Plot => Plot and PPF Editors menu.

Title Block Files (*.tbf)

These text files contain information on the position, size & colour etc of information you would like to present in your company title block.

Company logos and user definable parameters allow for a quick and professional finished set of company drawings to be used on one or many projects to suit your needs.

Plot Frames

Users are able to plot plan information directly from 12d to a plotter and using the plot frames.  Created under the Plot => Plot frames => Create menu, users can specify a scale, rotation and title block file to be used on the export of the information.  Once a specific tbf file is loaded and the margins set, it’s recommended that users create a slf file of the panel for future use directly from the User_Lib directory or a toolbar button.

Users are also able to create a Plot frames along an alignment to estimate and determine the sheets required to plot the information.  This menu is found under the Plot => Plot frames => More => Plot frames along string menu.  Once created, 12d plot frames are able to be edited individually via the Plot => Plot frames => Edit menu.  Plotting using the plot frames is usually done on a specific view using a customised Plot Frames PPF Editor menu Plot => Plot and PPF Editors => Plot frames.

Screen Layout Files (*.slx)

These text files (not recommended to be edited in textpad), save the layout of 12d panels for future recall and reuse.  These files can be saved within the $User_Lib directory or called into Toolbar and Usermenu options if required.

The saved SLX panel files are able to opened via the “File I/O -> Layouts -> Layout Input” menu.

Range Files (*.*rf)

12d Model is installed with a number of different range files to help report and analysis engineering projects.

These text based files can highlight project information including;

  • Slope (percent, 1 in or degrees) of a surface (tin)
  • Depth, between surfaces (tins)
  • Aspect, direction that a tin faces eg, north, east, south
  • Height, Reduced levels or coloured contours of similar height
  • Area, or a closed polygon eg, property boundary

With the production of such analysis, detailed plans with a corresponding legend can be produced to display results to a non-technical audience. To create a Legend or Table of your Range File results, refer to “Tabulate Range File“.

Component.12dcomponentlib

12d Model Road Designers are able to quickly and effectively generate complex geometry models with the placing of installed Components.  These shipped templates can be further enhanced and customised to use your company string naming and display setting.

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