Terrain Plan Tab

Drawing Topography Elements

You can draw contours lines to represent the topography of your lot. Contour lines represent a series of connected points that share the same elevation. You begin by choosing a general shape for your contour, setting the elevation, and then choosing the drawing method. When used together, multiple lines set at varying elevations creates dips or berms in your landscape.

The contour tools are available from the Topography toolset on the Landscape plan tab.

When the tool is active you can set the topography line elevation on the Properties tab. You can also change the elevation of the topography line after it has been placed in your drawing.

There are a number of drawing methods for creating topography. The default shape is a polygon, which you can draw as an enclosed or open shape. For details on draw methods, see “Detail Plan Tab”. Below is an example of using topography lines to create a berm, where the inner contour lines are set to higher elevations.

Note: Elevations for topography are not cumulative, each is relative to the working elevation of your drawing. Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:

1. Topography Element Properties
2. AutoSnap and Alignment Options
3. Reshaping and Resizing 2D Objects

To add topography lines

1. On the Landscape plan toolbar, click the Topography Line Tool from the Topography toolset.
2. On the Properties tab, click the Draw Method drop-down menu and choose the shape you want.
3. Use the Define 2D Shape drawing method to draw the topography.

This example shows a railing drawn using the Closed Curve Polygon shape

Topography Element Properties

Topography elements are defined by their shape and elevation. You can edit the properties before you draw or after the element has been added to your design by selecting it and clicking the Properties tab.

Note: Always press the ENTER to accept new values in a text box.

1. Elevation defines the elevation at which the contour line is positioned, relative to the ground.
2. Curve options control curvature. For more information, see “Changing Curve Tension”.
3. Edit Level Select Object to resize the whole object or Points to edit individual points on the shape.
4. Open & Closed options specify if the shape is open-ended or contained. When closed, the elevation applies to the entire contour creating more of a full shape; when open the contour blends with the lower elevation at the opening creating a shallower shape.
5. Convert to Build Pad button creates a flat area regardless of topography lines that exist.

Adding Slopes

Many topographical maps show slopes, rather than complex topography shapes. Once you’ve defined the slope, you can move selected topography lines to create plateaus or otherwise customize your topography design.

You can set the start elevation for the slope and the descent angle before you draw or after the component has been added to your design by selecting it and clicking the Properties tab.

Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:

1. Slope Lot Properties
2. AutoSnap and Alignment Options
3. Reshaping and Resizing 2D Objects

To add a slope to the landscape

1. On the Landscape plan toolbar, click the Slope Lot Section Tool from the Topography toolset.
2. Use the Click-and-Drag drawing method to set the descent angle and length for the slope.

Slope Lot Properties

Slope lots are defined by their starting and ending elevations. You can also choose to specify a descent angle.

Note: Always press the ENTER to accept new values in a text box.

1. Start Elevation defines the elevation where the top of the slope begins. The slope descends from this elevation.
2. Descent Angle defines the angle of the slope.
3. Auto-Dimension checkbox controls the displays of dimensions in 2D. If automatic dimensions are not displayed for the entire drawing, the slope dimensions are not displayed. For details on controlling the automatic dimensions display “Dimensioning”.

Excavating Topography

From underground barns to planting cavities, you can excavate with ease.

By default, excavated areas are created at an elevation of -3'-0", meaning 3'-0" into the ground. The elevation is controlled by the component elevation setting in the Elevation bar.

You can further customize excavations using the following edit methods:

1. Elevating Objects
2. Reshaping and Resizing 2D Objects
3. Selecting Points and 2D Shapes
4. AutoSnap and Alignment Options
5. Rotating a Selection
6. Moving a Selection & Nudging a Selection
7. Changing Curve Tension

To excavate the topography

1. On the Landscape plan toolbar, click the Excavate Topography Tool from the Topography toolset.
2. On the Properties tab, click the Draw Method drop-down menu and choose the shape you want.
3. Use the Define 2D Shape drawing method to draw an excavated area.

Spray Topography tools:

New Spray Topography Tools allows for quick terrain changes without defining elevation contour map. Just click and drag directly in 3D to shape the terrain using Spray, Smooth and Erase Topography tools. This feature allows for rapid terrain changes without having to build intricate contour maps based off topographical data.

Before

After

Before

After

Spray Topography:

Allows you to create topographical features by click and dragging on the lot surface in the 3D window

1. On the Terrain Plan Toolbar, click the Spray Topography tool
2. On the properties tab, edit Brush type, Elevation Change and other settings.
3. Click and drag on the lot surface in the 3D window to change the topography.

Note: Use Left mouse button to raise, and Right mouse button to lower the topography.

Smooth Topography:

Allows you to smooth rough topographical features by click and dragging on the lot surface in the 3D window.

1. On the Terrain Plan Toolbar, click the Smooth Topography tool

2. On the properties tab, edit Brush type and other settings.

3. Click and drag on the lot surface in the 3D window to Smooth the topography.

Erase Topography:

Allows you to Erase sprayed topographical features by click and dragging on the lot surface in the 3D window.

1. On the Terrain Plan Toolbar, click the Erase Topography tool
2. On the properties tab, edit Brush type and other settings.
3. Click and drag on the lot surface in the 3D window to Erase the topography.