In the video below we show you how to create AOI boundary lines for a Takeoff calculation.
In the example, the user’s client requested that the volumes be broken out into two areas - an area around the buildings for a Project and then the areas outside the building area - so the two areas overlap each other 100%. So how do you tackle that with AOIs.
The key is that the outer area will use the outer boundary, and it will be extended to exclude the inner area using the Track Region command. This creates a “donut” shaped boundary with a hole or holes (I guess this would be a “swiss cheese” boundary!) in the middle. The inner boundary can be used for the second AOI to give the buildings area.
In addition, be clear that an AOI (Area of Interest) is a simple 2D (can be 3D) boundary that is not going to affect your surfaces in any way, the boundaries are simply superimposed on the Takeoff calcs so that the quantities are subdivided into 2 or more sets of results - one for each AOI. When you create AOIs they will go on a layer e.g. AOIs and that does not need to be categorized as Original or Design because you do not necessarily want these lines to be used as 3D lines for your models nor as 2D lines for Site Improvements / Demolitions - so I would categorize the AOI layer as Other in most cases. If the lines also happen to be Site Improvement Boundaries or 3D Lines that you want in your Design or Original Surface models then they can be categorized as Original or Design as needed. If they also happen to be the surface boundary then they can be tagged as containing Site Improvement Boundaries or Surface Boundaries as necessary - remember however that the Donut or Swiss Cheese has holes in it so if you happen to use one of those as a surface boundary your surface will also look like a Donut or Swiss Cheese - OK if you are hungry but not ideal for a Takeoff!
Alan