Smart Edit - Join Mode
Join functions
The Join functions of Smart Edit are derived from the Smart Join command and have been extended to provide 3D joining capability, as well as methodology to elevate and relayer joined lines automatically in a single step process. This works well with both CAD and PDF Vector data, and accelerates the process of converting PDF files into 3D models.
The Join function quickly joins disconnected lines using automated or manual processes suited to fixing CAD and PDF line errors at the same time as joining lines for Data Prep purposes
Command interface description
The Join function of the Smart Edit command dialog looks as follows
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Options
When joining line segments together into a continuous line, the lines selected may have gaps (longitudinal, lateral, overlaps, cross overs etc.) between the end points of the selected segments. The Smart Join command provides several join types that “resolve” most typical CAD and PDF linework issues.
Select the join type that makes the most sense for the data that you are working with from the following options
Join - Simple
Connects line segment 1 to line segment 2 with an extra segment in between
Join - Keep First
Keeps the end of line segment 1 and moves the nearest end of line segment 2 to the end of line segment 1
Join - Keep Second
Keeps the end of line segment 2 and moves the nearest end of line segment 1 to the end of line segment 2
Join - Mean
Moves the end of line segment 1 and the end of line segment 2 to the mean coordinate position between the two line segment ends
Join - Keep Shortest
Moves the end of the line which has the longest end segment of the two selected lines to the end of the line segment with the shorter end segment to minimize the change in geometry effect of the resulting line. This is typically used to join Straight and Arc Chord segments extracted from PDF files, where the shortest segment is normally the arc chord segment and the longest segment is normally the straight line that connects between the chorded arcs.
Join - Intersection
Trims / Extends the line segments to the intersection point of the two selected lines and joins them at that location. Note this function is controlled by the maximum intersection length setting when using the Auto multi select functions. This works for both line extensions and line trims (crossings).
Join - Overlap
This mode is useful when joining segments together where there may be a lot of duplicate and overlapping segments. In this mode the second line is broken at the end of the first line and the two ends are joined using the mean mode of connection (see above).
Use crossing point checkbox:
Check the checkbox if you have line segments that physically cross over each other. Once checked, the command will trim off the shortest end of the crossing lines and join the lines at the crossing point of the two lines.
Note:
If the selected segments touch at their end points they will be joined correctly without any change in geometry. When there is a gap or overlap or crossover, the ends of the lines will be moved or trimmed according to the settings selected. Be aware that whichever option you select, there will be an impact on the resulting line geometry to some degree unless the two selected segments are colinear with a gap or overlap. You can later define some tolerances that will limit the process of joining to acceptable levels of node movement. If you are concerned about node movement set tight tolerances like 0.01, and if you are OK with looser controls enter larger values. The larger the values entered the more geometry changes you can expect to incur.
The command is great for Data Prep for Takeoff where you are working with PDF linework that is already less accurate than CAD linework but good enough for bid / takeoff purposes. It also works well for Data Prep / Modeling purposes, however tighter tolerances should be used with more manual controls applied during joining.
While there is not a one size fits all join that will work in every possible scenario, the Simple Join or Shortest Join with the use crossing point checkbox enabled, should address most join needs.
Close lines checkbox:
When you are joining lines, if the first and last node of the same line are within the maximum join distance and or maximum lateral movement tolerance settings, the lines will be auto adjusted and closed using the currently selected join type if this checkbox is enabled. If it is not enabled, the lines will remain unclosed.
Video Demonstration - Join Methods
In the following video we show how the different Join Methods are used in a variety of join line scenarios that can all occur in the same project.
Auto join settings:
When using the Single (Auto) mode and selecting multiple line segments or when using the Multiple (Auto) and selecting multiple line segments, the command requires some additional controls to stop it from creating erroneous joins.
When you select single segments one at a time, you are able to make the decision whether or not the resulting join is appropriate. When you select multiple segments to create the lines, the software has to make those decisions and the following controls provide the settings through which you can manage the joining process.
Maximum join distance:
This setting controls how far apart the nearest end points of the two segments being joined can be, before the join will not be created i.e. if you are joining dashed line segments that are 1’ or 0.2m apart use 1.1’ or 0.25m as the setting to allow all the joins requested to be created.
Maximum lateral movement checkbox:
With the different join types and different join scenarios possible, you will want to limit how much lateral distance (offset) you are prepared to allow when joining line segments. For PDF lines, it is common to see offsets of 0.1 to 0.2’ between the ends of arcs and starts of straight segments, so you would use e.g. 0.15’ or 0.25’ here as a setting to allow the ends of the straight segment to be moved to the end of the arc segment while joining. Offsets larger than 0.15 or 0.25’ would then not be joined.
When working in Single (Auto) mode and when selecting one segment at a time, you will be making the decisions as to how to join the lines together. In this scenario, you should set the Maximum join distance to a higher value than the minimum required for all joins, and uncheck the Maximum lateral movement checkbox. If you are group selecting target lines then you should enable these two settings to limit the way that the auto-joining works to avoid undesirable results.
Maximum Intersection Length Checkbox:
When working with the Intersection type of join, use this setting to prohibit the software from finding intersection locations that are a long way from the ends of the selected line segments. When the setting value is exceeded, the software will revert to the simple join type of connection between line segments.
Use straightest join checkbox:
When joining multiple lines or even single lines that double back on themselves, it is common to have more than one possibility that meets the criteria defined by the selected tolerances when lines come close together (e.g. contours). Use this checkbox to have the command use the line that has the straightest (least deflection) connection to the source segment. In this scenario, the straightest connection would override the shortest connection.
Blue line = Shortest join
Pink line = Straightest join
Use alternate colors checkbox:
When joining multiple segments into multiple lines, on completion it is often hard to know what the command did i.e. what did it not manage to join together because the tolerance settings failed etc.
If you enable this checkbox, and select two different and contrasting colors, each line that is created will be given one then the next line the other alternative color etc. so that on completion you can clearly see what worked and more importantly what did not work so that you can focus on fixing the remaining joins required. i.e. where a red line meets a blue line at their end points, you can instantly tell that they should have been joined together but were not because of a failed tolerance setting.
Only join lines with same:
In addition to all of the above join constraints, the following additional checks can also be added to further restrict erroneous joins in certain scenarios
Elevation checkbox:
When checked, the smart join function will only join two line segments if they have the same or no elevation.
Layer checkbox:
When checked, the smart join function will only join two line segments if they are drawn on the same layer.
Name checkbox:**
When checked, the smart join function will only join two line segments if they have the same or no name property.
You can use these checks in combination or in isolation to further tighten the join capability.
Join mode:
Select the join mode that you wish to use from
- Manual
- Single (Auto)
- Multiple (Auto)
Manual mode
Select a single source segment and then click adjacent segments in alternating pairs to join the lines at the ends at which you clicked the lines (nearest or furthest ends as appropriate). In this workflow, the specific ends of the lines that you selected will be joined together.
Manual mode video demonstration
Single mode
Select a single source segment and then click adjacent segments one at a time. In this mode you will be working on a single line at a time. In this mode the lines will always be joined at the nearest ends of the selected lines so it does not mater which end of the lines you select.
Single mode video demonstration
Single (Auto) mode
Select a single source segment and then select multiple adjacent segments that make up a line, The segments will be sorted and joined into a single line. In this mode you will be working on a single line at a time. In this mode the lines will always be joined at the nearest ends of the selected lines. If you select segments that are not a part of the line they will be ignored provided they exceed the tolerance settings selected.
Single (Auto) (Multi Segment) mode video demonstration
Notes:
If you select multiple line segments that fall outside of the multiselect tolerances defined below, then only segments that are within tolerance will be connected into a single line seeded from the source line segment. This means that you can use simple window or multiselect methods to join multiple segments into a single line.
If you select multiple segments in one go, they will be processed immediately as they are selected. The selected segments will be sorted and then joined provided that they meet the criteria created in the multiple join settings defined below
Multiple (Auto)
In this method, select multiple line segments for multiple lines and have them join automatically on clicking Apply or pressing Enter. In this mode you will be creating multiple lines in each selection process.
Multiple (Auto) Mode Video Demonstration
Relayer checkbox:
When you are working in Manual or Single Modes, when you have joined all the segments of a line together into a single line, you may want to relayer the joined line onto your target layer e.g. EX - Contours or FG - Contours etc. If you want to relayer the lines, check this checkbox and on starting a New Line with N the joined line will be relayered to your selected target layer automatically. Note if you turn off the target layer, then as you complete each line and start a new line, the joined lines will be relayered and will disappear off screen so that you can more clearly see those that still need joining / relayering.
When you enable the checkbox, select the layer onto which you want to relayer the joined lines.
Set elevation checkbox:
When you are working in Manual or Single Modes, when you have joined all the segments of a line together into a single line, you may want to elevate the joined line to a specific contour or pad elevation etc. If you want to elevate the lines, check this checkbox and on starting a new line with N, the joined lines will be elevated by your chosen elevate method (see below).
When you enable the Set elevation checkbox, select a method of elevation to apply the elevations for each line you complete. The options include
2D - No Elevation
In this mode, the lines will remain unelevated when you select a New line (N hotkey). For example if the lines are variable elevation and you want to come back to them later with e.g. the Adjust Linestring Elevation - Spot Mode then at this stage you can select this mode or the 3D - Variable elevation mode (they are fundamentally the same at this stage).
3D - Single Elevation
In this mode, you can set a single elevation for each line that you complete. Each time you complete a line, you can either accept the last used elevation or enter / select a new elevation to elevate the line. This mode has no special features for elevating lines other than the ability to use the Elevation Formula to minimize the amount of typing for each elevation value or to supplement the provided elevations with an Add value to create lines at the correct elevation i.e. if the lines are at elevation 1048.6 but on the plans they are marked as 48.6 then you can use elevation formula {Z}+1000 and type in 48.6 / select 48.6 and the elevation value will be corrected. The same applies, if on the plans the elevations are written 1048.6 and you just want to type in 48.6, then the same elevation formula will correct the entered value by adding 1000 to it as it elevates the line.
3D - Single Elevation - Contours
In this mode, the command is optimized for elevating contours. You can enter a Delta value (contour interval) and select Increase / Decrease to define the direction of delta, such that after each line is elevated, the next contour line will be the previous contour elevation +/- the delta value. The command also has hot keys to increment / decrement, change direction, pop up an input control through which new elevations can be entered. You can also use the {Z} formula as defined above if required.
3D - Single Elevation - Pads
In this mode, the command is optimized for elevating building pads. First you can select how the elevations will be derived using the Pad mode setting. This allows you to select
Elevation
In this mode, you can set the pad elevation by typing in a pad elevation or clicking on a previously elevated line.
From text
In this mode, you can set the pad elevation by clicking on a piece of text from which the Pad Elevation will be extracted.
Create offset checkbox
Check this checkbox if you wish to create a second line at an offset (horizontal and vertical offsets) to the selected Pad line to create an overbuild, subgrade or basement adjustment.
Typically you will offset the line to the inside of the existing pad line by a small amount e.g. 0.01’ and define a vertical offset adjustment for the overbuild, subgrade or basement adjustment. You can give the second line a name and assign it to a layer of your choice.
3D - Variable Elevation
At this time this mode is identical to the 2D - No elevation mode. The command will let you join lines together and relayer them as normal, and the line will not be assigned an elevation. You can then elevate the lines later using the Adjust Linestring Elevation command in Spot Mode.
Source line:
In either Manual, Single or Single (Auto) mode you can select a source line. The source line will be used to seed the line that will be created. When you click in the Source line field, the command assumes that you are starting a new line in the join process and will not connect to any previous line that you have selected or created. Note that this is a single Back Tab from the target lines selection field that you can program into your mouse or gaming keyboards if you use one that makes it easy to step back into the Source line from the mouse controls while working in production mode. You can also press N on your keyboard to start a new line.
Auto Advance “Sticky” button:
With the Auto Advance sticky button turned off (no orange highlight) the behavior of the command is to click a source line then a single or group of target lines target lines and for the command to join those lines together and then switch back to the next source line selection. This process will repeat after each target line(s) selection.
With the Auto Advance sticky button turned on (orange highlight) the behavior of the command is to click a source line then the first target line(s) and then another target line(s) and again etc. To start a new line either pressing N or C on the keyboard, select the source line field manually or use Back Tab to select the source line field.
Join line(s):
Select a single line segment or multiple line segments to which you want to join to the source line. When in Auto (Single) mode, if you select lines that do not meet the multiple join criteria settings below, then they will be ignored in the join process - this means that you can select more data than required using standard Window or multiselect methods, and only create the line that you are working on.
Elevation / Text:
When you have selected 3D - Single Elevation, 3D - Single Elevation - Contours, 3D - Single Elevation - Pads mode, you can enter the elevation of the line that you are joining together.
When you are working with Pads, and you select From text, you will be asked to click a piece of Text from which the Pad elevation will be derived.
Note:
When operating this command you will select the Source line, select the Join line(s) and when ready you will press N on your keyboard. When an elevation entry is required, pressing N will highlight the elevation or text select field allow for entry and pressing Enter will execute and start a new join process.
Note:
You can use this command even when line segments do not need to be joined together prior to elevating and relayering the selected line. Simply select the line, press N on the keyboard, enter your elevation or select your text etc. and then press Enter to execute the relayer and or elevate process.
Note:
You can select both the Relayer and Set elevation options and Join, Elevate and Relayer the lines in a single step.
Options:
Clicking the Options button provides access to the advanced selection modes (Advanced Select, Select by Elevation, Select by Layer etc.)
Note:
You can use the Auto (Multiple) mode to get the majority of the lines connected and then use the Manual or Single (Auto) mode(s) to fix up the last remaining joins depending on how you want to join the lines.
Note:
You can use the W A S D keys to pan the screen Up, Left, Down and Right while working with this command
You can start a new line for joining by clicking N on your keyboard
Use Tips:
While using the command, if for any reason you need to review the lines that have / have not been joined through use of select and highlight process, you can do that by selecting the Multiple (Auto) mode which allows multi selections to be made but not applied automatically.
Menu Pop Up
While using the command, when the cursor is in the Source line field or the Join line(s) field of the dialog, you can press Shift M on the keyboard to pop up a menu which allows you to
- Close the selected line
- Review the properties of the selected line
- Enable the Rock Grips on the selected line
- Toggle the Show Direction arrows on the selected line
- Edit the selected line with the linestring editor
- Review the profile of the selected line in the Profile Viewer
Join - Elevate - Relayer - Contours
In the following video we show how to use the Join - Elevate - Relayer functionality to work through Existing and Proposed Contours for a Project.
The process allows you to first Isolate Layers using the RPS Isolate Layers command (to limit the displayed data to e.g. the Existing Contours, and then use the Smart Edit command in Join mode to Join parts of the same contour together and then assign an Elevation using the Contour elevate mode (which allows each successive contour line to be elevated by the prior elevation plus / minus a delta value), and relayer the lines when ready to the EX - Contours layer.
Note that we hide the EX - Contours layer so that as lines get relayered they disappear from screen until they are all completed. Then we switch mode to the Finished Design Contours and repeat the same process.,
Join - Elevate - Relayer - Contours Video Demonstration
Join - Elevate - Relayer - Pads
In the following video we show how to use the Join - Elevate - Relayer functionality to work through the Proposed Building Pads for a Project.
The process allows you to first Isolate Layers using the RPS Isolate Layers command (to limit the displayed data to e.g. the Finished Grade Pads, and then use the Smart Edit command in Join mode to join parts of the same building pad together and then assign an Elevation using the Pads elevate mode (which allows the pad to be elevated using a keyed in value, a clicked 3D object) or use of the Text mode to extract the elevation from a piece of text, and supplement the Pad line with a second line for a subgrade, basement or overbuild adjustment, and relayer the lines to the FG - Pads layer.
Note that we hide the FG - Pads layer so that as the pad lines get relayered and elevated they disappear from screen until they are all completed.
Join - Elevate - Relayer - Pads Video Demonstration
Use Case Videos
The following videos show the use of the Smart Edit - Join command in a work process context
Feedback and Enhancement Requests
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