Terrain analysis helps interpret topographic features by utilizing elevation data alongside other geospatial information like slope and direction. With Plex-Earth, you can easily generate terrain models, visualize landscapes, and make informed decisions without the need for costly site visits. This tutorial will guide you through the process step by step.
Step 3. Insert Analysis Object
Step 4. Add a Legend Table (Recommended)
Additional Step. Create labels for Elevation, Slope Analysis, or Direction Analysis
Step 1. Import a Terrain
If you do not have a terrain surface to work with, you can click here to see how to import a terrain model.
Step 2. Perform an Analysis
Once you have a terrain, select it from the Collection Manager and click Edit. Then, click on the Analysis Tab and tick Show Analysis.
Select the type of analysis you would like to perform from the parameters available. Plex-Earth can show three types of terrain analysis.
- Elevation Analysis - This is the default analysis to be performed by the software if not manually defined at first. The unit of measurement for this analysis will be automatically assigned in accordance with the georeference settings.
- Slope Analysis - You can choose your desired unit from these options: degrees, radians, grade (%), rise/run, or run/rise.
- Direction Analysis - The unit of measurement for this analysis can be set to either degrees or radians. The direction, in Plex-Earth, will be based on your drawing units defined in AutoCAD.
The steps to conduct either of the three analyses will be similar.
After selecting the type of Analysis you would like to conduct, click on Create Analysis.
You will then be prompted to specify how many ranges, you would like your analysis to consist of. Then, assign a color for the Start and End Ranges by clicking on the color and choosing the preferred one from the color dialog box that will appear. Plex-Earth will automatically assign the colors for the rest of the ranges which will create a smooth transition from the color of the first range selected to the color of the last one.
Click Create after doing so and the Analysis tab will update, showing the minimum & maximum values of each range, as well as its corresponding color. The terrain analysis will also be visible in your AutoCAD workspace.
These values can be manually edited by replacing the values as desired. You can also change the color of each range to make it more distinguishable from the rest.
Once you are satisfied with the assigned values and units, click on the Apply button, and since the generated analysis is dynamic, terrain analysis will be updated.
Step 3. Insert Analysis Object
The terrain analysis that was generated is a dynamic element unique to Plex-Earth. To utilize the analysis done even outside a Plex-Earth session, it must be converted into a format that will be recognized by AutoCAD in such cases.
To do so, click the Insert button located in the Terrain Editor and select Analysis object.
Then, select how to display the analysis object via the command line.
You can choose among three options: 3D Faces, 2D Solid, and Mesh.
- 3D Faces – This will import a block that contains all the single three-dimensional faces (triangles) of the terrain model.
- 2D Solid – This will insert a block containing the faces (triangles) of the terrain model as a solid without the elevation information
- Mesh - this will insert one mesh (imported as a block) which can even be further exploded to several meshes by range.
As an example, the image below shows how the analysis would look like as 3D faces in a Realistic visual style.
Step 4. Add a Legend Table (Recommended)
After performing the terrain analysis, you may want to generate a table containing the necessary information about the analysis.
In order to create a legend table, click the Insert button, in the Analysis Tab from the Terrain Editor palette and choose Legend Table.
Then, specify a point in the drawing where you want to insert the table. This point will be the top left corner point of the table.
The legend table also functions as a summary or report of the analysis performed on the terrain.
Additional Step. Create labels for Elevation, Slope, or Direction Analysis
Plex-Earth also lets you add labels for the Elevation, Slope, or Direction Analysis you just created.
Click on Show Labels, and Create for the drop-down menu to appear. You can then edit the Text Height, Arrow length and Head size (for Slope and Direction Labels), and Point Size (For Elevation Analysis). Following tick the label type you want to be visible, pick the color of your choice and click Apply.
For more details on Terrain Labels check this tutorial.
Conclusion
By utilizing this feature, designers can not only perform advanced terrain analysis in the simplest and most efficient way possible but also gain valuable data and insights into terrain from the stunning visualization produced by Plex-Earth.
We hope that you have found this tutorial on terrain analysis, helpful. Feel free to contact us at support@plexscape.com for any questions you may still have.
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Compatibility includes:
AutoCAD, Civil 3D®, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, AutoCAD Plant 3D: 2026 , 2025 , 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020
BricsCAD (Pro, Mechanical, BIM, Ultimate): V25 , V24 , V23 , V22 , V21