In this tutorial we will show you, how you can import terrain from Plex-Earth 5 to Infraworks, easily, step by step. Note, that in order to follow the steps of this process, you will need to install a Civil 3D beforehand on your computer.
Infraworks is a planning and design platform that enables engineers to convey preliminary design intent in a real-world, contextual environment.
With the help of Plex-Earth, you can successfully combine Infraworks and Civil 3D and achieve high-quality and quick results in your design workflow.
If you don’t have Plex-Earth yet, you can start a free trial here, and check by yourself how easy it is to connect Infraworks with the best quality multiple image, map and terrain sources.
Step 1: Create a georeferenced terrain mesh
After georeferencing your drawing, go to the Plex-Earth 5 ribbon and choose the "Import Terrain" command. You can see more detailed the steps of how to Import Terrain, by clicking on this link.
Step 2: Insert terrain from Plex-Earth into Civil 3D surface
After inserting your terrain with Plex-Earth 5, you will then have to create a new surface into Civil 3D's workspace, with Plex-Earth's terrain, in order to be able export it as a Civil 3D DWG.
To achieve that you will need to:
1)Open "Terrain Manager" in Plex-Earth 5.
2)Delete the mesh you have created and generate a Polyface mesh instead.
3)Go to the "Home" tab of Civil 3D and select "Surfaces" and "Create Surface", from "Create Ground Data" panel.
4)Go to the Prospector, by typing "Prospector" on the command field and find the Surface you created, from the "Surfaces" listed.
5)Select "Definition" and then Right-click on "Drawing Objects". Select "Add" and then choose "Polyface" on the "Object type" field.
5)Finally, you will be asked to "Select objects", so now you can add the terrain model you have created with Plex-Earth 5.
Now, that you have your terrain as Civil 3d surface, you can continue and save your DWG.
Step 3: Import terrain into Infraworks
Now that you have downloaded your DWG, you can open Infraworks and create a new project or use an existed one and specify the desired coordinate system. After you do so, you will have to open the terrain have created in Civil 3D with Plex-Earth 5. In order to do that, first you can click on "Data sources", from the "Content" segment, of the "Manage" Toolbar.
Following, a "Data sources" panel should appear on the right part of your Infraworks' workspace. From the list of available data sources, select the "Autodesk Civil 3D DWG" option.
Then, you will be forwarded to specify the location ("Select File" dialog window), of the DWG you have previously saved from Civil 3D, select and click "Open".
Step 4: Select model's coordinate system
After you insert your DWG, you will notice that its status indicates, "Not Configured". Right-click on it and select "Configure" to open the "Data Source Configuration" dialog. Then select the model's coordinate system from the list in "Geolocation" field. "Close & Refresh" and the terrain will immediately be imported on your workspace.
You should now have your georeferenced terrain appearing on your screen.
Step 5: Insert Plex-Earth 5 Images into Infraworks
Next, we are going to import imagery from Plex-Earth 5 to Infraworks, in order to later drape it onto the Civil 3D DWG, we previously imported, so we can achieve a high-quality terrain visualization, within minutes. To complete this part, you can follow the steps described here.
Once you insert both the terrain and the Plex-Earth imagery, and you configure them, you instantly have the draped image in the terrain surface of your DWG.
Now that the terrain is imported, you can continue, and insert your 3D CAD DWG elements, and/or enhance your project with the real-life features of transportation, structure, drainage, environment of Infraworks.
Plex-Earth offers you a unique experience and it's trusted by thousands of engineers around the world. Its special capabilities boost your productivity and increase the efficiency of your design process, in any type of civil engineering, environmental or energy project, by enabling you to:
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Insert high-resolution imagery (Simple Images & Mosaics) from various providers, such as Airbus, Maxar, Nearmap, Hexagon, Open Street Maps, Bing Maps and Google Maps. .
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Import detailed terrain meshes, contours and perform terrain analysis with elevation data.
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Import your 2D and 3D CAD drawings into Google Earth
Furthermore, with our new Timeviews™ feature, you gain access to the best and most up-to-date satellite imagery from Airbus, Maxar Technologies (DigitalGlobe) and Planet.
Haven’t you tried it yet? Download and start your free trial now!
Feel free to contact us at support@plexscape.com for any questions you may have and don’t forget to start your free trial today.