Exaggerate Terrain data imported into your drawing with Plex-Earth 5 and create exciting 3D perspective views of your project site.
Introduction
Exaggeration can be a rather useful tool when applied to elevation data, as it allows users to emphasize the shape of a terrain model. In most cases, the scratches and crinkles on a given surface scaled to reality are imperceptible, making it hard to have a detailed view of the morphology of the area of interest. Engineering is all about accuracy and precision regarding topology and position, but when it comes to producing top-notch virtual representations, it pays to exchange a less accurate depiction for a more accurate impression.
Working in 3D highlights influences, such as the undulations of the Terrain and the extent of features that play a key role in shaping its form. As engineers, we realize the importance of having the ability to multiply all Z-axis values by a factor for documentation and visualization purposes. This led to the creation of the Exaggerate Command of Plex-Earth 5, which allows users to adjust the amount of vertical exaggeration applied to Terrain models, and this tutorial is intended to demonstrate the step-by-step process that needs to be followed in order to make use of this key functionality of our software.
Step 1: Create a Georeferenced Drawing & Import Terrain
First of all, we need to make sure our drawing's georeference settings have been defined, by utilizing one of the two available options provided by Plex-Earth 5. In case we are dealing with a georeferenced drawing, we are ready to proceed to the next step, as Plex-Earth 5 automatically recognizes the coordinate system applied. Once we are all set, we can import our Terrain model created based on elevation data provided by Mapzen or Bing Maps. It is worth noting that we can switch between providers at any time, by using the "PXV_TERRAIN_PROVIDERS" command. More information on how to access terrain data using Plex-Earth 5 can be found here.
The process is as follows:
1) We visit the Terrain Panel of Plex-Earth 5 and open the Import Terrain palette by clicking on the ''Import Terrain'' icon:
2) Now it's time to pick the Import Terrain command from the Import Terrain palette, as shown in the screenshot below:
3) We are then prompted to specify the boundaries of the area we would like to import Terrain data in, by either drawing a rectangle using our cursor to define its first and second corner points, or selecting a polyline to define the extents of our imported Terrain model, as shown in the screenshot below:
In this tutorial, we are going to define the extents of our imported Terrain model using a polyline, by clicking ''Polyline'' in the command line of AutoCAD.
4) We can now specify the particular polyline we would like to use by picking it with our cursor. Once it's done, Plex-Earth 5 imports 3D Terrain data into our drawing, as shown in the screenshot below:
Step 2: Exaggerate Terrain
Once our Terrain model has been imported, we are all set, and there is nothing stopping us from creating a vibrant virtual representation that will provide us with the ability to pay attention to detail in regard to the shape and morphology of our project site's surface.
The process is as follows:
1) We visit the Terrain Panel of Plex-Earth 5 and open the Generate Contours palette by clicking on the ''Generate Contours'' icon:
2) Now it's time to pick the Exaggerate Terrain command from the Generate Contours palette, as shown in the screenshot below:
3) We are then prompted to specify which Terrain model's Z-axis values we would like to multiply by a factor, by selecting it with our cursor, as shown in the screenshot below:
4) Once our preferred Terrain model has been selected, we are prompted to type in the command line of AutoCAD the factor by which all Z-axis values of our Terrain model will be multiplied, as shown in the screenshot below:
5) Once we have inserted the desired exaggeration value in the command line of AutoCAD, we hit the ''Enter'' button on our keyboard, and Plex-Earth 5 multiplies all Z-axis values of our Terrain model by the specified numerical value, as shown in the screenshot below:
Conclusion
It is true that your drawings can benefit from a bit of exaggeration, as it is undoubtedly a very practical tool that enables users to notice details they would otherwise struggle to see, and also to assess their relative importance with respect to their surroundings. Plex-Earth 5 has once again stepped up to the challenge, offering users the ability to apply vertical exaggeration to Terrain models, and thus, making it easier to achieve and produce sharp depictions of any project site with just a few clicks. And we are just getting started!
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.