Introduction
One of Plex-Earth's many features is the ability to snap DWG objects on imported terrain. This way, the designer, can have the capacity to place their object with high accuracy and have a very good understanding of their projects for their proposals.
In the following tutorial, we are going to see how we can snap an object to a terrain model, created with Plex-Earth.
Step 2: Insert the object to snap in AutoCAD
Step 5: Drape Image to surface
Snapping your drawing's objects at an imported terrain is a very convenient visualization process. Plex-Earth can do just that for a dynamic interaction between a design and its environment
Step 1: Import Terrain
In case you don't have a surface to work with, luckily, Plex-Earth has got you covered. Plex-Earth gives you the opportunity to import terrain information from our providers straight into AutoCAD and BricsCAD. Click here for more information on how to import terrain models.
Step 2: Insert the object to snap in AutoCAD
After georeferencing your drawing, go to the AutoCAD or BricsCAD ribbon, choose the "Insert" tab and click "Insert" to import your model to AutoCAD.
Alternatively, if there is already a design in the workspace, this step can be ignored.
According to the various needs, the user can specify an insertion point and choose some other settings.
Step 3. Insert a Mesh Object
In order to snap an object onto the terrain using Plex-Earth, you need to have a terrain mesh object in your AutoCAD workspace as the terrain initially imported is a dynamic Plex-Earth element.
To do so, click on the Insert button located in the Terrain Manager and choose Tin Mesh.
Select the mesh type you prefer from the command line.
The selected mesh type will then be inserted into the drawing.
Step 4: Snap Object
In the final step, the "Snap objects" command will be used, in order to snap objects to the selected terrain.
You can locate this by clicking on the Terrain dropdown from the Terrain panel of the Plex-Earth ribbon.
Then choose “Snap Objects”.
You will then be asked to specify the target type and choose between Surface and Elevation.
By choosing "Surface", the object will be snapped on top of the terrain and by choosing Elevation, the height for the objects can manually be specified.
Following that, the terrain must be selected as well as the objects of interest that will be snapped.
Then, the anchor point must be specified, so that Plex-Earth knows which point it will use (bottom, top, origin), for placing the model on the surface. Specify and then click Enter.
And here it is! In this case, we can visualize our Wind Turbines in their environment and investigate the area of installation.
Before
After
Step 5: Drape Image to surface
The level of visualization can further be improved in AutoCAD, by converting the imagery and terrain, into 3D imagery. Click here for more details on how to drape imagery onto terrain surface.
Tip: Export to Google Earth
Now that the design is finalized and the models are placed to the desired points, the drawing can also be exported to the real-life space of Google Earth. For more details, click here.
Conclusion
Plex-Earth is the connection bridge between your designs and the real world! This way, the designers will give less effort to the project's completion, they will earn time and money and have better presentations of their proposals. Visualizing your projects at any place in the world, from the comfort of your desk, without having to travel long distances, is simply mind-blowing!
We hope that you have found this tutorial on how to snap objects to your project's surface, helpful. Feel free to contact us at support@plexscape.com for any questions you may still have.
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Compatibility includes:
AutoCAD Version: 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016
Civil 3D® Version: 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016
AutoCAD Architecture Version: 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016
BricsCAD Pro: V23 , V22 , V21