CTDOT CONNECT DDE GUIDE VOLUME 4 - OPENROADS DESIGNER SURVEY

Module 2 - Exploring the Interface

Description

In this module you will learn how to review and navigate the new CONNECT Edition interface, the ribbon tool bars, and review User Preferences. In this module you will also explore the Standard Survey Feature Definitions that have been set up for CTDOT.

Objectives:

• To become proficient finding the needed tools on in the new CONNECT Edition Interface and the Survey tools.
• To become familiar with the custom CTDOT Ribbon.
• To gain a basic understanding how the User Preference Settings work.
• To become familiar with the CTDOT OpenRoads Survey Standards.

Quick links

The CONNECT EDITION Interface

User Preferences

The Survey Ribbon

CTDOT OpenRoads Standards

The CTDOT Ribbon

Before attempting to open or create DGN files users should make sure the following is in place:

• CTDOT users should have the CTDOT CONNECT DDE synced through SharePoint with the COMPASS Project Synced along with the CAD Configuration follow Volume 1 - Module 3 - CTDOT Employee DDE Sync.
• Consultants should have one of the following set up: Volume 1 - Module 1 - Consultant DDE Install or Volume 1 - Module 2 - Consultant DDE Sync.
• Set up your Interface follow the steps in Volume 1 - M.6.2 Setting Up the Interface (ct.gov).

The CONNECT EDITION Interface

1. Continue in the file created in Module 1. On the pull-down menu on the top left next to the OpenRoads Icon select Survey, this is the Workflow Pick list.

ORD and MicroStation CONNECT are ribbon based. The ribbon interface is driven by workflow picklists. Different workflows contain different tab options for the ribbon. Each tab exposes specific groups and tools. 

2. Select different Tabs and Workflows and notice the Ribbon change.

These Tab sets replace the Tasks that were available in V8i. In the image below, the Survey workflow displays a Drawing tab. The Drawing tab contains the Placement group which includes Line and Arc tools.

3. In Search, Type in a tool name or a portion of one and a list will pop up, select as needed.

The Search function is very useful for initially finding dialogs, tools, etc. 

User Preferences

1. User settings have been moved to what is referred to as the Backstage. Access this through the main menu: File> Settings> User> Preferences to open the Preferences dialog box.

2. On the Preferences dialog box, select View Options. Check on Scroll Bars and turn Off Anti-alias Lines and Anti-alias Text.

3. Explore View Options – Civil to view or change civil preferences. You can display and set point label preferences such as Number and Elevation under Survey Decorators.

The intent here is to standardize and automate, these options don't need to be modified but it is important to be aware of the settings.

Survey Decorators appear the same size regardless of zoom level; however, they will resize according to the size of the view window.

4. With the Preferences dialog still open, explore other Preferences such as Survey Locator.

5. Save settings if desired by choosing File> Save Settings.

The Survey Ribbon

Familiarize yourself with the Survey Workflow, ensure that the ribbon Workflow is set to the Survey.

1. Open the Details dialog box.

① Click the Field Book tab [Note that the ribbon groups and tools are quite different from the Home tab].

② Click Details to toggle Survey Details.

③ Drag the Details dialog box and dock on the Screen as needed.

2. You may wish to open the Feature Definition toolbar.

① Begin by typing feature into the Ribbon Search.

② Hover over the Feature Definition Toolbar result.

③ Note the Survey workflow tip.

Options above are available to either click the ② Feature Definition Toolbar result or to follow the ③ interface tip.

3. You can also find this on the Ribbon, ①Survey> ②Geometry> ③General Tools> ④Standards.

4. Dock the resulting Feature Definition Toolbar if desired.

CTDOT OpenRoads Standards

Default resources are listed in the OpenRoads Standards group Libraries. If they have been changed by the user, they will become part of the design file.

1. From the Explorer interface, select the OpenRoads Standards group, expand Standards, and expand Libraries.

This may take a moment since files need to be cached.

2. Explore Standards> Libraries> Feature Symbologies> Feature Symbology Model (CV_Survey_Feature_Definitions.dgnlib).

Note the Symbology names in the right pane. 

3. Expand Survey Settings to explore Linking Codes, etc.

[Linking Codes are further discussed in Module 3]

The CTDOT Ribbon

Tasks are no longer supported in CONNECT; therefore, AEC Applications has customized ORD with specific workflows for CTDOT users. The customized workflow is named CTDOT.

1. On the pull-down menu on the top left next to the OpenRoads Icon select CTDOT, this is the Workflow Pick list.

This Workflow contains the Tabs that will be useful for Survey:

• CTDOT
• Prop Maps
• Survey

2. The CTDOT tab includes a Publishing group. The Publishing group includes Type, Color, and Print tools.

In this example, the Print tools are expanded.

For further information on printing and publishing please visit CTDOT CONNECT DDE eBook Volume 014 - Publishing and Printing.

3. Select the Survey tab. The Open tools will open Cell Libraries. The Pull Downs will set Element Templates (Color, Weight, Line styles, and Levels) and trigger the Place Line command to activate.