The Offset Line tool creates a parallel line from your drawn polyline or boundary. To access the Offset Line tool, you left click to select a drawn polyline or boundary and navigate to the Tools tab, or you can right click on the line or boundary to bring up the mini toolbar and select Offset Line from there. This article will show you methods and examples of how and when to use the Offset Line tool.
Overview
Offset Line - Z Offset Method
The Offset Line tool offers up to three methods and a drawing guide to create a parallel copy of a drawn polyline or boundary (depending on the plan):
- On Terrain
- ΔZ
- Slope
Ridge/Mountain Offset Methods | Peak Offset Methods |
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1. On Terrain: Create an Offset Line Directly on the Terrain
- Select the line or boundary you want to offset.
- Go to the TOOLS tab and enable Offset Line in the Create group.
- In the dialog box, select the On Terrain Z Offset Method.
- Left-clickat the location where you want the offset line to be created.
- The vertices of the new line are placed directly on the terrain.
- Each additional left-click creates an offset line to the original line.
- Right-click to exit the Offset Line tool.
2. ΔZ: User Specified Z Offset
- Select the line or boundary you want to offset.
- Go to the TOOLS tab and enable Offset Line in the Create group.
- In the dialog box, select the ΔZ Offset Method and set the Z offset value.
- A positive value creates a line above the original polyline, and a negative value creates a line below the original polyline.
- Setting the value at 0 m creates an offset line at the same elevation of the original polyline.
- Left-click on the location you want the offset line to appear.
- The vertices of the new line are increased or decreased (as per the set Z offset value) from the original line's elevation.
- Each additional left-click draws a parallel line with the same Z offset setting.
- Right-click to exit the Offset Line tool.
3. Slope: User Specified Angle
You can create an offset line that is angled at a positive or negative degree or percentage from the original design line. Combine the angle of the offset line with the distance guide to create an exact slope and distance from the line.
- Right click on the drawn polyline or boundary you want to offset and choose Offset Z from the mini toolbar.
- Change the method to Slope and type in the slope angle.
- Activate the Distance drawing guide and set the distance you want to place your line from the original line.
- Left click to create a copy of the original line.
Examples of Using the Offset Line Tool Per Plan
Ridge Plan
With the Ridge plan, you can survey what you have as a single moment in time and use the Offset Line tool to model aspects of the elevation terrain to match the real world for a more accurate survey:
Model a Curb and Gutter
Read the full Curb and Gutter article.
Peak Plan
With the Peak plan, use the Offset Line tool to help you design the future, using offset lines from a design line to create a surface and grade:
Design a Coastal Rock Wall
Read the full Coastal Rock Wall article.
Design a Water Retention Pond
Read the full Water Retention Pond article.
Design a Haul Road
Read the full Haul Road article.
Tips and Tricks
- While the Offset Line tool is enabled, you can switch between any drawn polyline or boundary in the project by selecting them with a left click and creating a new offset line from whichever line you currently have selected.
- Only one polyline or boundary can be selected at a time, which means you can only create one offset line at a time.
- You can change the settings of the Slope angles in the Z Offset Method to be expressed as either degrees or percentage by going to File>Project Settings and changing the Slope Unit in the dropdown options.