MDT Professional

Introduction

The Professional Version is designed to assist the user at all stages of developing a project in the context of Topography and Civil Engineering, including all the functionality of the Standard Version. Its main users are public administrations, construction companies, engineering, architecture and town planning studies and companies involved in earthworks, running quarries, mining, the environment etc. As well as free-lance professionals.

It affords great ease of handling as well as high performance. It works with a wide variety of CAD system versions, facilitating the exchange of information between users by means of DWG format drawings.

It demonstrates great versatility through the import and export of files in the most common formats on the market, including generic LandXML and KML, and the generation of results as text, HTML, Word, Excel and PDF.

It provides periodic notification of the improvements and updates available, demonstrating the list of changes and allowing them to be installed at the chosen time.

Topographic Points

The program starts working from coordinates obtained from any total station or GPS, converting files from its data collectors or from any application by means of a powerful format manager.

It is endowed with a points viewer which is independent of CAD with viewing controls, 3D orbit etc.

The points are intelligent objects so they can be deleted, moved, changed of layer using conventional commands, or blocks with attributes which makes easier compatibility with other CAD systems or applications.

Furthermore, we will be able to execute all kinds of editing operations such as: interpolating, changing dimensions, classifying by levels, filtering, assigning codes, labelling their coordinates, grouping them together, changing their visibility etc.

The coordinates may be modified using an editor similar to a spreadsheet. The selection is made by number, level, dimension, group, code or graphically.

It is also possible to obtain new points from CAD entities drawn by other programs (points, circles, crosses, blocks with or without attributes, point clouds etc.) with the possibility of detecting the entity type by means of a graphic designation.

The points must be represented by different shapes and colours on the same drawing. The program will automatically draw the planimetry and the slope change lines, using its code data base on which layers, colours, line types, thicknesses and point code patterns can be defined. Each code can be assigned a different block for the ground plan, elevation and 3D aiming at a subsequent realistic view.

Finally, each point can be associated with a document, drawing or picture file by means of an hyperlink.

Surfaces

The break lines can be defined graphically by means of a points sequence, codes or by importing files. It provides tools for detecting odd vertices, linear points, crosses and inconsistencies with the surface, repairing or marking the errors.

Triangulation can be created from points, with or without break lines and applying angle controls, maximum length, minimisation of flat triangles and gap repair.

The surfaces may have multiple contours or islands and they may be drawn as lines, 3D faces or polyfaces in CAD itself or in a separate viewer.

There are several commands for the interactive editing of the surface, allowing the insertion, deletion and inverting joints as well as deleting and inserting new points.

Advanced surface operations include tools for creating subgrades with a fixed or variable elevation for implementing earthworks by site or grading elevations, levelled area top, embankment top or bottom, slope between surfaces etc.

These commands include options for determining the optimum elevation to balance the cut and fill volumes.

The program encompasses the importing of the most usual formats, including terrain point clouds in LIDAR (LAS) format and also exporting to the formats 3D Studio (3DS), Collada (DAE) and Google SketchUp (SKP), affording the possibility of carrying out realistic images from MDT processed data.

Finally, it has a command for creating a surface from NASA SRTM data (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) which is obtained via the Internet.

In this way an approximate digital model can be created of any area on the planet, specifying its coordinates.

Contours Generation

MDT can generate contours with an interval or at special elevations and they are updated automatically with each change in triangulation.

The contours can be labelled manually or automatically with style, size and layer personalisation. Another command allows additional labels to be placed anywhere on the surface.

There are also other commands for interpolating, breaking and joining curves, adding vertices, editing curves, discretizing polylines and splines, detecting elevation errors etc.

Other tools make it possible to import files in shape and formats.

Horizontal Alignments

The horizontal alignments which will be used on longitudinal and cross sections may be created interactively, drawing on the screen and also from polylines, numeric input or importing files in the most usual commercial formats.

The alignments are automatically dimensioned with customizable styles and their vertices may be edited. It may also be checked whether the radius and setting values comply with the road standards.

Other commands also allow alignments to be integrated based on lines, circular arcs and clothoids and which may be fixed, rotating or coupled, greatly making easier the layout drawing.

MDT includes other tools for labelling curve tables, the generation of reports by intervals, the calculation of distances and intersections between alignments etc.

Once the alignment has been generated, superelevations and widenings can be generated, being able to choose the applicable tables according to the country.

An MDT segment comprises the horizontal and vertical alignment, longitudinal profiles and cross sections, superelevations, widenings and template sections. Then it is possible to draw the project longitudinal profiles and cross sections, represent the modified terrain and obtain all kinds of reports for measurements, settings out etc.

Longitudinal Profiles

The profiles may be calculated based on a surface, 3D cartography or by regression from points near the alignment. The quick profile command allows the user to draw a line on the surface and quickly show the profile.

The profiles may be updated automatically when the original alignment or surface have changed. Furthermore, it has a powerful CAD independent profile editor which allows graphic and numerical editing.

The drawing is fully customisable, including the use of paper space or model, sheet templates, style, justification and text sizes. The numerical information to be labelled on the profile can also be chosen from a broad list of elements (distances from origin and partial distances, terrain elevation, gradient elevation, slopes etc.). Blocks defined by the user can also be inserted at the desired locations.

It is possible to represent on one single profile one or several terrains and vertical alignments, including the tables with vertical curve characteristics, curvature diagram and superelevations, intersection with other roads etc.

Cross-Section

The terrain cross sections may also be obtained from points, a surface or mesh, 3D cartography or by the conversion of files from the most usual formats. The project profiles are generated, also bearing in mind the standard sections, superelevations and widenings.

In addition, we can see them in real time simply by moving the cursor on the drawing on the horizontal alignment or on the longitudinal profile.

The drawing is highly customisable in such a way that we can use the paper or model space, add grids and a reference elevation and decide on those elements which must be labelled (chainage, terrain elevation, gradient elevation, areas and volumes, superelevation etc.). It is also possible to insert blocks and project 3D polylines on the profiles.

MDT allows users to draw several profiles simultaneously to see different layers or stages of evolution of the project. A powerful editor allows the profiles to be graphically modified by moving the vertices or numerically by modifying distances or elevations. If the original surface or alignment are modified, the profiles may be automatically updated.

It also has a large number of additional utilities, highlighting the generation of superelevation from cross sections, the projection of cross section points on the current survey etc.

MDT also incorporates special commands for drawing piping sections, allowing the definition of their terrain layers, bedding material, pipe diameter etc.

Using this information the cross sections associated with the ditches can be drawn, labelling the surfaces calculated for each of the materials as well as that of the piping itself.

Vertical Alignments

Vertical alignments can be defined from a polyline, parameters (chainage and elevations or distances and slopes) or by importing files.

Vertical curves may be circular or parabolic (symmetrical or asymmetrical) and they may be edited by changing their radius or parameter, tangent, maximum ordinate or crossing point, showing all the information about estimated elevations, slopes and volumes in real time.

The drawing is updated automatically of the alignment or surface is changed.

MDT includes tools for generating the optimum gradient, applying displacements in chainage or elevation, extracting it from a longitudinal profile, comparing two gradients etc.

Compliance with the road standards can also be verified in terms of visibility, slopes and curve characteristics.

Standard Sections

MDT allows the drawing of sections applicable to each stretch of an alignment both on urban and road projects. We can customise each of the elements as described below.

The platforms are defined from vectors such as lane, median, berm, hard shoulder… The user may create his own vectors library and he may customise the dimensions and behaviour of each to decide how to apply superelevations, textures or road surface layers. We can also define the platform from an existing drawing.

The road surface layers may also be defined separately for each platform vector as well as the subgradient application conditions (constant slope, parallel, depending on the superelevation or variable). We can also apply different inclinations on the left and right of the alignment as well as in the interior or exterior of the median. Finally, different materials can be assigned to each of the road surface layers.

The ditches are defined from vectorial elements and they may be applied on the left or right and cut or fill. Another option allows the definition of reserve ditches conditioned by the height difference from the natural ground.

Cut and fill slopes. There are different options for defining the slopes: constant slope, berms or variables. You can also assign conditional slopes for height, layers of geology, slope dimensions, etc. In addition, the standard section may include geology layers, walls and structures, reinforcements and expansions etc…

MDT includes tools for the automatic creation of sections based on a drawing on a ground plan and an elevation view and medians, walls, curbs etc. Can be geometrically defined.

Version 7 also has an assistant for the automatic design of intersections of various types, junctions on both sides, acceleration and deceleration lanes, links to roundabouts etc.

Setting Out

Setting out bases can be created using various methods and it is possible to set out isolated points, points on an alignment, chainages and displacement, intervals, polyline vertices etc. With their own coordinates or with regard to bases.

All set out points are analysed in line with the alignment, indicating their chainage, displacement and azimuth.

It also includes numerous road setting out tools with the possibility of calculating and analysing section elements, generating lists of platform vertices, waysides, slopes, vertices, road surface layers, elevations etc.

Other useful commands allow the analysis, control and report on a survey based on a modified terrain digital model and/or on developed design profiles.

Volumes

Cut and fill volumes can be calculated from a comparison between meshes, surfaces or cross sections.

The results of meshes and surfaces are represented by areas using colour palettes, with a customisable legend and interval.

Calculation by cross sections allows the application of the curvature corrections in line with the geometry of the horizontal alignment and excluding intervals that do not form part of the measurement.

The calculation of road surface layer volumes includes the detailed breakdown of each of the volumes calculated: cut, fill, top soil when cutting, topsoil when filling, reinforcements etc.

The quick volume utility allows the ascertainment of the percentage of the works carried out based on a points file X,Y,Z or chainages and elevations, generating different reports for each of the methods and estimating the maximum error.

Other additional reports are the lists of areas, volumes, cross section measurements, road surface measurements, slope measurements, volumes by simple section etc.

Finally, MDT has a group of commands for managing mass diagrams with different representations, the calculation of earthworks, the definition of landfill and stockpiling areas, transport costs table and the generation of reports with an expression of volumes of land displaced, transport distances, associated costs etc.

Maps – Realism

MDT can draw 3-D mesh based on contours or surface and maps of heights, slopes, orientations or visibility from a point can be generated.

It includes commands for inserting georreferenced images and orthophotos in their real position on the terrain and assigning them to a surface or assigning predefined textures to different areas. The 3D objects library is also useful for improving presentations.

Other powerful commands allows the viewing of terrains and roads with orbit and displacement controls, change in observer orientation, movement on the surface and distance from the objective.

It also includes the generation of videos with high-quality presentations with softening effects, mist, lighting, shading etc. Other utilities are measuring 3D distances, obtaining a quick profile, simulating flooding etc.

On the other hand, MDT allows access to the web map services (WMS) provided by public and private entities in such a way that the user must only specify a window, choose the service and the program will automatically insert the image in the right place on the drawing. Another utility enables the user to export points, surface and layers of the drawing to Google Earth.

Finally, MDT has a group of commands for managing mass diagrams with different representations, the calculation of earthworks, the definition of landfill and stockpiling areas, transport costs table and the generation of reports with an expression of volumes of land displaced, transport distances, associated costs etc.

Utilities

MDT has multiple additional tools for the presentation of drawings such as the numbering of objects, draw coordinates and grids, slope drawing, division onto sheets, layer control, entity elevation etc.

The Plots menu includes options for creating plots from points, polylines or files in shape format and tools for division by surface, parallel and perpendicular to one side, azimuth, facade length etc. It may also generate various types of reports, export to data bases etc.

Other commands allow access to online support, the downloading of updates, sending of drawings and associated files etc.

• CAD
  - AutoCAD 2007 to 2019
  - BricsCAD Pro/Platinum 14, 15, 16, 17 y 18
  - ZWCAD Professional/Enterprise 2012+, 2014+, 2015+, Classic, 2017 and 2018
• Operating System - Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 in 32 and 64 bits
• Peripheral - Mouse or pointing device.DVD-ROM drive
• Graphical card - 1024x768 pixels, compatible with OpenGL.
• Hard Disk - Minimum Phisical memory 1 Gb
• Memory - 1 Gb
• Processor - Dual-core 2 Ghz or higher