Adding Profiles

The NHProfile program is used to draw MX profiles that can be transferred to MicroStation.  By default, it is only designed to display two profiles, usually the proposed alignment and the existing ground at the proposed alignment's location.  However, there are often circumstances where a third or forth profile is desired.  These subsequent profiles can either be collinear or offset from the proposed alignment.  Examples of this include a ramp profile, a ditch line profile or an existing road profile.

There are two methods described below to accomplish this, choose the one that you are most comfortable with.

The Code Method (preferred method)

This method is fully contained within the MX side of drawing profiles.  It requires working with drawing input files and the use of the MX Command Language.

1. Enter MX.  Use the NHProfile add-in to draw the profile of the reference string and the old ground as always.  This add-in also creates a drawing input file so the drawing can be regenerated later without running this program again.
2. Edit this drawing input file with a text editor (like PFE).  Navigate to the bottom of the file and insert the following lines between the last 999 record and Major option Display:

   DRAW,Model One,Model Two
   801,OVER
   805,ORAN
   826,String One,Reference String
   999

   Where Model One is the model that contains String One (the subsequent profile string).  Model Two is the reference model, it contains the Reference String and the old ground string.  If all the strings of interest are in the same model, then the reference model may assume the roll of Model One and no Model Two is necessary.  Use the 805 record to control the line color, this sample data sets it to ORANge.  Save changes to the drawing input file.

3. Repeat Step #2 for another subsequent profile or proceed to Step #4.
4. Input the drawing input file in MX.  This revision of the *.DPF should display the subsequent profile(s) and is now ready for Transfer to MicroStation.

The Interactive Method

This method utilizes interactive MX analysis and basic MicroStation skills.

The First Part, The Base Profile

1. Enter MX and use the NHProfile add-in to draw the profile of the reference string and the old ground as always.
2. Transfer This MX profile to MicroStation and do not run PROF_Edit.  We will call this drawing the Base Profile Drawing.
3. Exit MicroStation, which will also terminate MfM (MX for MicroStation).

The Second Part, The Subsequent Profile

1. Enter MX and generate an MX Study Profile of the reference string.
2. Use the Display Associated String option to add a subsequent profile.
3. From the Profile Viewer, select the Create a Drawing option.  Refer to MX Study Profile for details using this panel.  Select OK from the Profiles: Working Drawings panel to create a profile drawing.  At this point, MX offers a choice of returning to the original working display, say No.
4. Transfer this profile to MicroStation and do not run PROF_Edit.  We will call this drawing the Subsequent Profile Drawing.
5. Exit MicroStation, which will also terminate MfM.

The Third Part, The Marriage

1. Open the Base Profile Drawing in MicroStation and Reference the Subsequent Profile Drawing that was generated in The Second Part of this method.
2. Move the reference file such that the reference profile from the Subsequent Profile Drawing is superimposed over the reference profile of the Base Profile Drawing.  Recommend the use of the Keypoint snap.
3. Use Level Display to shut off all reference file levels except those of the subsequent profile(s).
4. Copy profile(s) from the Subsequent Profile Drawing to the Base Profile Drawing.
5. Detach the Subsequent Profile Drawing.  This drawing has now exhausted it's usefulness.
6. Run the PROF_ Edit Program on the Base Profile Drawing.
7. Exit MicroStation.