2.0

Table Of Contents
Defining Templates
301
FGC profile) for control. This reference point is usually the crown of the
roadway.
Defining Templates
After drawing the template, use the Define Template command to define it.
You see different prompts when you use this command, depending on whether
the template you are defining is composed of normal or subgrade surfaces.
When defining a template with only normal surfaces, you are required to
specify a finished ground reference point, a datum line, and connection-points-
out. There is also an option to add subassemblies to the template definition.
If you are defining a template with a subgrade surface, then you are not
prompted to define the connection points, a datum line, or to attach
subassemblies. The connection points are defined automatically at the outer
end of the drawn portion of the subgrade and the datum lines are automatically
generated along the bottom of each subgrade. Each datum line is numbered in
ascending order, starting from the lowest subgrade on the template.
Before defining your templates, be sure to do the following tasks:
n
Set the template storage path with the Set Template Path command.
n
Draw the template surfaces as 2D polylines, either with the Draw Template
command or the AutoCAD PLINE command.
n
For templates made up of Normal surfaces only, define any subassemblies to
be attached. Subassemblies must be drawn as if they were being attached to
the left side of the template.
NOTE
Subassemblies cannot be used on templates with subgrades. If
subgrades are defined for a template, then you will not be prompted to
attach subassemblies.
Defining a Template that Only has Normal
Surfaces
To define a template that only has normal surfaces
1 From the Cross Sections menu, choose Templates
ä
Define Template.
2 Pick the finished ground reference point when you are prompted to do so.
This is the point on the template that controls the placement of the template
horizontally and vertically on the sections. For a typical road template, the
finished ground reference point is the crown of the road. This is the point by
which all symmetrical surfaces are mirrored. The point does not have to be on a
template surface. To define this point at a physical template location, select it
using an appropriate object snap
The Define Template command displays the following prompt:
Is the surface symmetrical (Yes/No) <Yes>: