Rough or Smooth SURFACE (part 1)

So what are Surfaces?

Based on the Dictionary,
Surface is the Outside part or uppermost layer of something (often used when describing its texture, form, or extent).

Based on the Civil 3D help,
Surface  is a three-dimensional geometric representation of an area of land, or, in the case of volume surfaces, is a difference or composite between two surface areas.

So to simply put it, Surface in Civil 3D represents the Survey data from Engineering Surveyors or the final shape or form of your Design.

I am assuming right now you have read my previous post, which is Points here, Points there. If not, I would recommend you to read it and do the exercise given there. Here is the Link.

Types of Files a Surveyor may provide for a Poject:
1.) Point File: I have discussed this on my previous post. again, Here is the Link. But in here I will be discussing on how to use them to generate a Surface.
2.) Polyline: Engineering Surveyors may provide their data as Contours or Polylines with elevations (Z value) in a dwg Format. The only downside I can see from this type of file is that Contours have certain interval such as 1m (Minor) and 5m (Major). In which you would be missing the elevations between those interval. I will be showing the difference later.
3.) LandXml: My favourite type of file. Engineering Surveyors who used Civil 3D in inputting their survey data are most likely to have generated their Surface already. In which they have already Cleaned it up (I may be discussing in a future post). Surveyors may give this type of file which is the direct copy of their generated Surface. another good thing about this is that you can easily import them in any Civil 3D drawings.

So Let's Begin with the Exercise in Creating a Surface.
A.) Point File:
a1.) Open the file used in the Previous Post Points Here, Points there. You should be seeing the Image below.

a2) In the TOOLSPACE, Right Click Surface and Select Create New Surface. (If you accidentally closed TOOLSPACE, You can open it by going to the Home Tab in the Ribbon and Click TOOLSPACE.)

a3.) A Create Surface Dialog Box will appear. for the name, Input "EXISTING TOPO" or any name you want. For style, you can choose what Contour Interval will be shown and for the Render Material, you can Pick any Presets given there. since you will only be seeing the difference if you would just look at it in a REALISTIC visual style. (in which I may also be discussing in a future Post)

a4.) In the TOOLSPACE, You should be able to see the EXISTING TOPO under the Surface tab. Expand the EXISTING TOPO > Expand the Definition > In here you should be able to see what types of files you can input in the surface. > You can choose Point File or Point Group, But we will go with Point Group for this Exercise. > Right Click Point Group and click Add.

a5.) A Point Groups Dialog Box will appear. Select _All Points then click Ok.

a6.) You should be able to see the image below. For a better view, you can click the surface and right click anywhere in the drawing. Select Object Viewer.

a7.) in the Object viewer go to Conceptual View and Rotate it as you Like.

And were Done with Creating Surface using Point File.

I will be Discussing the Part two of this Post Later this week. Which will include the using Polylines and LandXml for Surface Generation.

Part 2 is already up, Please go to this Link.