Triangle Surface Element

The triangle surface element is used to add a triangulation into a project that has been originally created in another program (or Kubla Cubed project). The triangles cannot be edited once they are added to the project, all triangulation data needs to be imported from a file. The triangle surface supports importing data from LandXML (.xml), CAD (.dxf, .dwg) and Kubla Project files (.kcp).

The properties that are exposed for this element are summarised below.

	Define This is the way that the triangulation levels are defined. Options are 'levels' which uses the original levels from the triangulation, 'levels & offset' which applies an offset to the levels specified. The offset option is mostly used to add construction thicknesses by specifying a negative offset. Lastly a 'levels & 3D offset' option allows the surface to be adjusted in X and Y as well as in Z. Offset This option is only visible if offset options are selected in the 'Define' menu. It allows you to offset the entire surface in X,Y and Z. This is useful for accommodating for a construction thickness of finding a balance. Mode This is used to specify if the surface should have cut, fill or both. Most commonly cut and fill will be specified. Side Batter The triangle surface boundary is joined to the ground by side slopes. The side batter (set as a ratio of vertical to horizontal) dictates the angle of these slopes. You can set differet side batter angles for side slopes that cut into the ground and for those that fill into it. Turning side batter off will result in the triangle surface being joined to the ground with vertical sides.

Define
This is the way that the triangulation levels are defined. Options are 'levels' which uses the original levels from the triangulation, 'levels & offset' which applies an offset to the levels specified. The offset option is mostly used to add construction thicknesses by specifying a negative offset. Lastly a 'levels & 3D offset' option allows the surface to be adjusted in X and Y as well as in Z.
Offset
This option is only visible if offset options are selected in the 'Define' menu. It allows you to offset the entire surface in X,Y and Z. This is useful for accommodating for a construction thickness of finding a balance.
Mode
This is used to specify if the surface should have cut, fill or both. Most commonly cut and fill will be specified.
Side Batter
The triangle surface boundary is joined to the ground by side slopes. The side batter (set as a ratio of vertical to horizontal) dictates the angle of these slopes. You can set differet side batter angles for side slopes that cut into the ground and for those that fill into it. Turning side batter off will result in the triangle surface being joined to the ground with vertical sides.

The video Existing Levels - Triangle Surface provides a comprehensive study of the Triangle Surface and how to import TIN data into your project. Triangle data can be from CAD files and other sources. LandXML files (imported via the Triangle Surface) are given dedicated coverage in our video Working with LandXML Files (.xml)