Toposurface or Topographical surface is created by using Toposurface Tool located on Massing & Site Tab. This tool allows us to create Site Topography in complete three dimensions. We can study slopes, identify buildable areas, plan out roads and paths. We can identify areas of potential problems as well as areas of opportunity. In a way, we can perform the Site Analysis in a fair amount of detail. In a situation, where you are working on a project, that is on a large piece of land and has great complexities, site planning is done using other software such as Autodesk Civil 3D.
Creating Toposurface by Placing Points
Each point that you place has an elevation. This elevation can be Absolute Elevation or Relative to surface.
Absolute Elevation is an elevation in relation to Project Base Point. You can place these points anywhere in an active drawing area.
Relative to Surface is used when editing an existing surface. You can place additional points, in relation to the existing surface.
Creating Toposurface from Import Instance
Toposurface can be created from imported Contour Data. This imported Contour Data can be in the form of DWG, DXF, or a DGN file. The important factor to consider before importing CAD files is to ensure that the CAD file contains 3D information. If this is not the case, Revit will not generate a 3D-contoured Toposurface. The tutorial post Creating Toposurface from Imported CAD explains this process in greater detail.
Creating Toposurface from Points File
A points file is generated by exporting to a Points File from Civil Engineering Software used by Surveyors. This file has Point coordinate information as well as elevation information. This information is sufficient to generate Toposurface in Revit. Important things to remember are:
The Points file needs to be in CSV (Comma-Delimited-File format). This file can have an extension CSV or TXT.
Creating Sub-Regions in Revit
Sub-Region in a Toposurface is a region on the surface that can be marked separately and can have its own material properties. Examples of sub-regions can be, roads, paths, green areas, parking and so on.
Editing Toposurface
Toposurface can be edited by using “Edit Surface” tool. This tool becomes visible when selecting an existing Toposurface. Edit Toposurface becomes a part of the Modify Tab.
Clicking on Edit Surface command displays points. Each of these points represents an elevation. These points can be modified as needed. They can be moved, elevations can be modified or new points can be added.
Creating Propertline
Property Lines are lines that represent your Site or Plot Boundaries. These are created using the Property Line Tool. Property lines can be created by sketching or by entering distances and bearings.
Creating Property Lines by sketching, can be created by tracing property lines in a Survey Drawing. Alternatively, for simple rectangular properties, such as plotted development, they can just be created by simply sketching and creating the boundaries.
Property Lines have special properties.
- Property Lines act as a single object
- When you select, these lines, the Area is displayed in the Properties Palette.
Annotating Toposurface
Toposurface can be annotated in multiple methods.
- Adding Spot Coordinates
- By adding Spot Elevations
- Spot Slopes
- And By Labeling Contours
