In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating the Locations module structure in an InfraField project. We will cover map settings for the coordinate system, map layers, GIS, and alignments. Additionally, we will explain how to add areas and structures to the project so that the users can utilize models and drawings.
Table of contents
Video
This video demonstrates setting up the Locations module using CAD data with predefined project coordinates. It covers adding areas, custom map layers, GIS data, and alignment files.
User rights
To set up and edit Locations, you must be the project administrator, the project planning manager, or part of a custom user group with 'edit' permissions for Locations.
An InfraField project consists of the following components:
- Map
- Structures
- Areas
How to set up the map
The map controls where this project is located using a coordinate system. You can add map layers, GIS data, and alignment files to the map.
Go to Settings
Locations
Map.
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The map menu displays the elements of the map view and the options available to the end user in Locations. To change between a list view and the menu, click
/
in the top right corner.
The list view allows you to search, filter, and multi-edit the map layers, GIS files, and alignments uploaded to the project.
Coordinate system
The coordinate system locates the project in the real world and aligns all areas and structures to the map view. Once you set the coordinate system, it applies to all areas and structures in the project.
To place the project in the correct coordinate system, click on the 'Not set' button to the right of the coordinate system.
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WARNING
Make sure to select the correct coordinate system from the start to avoid affecting your entire project.
You can search for the correct coordinate system. When you have found it, press 'OK'.
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If you need to make adjustments to the selected system projection, click 'Advanced’. This allows you to adjust the system projection to match your project. Click 'Reset' to return to the default projection values.
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Map layers
The default map layers are the standard and satellite views. To add a new map layer, go to:
Settings
Locations
Map
Add
Map layer:
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A new window will appear, where you must type in a name and link for the map layer. The link must come from a public platform that uses the WMTS or WMS format, such as https://www.mapbox.com/
If you check the 'Set as default map' box, it will be the default map view for all users in Locations.
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Each custom map layer is shown below the standard ones and can be edited and removed by clicking the -icon.
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GIS
To upload GIS and LandXML files to the project, go to
Settings
Locations
Add
'GIS and LandXML'
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You can add GIS data from your computer, Box, or by creating a GIS file directly in InfraField.
Supported formats are: GML, KML, KMZ, LandXML, and SHP (zipped).
When adding GIS, you must fill in some information.
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Name: The name displayed in Locations.
Coordinate system: If the file contains a coordinate system, it will be displayed here, if no coordinate system is displayed, the file will use the default one from the project.
Note
Do not change this value, if the coordinate system is different from the one used in the project, Dalux will convert the coordinates when uploading the file.
Color: This will set the default color for the GIS data.
Group: Used to categorize the GIS in folders.
Subgroup: Used to categorize the GIS in subfolders.
The files must be processed before it is displayed to the end user in Locations.
Use the -icon to
Edit,
Download, or
Remove the file.
When you remove the files, they are deleted from the project and you cannot retrieve them. Be sure to download any data before removing it.
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The option 'From file' allows you to generate GIS data from a text or CSV file.
You can either enter data directly in the window or download the template locally, fill it with information, and import the data. This allows you to create point data directly in Dalux that is treated like all other GIS files.
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When GIS has been added, you can change the styling. Your options will depend on what type of GIS. This allows you to customize how GIS is displayed on the map. You can use single color, gradients, or using the categories for colorizing.
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Alignments
Alignments are used to divide the map data into smaller sections according to station increments and follow the path of the alignment file. The supported format is LandXML.
To add a new alignment file, go to:
Settings
Locations
Map
Add
Alignments.
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Then select a file from a folder in Dalux Box or your computer. Alignment can also be added from IFC files added to areas, if they have alignment data in them.
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Station increments: Enter a number in m (minimum 5) to draw in an annotation for each increment for this alignment file.
Activate: Check this box to activate these alignments and make them visible in Locations.
The files are displayed in the settings, and each center line from the file is shown below.
Use the -icon to
Edit,
Download, or
Remove the file.
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How to set up areas
Areas display model/drawing data that belong to a linear project. An area does not contain levels but can be divided into smaller segments using alignments.
Models and drawings attached to an area can be shown on the map.
An area containing CAD/BIM files is placed according to the coordinates of these files and cannot be placed manually.
An area containing only PDF or image files cannot be placed on the map. At least one CAD/BIM file with coordinates must be uploaded to an area before they can be placed on the map.
The maximum size per area is 50 km.
To set up areas, go to:
Settings
Locations
Areas.
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To add a new area, click Add, type in a name, and then click 'Add area'.
In the new window, you can add files to the area from your computer or Box.
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You can set a discipline, read more them in this article: Disciplines and subdisciplines.
When adding model files, you can select whether the file is a 3D model or a terrain model.
A terrain type option for models makes it possible to differentiate between regular models and Terrain models.
This allows you to separate terrain and model information when viewing your models.
When all files have been added or uploaded and processed you will see the different files categorized by type, along with a 3D review of the gathered models.
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In the More menu you can access the
Area log or see a
Preview of the model.
For each file you can click the -icon to get the following options:
-
Edit: Open the file to edit the metadata, folder or upload a new version
-
Delete: Delete this file from Locations and Box.
-
Add to Box: If this file was uploaded from the computer, you can add this file to a folder in Dalux Box.
-
Discipline: Set a discipline/subdiscipline.
-
Locations: This lets you decide if the drawing should be visible in
For model files uploaded as 3D models, you can Change to terrain model. For model files uploaded as terrain models, you can
Change to 3D model.
List view The default view is the folder view, but you can change it by clicking on the -icon in the upper right corner. This will display the files in a standard list view where you can search and filter the contents. You can select multiple files to edit or delete them at the same time.
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How to set up structures
Structures are used to display vertical components that are aligned with the linear areas. A structure contains levels.
An auto-generated top view of the topography or building footprint can be displayed on the map, but drawings attached to a structure cannot.
A structure containing CAD/BIM files is placed according to the coordinates of these files and cannot be placed manually.
The maximum size per structure is 2 km.
Structures must be activated on the project first. To activate structures go to:
Settings
Locations
'Structures'
'Activate'
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To set up structures, go to:
Settings
Locations
Areas
Add
'Structure'
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From here, you can add structures to your projects, but please note that the map view only shows an automatically generated top view of the topography or building footprint of a model, not drawings.
Since InfraField structures behave the same as buildings, please see this article for how to add models and drawings: Upload IFC model files and 2D drawings.
Structures are placed on the map according to the coordinates in the CAD/BIM file and cannot be manually mapped.
Read more
If you want to learn more about setting up Zones in InfraField, read this article: How to set up Zones in InfraField.