Align Matching Edges

This command has several uses. It can be used for edge matching data from separate grading sheet, rotate data into the correct field coordinates or move data on different surfaces into the same coordinate system. The essential part of this command is having two common points which to use to move the data. Property corners or pad corners are often good points.

Video Links: Aligning PDF files with a Matchline, Aligning PDF Files to an Overall Plan Sheet, Aligning PDF Files to CAD Data, Aligning PDF Takeoff to a CAD File

Edge Matching Data

When files are merged, often they are in different coordinates systems and/or not aligned north. Selected data can be moved and edge matched to non-selected data. Data is edge matched by having two common points in both sets of data. Point 1 is moved to match Point 2, and Point 3 is moved to match Point 4. See the example below.

 

  • Select all data to be moved. Also see: Selecting Data

  • Pick the FIRST point (Point 1) indicating WHAT data you want to align. The Alignment: Point 1 or 4 window displays the coordinates of the first point. Press OK to continue.

  • Pick the SECOND point (Point 2) indicating WHERE the FIRST point matches. The Alignment: Point 2 of 4 window displays. Press OK to continue.

  • Pick the THIRD point (Point 3) indicating WHAT data you want to align. The Alignment: Point 3 of 4 window displays. Press OK to continue.

  • Pick the FOURTH point (Point 4) indicating WHERE the THIRD point matches. The Alignment: Point 4 of 4 window displays. Press OK to continue.

  • A warning window may appear stating that the second pair of points may not match each other. This is common especially with the degree of human error of digitized takeoffs. Alignment does not rescale the data. Press OK to continue.

Rotating the Data

Data is rotated by having the point in the correct coordinate system and their matching points in the current coordinate system.

  • Pick the FIRST point indicating WHAT data you want to align. The Alignment: Point 1 or 4 window displays the coordinates of the first point. Press OK to continue.

  • Pick the SECOND point indicating WHERE the FIRST point matches. The Alignment: Point 2 of 4 window displays. Press OK to continue.

  • Pick the THIRD point indicating WHAT data you want to align. The Alignment: Point 3 of 4 window displays. Press OK to continue.

  • Pick the FOURTH point indicating WHERE the THIRD point matches. The Alignment: Point 4 of 4 window displays. Press OK to continue.

  • A warning window may appear stating that the second pair of points may not match each other. This is common especially with the degree of human error of digitized takeoffs. Alignment does not rescale the data. Press OK to continue.

Moving Data

Data is moved to match the coordinate system of data on another surface, like moving the design to match the existing ground. This is similar to edge matching, but the data is being aligned to data points on a different surface or layer. This is commonly used to move data imported from a CAD file to align with data from a takeoff.

  • Press the Esc key on the keyboard to de-select all data.

  • Press Alt-B to display the Layer Selection window.

  • Turn on all required layers. If moving design to match existing, make sure they are both on.

  • Select all the data in the layer you wish to move. Also see: Selecting Data

  • Choose Align Matching Edges from the Transform Job Submenu and choose "Selected Lines" from the window that displays.

  • Pick the FIRST point indicating WHAT data you want to align. The Alignment: Point 1 or 4 window displays the coordinates of the first point. Press OK to continue.

  • Pick the SECOND point indicating WHERE the FIRST point matches. The Alignment: Point 2 of 4 window displays. Press OK to continue.

  • Pick the THIRD point indicating WHAT data you want to align. The Alignment: Point 3 of 4 window displays. Press OK to continue.

  • Pick the FOURTH point indicating WHERE the THIRD point matches. The Alignment: Point 4 of 4 window displays. Press OK to continue.

  • A warning window may appear stating that the second pair of points may not match each other. This is common especially with the degree of human error of digitized takeoffs. Alignment does not rescale the data. Press OK to continue.