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Community File Preparation Guide

Layers

Layers we care about:
  • Lot XX Setback
  • Boundary
  • Driveways
  • Lot Info
  • Lot Lines
  • Road
  • Sidewalk
  • Contour
  • Elevations
  • Easements
  • Asphalt
  • Dry Basin
  • Grass
  • Water
  • Trees
  • Tree Cluster

Boundary

The layer defines bounds of a community.
1.      Allowed types: line/polyline.
2.      Normally, the lines should form a rectangle. The rectangle must be perpendicular to the screen.
Correct:
Incorrect (the rectangle is rotated):
3.      ALL objects must be located inside the boundary rectangle.
4.      You should keep the rectangle as small as possible. The larger the rectangle, the worse the performance.

Lot Lines

The layer defines bounds of the lots. Consists of lines/polylines/arcs.
1.      Allowed types: line/polyline/arc.
2.      Every setback must have a closed boundary formed by Lot Lines.
Correct:
Incorrect (there is no lot line between lot 1 and lot 2)
Incorrect (there is a gap):
3.      A single line can form bounds for several lots.

Lot XX Setback

The layer defines location where a home can be placed inside a lot.
1.      Allowed types: line/polyline/arc.
2.      Name should match “Lot XX Setback” pattern, where XX is lot number.
3.      The lines should form a closed polygon.

Lot Info

The layer defines information about the lots.
1.      Allowed types: text/multiline text.
2.      The text should match “Lot XX”. The phrase can be anywhere in the text and may consist of capital letters.
Correct:
a.      Lot 10
b.      #15 CASPIAN DRIVE
WALKOUT
LOT 10
c.      Lot 10
FFE 641.6
Incorrect:
a.      Lot #10
b.      Lot10
c.      Lot №10
3.      The text may contain type of the lot which is used in Lot Classification rule (e.g. Walkout, Standard, Daylight).
4.      The text may contain elevations (e.g. First Floor Elevation, Min Sewer, etc.). The text should match “FF[E] XXX.XX”.
Correct:
a.      FFE 625.1
b.      FFE 625
c.      FF 625.1
d.      FF 625
Incorrect:
a.      FFE = 625.1
b.      FF=625
c.      First Floor 625.1
d.      First Floor Elevation 625.1
Supported abbreviations:
  • FFE – First Floor Elevation
  • GFE – Garage Floor Elevation
  • TWE – Top of Wall Elevation
  • BFE – Basement Floor Elevation
  • MS – Min Sewer Elevation
  • MROE – Min Rear Opening Elevation
  • MOE – Min Opening Elevation
  • MFOE – Min Front Opening Elevation

Driveways

The layer defines default driveways.
1.      Allowed types: line/polyline/arc.
2.      Every lot should have a driveway connected to it.
3.      A driveway consists of two open polygons (usually parallel ones). The polygons must intersect Lot Setback or end on it.
Correct:

Incorrect (there is a gap):

Road

The layer defines a road.
1.      Allowed types: line/polyline/arc.
2.      The lines should form one or multiple closed polygons with or without holes.
Correct:

Multiple not connected parts are fine if each of them is correct by itself


Incorrect:
Bounds are not closed:

Extra line in the middle of the road:

Sidewalk

The layer defines a sidewalk.
1.      Allowed types: line/polyline/arc.
2.      A sidewalk consists of two parallel open polygons.
3.      Each lot should have two parallel lines in front of it, so they can be intersected by a driveway.
Correct:

Retaining Wall







Attached is the updated file. Here is the changes:

1.      Since the wall has different heights, I split the wall on segments with 1-2’ difference. ‘Elevation’ property is used to define Top of Wall;

2.      Along the wall I added contour lines. Basically, These lines define Top of Wall and Bottom of Wall. Each segment has its own contour lines (because each segment has its own TW and BW)

 
We don’t use the text “TW=450.0 BW=444.5”, so you can safely delete it.


Elevations

The layer defines elevation points.
1.      Allowed types: text/multiline text.
2.      The text should contain a number in a form XXX.XX.
Correct:
a.      651.1
b.      651
3.      You can use both Elevations and Contour in single file.

Contour

The layer defines elevation lines.
1.      Allowed types: polyline.
2.      You should use Elevation property to set elevation of the line.
3.      You can use both Elevations and Contour in single file.

Texturing hatches

The layer defines areas that should be textured in the viewer.
1.      Allowed types: hatch.
2.      Supported layers:
a.      Asphalt
b.      Grass
c.      Water
d.      Dry Basin
e.      Tree Cluster
3.      Boundary of a hatch must form a closed polygon. A hatch can’t have holes, gaps or multiple loops.
Incorrect (there is a hole):
Correct (two hatches without holes next to each other; they have different colors for demonstrative purpose):


4.      To set up density of the trees in Tree Cluster area, you need to enter a value in “Linetype scale” field, where “1” means very few trees and “100” means many trees.


Trees

The layer single trees that should be showed in the viewer.
1.      Allowed types: circle.
2.      One circle represents one tree.
3.      Radius of a circle corresponds to size of a tree.


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