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🚀 Workflow
- Tin ⇒ Create ⇒ Triangulate Data
- Type ‘New tin name’ → Press Enter.
↳ Result: The Model for tin field auto-fills for you.
- Select the data on the Data tab.
- Click ‘Triangulate’.
Pressing Enter after typing your name handles the Model for tin name for you in one go.
✅ Done. Your surface is live. Add the new model to your view to see it.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_images_carousel images=”13526,13532,13525,13527,13528″ img_size=”full” autoplay=”yes” wrap=”yes” css_animation=”left-to-right” css=”” title=”Triangulate a Data Source”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator css=””][vc_column_text css=””]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]🧠 Core Concept: What is a TIN?
A Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) is the mathematical surface that connects your 3D survey data.
It converts “dots and lines” (strings) into a continuous 3D face.
You cannot generate Volumes, Contours, or Sections without a valid TIN.
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⚙️ The Panel: Setting it up Right
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| Item | Purpose (from Manual) | Power User Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Retriangulate function | The “Memory” of the TIN. Stores all settings as a function. | Give this a name. Allows you to “Recalc” the surface instantly when data changes without refilling the panel. |
| New tin name | The unique name of the surface being created. | Press Enter after typing. 12d will auto-fill the Model for tin and Function fields for you. |
| Tin colour | The base colour of the triangle faces. | Use a neutral grey (e.g., grey 32). Makes it easier to see 3D strings and contours over the shading. |
| Tin style | The linestyle used for sections through the TIN. | Set this to a solid style so cross-sections and profile views look professional. |
| Model for tin | The “layer” where the triangles are stored. | Best practice is to keep it the same as the TIN name. 12d defaults to “tin [Name]” if left blank. |
🛠️ Additional Settings (The Toggles)
These appear below the main fields and control the mathematical logic of the surface.
| Toggle | Logic | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| ☑️ Preserve strings | Treats strings as Breaklines. | Keep Ticked. Ensures triangles don’t “jump” across curbs or drains. |
| ☑️ Remove bubbles | Stops points from the same string forming a triangle. | Keep Ticked. Essential for clean, smooth contours. |
| ☑️ Weed tin | Removes duplicate points from the database. | Leave ON. Keeps the project file size small and the TIN fast. |
| ☐ Triangle data | Assumes original data was already triangles. | Leave OFF. Only use if importing an existing mesh from elsewhere. |
| ☐ Cell method | An alternate ordering method for data. | Tick for Lidar. Use only for massive datasets (1M+ points). |
| ☐ Colour by triangle data | Matches triangle colour to the source data. | Only works if Triangle data is ticked. |
| ☐ Create many | Keeps the panel open after Triangulating. | Untick. Switches you to the Retriangulate panel immediately. |
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You aren’t limited to one model. Use a View (everything visible), a Model List, or Favourites to gather your survey points.
Select a string to filter your input data. Only points inside this polygon are used for triangulation. If left empty, all points in the source are used.
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Once you have clicked Triangulate, follow these steps to confirm the surface is correct:
- ✔
Display the Surface: Click the + button on your view and add the Model for tin. - ✔
Check Elevations: Go to the Data Tab and verify the Z-Min / Z-Max values.
🔍 Troubleshooting Levels:
| Z-Min is 0: | You’ve accidentally included 2D data. |
| Z-Min is -999: | You have “Null” or “Empty” points in your source. |
🎉 Surface Created. You are now ready to generate contours or perform volume calcs.
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