🚀 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’.
⚡ Pro Shortcut: The “Enter” Trick
Pressing Enter after typing your name handles the Model for tin name for you in one go.
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.
🧠 Core Concept: What is a TIN?
A Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) is the mathematical surface that connects your 3D survey data.
📍 The Purpose
It converts “dots and lines” (strings) into a continuous 3D face.
It converts “dots and lines” (strings) into a continuous 3D face.
🏗️ The Requirement
You cannot generate Volumes, Contours, or Sections without a valid TIN.
You cannot generate Volumes, Contours, or Sections without a valid TIN.
⚙️ The Panel: Setting it up Right
| 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. |
📊 Data Source
You aren’t limited to one model. Use a View (everything visible), a Model List, or Favourites to gather your survey points.
You aren’t limited to one model. Use a View (everything visible), a Model List, or Favourites to gather your survey points.
⬢ Data Polygon
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.
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.
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.