{"id":5000,"date":"2026-01-20T08:15:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T08:15:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/help.cadomation.com\/spcad\/docs\/spcadhelp\/grading-tools\/linear-grading\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T15:44:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T15:44:54","slug":"gdl_sp","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/help.cadomation.com\/spcad\/docs\/spcadhelp\/grading-tools\/gdl_sp\/","title":{"rendered":"Linear Grading"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Feature-Based Grading Tool: Grade to Distance, Elevation &amp; Relative Height<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Linear Grading command<\/strong> in SPCAD allows you to grade daylight from a selected linear feature, such as a polyline, 3D polyline, line, or arc-tessellated polyline. The tool supports three main grading workflows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Grade to Distance<\/strong> \u2013 Offset a fixed horizontal distance from the base feature.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grade to Elevation<\/strong> \u2013 Grade until a fixed target elevation is reached.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grade to Relative Elevation<\/strong> \u2013 Grade to a constant vertical offset from the feature (e.g., +2.5 m above or \u22121.2 m below).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Outputs include <strong>daylight points, optional daylight linework<\/strong>, and a <strong>triangle strip (TIN faces)<\/strong> connecting the base and the daylight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1- <\/strong>Feature-Based Grading Tool: Selecting Features &amp; Range<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>Select\u2026<\/strong>\u00a0and pick a polyline\/3D polyline (open or closed).\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LWPOLYLINE bulges (arcs) are respected via tessellation.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3D Polylines use their existing vertices.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(Optional)\u00a0<strong>Apply to the entire length<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Checked: grading is computed along the whole feature.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unchecked: a\u00a0<strong>sub-length jig<\/strong>\u00a0starts:\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pick a&nbsp;start&nbsp;point&nbsp;<strong>on<\/strong>&nbsp;the feature.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Move the cursor along the feature to preview the graded span (blue preview).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Press&nbsp;<strong>Enter<\/strong>&nbsp;to accept, or type&nbsp;<strong>E<\/strong>&nbsp;to grade the&nbsp;<strong>entire<\/strong>&nbsp;length.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-1-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-830bd07cfc3f84855627abc6962467dc wp-block-paragraph\">Tip: The jig works on both Polyline and 3D Polyline.\u00a0When a WPF window is open, SPCAD uses\u00a0<em>EditorUserInteraction<\/em>\u00a0so clicks go to CAD as expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2- Common Grading Options<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Grading side<\/strong>:\u00a0<strong>Left<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>Right<\/strong>\u00a0relative\u00a0to the feature direction (vertex order).\u00a0<br>If the daylight looks \u201cinside-out\u201d,\u00a0reverse the polyline or switch sides.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grading Surface Name<\/strong>: Name used for the new graded TIN metadata and visualization.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Draw Day Light Line<\/strong>: Adds a 3D polyline through daylight points (good for QA or styling).\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3- Feature-Based Grading Tool Modes &amp; Parameters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>A) Grade to Distance<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Offset a&nbsp;<strong>constant horizontal distance<\/strong>&nbsp;and apply a&nbsp;<strong>single slope<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Distance<\/strong>\u00a0(H): positive, non-zero.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cut slope (H:V)<\/strong>\u00a0fields are hidden in this mode; you enter\u00a0<strong>one slope\u00a0H:V<\/strong>:\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SPCAD uses&nbsp;<strong>V\/H<\/strong>&nbsp;internally (rise over run).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Direction of grade (up\/down):<\/strong>&nbsp;Use the&nbsp;<strong>sign on V<\/strong>&nbsp;to control fall when needed.&nbsp;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Example:&nbsp;H=1, V=2&nbsp;\u2192&nbsp;grades&nbsp;<strong>up<\/strong>&nbsp;2:1.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>H=1, V=-2&nbsp;\u2192&nbsp;grades&nbsp;<strong>down<\/strong>&nbsp;2:1 (daylight Z lower than base).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Behavior:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The software computes the daylight by offsetting the feature by <strong>Distance<\/strong> on the chosen side.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The program automatically fillets concave corners on the chosen side (arc-approx) using a radius equal to the offset distance. This step prevents self-intersections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The system calculates Daylight Z from the base Z \u00b1 (\u0394H \u00d7 slope).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Good to know:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use positive\u00a0H. Use\u00a0<strong>negative\u00a0<\/strong><strong>V<\/strong>\u00a0only when you want explicit \u201cdownward\u201d grading.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If the offset distance is\u00a0very small\u00a0at a very sharp corner, SPCAD will clamp the fillet to fit the segments, keeping the daylight valid.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>B- Grade to Elevation<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grade from the base to a&nbsp;<strong>fixed target elevation<\/strong>&nbsp;using&nbsp;<strong>separate cut &amp; fill slopes<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Target elevation<\/strong>: absolute elevation to hit.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cut slope (H:V)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Fill slope (H:V)<\/strong>: positive values (H>0, V>0).\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SPCAD chooses\u00a0<strong>which slope to use<\/strong>\u00a0at each vertex\/segment based on whether the target lies\u00a0<strong>below<\/strong>\u00a0(cut) or\u00a0<strong>above<\/strong>\u00a0(fill) the base.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Behavior:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The system logically splits the base where it crosses the target <strong>plane<\/strong> to prevent slopes from \u201cflipping\u201d mid-segment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The software computes the horizontal distance to the daylight for each vertex: |\u0394Z| \/ (V\/H).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It applies variable-radius fillets to concave corners on the chosen side, using the per-vertex distance. This prevents the \u201cpinch\u201d that appears at bends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The program lifts daylight points to <strong>Z = Target elevation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It builds triangles for each base segment (without using CDT), avoiding crossing or missing faces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tips:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If the daylight touches the base at a vertex (because base Z = target Z),\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0still get valid triangulation; the fan method handles degenerate spans.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you expected a fillet but see a sharp corner, check that the radius implied by\u00a0|\u0394Z|\/(V\/H)\u00a0is not effectively zero at that vertex.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>C- Grade to Relative Elevation<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grade to a&nbsp;<strong>constant vertical offset<\/strong>&nbsp;from the base (e.g., berm or swale).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Relative elevation<\/strong>: positive means\u00a0<strong>raise<\/strong>\u00a0(fill), negative means\u00a0<strong>lower<\/strong>\u00a0(cut).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cut slope (H:V)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Fill slope (H:V)<\/strong>: positive values (H>0, V>0).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SPCAD chooses\u00a0<strong>fill slope<\/strong>\u00a0when Relative \u2265 0,\u00a0<strong>cut slope<\/strong>\u00a0when Relative &lt; 0.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The\u00a0<strong>horizontal distance<\/strong>\u00a0is constant for the whole run:\u00a0|Relative| \/ (V\/H)\u00a0for the chosen slope.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Behavior:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A constant-offset daylight is built in 2D, then\u00a0filleted\u00a0at concave corners (radius = that distance).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Daylight Z is\u00a0<strong>baseZ\u00a0+ Relative<\/strong>\u00a0everywhere.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Per-segment triangulation ensures no crossing faces around\u00a0bends.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4- Output<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Daylight (optional)<\/strong>: a 3D polyline on the current layer (or the\u00a0feature\u2019s\u00a0layer).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Triangles<\/strong>: transient-drawn (and\/or persisted by your workflow) with metadata:\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unique TIN&nbsp;<strong>Guid<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Name<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Min\/Max<\/strong>&nbsp;extents, counts, etc.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Color scheme per your&nbsp;<strong>Elevation<\/strong>&nbsp;ramp\/metadata configuration.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5- Practical Tips<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Choosing Slope Signs<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For\u00a0<strong>Grade to Distance<\/strong>\u00a0only: use a\u00a0<strong>negative V<\/strong>\u00a0when you want the grade to go\u00a0<strong>down<\/strong>\u00a0from the base; H stays positive.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For\u00a0<strong>Grade to Elevation \/ Relative<\/strong>:\u00a0<strong>enter positive\u00a0H:V<\/strong>\u00a0for both\u00a0<strong>Cut<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Fill<\/strong>; the tool picks the correct one automatically based on whether the target\/relative is above or below the base.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grading Side<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cLeft\/Right\u201d is\u00a0relative\u00a0to the\u00a0<strong>vertex order<\/strong>. If results appear on the wrong side, reverse the polyline or switch the side in the UI.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Closed vs Open<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Closed features are supported. Stitching and wrap-around are handled so there are no missing triangles at the seam.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Corners &amp; Fillets<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fillets apply only at&nbsp;<strong>concave<\/strong>&nbsp;corners on the grading side.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If an offset is too big for&nbsp;a very short&nbsp;span, the fillet radius is reduced automatically to keep tangency and avoid geometry failure.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Performance<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Very dense polylines or many\u00a0short bulged\u00a0segments can be heavy. If\u00a0preview\u00a0feels slow, simplify the base or reduce bulge tessellation tolerance before grading.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>QA Checks<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Turn on\u00a0<strong>Draw Day Light Line<\/strong>\u00a0and compare with the base; there should be no intersections.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inspect corners: you should see small arc-like runs at concave bends (not spikes).\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6- Troubleshooting<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Daylight intersects the base<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check&nbsp;<strong>grading side<\/strong>&nbsp;vs feature direction.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For&nbsp;<strong>Grade to Distance<\/strong>, verify the&nbsp;<strong>V sign<\/strong>&nbsp;(use negative V for downward).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure&nbsp;<strong>Distance<\/strong>&nbsp;is not zero and slopes are reasonable.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For&nbsp;<strong>Grade to&nbsp;Elevation\/Relative<\/strong>, make sure H and V are&nbsp;<strong>positive<\/strong>, and the expected slope (cut vs fill) is logically selected by the target\/relative.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Missing\/odd triangles near corners<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This usually\u00a0indicates\u00a0the daylight mapping jumped across more than one base segment. SPCAD\u2019s per-segment triangulation and index monotonicity fix this; if you\u00a0imported\u00a0legacy code, keep the \u201cper-segment fan\u201d triangulator enabled.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No fillet where expected<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The corner may be&nbsp;<strong>convex<\/strong>&nbsp;on the chosen side (fillet not needed).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The effective radius could be effectively&nbsp;<strong>zero<\/strong>&nbsp;at that vertex (e.g., \u0394Z\u22480 or&nbsp;very small&nbsp;distance).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jig\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0accept input while the dialog is open<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensure the command was started from the dialog\u2019s\u00a0<strong>Apply to entire length<\/strong>\u00a0checkbox handler; SPCAD uses\u00a0<strong>EditorUserInteraction<\/strong>\u00a0so clicks go to AutoCAD. If you\u00a0opened\u00a0the dialog outside a document context, start a new command in an active drawing.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7- Reference: Field Meanings<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Distance<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Horizontal offset (drawing units).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Target elevation<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Absolute Z (same units as drawing).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Relative elevation<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 \u0394Z added to the base (+ up, \u2212 down).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cut slope (H:V)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Use\u00a0<strong>positive<\/strong>\u00a0H and\u00a0<strong>positive<\/strong>\u00a0V. Steeper slope \u21d2 bigger V for the same H.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fill slope (H:V)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Same entry rules; used automatically when grading \u201cup\u201d.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":4999,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"doc_tag":[],"class_list":["post-5000","docs","type-docs","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Feature-Based Grading Tool for CAD | 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