I have actually discussed point names in other posts and blogs. But today, I encountered something new and really problematic.
When I first started using the Roadway Designer and Template Editor, I discovered the Point List which allows you to create a "library" of point names with pre-assigned styles. I always though my obsession with specific naming conventions bordered on being *** (or was far over the border line.) But today, as I worked on a huge project, started by others, we hit a big issue. This project has dozens of templates and multiple template libraries. Many were copied from one another and edited to deal with differing issues. But as crunches happened - and we all know there are times when you need to get something out the door. Well, a lot of template points ended up with meaningless names and styles. So in multiple templates, a point name might be used over and over but often in entirely different locations, components and representations.
When I went to create contours, it turns out that a number of DNC features in one template were named the same as a finished grade feature in another. So the end result was either the breakline is in the surface for the entire corridor or it is below grade for the entire corridor. As long as these exist, by contours will not be correct.
So - be forwarned: Develop names and styles and stick with them. Sidewalk_1 through Sidewalk_8 where some are top of grade and others are top or middle of excavation that are not 100% consistent for an entire corridor is going to bite you in the butt. Mutliply this by every component and multiple templates and you might begin to understand the problems this can cause.
Has anyone else had this happen to them?
