TBC - Offset Surface TML - Survey Advanced Edition Commands
The offset surface macro command is used to create a new surface by offsetting an existing one without rebuilding the surface triangles. It simply copies the original surface and shifts it along the Z-axis, either up or down, depending on the specified delta elevation. If the delta elevation is set to zero, it creates a direct copy of the existing surface. This functionality is useful for tasks such as representing topsoil stripping. To use the command, one selects the surface to offset, assigns a name to the new surface, and specifies the offset value. For instance, naming the new surface 'lower surface' and setting the offset to negative one foot will lower the surface by that amount. Conversely, a positive value would raise the surface. After executing the command, the new surface appears as a copy of the original but adjusted by the specified offset. This process allows for easy manipulation and visualization of surface changes, such as lowering a surface to simulate material removal. The example demonstrates the creation of a lowered surface by one foot, illustrating the macro's practical application in surface modeling tasks.