Terrain Tools FAQs
These FAQs cover the standard workflow for creating and managing levels,
contours, and terrain models using Artisan Terrain Tools.
Can I place spot levels in Artisan?
Yes.
Artisan allows users to place both Existing Levels and
Proposed Levels directly within the drawing. Levels can be
entered manually, calculated by interpolation, or imported from external data
sources. Artisan Help File - Terrain Tools Introduction
Step-by-Step
- Open the Terrain Tools panel from the Artisan
ribbon.
- Select Levels.
- Choose whether to place:
- Existing Levels
- Proposed Levels
- Enter the required elevation value.
- Select the insertion point within the drawing.
- Continue placing additional levels as required.
Verify Success
- Spot levels are displayed at the correct locations.
- Elevation values are shown correctly.
- Levels can be selected for contour creation and terrain modelling.
Can I interpolate between known spot levels in Artisan?
Yes.
Artisan includes tools that allow levels to be calculated automatically by
interpolation between known level points. Artisan Help File - Terrain Tools
Introduction
Step-by-Step
- Create or import the known spot levels.
- Open the Terrain Tools panel.
- Select Interpolate Levels.
- Select the existing level points that will be used in the
interpolation.
- Follow the command prompts to define the interpolation location or
area.
- Complete the command to generate the interpolated level(s).
Verify Success
- New level points are created.
- Calculated elevations fall between the known level values.
- Interpolated levels can be used for contour generation and terrain
modelling.
Can I use spot levels to create contours?
Yes.
Contours are generated dynamically from selected level points. Both
Major Contours and Minor Contours can be
created with user-defined intervals, layers, and line styles. Contours
Step-by-Step
- Ensure the required spot levels exist in the drawing.
- Open Terrain Tools.
- Select Contours.
- Define the settings for:
- Major contour interval
- Passing-through elevation (if required)
- Layer assignment
- Line style
- Enable Minor Contours if required.
- Define the minor contour interval.
- Select Create Contours.
- Window-select the level points to be used.
- Allow Artisan to generate the contour model.
Verify Success
- Contours are displayed as polylines.
- Major and minor contours appear using the defined styles.
- Contour positions correspond with the selected level information.
Am I able to annotate contours in Artisan?
Yes.
Artisan includes contour annotation tools that automatically add height
labels to generated contours. Terrain Tools Introduction
Step-by-Step
- Create contours using the Contours tool.
- Open the Contours tools.
- Select Annotate Contours.
- Choose the contours to be labelled.
- Complete the command.
Verify Success
- Elevation labels are displayed on contour lines.
- Labels correspond with the contour elevations.
- Major and minor contours remain identifiable within the drawing.
Do I use spot levels to create a 3D surface or terrain?
Yes.
Terrain surfaces are generated directly from selected level points. Artisan
creates a polyface mesh terrain surface from the available
elevation data. Terrain Tools Introduction.
Step-by-Step
- Place, import, or interpolate the required levels.
- Open the Terrain Tools panel.
- Select Terrain.
- Choose the level points that will define the surface.
- Run the command to generate the terrain model.
- Review the resulting terrain surface.
Verify Success
- A 3D terrain surface is created.
- The surface reflects the level data used to create it.
- The terrain can be used for visualisation and design development.
Related Terrain Tools
- Place Existing Levels
- Place Proposed Levels
- Interpolate Levels
- Import Levels from File
- Create Major Contours
- Create Minor Contours
- Annotate Contours
- Create Terrain Surface
The standard Terrain Tools workflow is:
Place Levels → Interpolate Levels (if required) → Create Contours →
Annotate Contours → Generate Terrain Surface
This workflow ensures that levels, contours, and terrain models remain
coordinated throughout the design process. Terrain Tools Introduction
