Category: Bentley Tip

Vertical geometry is one of those areas where small gaps in workflow knowledge can lead to frustrating edits, unpredictable behaviour, or unnecessary rework. To help streamline day-to-day work, here are five simple but genuinely useful techniques for managing vertical alignments more confidently in OpenRoads Designer.

1. Opening a Profile from Project Explorer
Most users open a profile by selecting the alignment and waiting for the profile icon to appear. That works, but it’s not the only method. You can also navigate directly to the alignment in Project Explorer and right-click to open the profile view. This approach is especially useful when the hover icon doesn’t appear or when working in busy models.

2. Placing Lines by Distance or Slope
When placing vertical lines, you can key-in the desired value and lock either slope or distance. It’s a simple but precise way to control vertical geometry without extra steps.

3. Ensuring Geometry Is Properly Connected
If modifying a vertex gives unexpected results, the verticals may not be fully connected. Complex them together, try the modification again, and use the table editor if needed. Once connected correctly, edits become predictable and stable.

4. Inserting a Vertex Graphically
Using the Insert Vertex tool from the Home tab allows you to place new vertices directly in the profile view. It’s quick, visual, and avoids unnecessary dialog navigation.

5. Matching Start and Finish RLs
For islands or any vertical loop that needs to begin and end at the same RL, place horizontal lines at both ends and move the relevant vertices to match. This keeps the geometry clean and consistent.

These small, practical techniques help minimise rework, reduce alignment issues, and keep vertical workflows efficient.

5 vertical alignment tips

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Adam Lambert

​Kirk Kulbe​

Persist Snaps allow you to retain and reuse precise snap locations across multiple commands, effectively creating temporary reference points in your design file.
They improve drafting efficiency, consistency, and accuracy — especially in complex layouts or when working from a consistent set of key locations.

They let you “lock in” your snap locations across multiple commands, so when your geometry shifts, your connected elements stay coordinated. It’s like giving your design a set of temporary reference points that remember where everything belongs.

In this short video, I’ll show you where to find the toggle, how to set your preferences so it sticks between sessions, and a few quick checks to see it working in both plan and profile views.

Simple trick, big impact — fewer clicks, fewer mistakes, cleaner geometry.

Watch the clip and see how it works in your own files.

Curious how OpenRoads’ “ruled” relationships can supercharge your tangential element construction? My latest video tip guides new users through creating these elements, simplifying basic geometry tasks. OpenRoads’ dynamic “ruled” connections keep your alignments linked and editable, making it easier to build and adjust complex horizontal geometry or grade from a centerline. This quick, beginner-friendly tutorial shows how to leverage these relationships for smoother workflows and better productivity, helping you get the most out of your Bentley tools. I’ve checked—this tip brings a unique angle to OpenRoads’ capabilities. Watch it, share with your team, and drop your feedback! More tips coming soon.