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  • Projecting Vertical Geometry Between Alignments

    Projecting Vertical Geometry Between Alignments

    On most road and rail jobs, we’re never dealing with a single alignment. There’s usually a mainline plus ramps, offsets, adjacent tracks, service roads, or platform lines that all need to behave together vertically.

    That’s where problems often creep in.

    Horizontal relationships are usually under control, but vertical geometry between parallel alignments is harder to keep consistent as designs evolve. A small change to one profile can quietly introduce grade breaks, clearance issues, or mismatched transitions elsewhere—often without being obvious in plan or long section.

    Bentley’s Project Vertical Geometry Between Alignments workflow is designed to manage exactly this scenario.

    Instead of manually re‑creating profiles, this approach allows vertical intent to be projected from one alignment to another in a controlled, repeatable way. When used properly, it helps keep parallel profiles aligned with the same logic-rather than relying on visual checks or manual edits.

    The real value isn’t just speed. It’s about:

    • Reducing rework when changes inevitably happen
    • Avoiding subtle inconsistencies that only show up late
    • Making authority reviews easier to defend
    • Letting engineers focus on design decisions instead of redrafting

    The video linked below walks through the workflow step by step and shows how Bentley handles this natively within its alignment and profile tools.

    If you regularly work with multiple parallel alignments in MicroStation, OpenRoads, or OpenRail, this is one of those features that’s worth understanding properly. It can save hours-and avoid some painful surprises later in a project.

    ▶ Watch the video:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cs7UcNMXMc

  • Dynamic Contour Labelling in Bentley OpenRoads: Faster, More Controlled Annotation

    Dynamic Contour Labelling in Bentley OpenRoads: Faster, More Controlled Annotation

    Contour labelling in OpenRoads can feel constrained when you want more control over placement, rotation, and consistency-especially on large or complex models.

    This video introduces a new dynamic approach to contour labelling that’s designed to be quick to use and flexible in how annotations are placed and managed. It works with contours dropped from an OpenRoads terrain, but it’s not limited to that-contours from other sources can be labelled the same way.

    The strength of this workflow is the level of annotation control it gives the user. You can define exactly what gets labelled, how accurate the labels need to be, and which levels are used for both contours and text. That separation makes it easier to produce clear, readable drawings without fighting the settings.

    Label placement is intentionally simple. You can use a dynamic two‑point method with different rotation options, or just select a contour line directly. Both approaches are fast and predictable, which matters when you’re working through multiple design iterations.

    The same dynamic behaviour also applies to corridor contours, so the workflow stays consistent whether you’re working with existing terrain or corridor outputs.

    If you’re producing contour‑heavy documentation in OpenRoads and want more speed and control in your annotation, this is a workflow worth understanding.

    ▶️ Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rR9eX8W4fg

  • Practical Terrain Model Tips for Cleaner, Faster Surface Editing in Bentley OpenRoads & MicroStation

    Practical Terrain Model Tips for Cleaner, Faster Surface Editing in Bentley OpenRoads & MicroStation

    Terrain models are a core part of civil design, and even small improvements in how they’re managed can save meaningful time across a project. This video explores three practical techniques for working more efficiently with terrains in Bentley OpenRoads and MicroStation.
    Watch the video: https://youtu.be/RpTPMpMiLLg

    The first technique covers updating a terrain model using the graphical filter. This approach avoids unnecessary recreation of data and provides a clean way to rebuild a surface directly from selected geometry. It’s particularly useful in workflows where terrain updates are frequent or iterative.

    The video then outlines two methods for modifying terrain settings. Adjusting attributes through the Properties dialog allows quick, direct edits, while using element templates ensures consistent presentation and standards compliance across a project. Knowing when to use each method helps maintain both accuracy and visual clarity.

    Finally, the video demonstrates how to remove unwanted triangles-such as swipes-using the Delete Triangles by Line tool. It also shows what occurs when new data is added in the same location and how to restore a clean model using the delete option. This helps avoid irregular contours or unexpected triangulation patterns.

    These techniques focus on reliability and simplicity, supporting smoother day‑to‑day modelling and helping users produce more predictable, professional terrain results

  • Diagonal & Chevron Line Marking in MicroStation/OpenRoads – Quick Productivity Tip

    Diagonal & Chevron Line Marking in MicroStation/OpenRoads – Quick Productivity Tip

    If you spend time drafting patterned linework like chevrons or diagonals around shapes, you’ll know how tedious it can be to place every line manually. In this video tip, we demonstrate the Diagonal & Chevron line marking tool -a quick way to generate consistent, patterned lines inside or around any closed shape.

    Here’s why it’s worth adding to your toolkit:

    • Instant pattern generation: Select your shape and define options once; the tool takes care of the rest.
    • Handles curves easily: On curved edges, just supply a centreline and let the tool create properly aligned marks without extra effort.
    • Context-aware drafting: Whether you’re using aerial imagery for context or just basic design linework, the tool adapts seamlessly.

    This isn’t a flashy add-on -it’s a productivity boost that cuts repetitive work, ensures accuracy, and lets you focus on the engineering instead of manual drafting.

    👉 Watch the video to see it in action, then try it in your next project. If you find it helpful, follow us for more practical Bentley tips that help you work faster and smarter.

  • 5 Practical Tips for Smoother Vertical Alignment Workflows in OpenRoads

    5 Practical Tips for Smoother Vertical Alignment Workflows in OpenRoads

    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

    Adam Lambert

    ​Kirk Kulbe​

  • Tired of your cross-section annotations being limited to what OpenRoads Designer “knows”? Here’s how to break that restriction completely.

    Tired of your cross-section annotations being limited to what OpenRoads Designer “knows”? Here’s how to break that restriction completely.

    For years, cross-section annotation in OpenRoads Designer has come with a big condition: “ORD needs to know the features first.”

    That’s been a major roadblock for teams working with partners who live outside the Bentley world -GIS departments, surveyors delivering DWGs, asset owners using ESRI services, or planners managing cadastral data in their own systems.

    The new EPP Cross-Section Annotation Tool removes that restriction entirely.

    You can now annotate any information that Bentley DGN can display in your cross-sections -even if ORD has never heard of it before.

    That includes:

    • GIS cadastral boundaries and property data
    • AutoCAD (DWG) 2D and 3D strings
    • ESRI REST services
    • External 3D models and linework
    • Any element with accessible properties (levels, line styles, PFI values, custom attributes, item types, etc.)

    And it’s not just visual. You can automatically add:

    • Dimensions and slope labels
    • Offset and elevation call-outs
    • Cells placed at meaningful positions
    • Property labels (e.g. lot numbers, boundary IDs, asset attributes)

    All directly onto your cross-sections.

    The real change isn’t just in presentation -it’s in workflow freedom.

    You’re no longer forced to import, reclassify, or “teach” ORD about external features just to see them in cross-section. If it can be displayed in MicroStation, it can now be annotated in your sections.

    That’s a big deal for collaborative projects where design, cadastral, utility and GIS data live in different ecosystems.

    Less time converting data.
    Less time reworking cross-sections.
    Better information for better engineering decisions.

    And ultimately -safer, clearer documentation for the people building it on site.

    If you’ve ever had to explain why something didn’t show up in section just because ORD “didn’t know it”… you’ll understand why this one matters.

  • Tired of re-snapping to the same points over and over?Introducing a feature that can save you a surprising amount of time -Persist Snaps.

    Tired of re-snapping to the same points over and over?Introducing a feature that can save you a surprising amount of time -Persist Snaps.

    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.

  • Bentley’s New Ecosystem Catalog

    Bentley’s New Ecosystem Catalog

    Highlighting Bentley Systems and their extensive Ecosystem Catalog – a valuable resource connecting infrastructure professionals with solution partners advancing digital engineering, sustainable design, and productivity across global projects. We are proud to see CaddPro Pty Ltd featured among the “Applications & Plugins” that complement Bentley software.

    https://www.bentley.com/ecosystem-catalog

  • Color Triangles by Height with Engineering Productivity Pack (EPP)

    Color Triangles by Height with Engineering Productivity Pack (EPP)

    Tired of eyeballing elevation bands in terrain models?Quick tip: load the tool, hit Create-it scans your model’s height range and builds a spreadsheet with ~10 equal bands. Select the height model, process, fit view. Triangles now color-coded by elevation. Clear visual check in seconds. Watch the short demo. Follow for more.

  • Color Triangles by Slope with Engineering Productivity Pack (EPP)

    Color Triangles by Slope with Engineering Productivity Pack (EPP)

    Discover how our Engineering Productivity Pack (EPP) enhances terrain analysis in OpenRoads Designer with the Color Triangles by Slope feature. This tool lets you assign slope values to individual triangles and color-code them based on a custom spreadsheet-think of it as a dynamic Excel lookup table. Define ranges (e.g., 0-0.5% as color 4 on level “type 1”, 5-5.38% as color 10 on “type 10”), and watch your terrain come alive with clarity. Since triangles are separated onto distinct levels, you can leverage standard CAD tools for additional operations like area calculations. Perfect for quick, precise slope analysis, this functionality is now showcased in our latest video.
    Check out the video to see it in action and feel free to contact us via the Contact form.