Using Feature Definition Manager to Create an FXL

The following workflow explores the basics of the Feature Definition Manager and how it can be used to create an FXL.

Creating a new file

1. Start by launching the Feature Definition Manager.
2. Next, click File →  New File or click the New File Icon in the toolbar.
3. With the new file open input the file properties e.g. Author and Description.
   The maximum length of feature codes and names etc. can also be set, for most cases this can be left as default. See example below.

Note: Existing FXL files can be imported by clicking File →  Open

Creating Categories

Categories are used to separate the different feature codes into groups with similar definitions. For example, all feature codes used to describe a building are categorised under a Building category.

1. Right click in the far left pane, then click New → New Category or click the  icon in the toolbar to create a new category.
   
   
   
2. Next give the Category a name and click Enter. Follow step 1 to create multiple categories. The categories are sorted in alphabetical order in the left pane.
   

Create Feature Layers

Before creating point, line or polygon codes the feature layers must be created.

1. On the quick access toolbar click the  icon to open the layer manager.
   
   
2. To add a layer click the new layer button at the bottom right of the window.
   
   
3. Give the layer a name e.g. Bridge then give the layer a colour, line style and line weight. By ticking Protect the layer cannot be deleted when it has no features on it. Leave the other settings as Default.
   

   By giving a layer a colour, line style and weight any feature that has its colour, line style or weight set to “By Layer” will automatically default to the layer’s parameters.

   

Creating Point Features

1. To create a point feature, click on the category in the left pane you wish to create the point under. With the category highlighted right click then click New → New Point Feature Definition. A point feature can also be created by clicking the  icon in the toolbar however the category will not be auto filled.
   
   
   
2. Fill in the details of the point feature and click OK.
   
   
   • Name: give the point a name e.g. Bridge Abutment.
   • Code: input the feature code (can be alphabetical or numeric) e.g. ABU or 122.
   • Category: select the category the point is under e.g. BRIDGE. This should Autofill.
   • Feature Layer: select from the previously created layers e.g. Bridge. This is the layer the point will be on when processed in TBC.
   • Label Style: this is used to import label styles where each point with a specific code can be given a CAD text label after processing e.g. the Point Name will be created in CAD text. For this workflow this will be set to None.
   • Colour: select a colour for the point to display in TBC e.g. Yellow.
   • Include in Surface: Check this check box to specify that by default a point to which this feature is assigned can be included as a member in a surface in the post-processing office software. You can change this setting for the point in the office software.
3. Point Symbols can optionally be adjusted. Click here for how to import point symbols.

Creating Line Feature

Creating a line code is a similar process to creating a point feature with a few added settings.

1. Click on the category in the left pane you wish to create the line under. With the category highlighted right click then click New → New Line Feature Definition. Alternatively click the  icon to create a new line feature definition.
2. Fill in the details of the Line feature and click OK.
   
   
   • Name: give the point a name e.g. Bridge Abutment.
   • Code: input the feature code (can be alphabetical or numeric) e.g. ABU or 122.
   • Category: select the category the point is under e.g. BRIDGE. This should Autofill.
   • Feature Layer: select from the previously created layers e.g. Bridge. This is the layer the line will be on when processed in TBC.
   • Line Style: select a line style to be displayed after processing. Click here for how to import a line style.
   • Line style scale: choose a line style scale (the higher the number the larger the scale). For example if a line has 10 dashes between two points and the scale is changed from 1 to 2 the line would then have 5 dashes between the two points.
   • Line label Style: this is used to import label styles where each line with a specific code can be given a CAD text label after processing e.g. Line Length. For this workflow this will be set to None.
   • Field line style: select the line style that will display in the field software (either solid or dashed).
   • Colour: choose a line colour e.g. Red.
   • Point Layer: choose the layer that the points used to pick up the line string feature are to be stored on e.g. Points.
   • Point label style: described above.
   • Include in Surface: described above.

Polygon features are similar to line features and can be used to describe lots or other areas of interest. This workflow will not explore the creation of polygon features in detail however follow the same steps as creating a line string.

Adding Attributes, Symbols and Linestyles

Once each feature code has been created, further details to be used within the field and once processed can be added.

• Click here for a detailed workflow on adding attributes to each feature.
• Click here for importing point symbols.
• Click here for importing linestyles.
• Click here for block codes.