Explorer

Display the Explorer in the Scenario View

Do one of the following:

• Select Explorer from the View menu.

• Right-click in the Plan View and select Explorer.

The Scenario Explorer window appears.

Explorer

Quantm arranges all spatially-referenced data in layers. A layer can contain image data or object data.

There are four different layer types:

• DTM - which contains the digital terrain information for the scenario

• Object - which contains feature information

• End Points - which contain the start and finish points of the alignment to be optimized

• Imagery - which can contain geo-referenced aerial/satellite imagery of the study area

• Special

  • Contours, contain contours generated against the DTM in the scenario.

  • Stations, where alignments will pass through during optimization (Rail projects only).

  • Fixed Sections, locations where alignments must pass through (Road projects only).

Note: The DTM, Special and End Points layer cannot have additional features attached to them, nor can they be deleted.

The layers in a scenario are drawn in the order in which they appear in the Explorer. The terrain model is always drawn first, but you can drag‑and‑drop other layers to change their order.

You can expand a layer to view its contents by clicking the + sign to the left of the layer name. Within these layers are objects. Individual zones, features, and images can be ordered within a layer or dragged and dropped into another layer.

Modify properties of a layer or objects in the layer

1. Right-click the Layer/Object in the explorer.

Options

• Active - When a layer is active, its contents can influence any alignment optimization. If a layer is inactive, its contents will be excluded from the alignment optimization. Active layers can contain inactive items. 

• Contours - DTM and Contours layer option to generate contours on the scenario DTM. 

• Delete - Deletes the selected object or image. A layer can also be deleted if there are no objects or images in that layer. 

• Export Object - Exports the selected objects. Launches the Export Objects window to select the export format and export options. 

• Insert Image - Option for Image layers to import geospatial imagery. 

• Layer Labels - Toggles the labels for the selected group on and off in the Plan View window. Used in conjunction with the master Labels visibility state. 

• Link File - This command is used to select a file to link to the selected object. Once linked a file icon will be displayed in the Plan View window when that object is selected. If the file is a recognized format the file can be opened by double-clicking on the icon. 

• Move Objects - This option is used to move the selected object to a different or new layer.

• New Image Layer - Creates a new image layer for geospatial images 

• New Object - Layer Creates a new object layer. 

• Shading - Option to increase and decrease the degree of shading on the DTM. 

• Transparency - Layers containing geospatial imagery can be made transparent so that layers drawn earlier are partially visible. Use this option if you want to match terrain with aerial photography or with satellite imagery of objects on the ground. Transparency only applies to image layers. 

Create a layer

1. Right-click the Layer View, or select New layer from the Data menu.

2. Select either Image Layer or Object Layer.

Delete a layer

1. Empty the layer, either by deleting all features or using drag‑and‑drop to move them to another layer.

2. Right-click the layer and then select Delete.

Note: Only empty layers can be deleted.

Rename a layer

1. In the Layer View tab double-click the layer name.

2. Change the name of the layer.

Next topic: Plan View