Create a Project 

You must specify a Digital terrain model, (DTM) when you create a project.

Quantm supports DTMs in the following formats:

• Esri ASCII Grid

• Trimble Terrain Model (.TTM)

• XML

• DWG

• DXF 

• XYZ

The dimensions of the DTM is the difference in the northing extents and the easting extents of the DTM surface. Only DTM surfaces that are within the study area purchased can be imported into the Quantm software. For example, if you purchased the Quantm Desktop 50km license, the maximum difference in the northing and easting extents is 50 km.

You can create a project from the Project view or the Scenario view. To create a new project:

1. Click on the Quantm Icon in the top left corner > Create Project. The Create New Project window appears: 

2. Give the project a suitable name.

3. The DTM defines the study area for the project. Click Browse next to the DTM File field and Navigate to the DTM file. The DTM file for the project must be in a format supported by the Quantm software.

The windows that display during import will depend on the format of the DTM file 

4. Select the type of route you will be optimizing. Choose from road or rail.

5. Select if you want to use Grade Breaks or not in the scenario. For more information on Grade Breaks, see Grade. The Scenario view opens and the DTM will appear in the Plan window.

Tip: You can upgrade the DTM used for a scenario providing a job has not been submitted for that scenario. 

Replace a DTM

1. From the Project view, select the project to edit.

2. From the Scenario Tree, right-click on the DTM you want to upgrade to access the shortcut menu. 

3. Select Replace.

4. Select an existing DTM or import a new DTM.

Preference settings

When you create a new project set the Preference Settings from the Project view or the Scenario view. For more information on preference settings see Preference Settings.

Data entry

Enter data for the current scenario. Data can be entered manually or imported from GIS/CAD files. Types of data to enter include:

• Start and Finish points for the alignment

• Templates for the alignment

• Geometric Parameters for the alignment

• Costs and construction data

• Existing alignments that you want to optimize

• Zones that you want to avoid

• Zones where specific design or construction requirements apply

• Existing roads and rivers

• Geospatial data

• Cadastral zones

• Rail stations (rail)

• Fixed Sections (road)

For more details on data entry, see Managing Data. When you have entered all the data for the scenario you can create a job submission and submit the scenario for alignment optimization. See Creating and Submitting Jobs.

Next topic: Open an Existing Project