Skip to main content
All CollectionsGetting Started with PVFARMRoads, Boundaries, & Setbacks
How To Get Boundaries And Terrain Files
How To Get Boundaries And Terrain Files

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare and generate boundaries and terrain files for PVFARM

Maksim Markevich avatar
Written by Maksim Markevich
Updated over a week ago

Boundaries

Select any option to get boundaries for PVFARM

DXF by Civil3D/AutoCAD

  1. Open the file you need boundaries from

  2. Boundaries need to be created with the layer 'pvfarm_boundary_(Name)'

  3. Make sure boundaries are closed polylines

    1. use the JOIN command to make closed polylines and join different parts of a boundary

  4. Rename existing boundaries layer via the Rename menu

    • RENAME command

      • Layer section

      • Find a boundary layer

      • Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_boundary_(Name)'

      • Make sure the new name is applied for boundaries in the Model space

  5. Or rename existing boundaries layer via the Home -> Layer Properties menu

  6. Save or Export the existing layout as a DXF file (2018 version)

  7. Import the DXF file into the PVFARM

  8. Observe the DXF has boundaries -> Add to the Layout

KMZ/KML by Civil3D/AutoCAD

  1. Open the file you need boundaries from

  2. Toolspace → Toolbox→ Miscellaneous Utilities→ Export KML

  3. Drag & drop KML/KMZ file in the PVFARM 3D model space or use the Import menu

  4. Make sure the boundaries are added to your project

KMZ/KML by Google Earth

  1. Use https://earth.google.com/

  2. Draw boundaries in Google Earth according to the real view of the site

  3. Export to KMZ/KML file

  4. Drag & drop KML/KMZ file in the PVFARM 3D model space or use the Project -> Import menu

  5. Make sure the boundaries are added to your project

Terrain

Select any option to get surfaces ready to be imported into PVFARM

GeoTiff by TouchTerrain service

  1. Use the TouchTerrain service https://touchterrain.geol.iastate.edu/main

  2. Find your location on a map view

  3. Draw a polygon

  4. Select GeoTiff file here

  5. Copy these manual settings

    • "ntilesx":1,"ntilesy":1,"basethick":0.0,"zscale":1.0,"fileformat":"GeoTiff","unprojected":true,"printres":-1

  6. Paste them into the ‘Manual settings’

    • Press ‘Export Selected Area and Download File’

    • Wait till the end of exporting process

    • Download the zip File

    • Extract GeoTiff file to your device

    • Drag & drop GeoTiff file in the PVFARM 3D model space or use Project -> Import menu

    • Make sure the surface is added to your project

DEM/GeoTiff by Civil3D

  1. Build a surface with boundaries in Civil3D

  2. Export as DEM/GeoTiff file

    1. Toolspace → Prospector → Surfaces → Export to DEM

  3. Import to PVFARM

    • Drag & drop GeoTiff file in the PVFARM 3D model space or use Project -> Import menu

    • Make sure the surface is added to your project

Did this answer your question?