Last Updated: 11 May 2023          For: OptiSurface Designer V3+


Overview: Batter Breakline operation calculates a new breakline adjacent to the Reference breakline creating a sloped wall (batter) that lines up to a surface. This is used to finalize drain channels or embankments.

Displayed by:
Right Click Breakline > Batter Breakline

 Appearance:

Batter Breakline

Shoot Slope To: Select the reference surface where the breakline will be shot from

Slope Up (%):  Use if breakline is below surface e.g drain channels

Slope Down (%): Use if breakline is above surface e.g levees

Direction: Refers to the 'Left' or 'Right' of the clicked breakline, usually best to select 'Both' then delete the unwanted batter.

Flat Width (m or ft):  Refers to the width of the base for drains or width of crest for levees.

Calculation Spacing (m or ft): Define interval between breakline points, recommended to use 5m or 15ft

Max Distance (m or ft) (From center line): Define the maximum horizontal distance from the reference breakline the batter will shoot out to

Triangulate without breaklines for calculation: Triangulate the surface before shooting the batter lines. It is highly recommended to tick this ON.

Update related offset and batter lines if they exist: Delete old offset or batter lines to make way for the new batter lines.

Delete points inside batter: Delete points caught inside the batters and base or crest.

Help: Directs the user to this page.

More Complex Design:  Opens up a more detailed dialog

• Horizontal Offset - offset distance from the center breakline or reference breakline.  E.g. If base is 15ft wide, offset distance is 7.5ft.
• Up 1v:h - define h (horizontal) in the up slope ratio, ie if slope is 1:20 then insert 20
• Down 1v:h - define h (horizontal) in the down slope ratio, ie if slope is 1:20 then insert 20
• Direction - refers to the 'Left' or 'Right' of the clicked breakline, usually best to select 'Both' then delete the unwanted batter.
• Shoot Slope To - select the reference surface where the breakline will be shot from
• Shot Interval (m or ft) - define interval between breakline points, recommended to use 5m or 15ft
• Max Distance (m or ft) - Define the maximum horizontal distance from the reference breakline the batter will shoot out to
• Triangulate without breaklines for calculation:  Triangulate the surface before shooting the batter lines. It is highly recommended to tick this ON.
• Update related offset and batter lines if they exist:  Delete old offset or batter lines to make way for the new batter lines.
• Delete points inside batter:  Delete points caught inside the batters and base or crest.

Video Walkthrough:  Watch this video as Ed demonstrates this feature.  You can watch it on YouTube for better resolution up to 1080p.


The cross sections shown in the software has the vertical scale exaggerated. See how the side batters with different slopes look in real life in this article: Drain Side Batter Examples