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Step-By-Step Landform Design Procedure

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Ed Foronda
Updated 3 months ago
Last Updated: 05 June 2024          For: OptiSurface Designer V3 and higher


  1. Start the OptiSurface Designer (OSD) Program.

  2. Import the topographic survey file by clicking on the menu bar:
    File > Import     and then navigate to and select the appropriate file.ImportSelect the correct unit of the data.

    See Import Formats to learn more.

  3. Right-click on the boundary line and select Modify Extents if you need to modify it. While modifying, drag the boundary lines to move and click Stop Editing to finish.

  4. Get an understanding of the field topography by using the View Menu or View Toolbar.
    Pan around the map by clicking and dragging. Go back to Tools > Plan View and proceed to next step.
    View Toolbar
    Import the satellite image to confirm the field is in the correct location.
    Tick ON Satellite
  5. Perform initial Landform Design by clicking the menu bar Tools > Landform Design.
    The Landform Design Parameters Window will prompt.

    a. Select Surface Type: See which option applies best to your farming practice here: Landform Design. Click Surface Type dropdown box and more options will appear. Select desired surface.  
    Surface Types
    b. Click 'Pick'. Click on a high point on map then move the pointer along the direction of main water flow and click again to close. Notice this will give a bearing as the pointer moves.    Click Pick
    c.  On Calculation Grid Spacing, click the Value Box and start with 30.  

    d.  Main Slope, Minimum by default is ticked, a good starting value is 0.05.

    e.  Click Ok & Calculate. A window will pop up showing calculation progress, wait until finished.

    f.  Results will give Proposed Topography. See the difference made by ticking Existing  and ticking OFF Proposed  in Project Explorer Window. Go to left side of screen to see Project Explorer Window,  notice the other tick boxes. Tick them ON and OFF to show different maps.

    Note: At the bottom left of the screen, there is the Design Summary.
    This shows Area, Cut and Fill Volumes and Cut per Area highlighted in red.

  6. Adjust constraints and parameters as desired by clicking the menu bar Tools > Landform Design. Use Step 5 as a guide and tick ON boxes and add value to Value Box to enable desired Constraints. Parameters can also be modified. Recalculate by clicking Ok & Calculate when finished.

    Hint:  Tick ON Smoothing (m/% or ft/%) to smooth the surface, a good starting value is 100.

    Add subzones as required to achieve desired results. See Subzones for more details.

    Note: This process can be repeated until results are satisfactory. Remember to view maps such as Existing Topography, Proposed Topography, Cut/Fill, etc. to see the changes done (Step 5.f).

  7. Create Design Report. Select from menu bar: Tools > Design Report. This gives a summary report: cut vol., fill vol.,etc.
    Report
  8. Export The Machine Control File by selecting from the menu bar Tools > Export Proposed.  
    ExportA prompt will show asking to unlock the field by consuming OptiSurface Credits.

    Hit OK to continue and OSD will ask you to select the folder where to save the exported file then select the format by clicking the Save As Type drop down button. Formats include AGPS Design File (*.agd), Shape File (*.shp) and Trimble AgGPS Field Level (*.gps).

    See Export Landform Design for more details.

  9. Save the design file again by clicking on the menu bar: File > Save As, then select a file name and location to save the file so you can open it at a later time.
    Save




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