From the course: Autodesk Civil 3D 2019 Essential Training

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What is a surface?

What is a surface? - AutoCAD Civil 3D Tutorial

From the course: Autodesk Civil 3D 2019 Essential Training

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What is a surface?

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- [Instructor] Modeling a surface object in Civil 3D is one of the objects where modeling is similar to many other engineering task software applications. The surface is created by tying points together through irregular triangles using an algorithm. The resulting surface is often called a TIN, which really stands for Triangular Irregular Network. Thus the key in building a surface is the points used and then the direction that the triangles are formed. As we see here, there are a bunch of points, and as the surface is created, triangles are added, and create an irregular shape or network of triangles. These triangles, and the direction they go, as well as the points that are added in the information, such as the Z elevation, define the 3D model of the surface. So if we take a look at this in 3D, you get a better grasp of how all of those triangles come together to create a model of the terrain.

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