Applying Surface Offsets to VCL Surfaces

Siteworks allows you to apply a surface offset to any active VCL surface, providing flexibility when checking grades, performing stakeout, or completing design calculations.

Surface offsets can be applied regardless of the VCL surface type being used, including:

• VCL Surfaces
• Corridor Surfaces
• Corridor Template Surfaces

Accessing Surface Offset Settings

You can configure a surface offset from several locations within Siteworks, including:

• Home > Settings > Surface Settings
• Measurement Info Bar
• Various workflow-specific settings dialogs

The available options may vary depending on the feature you are using.

How Surface Offsets Work

A surface offset creates a modified version of the active design surface by moving it above or below its original position.

Surface offsets can be applied:

• Vertically above or below the design surface
• Perpendicular to the design surface

This allows you to work to a temporary design elevation while keeping the original design unchanged.

Common Uses

Surface offsets are often used for:

• Subgrade verification
• Pavement layer construction
• Material thickness checks
• Temporary grading requirements
• Design tolerance inspections

Where the Offset Is Applied

Once a surface offset is set for the active surface, the offset is automatically used throughout Siteworks.

The offset applies to:

• Measure
• Stakeout
• COGO

This ensures consistent results across all workflows.

Note: The surface offset affects the active surface only and does not modify the original design file.

Changing the Active Surface

When you change the active surface from the Open Project screen:

• The surface offset automatically resets to 0.000.
• A new offset must be applied if required.

This helps prevent unintended offsets from being carried across to a different surface.

Updating the Surface Offset

To modify the offset value:

1. Open Surface Settings.
2. Enter the required offset value.
3. Apply the changes.

The displayed value in the Surface Settings screen becomes the active offset for the selected surface.

Surface Offsets and Measured Data

When measurements are recorded against an offset surface:

• The current surface offset value is stored with the measured data.
• This behaviour is the same as when working with TTM and PRO designs.

Saving the offset information helps ensure accurate reporting and allows measurements to be reviewed in the correct design context at a later date.

Best Practices

✅ Verify the surface offset before starting a measurement or stakeout task.
✅ Remember that changing the active surface resets the offset to zero.
✅ Use offsets when working with construction layers such as subgrade, base, or finished surface levels.
✅ Confirm that field crews understand when an offset surface is being used.
✅ Review stored measurements to ensure they were collected against the intended offset value.

Key Points

• Surface offsets are supported for all VCL surface types.
• Offsets can be applied vertically or perpendicular to the design surface.
• The offset affects Measure, Stakeout, and COGO workflows.
• Changing the active surface resets the offset to zero.
• Offset values are saved with measured data.
• Applying an offset does not modify the original VCL design.