Best Path Tool

The Best Path tool calculates the best path between two locations on the terrain without exceeding definable climb and descent slope limits.

The tool creates a line object marked on the ground representing the calculated path. The calculation takes into account the elevation values of the terrain and implements a heuristic algorithm. The parameters available for the search determine the time and probability of finding the best path.

Using the Best Path Tool

To use the Best Path tool:

1. On the Analysis tab, in the Terrain Analysis group, click Best Path.

2. Set the required Best Path parameters.

3. With the cursor in the 3D Window, click to define the start point for the path.

4. Click again to define the endpoint of the path.

5. Once the Best Path has been calculated, it displays in the 3D Window, and a Best Path analysis object is created in the Project Tree.

6. If you want to edit its parameters and recalculate it, make the required modifications in the property sheet and in the Recalculate Path click Apply.

7. If you want to move the path, click Edit Nodes , on the top bar of the property sheet, and move the node point to the required location.

8. Close the property sheet to end the operation.

Best Path Property Sheet Parameters

Object Parameter	Activity
Appearance
Name	Type the description or name of the Best Path. This text appears in the Project Tree as the name of the object.
Activation Action	Select the action to perform when the object is selected from the Project Tree.
Path Color	Select the color for the best path. Click the Edit button to open the Color dialog, or type the color code in hexadecimal BBGGRR format (B = Blue channel 00-ff, G = Green channel 00-ff, R = Red channel 00-ff).
Position
Start Location X	Enter the X-coordinate for the start location.
Start Location Y	Enter the Y-coordinate for the start location.
Start Location MGRS	The coordinates for the start location in Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) coordinates. This field is only available if Show MGRS Coordinates was selected in the Options dialog. See “View” in the “Using TerraExplorer Options” chapter for more information.
End Location X	Enter the X-coordinate for the end location.
End Location Y	Enter the Y-coordinate for the end location.
End Location MGRS	The coordinates for the end location in Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) coordinates. This field is only available if Show MGRS Coordinates was selected in the Options dialog. See “View” in the “Using TerraExplorer Options” chapter for more information.
Settings
Sample Interval	Enter the desired value (in meters) for the resolution of the measurement. This value represents the distance between sample points along the path. The smaller the sample interval, the more accurate the calculation, but the longer it takes to calculate.
Search Area Factor	Enter the desired value for the area of the calculation. This value represents the factor multiplying the distance between each two points giving the length of the search area rectangle. The width is set to half of the length.
Climb Slope Limit	Enter the climb slope limit (in degrees) that no part in the path can exceed.
Descent Slope Limits	Enter the descent slope limit (in degrees) that no part in the path can exceed. No part of the path can have a steeper slope than the negative value of this property.
Recalculate Path	Click this button to perform the calculation again with the updated parameters.
Timespan
Start Time	Click Edit and select the date and time when the path should first become visible.
End Time	Click Edit and select the date and time when the path should stop being visible.
General
Show in Viewer	Determines if the Best Path appears in the Project Tree when the file is viewed with the TerraExplorer Basic viewer.
Message	The message associated with the object. The number displayed is the number of the message. To create a new message, or update an existing message, open the Create Message dialog by clicking in this field and selecting Edit. See “Using the Create Message Dialog” in the “Working with Objects” chapter for more information.
Tooltip	Type a tooltip text to appear when the mouse cursor is placed over the Best Path in the 3D Window.
Max. Visibility Distance	Sets the maximal distance from the camera above which the Best Path polygon disappears.
Min. Visibility Distance	Sets the minimal distance from the camera below which the Best Path polyline disappears.

Once completed, a single line, marked on the terrain appears between the start and end locations. This line represents the best path between the two points under the constraints set by the slope parameters. At any time, you can change the start and endpoints, and the various parameters, and recalculate the path.