Definition of Model and String

String definition is divided to two categories of terminology.

Defined in term of type of analysis.

Defined in term of dimension.
1. String Definition in Term of Analysis Type
String is generally defined as a list of points to represent survey feature. Each string has a label known
as string name, and may be displayed in a form of line or point with multiple style of annotations,
symbols, line types, colours etc.
Line string is defined as string that has connection or link between two consecutive points for entire
length of string. This string forms break line on the surface plane.
Point string is defined as string that has gaps or without link between two consecutive points for
entire length of string. It is also known as P string as its string name prefixed with character P.
Null string is defined as string that assigned with level of 999.00, where this level will be ignored in
the modelling analysis.
Text string is defined as string that stores text information, such as characters, text height, rotation
and co-ordinates. Text string will not be included in any modelling analysis or calculation. It is used as
permanent annotation to provide full information of survey features on plan.

2. String Definition in Term of Dimension

2D string is defined as string has two variations in dimension, where first and second dimension (X and
Y value) are varies, but third dimension (Z value) is constant. The 2D string is usually used to represent
contour line.
3D string is defined as string has three variations in dimension where first, second and third dimension
(X, Y and Z value) are varies.
The line string, point string and null string can be formed by 3D string.

3. Model Definition
Model is defined as a group of strings that represent the shape of surface. Single model is used to
represent a surface, for example Ground to represent the surface of ground survey, Rock to represent
a rock surface layer, Underground Water to represent surface of underground water level etc.

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Type of Survey Model

The model (layer) is to be arranged in such that there are a few physically different models. This is to
prevent strings group code will be relabelled to other group code. The model is created in order to reduce
the number of strings in a model as the followings:
1. GROUND model containing at-grade features (B, F, J, K, L, N, OB, P, R, T)
- Building, fencing, road, general level string, slope, spot level, watercourse, tunnel etc.
2. GROUND TEXT model containing survey annotations (*B, *D, *J, *M, *R, *S, *T, *V)
- Text string to annotate type of building, river name, street name etc.
3. ROAD FURNITURE model
- All points that represent single pole features can be formed by a single string, and
displayed as symbol. (PS, PR, PD, PB, PJ, PK, PL, PU, PV, PX, PY, PZ)
- All points that represent each multiple pole shall be formed by a single string and displayed
as line. (PC, PM, PN)
4. UTILITIES model containing services features (Electrical, telecom, water, sewerage & gas)
- At-grade
- Manhole, box, valve etc. (PE, PT, PW, PG)
- Above ground (overhead) - Electrical lines, telephone lines, transmission line, etc. (A)
- Under ground
- Pipeline, conduits, cables etc. (U)
5. PROPERTY model (OB, OL, OR, *A, *C, *L)
- Lot line, boundary, text string to annotate area, lot numbers etc.
In digital drawing, these models and string group can be best described as drawing and layer in
AutoCAD, and level in Microstation as the following examples:
MOSS/MX model

AutoCAD drawing

GROUND model
GROUND TEXT model
ROAD FURNITURE model
UTILITIES model
PROPERTY model

GROUND.dwg
GROUND TEXT.dwg
ROAD FURNITURE.dwg
UTILITIES.dwg
PROPERTY.dwg

MOSS/MX (string group)

A, U
B, F, J, K, L, N, OB, P, R, T
PC, PM, PN
PE, PT, PW, PG
*B, *D, *J, *M, *R, *S, *T

AutoCAD (layer)
A, U
B, F, J, K, L, N, OB, P, R, T
PC, PM, PN
PE, PT, PW, PG
B, D, J, M, R, S, T

Microstation/PowerDraft
drawing
GROUND.dgn
GROUND TEXT. dgn
ROAD FURNITURE. dgn
UTILITIES. dgn
PROPERTY. dgn
Microstation/PowerDraft
(Level)
A, U
B, F, J, K, L, N, OB, P, R, T
PC, PM, PN
PE, PT, PW, PG
B, D, J, M, R, S, T

Take note that the string group code with character * is exclusive for text string. Any layer or
level in AutoCAD or Microstation will be prefixed with character * and truncated to 4 characters in
string name. For Example:
Layer/level name
THIS IS A TEXT
COCONUT
RIVER
P
PX

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Text String
*THI
*COC
*RIV
*P00
*PX0

Layer/level name
THIS IS A LINE
COCONUT
RIVER
P
PX

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Non-Text String
THIS
COCO
RIVE
P000
PX00