Alignment to Polyline: How to Make a Polyline Copy of an Alignment or Profile

Sometimes we need a polyline copy of an alignment whether it's for presentation, making target lines, drawing right-of-way lines, etc.
 
*update (JHK 2018-07-29)* The easiest way to create a polyline copy of an alignment is to just select the alignment and use the offset command. I will test if it can be offset by 0 (I doubt it). If not, just offset it back. I will also test if the offset command works on profile and re-update this article.


 Here is how to make a polyline copy of an alignment:

1. Adjust the alignment or profile style to prepare.
   
   • Usually this involves making sure that the line layer is turned on and the extension lines and markers are turned off.
2. Copy the alignment/profile.
3. Select the copy of the alignment/profile and explode it.
• It should have turned into a block.
4. (Optional) Select the block and isolate it. It helps to do this when there is a lot of clutter around the alignment in question.
• This can be done either via the light bulb icon in the bottom right of the window or the ISOLATE command.
5. Explode the block.
• The copied alignment/profile should now be a bunch of lines and arcs.
6. Select one of the lines/arcs and use the polyline edit command.
•  (Ribbon) Modify -> Modify Pull Down: Edit Polyline
• (Command) PEDIT
7. Choose "yes" to convert the line or arc into a polyline.
8. Choose "join", select the rest of the lines and arcs and press enter to turn the cluster of lines and arcs into one continuous polyline.

It looks like a lengthy process on paper but in practice it only takes a few seconds.