# RXL roads

An RXL file is a Trimble RoadXML file that defines an alignment (the road centerline) with with related cross section templates that define the road. All stationing is derived from the alignment.

Create an RXL file

RXL road files can be created using:

- Trimble Access Roads software. See Define an RXL road.
- Trimble Business Center software.
- A third‑party design package such as Autodesk AutoCAD Land Desktop, Autodesk Civil 3D, Bentley InRoads, and Bentley GEOPAK.

Add the RXL file to the Layer manager

1. In Trimble Access Roads, tap in the Map toolbar to open the Layer manager and select the Map files tab.

2. Tap Add and then select the RXL file from the Trimble Access project folder on the controller, or from Trimble Connect if the project you are working in is a cloud project. Tap Accept.

   By default, the RXL file you have linked to the job is visible in the map, indicated by the check mark next to the file name .

3. To make items in the RXL file selectable, tap the file name in the Map files tab. A check mark inside a square indicates items in the file are selectable.

4. To close the Layer manager, tap Accept.

The Roads software treats all road distances, including station and offset values, as grid distances. If a ground coordinate system is defined in the job, the grid coordinates are, in effect, also ground coordinates.

Next steps

Once you have linked the RXL file to the job, you can:

- Review the road design

- Edit the definition of the road

- Stake the road