This article is your guide to mastering the measurement tools available on your site map. Learn how to perform essential calculations, including point elevations, cross-sections, and cut/fill volumes. We will cover all primary measurement types (Point, Line, and Polygon) and show you how to streamline your workflow by creating custom tools, saving favorites to your toolbar, and using the powerful filtering panel to manage your data.
Getting started using measurements
Measurements let you analyze your site directly on the map — whether you’re checking a point elevation, drawing a line for slope, or calculating stockpile volumes. All tools are accessible from the measurement toolbar at the top of the map.
Toolbar basics
Choose from three main measurement types:
- Points → place single locations
- Lines → draw paths or sections
- Polygons → outline areas
Pick a template from the dropdown (e.g., Stockpile, Berm Check), or start with a custom tool.
💡 Tip: Save your most-used tools by pinning them to the toolbar for quick access. |
Pinning & saving measurement tools
You can personalize your measurement workflow so your most-used tools and visual styles are ready every time you log in.
Options available:
- Pin tools: Click the thumbtack to add them to the toolbar
- Create custom tools: Add fields and attributes, then save as a template
- Hotkeys: Use P (Point), L (Line), O (Polygon). Custom tools are numbered 1–9 on your keyboard
- Autosave: Toggle Autosave on to automatically save points, lines, and polygons as you draw
Styling measurement tools
Points
- Color: Choose from predefined swatches or add custom colors
- Icon: Pick from our icons library to identify areas on your site
- Label: Show or hide point names next to markers
- Buffer: Add a radius around the point, adjust fill transparency, or apply a border style
Lines
- Color: Change line color from the swatch bar
- Line style: Select from solid, dashed, dotted, or directional arrows to differentiate measurement types
Polygons
- Color: Pick a fill color for your area
- Fill: Choose transparent, semi-transparent, or solid fill
- Border style: Customize the border’s pattern or thickness
💡 Tip: Consistent styling helps everyone distinguish different measurement types at a glance — for example, using yellow for design checks, red for hazards, and blue for QA points. |
Use points
Use points to mark a location or record elevation data.
ℹ️ Note: Importing points with elevation values? See Using a CSV for Bulk Point Data Import. |
Available point tools
- Point: Mark features and points of interest on your site
- Elevation: Track height changes of a point across multiple surveys
- Hazard: Mark hazards and assign severity levels
- Annotation: Add notes or labels with custom styling
- Elevation Difference: Calculate the elevation difference between the point and surface
- +Custom Point: Create your own template
To place a point:
- Select a point tool from the dropdown
- Click anywhere on the map
- The Properties panel opens on the right — showing location, elevation, and any attributes
💡 Tip: Elevation Difference values are included in reports (PDF/CSV) and exports (DXF/KML). |
Viewing the elevation history at a point
When you place a point on the map, an Elevation History chart appears.
- This chart shows how the surface elevation at that exact location has changed across your surveys taken over time
- View the chart directly on the map, or open it in a new window for more workspace. Use the +ADD button to compare elevation points from your design or other files
💡 Tip: This is particularly useful for monitoring changes to a single location over time—such as ground movement, backfill, or stockpile height. |
Use lines
Use lines to measure distances or assess linear features.
Available line tools
- Distance: Measure point-to-point or surface length
- Berm Check: Measure berm/windrow heights and widths
- Cross-section: View a cross-section across surveys or designs
- Vertex Difference: Draw a line between at least two points and see the elevation difference between them
- Grade/Slope: Calculate slope as a degree, percentage, or ratio
- +Custom Line: Create your own template
To draw a line:
- Select a line tool from the dropdown.
- Click to place vertices.
- Double-click to finish.
Viewing Cross-sections for lines
When you draw a line measurement, a Cross-section chart automatically appears. It displays the elevation profile along that line, comparing all available surveys or designs. View the chart on the map, or open it in a new window. Hover over the chart to see elevation values and surface intersections along the line.
💡 Tip: Cross-sections are ideal for checking road grades, berm heights, or cut/fill consistency along linear features. |
Use draw for free-hand annotations
ℹ️ Note: This tool is for visual annotations and does not provide survey data. |
Use the Draw tool to create freehand lines for quick site communication, such as tracing truck routes or circling hazards.
Select Draw: Click the Draw icon in the measurement toolbar.
Draw your path: Click and hold your mouse button to start drawing; press Esc to erase a mistake.
Finish and save: Release the mouse button to complete the drawing. If Autosave is enabled, your annotation will save automatically.
💡 Tip: To move the map without stopping your drawing, press and hold the spacebar to pan around while the tool is active. |
Use polygons
Use polygons to calculate areas and volumes.
Available polygon tools
- Surface Area: Measure area within a polygon
- Bench Volume: Calculate volumes for benches or blast walls
- Cut/Fill: Measure change between surveys or designs
- Area Progress: Compare progress since a previous survey
- Stockpile: Measure stockpiles using reference levels or custom bases
- +Custom Polygon: Create your own template
To draw a polygon:
- Select a polygon tool
- Click to outline the area (or use the Magic Polygon tool)
- Double-click to close
ℹ️ Note: Ensure to save your measurement after outlining the area. If you accidentally discard it, a prompt will pop up and you can click undo. |
Managing measurements
The Properties panel shows details for any measurement:
- Location and coordinates
- Elevation or volumes
- Editable attributes and styles
Create custom measurement tools
There are two ways to do this:
- Select the tool you need (point/line/polygon) and Add/edit items
- Use the +ADD/EDIT button to customize the point/line/polygon
- Select +Custom Point, +Custom Line, or +Custom Area from the dropdown menu
- Drag the available custom measurement items to the LHS
The below measurement items (on the RHS) are available to add to your custom tool:
Filtering measurements
Filters make it easy to find the data you need by narrowing down the list of measurements in the left panel. Filters update instantly and don’t affect what’s shown on the map. You can search, sort, and filter at the same time.
- By Tool: Show only certain measurement types (e.g., Cut/Fill, Slope, Stockpiles)
- By Attributes: Filter based on dropdowns or custom fields, such as material types or hazard levels
- Reset Filters: Click RESET FILTERS at the bottom of the panel to return to the default view
💡 Tip: Filters don’t refine one another—each applies independently, so you can layer and remove them freely. |
Zone filter
Use the Zone filter to isolate measurements within a specific area of your site — ideal for focusing on stockpiles, roads, or labeled zones.
- While drawing, all measurements remain visible. Once complete, only the measurements inside or intersecting your zone appear in the list and are highlighted on the map.
- You can interact with filtered results — for example, select all items and group them into a new folder (e.g., “Stockpiles within Central Yard”).
- To remove the Zone Filter, either reset it or uncheck the filter box to hide it temporarily.
To use:
- Open the Measurements tab
- Select Zone filter
- Draw a zone on your map around the measurements you want to filter
| 💡Tip: You can also use the Zone Filter to quickly group and move items into new folders. |
I still can't do it!
We wrote these articles to equip you with everything you need to get the job done on your own, but we understand that sometimes this isn't sufficient.
If you're stuck, you can connect with our support team by clicking the question mark button at the top right corner of your user portal.
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