Propeller Mobile is a simple and accessible extension of the Propeller Platform as an app that provides field teams with a reliable source of site information while on the worksite.
Field crews can explore 2D or 3D models of their site. They can zoom in on specific areas for more details, use the maps to work collaboratively and in real-time, visualize and review design files, and create temporary measurements to check the most up-to-date earthworks progress using the aerial data collected during drone surveys.
Getting started
Download Propeller Mobile to your phone or tablet. It is available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Open Propeller Mobile and allow the app to Continue by sharing information about your login with prpellr.com with the app.
Choose the Portal, Site, and Survey you want to view from the dropdown menu and tap VIEW MAP.
If you have access to multiple portals, the app will default to the Portal with the closest Site to your geographical location.
General navigation
Use your index and thumb fingers and “pinch” the screen to zoom in and out on the map. Double-tap a location on the map to zoom in quickly. To tilt or rotate the map, use two fingers together and push up, down, or twist to change the angle of or rotate the map.
Dropdown menu
Tap the dropdown to change your Portal, Site, or Survey within the app.
Compass
Tap the compass to orient the map back to north.
Home button
Tap the Home button to return to the full extent of your site.
Geo locate
Use the Geo Locate tool to orient yourself on the map. This function uses your mobile device’s GPS to obtain your current location.
You may need to enable location services on your iOs or Android mobile device for this feature to work.
2D/3D view
Tap this button to switch between 2D and 3D views of your survey.
Map button
Tap the Map button to close all open menus and return to the map screen.
Tools & Layers
Tap the Tools button to use the built-in measurement tools, including ELEVATION, DISTANCE, and AREA.
Turn on additional layers using the Layers tool. This includes the line and design files associated with the survey.
Any measurement added in the app is temporary and does not save to your Propeller Platform profile.
Point
The ELEVATION tool allows you to spot-check elevations at a specific location on your site.
Tap on POINT. A crosshair will open on the map. The center of the crosshair is the point you are measuring. You'll notice elevation changes as you pan and move around the map. This can be useful for visualizing how elevations on your site change over time, including stockpile heights and quick grade checks.
You can also compare elevations between your survey and any design files associated with your site. Tap the Layers tool to add a Design to compare against a survey.
Once a Design is toggled on, you can compare it to a survey to see cut/fill information.
Line
The Line tool can be used to measure point to point distance, horizontal length, and surface length.
Tap on the Tools button and select LINE.
Position the crosshairs where you want to drop a point and tap +ADD POINT. Continue adding points until the distance you want to measure is complete, then tap VIEW MEASUREMENT. If you make a mistake, tap UNDO POINT to erase the last dropped point.
As you start dropping points to create your line measurement, it will calculate the point to point distance live.
Click on VIEW MEASUREMENT to see more calculations, such as Horizontal Length and Surface Length.
You can also view the CROSS SECTION in the mobile app.
Tap SEE CROSS SECTION for a detailed visual of the elevation change between surveys and design files. If you imported an IFC file, you could also take cross section measurements of underground utilities (for example, a cross section of a pipe). You can also view details like Elevation, Horizontal, and Grade in degrees, ratio, and percent.
You can also ADD DESIGN, ADD SURVEY, or change the measurement units from here.
Polygon
Use the POLYGON tool to compare surveys to designs.
Tap on the Tools button and select POLYGON.
Position the crosshairs where you want to drop a point and tap ADD POINT. Continue adding points to the polygon to cover the area you want to measure.
The measurements between points on your polygon will be calculated as you draw. You can also change the measurement units from the dropdown menu.
Once done, click COMPLETE SHAPE and select a design to compare. Tap UNDO POINT to erase the last dropped point if you make a mistake.
Elevation contours
Select Elevation Contours to visualize elevation. Draw a polygon around the area you want to view.
From the dropdown, choose Elevation Contours.
Heat map
Compare an area on the map to a design to calculate cut and fill.
Draw a polygon around the area you want to compare. Select the design you want to compare your survey against.
View Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) Files
The ability to view IFC files for more context while onsite makes it easy to simplify project planning, perform quality assurance by comparing as-built images against the design, and catch any errors early on before they impact later stages of the project.
From the Layers tab, select Designs. Search Designs or navigate to the IFC file you want to view and toggle it on.
Tap the X next to the survey or design if you wish to remove it.
If you need assistance, click the GET HELP button in the bottom corner of the home screen to message Propeller Support.
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 support button on the top right corner of your user portal.
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