The Propeller Platform’s measurement tools give you the data you need to manage your site effectively. Whether you’re tracking earthwork, checking safety berms, or calculating stockpile volumes, the toolbar is designed to be accessible and easy to use. This guide walks you through each tool—from simple distance markers to advanced volume analysis—so you can get accurate answers and keep your project moving.
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Chapter 1: The measurement toolbar
The measurement toolbar is your home base for site analysis. Conveniently located at the top of your map view, it stays accessible no matter which function you're using.
What we’ll show you:
How to find and navigate the point, line, and polygon dropdown menus
Using templates like Stockpile Inventory to save time on recurring tasks
Why these tools are central to tracking your site's daily progress
Chapter 2: Point tools for pinpoint precision
Use point tools to mark a specific location or track changes at a single spot on your map.
Key tools we’ll cover:
Elevation tool: Track height changes over time across multiple surveys.
Hazard marker: Tag risks and assign severity levels to keep your team safe.
Annotation & custom points: Add digital sticky notes or tailor markers to your specific needs.
Chapter 3: Mastering line tools
Line tools are your go-to for measuring distances, checking site alignments, and understanding terrain profiles.
In this video, we’ll walk through:
Measuring surface and horizontal distances
Using the Berm Check tool to verify safety barriers
Generating cross-sections to visualize slopes and compare ground levels to designs
Chapter 4: Polygon tools and volume analysis
Polygon tools allow you to define areas and calculate the volumes that drive your site's productivity.
What you’ll learn:
Cut/Fill: Measure earthwork progress against previous surveys or design files.
Stockpile tool: Calculate inventory volumes using smart, reference, or custom bases.
Surface area: Quickly determine footprints for clearing or staging areas.
Chapter 5: Personalizing your workflow
Make the platform your own by pinning your most-used tools and creating custom templates.
Pro-tips for efficiency:
Use the thumbtack icon to pin up to nine favorite tools to your main toolbar.
Create custom measurement tools with specific attributes tailored to your unique workflow.
Chapter 6: Speeding things up with hotkeys
Learn the keyboard shortcuts and upcoming features designed to help you work faster.
Quick shortcuts:
P for Point tools, L for Line tools, and O for Polygon tools.
Toggle Autosave on to immediately save your work and streamline consecutive measurements.
Chapter 7: Finding what you need with filters
As your project grows, your map gets busy. Learn how to use filters to find the exact data you need in seconds.
Key takeaways:
Filter by tool type, material, or specific dropdown selections.
Use filters to organize your measurements into folders more effectively.
Remember: Filters refine your list view, while your map stays fully visible.
Want to learn more?
How to measure a cross-section
How to Create a Surface Comparison
Using folders for measurements
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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