We’ve built the Propeller Platform to be a flexible part of your daily workflow. We know that getting your data into the right format is essential, so we support a wide range of file types for use in your favorite third-party software.
This guide will walk you through how to export data from a specific measurement area or a custom portion of your site. If you need to download data for your entire survey area at once, read this article.
How do I download a custom portion of my survey?
Sometimes you don't need the whole site—just a specific area. Here’s how we do that:
Select your area: Create a polygon (or hover over an existing measurement) around the area you want to export.
Open the Export menu: Click the three dots to the right of your measurement and select Export.
Choose your format: You’ll see a list of options. Let’s look at what each one does:
Orthophoto via Email
Follow these steps to customize and export your orthophoto:
Select your file type: Choose Orthophoto via Email and select your preferred format from the dropdown menu.
Include georeferencing files: If you’re exporting a JPEG, make sure to check the boxes for the World File and/or PRJ File. We include these so your image "sits" correctly in its real-world location when you import it into other software.
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Set your resolution: Use the slider to set your file resolution, or type a value into the input field.
💡 Tip: If your export exceeds 4GB, it becomes a "BigTIFF." While Trimble Business Center (TBC) supports these with world files, other programs might struggle. For a standard GeoTIFF, try a medium-resolution setting. Export and process: Click EXPORT. We’ll send you an email as soon as your file is ready. The processing time depends on the size of the area and the resolution you’ve chosen.
Once your orthophoto has finished processing, you will receive an email with a download link.
Can I share the file?
Yes! To share the file, you can forward the email, and the recipient can use the download link in the email.
Does the download link expire?
The download link will expire after 14 days.
DEM via Email
Follow these steps to export a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of your selected area:
Select your file type: Choose DEM via Email. The available format is GeoTIFF, and it’s built to be smart—your export will automatically include any terrain cleanups or filters you’ve already applied to the dataset.
Choose your Coordinate System: Select either WGS84 or your Site Coordinate System from the dropdown menu.
| 💡 Tip: If you’re planning to use this DEM for flight planning or terrain following, WGS84 is recommended. |
Configure resolution and georeferencing: Use the slider to set your desired file resolution. You can also check the boxes to include a World File or PRJ File if you need those extra layers of georeferencing for your other software.
Export: When everything looks good, click EXPORT. Just like our orthophotos, we’ll send a download link straight to your inbox as soon as it’s ready.
Outline
The Outline export provides a clean geometric boundary of your measurement. This is ideal for quickly bringing site perimeters or specific measurement areas into your CAD environment.
Select your format: Choose Outline and select either DXF or KML from the dropdown menu.
Download directly: Unlike our larger datasets, an Outline export downloads automatically to your browser’s downloads folder rather than being sent via email.
Surface
The Surface export allows you to integrate the 3D terrain of your measurement area directly into your design or modeling software.
Select your format: Choose Surface and select your preferred file type from the dropdown menu.
Manage file size with Max Vertex Count: Use the slider to set a maximum vertex count between 5,000 and 1,000,000.
| 💡 Tip: We’ve included this tool to help you find the right balance between detail and file size. A lower vertex count prevents performance issues or crashes when working with large, complex surfaces in CAD software like Civil3D. |
Consider terrain accuracy: Keep in mind that lowering the vertex count creates a more manageable file but will reduce the detail and accuracy of your surface model. This loss of detail is most noticeable in areas with sharp elevation changes, such as ditches, steep slopes, or highwalls.
Download directly: Once you are satisfied with your settings, your file will download automatically to your computer.
Point Cloud
The Point Cloud export provides the full 3D detail of your measurement area. Because these files contain a massive amount of data, they require a bit more processing time than other formats.
Configure your settings: Choose Point Cloud from the menu. You’ll be able to select your preferred file format and resolution to ensure the output meets your project requirements.
Start the export: Once your settings are ready, click START EXPORT.
Check your inbox: Because Point Cloud files are significantly larger, we process them in the background. We’ll send you an email as soon as your file is ready for download.
Download from the Outputs tab: Instead of a direct browser download, you can find your completed file in the Outputs tab under Files.
Contours via Email
Exporting contours allows you to visualize elevation changes across your measurement area in a lightweight vector format.
Select your format: Choose Contours via Email and select either DXF or Shapefile from the dropdown menu.
Set your contour interval: Use the slider or input field to define the vertical distance between contour lines.
| ℹ️ Note: If you’re working with a large area, be mindful of your file size. Some third-party software struggles with contour files larger than 100 MB, so you may need to increase the contour interval to keep the file manageable. |
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Configure 3D vertices: We give you two ways to store height data on your contours to ensure they work perfectly with your specific CAD tools:
As an Attribute: This stores the height once per line. Every point on that specific line will share the same elevation value.
On Every Point: This transforms the geometry into a collection of X, Y, and Z points, meaning height is stored for every individual point along the line.
Simplify and Export: You can also check the Simplify Contours box to reduce the number of vertices for a cleaner, smaller file. Once you're ready, click EXPORT, and we’ll email you a download link as soon as it’s processed.
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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