Navigating to points and design elements is a supported workflow with DirtMate RTK. Use stake out to stake, mark, or verify design elevations and grades in real-time, directly from the field.
Before you start
Design data and measurement points must be uploaded to your Propeller site via a web browser before you can access and select stake out objects in the Propeller mobile app. Prepare and upload your stake out data before heading to site.
Data preparation
Uploading measurements and designs is not supported in the Propeller mobile app. Use a web browser to add stake out data to a site as designs or measurement points. The Propeller mobile app syncs automatically with the web platform, making uploaded data available shortly after.
Stake out supported objects
Measurement points
- Stake out points can be uploaded via .CSV file. See Bulk import of measurement points for instructions
- 500-point upload limit
- Stake out to measurement lines and polygons is not currently supported
Design data
To upload design data, refer to the How to upload design files article.
- Design CAD points (DXF/KML/KMZ): Recommended method for uploading stake out points as a design. CSV format is not yet supported for designs
- Design polylines (DXF/KML/KMZ): Stake out to 3D polylines with horizontal offset. Perpendicular to nearest station only. Specifying a station is not yet supported
- TIN surfaces (.TTM/LandXML/DXF mesh): Vertical guidance to a design surface providing cut/fill from a DirtMate RTK position
- Alignments (XML): Displays horizontal station and offset. Vertical alignment geometry is not yet supported
Choosing an elevation reference
When you start a point or line stake out, the app compares your vertical position to the elevation of the selected stake out target by default. You can change this to compare against a design surface or a specific elevation instead.
To change the elevation reference during an active stake out:
- Start a point or line stake out (see sections below)
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Find the elevation source row in the bottom sheet. It shows the current elevation source and a pencil icon. Tap the pencil icon to change the source.
- Choose one of the following:
- Target object: compares your vertical position to the elevation of the point or line you are navigating to. This is the default.
- Choose design surface: uses a design TIN surface for vertical guidance while the point or line provides horizontal direction. Select the surface from a list in the bottom sheet (the surface does not need to be visible on the map).
- Enter custom elevation: enter a specific elevation value. The app reads your vertical delta against that fixed elevation.
- The vertical delta display in the stake out HUD updates immediately to reflect your selection.
| ℹ️ Note: The elevation reference option is available during point stake out and line stake out only. Surface stake out always compares to the selected TIN surface and does not use this setting. |
Point stake out
Point stake out lets you navigate to a precise coordinate on site. Points typically represent design features or previously captured locations you need to revisit.
Measurement points
You can start a measurement point stake out two ways: by selecting from the measures list, or by tapping a point on the map.
- Tap the Measures tab on the bottom toolbar
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Scroll to find the desired stake out point. If staking multiple points, tap the eye icon on the right side of the listing or folder to make them visible on the map
- Tap the point on the map, or select it from the Measures list. A pop-up will display the point properties and a Stake out button
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Tap Stake out to begin
Once stake out begins, your current horizontal (XY) and vertical (Z) deltas display at the top of the screen. A dashed line and distance flag connect to the target point on the map for visual guidance.
As you approach the point, a bullseye appears to help with fine adjustments. When you're within the default tolerance (0.1ft / 0.03m), the bullseye and delta values highlight green.
To stake out another object, pan and zoom the map and tap the next point or stake out object. To exit stake out, tap the back arrow in the bottom-left corner.
CAD points
The same workflow applies to CAD points, with one difference: navigate to the Designs tab to make CAD points visible on the map. CAD points cannot be selected from a list and must be tapped directly on the map.
Line stake out
Line stake out lets you select a design polyline and compare your RTK position to the line geometry in real-time.
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Go to the Designs tab and tap the eye icon next to the desired file to make it visible on the map
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Tap the line you want to stake out. It will highlight on the map and a bottom menu will appear with the object's properties and a prompt to start stake out
- Tap Stake out to begin
Choosing a stake out method
Once line stake out is active, you can change how the app focuses along the line. The default method focuses on the closest point on the line to your current position.
To change the stake out method:
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Tap the stake out method selector in the stake out bottom sheet
- Choose one of the following:
- Closest point: the app focuses on the nearest point along the line to your current position. This is the default.
- Selected vertex: focuses on a specific vertex on the line. Use the on-screen control to cycle through the line's vertices and select the one you want to navigate to.
- Start or end: focuses on the start or end point of the line.
- Specified interval: enter an interval distance, then use the on-screen control to cycle through points at that interval along the line.
The horizontal offset and vertical cut/fill values in the HUD update to reflect the selected focus point.
During line stake out, a horizontal offset and vertical cut/fill to the nearest station display at the top of the screen. As you travel along the line, the reference updates perpendicular to the nearest station. A dashed line and offset flag appear on the map for visual guidance.
| ℹ️ Note: Lines with a null elevation will show a cut value equal to your current elevation. Contact your CAD technician to prepare 3D lines if you need to compare against design elevations. |
Surface stake out
Surface stake out compares your RTK position to a design TIN surface, displaying a cut (position above surface) or fill (position below surface) to the proposed elevation.
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Go to the Designs tab and find the desired surface file
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Tap the dropdown arrow next to the file to expand it, then tap Compare to surface
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Alternatively, tap directly on a surface displayed on the map to begin
During surface stake out, only the vertical cut/fill value displays in the top menu. When you're within tolerance (0.1ft / 0.03m) of the design surface, On Grade appears and the cut/fill value highlights green.
Referencing a horizontal alignment
Horizontal alignments uploaded in XML format let you reference your RTK position against alignment geometry using station and offset.
- Go to the Designs tab and find the alignment file
- Tap the dropdown arrow next to the file, then tap the three-dot menu on the right
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Tap Activate alignment
The alignment appears on the map with station labels. Station and offset information displays in the bottom-left corner of the info panel, replacing the XY coordinates while the alignment is active.
Alignments can be used alongside any other stake out object. You can still select points, lines, and surfaces while an alignment is active.
To deactivate the alignment, navigate back to the alignment listing in the Designs tab and repeat the activation steps.
Summary
DirtMate RTK stake out supports four workflows in the Propeller mobile app: point stake out (measurement or CAD), line stake out, surface stake out, and horizontal alignment referencing. During point and line stake out, you can choose your elevation reference - comparing against the stake out target, a design surface, or a keyed-in elevation. For line stake out, you can also select your focus method: closest point, a selected vertex, the start or end of the line, or a specified interval. All stake out data must be uploaded via the web platform before use in the field.
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