Below, we explain how to analyze digital elevation on the constriction site in 3 simple steps.

Step 1

Start from 2D analysis. Ensure that digital elevation model data is uploaded to the software and the elevation layer is checked. Configure the way elevation look using the palette tool in the elevation layer context menu.

Pick your favorite color palette and change the opacity to see the underlying orthomosaics. Adjust thevalue range if needed. 

Hill-shading is a powerful tool to highlight small value variations in the data. User can adjust sun positions and intensity and control how shadows look like.

Step 2

Switch to 3D view. Ensure that the elevation layer is checked.

Select the cross-section tool in the upper tool-bar.

Draw a polyline on the map. End drawing using right mouse click. Software will add a new cross-section layer to the layer panel. Also it will show elevation profile in the bottom part of the screen.

To rename the cross-section layer, use the layer context menu. If you lose position it’s always possible to focus on cross-section geometry using “Zoom to cross section” from the context menu.

To compare elevation layers for different days, it’s possible to add another DEM to the chart, using the add button in the bottom left corner of the chart.

To see the elevation difference move the mouse pointer over the chart.

Step 3

Now let’s calculate volumes. Select the volume tool from the upper toolbar.\

Draw a polygon on the map. Finish drawing by a mouse right click. In the dialog box specify the name for the measurement and comparison type. By default “Elevation over the perimeter” can be used, which basically means that software interpolates the basement surface using points on the perimeter and volume between DEM and this basement.

Calculation happens on the server, so it may take some time before results appear on the screen. If calculation is successful, then volume is being rendered on the map and also displayed as a layer in the layers panel.

To compare current elevation with the elevation from the previous data you can edit current measurement. In the volume layer context menu, select “Edit”

Then in the dialog box, change the comparison type to “Another DSM” then select survey name and DSM layer for comparison. Then press “Save”.

In the bottom area with volume numbers press “Calculate.”

The software will recalculate the volume for new parameters. It may take some time.

When recalculation is over a new number will appear in the bottom area and a new heatmap will be rendered within the volume calculation area.

It is also possible to color code volume measurement area, but an elevation difference between two layers. To do that enter different values into the input fields in the bottom area. For example we if we want to show area where current elevation is:

• below another elevation for 2 meters and more
• below another elevation in the range of 2 and 1 meters
• below another elevation in the range of 1 and 0.5 meters
• below another elevation in the range of 0.5 and 0 meters
• above another elevation in the range of 0 and 0.5 meters
• above another elevation in the range of 0.5 and 1 meters
• above another elevation in the range of 1 and 2 meters
• above another elevation in the range for 2 meters and more

then the following values can be entered.

And here is how the heatmap will change