Measurement Tools Overview

SiteView includes ten dedicated measurement tools for construction site analysis. Every tool is accessed from the Measurements tab in the site detail floating panel, and all measurements are drawn directly on the CesiumJS 3D globe by clicking to place points.

Where to Find the Tools

The measurement tools live in the Measurements tab of the site detail floating panel. When you open a site and fly to the 3D globe view, the floating panel sits alongside the map. Select the Measurements tab to see the toolbar of tool icons.

Each tool has a dedicated icon. Hover over any icon to see its name and keyboard shortcut. Click the icon or press the shortcut key to activate the tool.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Every measurement tool has a single-key shortcut so you can switch between tools without moving your mouse away from the map:

Press the key once to activate the tool. Press Escape to cancel the current measurement and deactivate the tool.

💡 Tip

Keyboard shortcuts work whenever the map has focus. If a text input field is selected, shortcuts are disabled so you can type normally. Click anywhere on the map to re-enable shortcuts.

How to Use a Measurement Tool

The basic workflow is the same for all tools:

1. Activate the tool by clicking its icon or pressing the keyboard shortcut
2. Click on the map to place points — the cursor changes to a crosshair when a tool is active
3. Place additional points as required by the tool (some need two points, others need three or more)
4. Double-click or press Enter to finish the measurement (for multi-point tools)
5. View the results in the results panel that appears alongside the map

Single-point tools like Coordinate Readout complete immediately on click. Two-point tools like Gradient complete after the second click. Multi-point tools like Distance and Area require a double-click to finish.

ℹ️ Did you know?

Points snap to the terrain surface automatically. If a DEM (digital elevation model) has been processed for your site, the elevation is read from the DEM for higher accuracy. Otherwise, SiteView falls back to the CesiumJS world terrain dataset.

Data Requirements

Some measurement tools work on any terrain, while others require a processed DEM or a design surface to be loaded:

⚠️ Watch out!

If you attempt to use a tool that requires a DEM before any survey data has been processed, SiteView will display a message asking you to upload and process a survey first. The tool will not activate until the required data is available.

Saving Measurements

After completing a measurement, you can save it for future reference. Click Save in the results panel to open the save dialog, which includes:

• Category — classify the measurement (e.g., Earthworks, Drainage, Structural, General)
• Notes — add a text description or context about what you measured and why
• Photos — attach photos from your device to provide visual context

Saved measurements appear in the Measurements tab list and can be recalled at any time. They are displayed on the map with a label and can be toggled on or off.

Common Workflows

Here are some practical workflows that combine multiple measurement tools:

Stockpile Volume Check

1. Use Distance (D) to measure the base dimensions of a stockpile
2. Use Volume (V) in stockpile mode to calculate the volume
3. Save with the "Earthworks" category and attach a photo for the record

Grade Verification

1. Load the design surface for the finished level
2. Use Grade Check (K) to compare spot elevations against the design
3. Review the pass/marginal/fail results table
4. Save the grade check with notes about which area was checked

Earthworks Progress

1. Use Cross-Section (X) to draw a section line across the excavation
2. With the design surface loaded, compare the survey profile against the design
3. Use Volume (V) to calculate cut/fill quantities for the area

Setting Out Verification

1. Use Coordinate Readout (C) to read the MGA2020 or NZTM2000 coordinates at key points
2. Compare the coordinates against the survey plan
3. Use Distance (D) to verify offsets and setbacks

What's Next?

Explore each measurement tool in detail:

• Distance & Bearing — multi-point polyline distance with bearing and gradient per segment
• Area Measurement — polygon area with perimeter calculation
• Volume & Stockpile — volume calculation with cut/fill analysis
• Elevation Profile — interactive elevation chart along a drawn line
• Gradient / Slope — two-point slope measurement with colour coding
• Coordinate Readout — coordinates in multiple formats with copy-to-clipboard
• Height Measurement — vertical distance between two points
• Arc / Curve — arc length, chord, radius, and sector area
• Grade Check — multi-point survey vs design comparison
• Cross-Section — terrain and design cross-section profiles