Feature Add Ons
These drafted features can be added to our default deliverables for an additional fee.
Feature add ons are a great way to customize your linework deliverables. Our add on options represent common requests that we receive; these add ons are not always needed on every project. Custom requests that do not appear on this list are still welcomed and accepted.
These add ons are not a part of the standard deliverable because they can be tricky, time-consuming, and unnecessary for most projects. We do not want to charge you for things that you don't need; it is our goal to save you money and to keep the cost of our standard deliverable low. But, when the job calls for it, all of the features below can be added on request.
*Please note: In order to accurately draft/extract add ons, some changes in mission planning parameters will be necessary, otherwise, it may not be possible to draft/extract the requested add on.
Stockpile Volumes
Stockpile volumes are useful if you need to know the amount of material that exists in a pile. Our default unit of measurement is cubic yards (yd³). If you need a delta or cut/fill data output, you will want to select “Surface Comparison.”
How are they Calculated and Delivered
The stockpile reference level is set by outlining the base edge of the pile. Objects such as conveyors, vehicles, and trees are excluded from measurements. Volume calculations are delivered in PDF format (see example below) and are included in the linework .DWG file as text annotations.
Surface Comparison
In order to compare surfaces, two datasets are needed. Aerotas can compare two datasets processed by Aerotas*. This can either be done in comparison to an older dataset, or both datasets can be processed in parallel and then compared. Net volume change will be reported. Aerotas will generate a ‘Heat map’ within Civil 3D to show the range of cut or fill on a project. Spot elevations will be generated on this map to show the differences between the surfaces. Our default unit of measurement is cubic yards (yd³).
*Please note: The only way Aerotas can stand behind our comparison data is if we are able to process both before and after datasets. Datasets processed independently cannot be verified by Aerotas and thus final comparison values cannot be verified.
How is the comparison calculated and delivered
The same reference level is used for all datasets in the comparison. Objects such as conveyors, vehicles, and trees are excluded from measurements.
Our Surface Comparison deliverable includes a DWG with three surfaces in the file (two surfaces used to compare and a third generated to calculate the difference) and a PDF of the cut/fill volume.
Utility Marking Paint
How are they Marked
Utility paint marks are drawn with polylines over the spray paint that is visible on site. To avoid any miscoding, paint marks are labeled according to their paint colors.
Power Pole Tops
How are they Marked
Power pole tops are marked with a point. If a pin insulator is on top of a pole, the top of the pin is marked (the height of the pin insulator will need to be subtracted to obtain the height of the pole).
Specific Mission Planning Parameters
Fly a MAXIMUM of 200’ above the top of the power poles (higher than 200’ above the poles may result in insufficient data for extraction).
Transformers
How are they marked
Transformers are marked with a point at the center of the top of the transformer.
Specific Mission Planning Parameters
Fly a MAXIMUM of 200’ above the top of the power poles (higher than 200’ above the poles may result in insufficient data for extraction).
Light Fixtures
How are they marked
Light fixtures are marked with a point at the center of the lamp head and a point at the top of the pole that it is attached to.
Specific Mission Planning Parameters
Fly a MAXIMUM of 200’ above the top of the light poles (higher than 200’ above the poles may result in insufficient data for extraction).
Power Line Attachment Points
Types of Attachments and How they are Marked
Power line attachment points are marked where visible, with a single point. A further breakdown of how each type of attachment is marked can be found in the table below.
Specific Mission Planning Parameters
Fly a MAXIMUM of 200’ above the top of the power poles (higher than 200’ above the poles makes data extraction less likely).
Building Footprints
The building footprint is the perimeter of a building at the edge of exterior walls including areas that are supported by posts or columns. Footprints also include attached decks, stairs, or other parts of the main building that touch the ground.
By default, Aerotas marks the building dripline. The dripline is derived from the eves and overhangs of buildings as seen from straight overhead and does not represent the actual footprint of the building.
Depending on the lighting and features covering the building facades, footprint extraction will not always be possible. We will notify you if footprint extraction is not feasible.
How are they marked
Footprints are drafted with polygons (unless obstructed by other features) and are considered a planimetric feature. When the majority of the corners of a building cannot be accurately extracted, the standard building overhang will be drafted. Building footprints are extracted from point cloud data.
Specific Mission Planning Parameters
To increase the integrity of facade data, flying a crosshatch mission with oblique photos at a 20 to 30-degree angle will be helpful. While it is not necessary to fly this way to get footprints, it does increase the likelihood of footprint extraction. Keep in mind, flying crosshatch and off-nadir increases field and processing times.
Individual Tree Driplines
Individual tree driplines outline all trees on the project site and thus are different from the standard drafting of heavy vegetation (heavy vegetation is typically only drafted to outline vegetated areas where the surface cannot be accurately modeled).
how are they marked
A tree dripline is drafted with a polygon outlining the outside boundary of the tree canopy and is considered a planimetric feature. When multiple trees are grouped together and each individual tree canopy cannot be extracted, a dripline will be drafted to outline the entire cluster.
The distinction between trees, shrubs, and other types of vegetation are based on the drafter’s judgment unless specific parameters are provided at the time of quoting.
Rock Outcroppings
Rock outcroppings are any significant clusters of boulders or rocks.
How are they marked
Rock outcroppings are drafted with a polygon outlining the outside boundary of the cluster and are considered planimetric features. The size range of rock outcropping significance is based on the drafter’s judgment unless specific parameters are provided at the time of quoting.
Roof Features
How are they marked
Roof features mainly apply to larger commercial roofs with draftable features. If you need a specific roof feature marked that is not listed below, please use the “custom requests” field.
Specific Mission Planning Parameters
When roof features are needed, GCP placement on roofs will help tie in the accuracy of the final drafted features. Much like on the ground, the accuracy of the drafted features is going to be dependent on the accuracy of the surface on which they sit. In order to verify accuracy, we suggest placing a few GCPs on the roof surface.
Pipe Cluster Driplines
Pipe clusters refer to a network of pipes in an area.
How are they marked
Pipe cluster driplines are drafted with polylines that outline the outermost pipes in the cluster and are considered planimetric features. Due to the nature of how the photos are taken, namely shadowing and lack of useful data, individual pipe driplines are not usually verifiable, therefore the dripline of the cluster as a whole will be marked.
Road Cross-Sections
Road cross-sections can be added at various intervals along any defined roadway.
How are they marked
Road cross-sections are denoted by a spot elevation every 50’ as a default on the edge of road and on the centerline of road. For additional points or a different interval, please use the “custom requests” field when creating your project.
Golf Course Features
Golf Course features refer to the various surfaces/features found on a golf course.
Types of Features/Surfaces and How they are marked
Golf Course features are drafted with polygons and are considered planimetric features. If you need a specific golf course feature marked that is not listed below, please use the “custom requests” field.
Fairway
CAD Layer Convention
X-2D-Golf-Fairway
Green
CAD Layer Convention
X-2D-Golf-Green
Practice Range
CAD Layer Convention
X-2D-Golf-Practice-Range
Sand Trap
CAD Layer Convention
X-2D-Golf-Sand-Trap
Tee Box
CAD Layer Convention
X-2D-Golf-Tee-Box