004] Global Mapper - Creating Terrain Path Profiles (Cross-Sections)

Let’s get into the technical side. We will continue from our previous session. Open your previous project file.

1. Drawing the Profile Line

To create a cross-section, you first need to draw a path.

1. Select the Digitizer Tool (the pencil icon) from the top toolbar. (Shortcut: Alt+D)

2. Right-click on the main map area and select Create Line Features > LINE.

3. Left-click on point 1, Left-click on point 2, and so on. To finish the line, Right-click at your final point (Point 4).

2. Setting Feature Information

Once you finish drawing, the Modify Feature Info window will appear.

1. In the Feature Layer dropdown, select <Create New Layer for Feature>.

2. Enter a name for the layer (e.g., "Profile_Line") and click OK.

The new layer will appear in the Control Center, and your line will be visible on the map.

3. Customizing the Line Appearance

If the line is too faint, you can change its color (e.g., to Black) as we covered in the previous lesson.

4. Generating the Path Profile

1. Ensure you are in edit mode (click the pencil icon again or press Esc).

2. Select the line you just drew.

3. Right-click and navigate to Analysis/Measurement > PATH PROFILE - Generate Path Profile Along Line(s)....

The Path Profile/Line of Sight window will open.

5. Cleaning Up the View

You might notice messy black vertical lines. These represent the intersections with the contour lines from your contour layer.

1. Close the Path Profile window.

2. In the Control Center, uncheck (turn off) the contour layer.

3. Select the line again and run the PATH PROFILE command.

The result is now much cleaner. The yellow dots indicate the vertices where your line changed direction.

6. Exploring Advanced Settings

For more detailed analysis, go to Path Setup > Path Profile Settings... in the Path Profile window. Here, you can adjust units, elevation ranges, and sampling distances.

We will cover these detailed settings in a future "Deep Dive" session.

Conclusion

Creating path profiles is an essential skill for GIS reporting. While the technical steps are simple, the value lies in how you use this data to support your landscape simulations and professional assessments.

Stay tuned for more Global Mapper tutorials!