[030] Global Mapper - Assigning Heights to Vertices: Edit Feature Vertices

Today, we will learn how to assign height values to the vertices of a Line or Area feature in Global Mapper.

In various development and road design plans, design heights (Planned Elevations) are typically designated at major nodal points, with slopes indicated for the sections in between. However, since most CAD or design data is drawn in 2D (plan view), you must manually apply elevation values to each vertex to use them effectively in landscape simulations or 3D modeling.

Open the practice file and let's get started. 

Vertex_Height.zip

(This is a safe proprietary data file for Global Mapper.)

[img 1 : Global Mapper screen showing a 2D road centerline with elevation labels like FH:115.0, FH:100.0]

As shown above, the road centerline is displayed along with planned elevations for major points, distances between points, and slope gradients.

Let's check this in 3D first. Select the Show 3D View icon from the toolbar.

[img 2 : Show 3D View button highlighted in the Global Mapper toolbar]

[img 3 : 3D Viewer window showing the road line appearing completely flat without any elevation]

The 3D Viewer window appears. If you rotate the view by right-clicking and dragging, you'll notice that the line is perfectly flat—no height has been applied yet.

Now, let's check the actual vertex information for this line.

[img 4 : Selecting the line and navigating to Vertex Editing - Edit Feature Vertices in the context menu]

Select the line on the main screen, then go to Vertex Editing -> Edit Feature Vertices.

[img 5 : Feature Vertex List window showing coordinates but no Z elevation values]

The green dot at the right end of the line represents the starting point (Idx 1), and the red dot at the left end is the terminal point (Idx 21). Looking at the table, you can see the vertex information, but the height values (Z) are missing.

To assign heights to each vertex, click on Add Elevations....

[img 6 : Clicking the Add Elevations button at the bottom of the Vertex List]

A window will pop up asking if you would like to add elevation values.

[img 7 : Confirmation dialog asking to add per-vertex elevations]

If you have a terrain layer loaded, Global Mapper can automatically apply the heights from that terrain to the vertices. Click 'Yes'.

[img 8 : Global Mapper Pro dialog informing that elevations were automatically initialized]

Click OK.

[img 9 : The Vertex List now includes an Elevation column, currently all set to 0]

An 'Elevation' column is added. If a terrain layer were active, the height of each vertex's location would be applied. In this case, since we are working from a design plan, the values are initially 0. Without closing the window, let's input our design heights.

[img 10 : Double-clicking Idx 1 to enter a new elevation value]

Double-click Idx 1 in the list and click Edit Elevation.

[img 11 : Entering the value 80 into the Enter New Elevation dialog]

Enter the planned elevation (e.g., 80) and click OK.

[img 12 : Vertex Idx 1 now shows an elevation of 80m]

The elevation for Vertex 1 has changed to 80. Now, find the vertices corresponding to the other major points (FH: 95.0, FH: 100.0, FH: 115.0).

[img 13 : Repeating the process to enter 95 for the vertex corresponding to FH:95.0]

In this example, Vertex 8 corresponds to FH: 95.0. Just like before, click Edit Elevation and enter 95.

Repeat this process for all major keychains/nodal points. Once you've entered the key heights, right-click anywhere within the list area.

[img 14 : Right-click menu in the Vertex List showing the Interpolate Elevations option]

Select Interpolate Elevations to Replace 0 Values. This will naturally distribute the elevation values for all intermediate vertices between the ones you manually set.

[img 15 : Feature Vertex List showing all vertices with interpolated elevation values]

As you can see, the values for the vertices between our fixed points have been distributed smoothly. Click OK.

Now, let's verify the results in the 3D Viewer.

[img 16 : 3D Viewer showing the road centerline with a visible slope]

Well... because the slope is quite gradual compared to the total length, it's a bit hard to see a dramatic difference here. My apologies—I'm a bit too lazy to remake the sample with steeper values! However, the heights are indeed applied.

You can now export this road centerline to CityEngine or other 3D software for further modeling.

That's all for today!