Adjusting Data in a Length Profile or Cross Section

The Records tab determines which information is displayed in your longitudinal profile or cross-section profile. Here you can add the data layers that should be visible in the graph, such as terrain models, design models, reference objects, or intersection points. Each record has its own type, color, style, and dimensioning settings.

In this tab, you can:

• Add or remove data layers to the profile

• Select what to display (e.g. height, slope, distance)

• Adjust the style of lines and text

• Manage the display order of the records

WORKFLOW

1. Open the Cross Section window

• Select the section line (either a line object or a path object, along with any points/lines for references or intersection points).
• In the menu, choose the command Length Profile or Cross Sections to generate the profile.

In the Cross Sections-window

2. Go to the Records Tab:

In the Profile window, click on the Records tab. You will see a table with several columns:

• Type – The source of the data (e.g. DTM, Reference).
• Sub Type – What exactly to show (height, slope, difference, etc.).
• Data 1 / Data 2 – The models or objects involved in this record.
• Dimensions – Settings for texts, numbers, and dimension labels (see also: How to adjust the layout of longitudinal and cross profiles).

2. Add Data Records to the Profile 

Adding data to the profile

• Click Autofill  to let Pythagoras automatically generate record rows based on the objects in your drawing or selection.

• Manual adjustments: Use the + (plus) button to add a record row, and the – (minus) button to remove a record row. Use the up/down arrow buttons to reorder the records as needed.

The Fixed Interval Option

In the Profile tab (settings panel), you can specify a Fixed interval distance. For each record row, you can then decide if the data should be displayed only at that fixed interval: click the “AA” button in the Dimensions column to open Style settings for that record, and enable Fixed interval if you want the values shown at the set interval (rather than at every point or segment).

Available Record Types and Subtypes

Each record you add can represent different types of data. Below are the available types and their subtypes:

Blank Line – Subtype: none. (No data or settings required.)
Use this to insert an empty row as a visual separator in the profile.

Data Path – Represents data along the selected cut line (path). It has three subtypes:

• Height: The elevations of the selected cut line – shows the height at the start point, end point, and any intermediate points (or at the fixed interval if enabled).

• Distance: The cumulative distances along the selected cut line – shows the distance at the start, end, and any intermediate points (or at fixed intervals).

• Slope: The slope percentage (%) of each segment of the selected cut line (or the slope at fixed interval points).

All Distances – Subtype: Distance.
Shows the total cumulative distance traveled from a start point to an end point, including all intermediate segments. (This can also be displayed at fixed intervals if needed.)

DTM – Displays profile data from a single terrain model (Digital Terrain Model). You can choose to show Height, Distance, or Slope of the terrain model.
In the Data 1 column, select the terrain model to use. The record row will then show the terrain’s height profile, distance, or slope. You can opt to display this at fixed intervals.

DTM1 - DTM2 – Subtype: Difference.
Compares two terrain models (for example, to calculate volumes or grade differences). The record row will show the height difference between the two chosen DTMs.
Select the first terrain model in Data 1 and the second in Data 2. This difference can also be shown at fixed intervals.

Point Cloud – Profile data from a point cloud. You can choose Height, Distance, or Slope as the subtype.
In the Data 1 column, select the point cloud. The record will show the point cloud’s profile heights, distances, or slopes along the section line.

References – Shows additional lines or points as reference markers on the profile. (Requires multiple objects selected; the section line must be a Path object to distinguish it from other objects.) You can choose to display their Height, Distance, or Slope.
In Data 1, you can refine which references to include by selecting a specific Layer. Only line and point objects in your selection are taken into account (other object types in the selection are ignored). The chosen reference lines/points will appear on the profile for comparison.

Intersections – Marks where other selected lines intersect the profile’s path. (Requires multiple objects selected; the section line must be a Path object.) Subtypes available: Height, Distance, or Difference.
This record will plot the intersection points of the selected path with the other selected lines onto the profile. For example, it can show where a utility line crosses the profile path, including the elevation or station of the intersection.

Managing Records Configuration

At the bottom of the Records tab, you have options to save or reset the configuration of record rows:

• Save: Save the current Records setup as the default or for reuse.

• Restore: Restore the Records list and settings back to the default state.

Notes and Tips

• You can select multiple path objects to generate multiple profiles at once. Each profile cut will be created in a separate file.

• Add a note to a path (via the Object Information panel) to make its output easily identifiable in the results.

• Starting with Pythagoras 2025, profiles are dynamic. This means if you change the plan view or the DTM after creating the profile, the profile will update automatically. (In previous versions, profiles were static, so changes in the base plan or DTM did not propagate to an already-generated profile.)

• Use the DTM1 - DTM2 record type to clearly show differences between two models, such as cut-and-fill volumes (excavation or embankment areas).

• Reference records are ideal for visualizing utilities or other objects (like cables or pipes) that intersect your profile line, helping you see where these elements cross the terrain or design profile.