An exploratory analysis cut and fill can be created in a variety of ways based on your workflow.
The creation methods are as follows:
- Interactive Rectangle
- Interactive Polygon
- From Layer
To create an interactive cut and fill, click the Analysis tab and choose the cut and fill template from the Exploratory 3D Analysis gallery in the Workflows group. This opens the Exploratory Analysis pane and activates the tool. Each method generates one or more cut and fill visualizations.
A selected cut and fill can be edited using the anchors that appear on the graphic or using the Properties tab in the Exploratory Analysis pane. Additionally, you can add a configuration of the cut and fill to the template gallery.
Note:
If you change the ground surface that is used to create cut and fill objects, all existing cut and fill objects are cleared in preparation for the next set.
Interactive Rectangle
Place one or more cut and fill rectangles in the scene by interactively clicking to specify the diameter. This creation method is well suited to general exploratory investigation of potential volumetric earthmoving within a specified area in a scene.
- Click the Interactive Rectangle button
in the Exploratory Analysis pane. Optionally, activate the pane by choosing a Cut and fill tool from the template gallery on the Analysis tab. - Click in the scene to place the first corner of the cut and fill rectangle.
Note:
Interactive Rectangle is compatible with snapping. Enable snapping in the scene view for more precise placement. For example, vertex or edge snapping allows you to snap to the edge or corner of a building.
- Click in the scene again to place the opposing corner of the cut and fill rectangle.
The analysis graphic is added to the scene.
The Interactive Rectangle creation tool remains active to continue adding more cut and fill visualizations. Click the rectangle to select and edit the cut and fill object.
Interactive Polygon
Interactively outline a cut and fill with multiple vertices. This method is well suited for creating cut and fill analysis with a flexible width or length.
- Click the Interactive Polygon button
in the Exploratory Analysis pane. Optionally, activate the pane by choosing a Cut and fill tool from the template gallery on the Analysis tab. - Click in the scene to place the first vertex of the cut and fill polygon.
Note:
Interactive Polygon is compatible with snapping. Enable snapping in the scene view for more precise placement. For example, vertex or edge snapping allows you to snap to the edge or corner of a building.
- Orient the camera by repositioning the scene view as needed. Press the C key as a shortcut to the Explore tool
or use the Navigator control 
in the lower left of the scene. - Click repeatedly until the desired polygon outline is digitized.
- Double-click the final vertex or press F2 to finish sketching.
The analysis graphic is added to the scene.
The Interactive Polygon creation tool remains active to continue adding more cut and fill visualizations. Click the polygon to select and edit the cut and fill.
From Layer
Interactive cut and fill objects can be generated from a polygon layer. This method is well suited for saving and reloading designs. Cut and fill objects can be saved as a stand-alone polygon layer and reimported so you can pick up where you left off.
- Click the From Layer button
in the Exploratory Analysis pane. Optionally, activate the pane by choosing a Cut and fill tool from the template gallery on the Analysis tab. - Choose the layer containing the polygon features you want to perform the cut and fill analysis against.
The menu lists all polygon layers present in the current map view.
Tip:
You can create up to 10 cut and fill objects from a layer at a time.
- Click Apply.
The analysis graphics are added to the scene.
The From Layer creation tool remains active to continue adding more cut and fill objects. Click the object's centroid point to select and edit the cut and fill polygon.