Cut and fill objects are used to determine the visible volumetric displacement required to level the ground of a location in a scene. They are calculated against the currently displayed ground surface, including any vertical exaggeration that is applied, and are therefore dependent upon the level of detail being used for the camera's view position. The units of the analytical results are derived from the elevation units set for the map.
This tool is meant for interactively creating cut and fill objects to provide quick exploratory measures using the currently displayed content. For more precise results, use the Cut Fill geoprocessing tool.
The cut and fill location can be interactively moved through the scene. You can create multiple cut and fill objects to explore multiple areas of concern.
Tip:
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.
The analytical results displayed by the cut and fill tool are temporary and are not saved with the project, nor are they included in map packages. However, their cut volume, fill volume, net volume, cut area, fill area, minimum z-value, and maximum z-value can be exported as polygon feature classes in the default project geodatabase for further use.
Create an interactive cut and fill object
To create an interactive cut and fill object in a scene, on the Analysis tab, in the Workflows group, open the Exploratory 3D Analysis gallery and click Cut and Fill 
. This opens the Exploratory Analysis pane and activates the interactive Cut and Fill tool. See the following section to understand the creation methods available in the tool.
Cut and Fill creation methods
The following table explains the three different creation methods used to make cut and fill objects.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
Interactive Rectangle | Click twice in the scene to place a rectangular cut and fill object. |
Interactive Polygon | Click in the scene multiple times to draw the cut and fill object. |
From Layer | Create a cut and fill object based on a polygon layer, where feature attributes can be bound to parameters such as cut and fill volumes and minimum and maximum z-values. Previously exported analysis objects can be revisited using this method. |
Update an interactive cut and fill
To update an existing cut and fill object, click the centroid point with the Cut and Fill tool to select it. You can move the object in x- and y-space or drag the green arrow to move it in z-space. A corresponding edit overlay is an optional on-screen control that allows you to move and rotate the object.
Click All to select and edit all interactive cut and fill objects in the scene at once.
Update using the selection handles
When a cut and fill object is selected, an overlay appears that controls which interactive handles are visible. Click the Move Plane button 
to display the positioning circle. Click the Rotate Plane button 
to display the rotation rings. Use the Delete Plane button 
to remove the object from the scene.
You can change the following properties for a cut and fill:
- Drag the positioning circle for the centroid point to a new location, updating the x- and y-values.
- Drag the centroid's vertical green arrow handle to adjust its elevation (z-value).
- Type a new z-value in the overlay. The view updates automatically.
- Tilt the plane using the dark red horizontal ring to set the bearing and the bright red ring for the tilt angle.
Note:
The centroid point honors the option to navigate below ground for the scene. Therefore, to move control points below the ground elevation surface, you must enable this capability. Select the elevation surface in the Contents pane, and on the Elevation Surface Layer tab in the Surface group, check the Navigate Underground option. This property applies a 2-meter offset from the ground to ensure the point remains above ground when the scene changes the ground surface level of detail.
Update an interactive cut and fill using the Properties tab
Use the Properties tab in the Exploratory Analysis pane to iteratively select through your analysis objects; type any necessary modifications; or click Delete to remove an object. To clear a selection, click away from the object in the view.
Global properties
Global properties affect the appearance of all existing cut and fill objects and any future cut and fill objects created. Expand the Global Properties heading to modify the color of the wireframe and cut and fill. Click Restore Defaults to return all global properties to their default values.
The following are the available global properties:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
Wireframe Color | The color of the wireframe overlay that surrounds the cut and fill area |
Wireframe Fill | The color filling the wireframe |
Cut | The color representing the ground that must be removed |
Fill | The color representing the ground that must be filled |
Delete an interactive cut and fill
You can delete a cut and fill object from a scene by selecting the object with the active Cut and Fill tool. Then, in the Exploratory Analysis pane, on the Properties tab, click Delete .
To delete all cut and fill objects at once, as well as any other existing exploratory analysis objects, open the Exploratory 3D Analysis menu in the Workflows group on the Analysis tab, and click Clear All .