--- title: Automatic cross-sections description: Learn how to generate automated cross-sections in the SkySnap portal, configure key parameters, compare elevation surfaces, and export ready-to-print reports. --- [Skip to content](https://help.skysnap.com/en/automatic-cross-section-generation#main-content) - [English](https://help.skysnap.com/en/automatic-cross-section-generation) - [Polski](https://help.skysnap.com/automatic-cross-section-generation) English Show submenu for translations ![SkySnap Logo - standard color](https://help.skysnap.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SkySnap%20Logo%20-%20standard%20color.png?width=250&height=88&name=SkySnap%20Logo%20-%20standard%20color.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - - [English](https://help.skysnap.com/en/automatic-cross-section-generation) - [Polski](https://help.skysnap.com/automatic-cross-section-generation) English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](mailto:app@skysnap.com) [Contact us](mailto:app@skysnap.com) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Portal SkySnap Documentation (en)](https://help.skysnap.com/en?hsLang=en) 2. [SkySnap Portal](https://help.skysnap.com/en/skysnap-portal?hsLang=en) 3. [Tools & Features](https://help.skysnap.com/en/skysnap-portal?hsLang=en#tools-features) # Automatic cross-sections ## The automated cross section tool mass-generates cross-sections along a road or track alignment based on stationing. Instead of drawing each section manually, you simply define the alignment, range, and interval, and the portal will generate a complete set of profiles for you. ---   **Table of contents:** [Prerequisites](https://help.skysnap.com/en/automatic-cross-section-generation#prerequisites) [Automation](https://help.skysnap.com/en/automatic-cross-section-generation#automation) [Proces parameter configuration](https://help.skysnap.com/en/automatic-cross-section-generation#configuration) [Results in the Anlytics Tab](https://help.skysnap.com/en/automatic-cross-section-generation#analytics_tab)   --- #### Prerequisites To use this tool, the project must include: - **A** **vector line layer** representing the alignment (e.g., road centerline or railway tracks). - **Elevation data** (e.g., DSM). **ATTENTION:** The alignment must be uploaded as a dedicated data type called **"mileage"** and must include a **"start"** attribute that defines the starting mileage of the section. The portal uses this attribute to assign the correct stationing to each cross section. Without the "start" attribute, the data will not process correctly.  #### Automation Click the **"Automations"** tab in the left panel. Three processes are available: - [**Stockpiles recognition**](https://help.skysnap.com/en/automatic-soil-pile-detection?hsLang=en) – generate a volume report based on automated stockpile detection. - [**Automatic cross-sections**](https://help.skysnap.com/en/automatic-cross-section-generation?hsLang=en) – generate automated cross-sections based on the alignment and mileage. - [**Automatic volumes**](https://help.skysnap.com/en/automatic-volume-calculation?hsLang=en) – generate automated volumes based on the alignment and mileage. #### ![](https://help.skysnap.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-12-2026-05-58-13-4264-AM.png?width=565&height=376&name=image-png-Jun-12-2026-05-58-13-4264-AM.png) #### Process Parameter Configuration In the **"Automatic Cross-Sections"** window, configure the following parameters: - **Center line** – the line layer along which the cross sections will be generated *(e.g., Track center lines, Road center lines)*. - **Select range** – polygon vector layer to define the calculating area *(e.g., Plots or Project boundaries)*. - **Select surface** - elevation raster from which ground elevations will be extracted. You can select multiple surfaces at once *(e.g., terrain models from different dates)* - the cross sections will be generated across all selected surfaces, allowing you to compare them on a single profile chart. - **Start / End** – the stationing of the section in mileage format (split into two fields: km + m). - **Cross section interval \[m\]** – the frequency of the profiles generation. **ATTENTION:** The cross section interval is now expressed in **\[m\]** instead of \[km\]. #### ![automatic\_cross\_sections\_form](https://help.skysnap.com/hs-fs/hubfs/automatic_cross_sections_form.png?width=351&height=474&name=automatic_cross_sections_form.png) Click **"START PROCESSING"**. ![](https://help.skysnap.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-23-2026-07-05-53-0501-AM.png?width=343&height=170&name=image-png-Jun-23-2026-07-05-53-0501-AM.png)   #### Results in the Analytics Tab The completed cross sections will appear in the **"Analytics"** tab.  Once processing is complete, the cross sections automatically appear on the map, distributed along the alignment and labeled with their stationing (e.g., 0+500, 0+600, 0+700). Click on any cross section line to open its profile. The profile chart displays at the bottom of the screen and is generated based on the elevation raster underlying that specific cross section. ![](https://help.skysnap.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-23-2026-07-18-07-6772-AM.png?width=670&height=374&name=image-png-Jun-23-2026-07-18-07-6772-AM.png) **ATTENTION:** The profile automatically displays only those rasters whose spatial extent overlaps with the extent of the selected cross section line. If there are several elevation rasters in the project, but one lies entirely outside the cross section line, it will not appear on the chart, even if the layer is turned on in the layers panel.  You can add additional rasters to a single profile to compare them on a shared chart. Use the **plus (+) icon** in the profile panel and select any other raster from the current project, from another project, or from the investment data. Hover your cursor over any point on the profile to read the elevation. A tooltip will appear showing the distance along the cross section and the elevation (Height H) for each raster added to the chart, making it easy to compare ground levels between surfaces. ![](https://help.skysnap.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-23-2026-07-19-34-2653-AM.png?width=442&height=348&name=image-png-Jun-23-2026-07-19-34-2653-AM.png)     - [SkySnap Portal](https://help.skysnap.com/en/skysnap-portal?hsLang=en#main-content) - [First steps](https://help.skysnap.com/en/skysnap-portal?hsLang=en#first-steps) - [Organization management](https://help.skysnap.com/en/skysnap-portal?hsLang=en#organization-management) - [Site management](https://help.skysnap.com/en/skysnap-portal?hsLang=en#site-management) - [Tools & Features](https://help.skysnap.com/en/skysnap-portal?hsLang=en#tools-features) - [Project Management](https://help.skysnap.com/en/skysnap-portal?hsLang=en#project-management) - [FAQ](https://help.skysnap.com/en/skysnap-portal?hsLang=en#faq) - [Integrations](https://help.skysnap.com/en/skysnap-portal?hsLang=en#integrations) - [Technical release notes](https://help.skysnap.com/en/skysnap-portal?hsLang=en#technical-release-notes) - [Webinars](https://help.skysnap.com/en/webinars?hsLang=en#main-content) - [The drone effect in construction](https://help.skysnap.com/en/webinars?hsLang=en#the-drone-effect-in-construction) - [Drones in real estate](https://help.skysnap.com/en/webinars?hsLang=en#drones-in-real-estate) - [How to earn money using a drone](https://help.skysnap.com/en/webinars?hsLang=en#how-to-earn-money-using-a-drone) - [Mission](https://help.skysnap.com/en/webinars?hsLang=en#mission) - [Product updates](https://help.skysnap.com/en/webinars?hsLang=en#product-updates) [![SkySnap Logo - standard color-1](https://help.skysnap.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SkySnap%20Logo%20-%20standard%20color-1.png?width=180&height=63&name=SkySnap%20Logo%20-%20standard%20color-1.png "SkySnap Logo - standard color-1")](https://skysnap.pl) [mailto:app@skysnap.com](mailto:app@skysnap.com) Copyright © 2026, SkySnap sp. z o.o.