The Remove Object tool enhances your productivity by removing surface objects that are not part of the elevation terrain with just one click. You can find the Remove Object button in the Tools group of the HOME tab.
Construction and mining sites often have machines and equipment all over the site. Depending on your workflow, you may need to remove these surface items before your analysis. Keep in mind that the Remove Object tool is mainly for cut/fill calculations. Before removing items from your Elevation Terrain, read the To Clean or Not to Clean article that explains how to decide when you should clean the Elevation Terrain.
The Remove Object tool is faster and easier to use than the Replace Terrain tool, which is also available in the Tools group of the HOME tab. However, the Replace Terrain tool allows more control and ensures a thorough job of removing objects; it also removes objects the Remove Object tool may not recognize.
| Remove Object | Replace Terrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow | One-click | Multiple clicks |
| Main feature | Faster and easier | More control |
| Applicable plan(s) | Peak | Ridge and Peak |
Quick Usage Guide
- Go to the HOME tab.
- Click on the Remove Object tool to enable it.
- Left-click on the object you want to remove from the Viewport.
- The object is flattened to the terrain's level (created as a terrain modifier in the Project View).
- Once you have removed all objects from the Elevation Terrain, exit the Remove Object mode by clicking on the Remove Object button again or by right-clicking in the Viewport.
When to Use the Remove Object Tool
- You can often remove large and small vehicles and machines (excavators, loaders, bulldozers, cars, pickup trucks, etc.) with just a single click.
- Remove conveyors and have them conform to the stockpile or terrain. For segmented or multi-arm conveyors (crushers and sieves), you may need to click on each part of the machine to completely remove it from the Elevation Terrain.
- Remove materials (manholes, pipes, shipping containers, etc.).
Tips and Tricks
- To help you detect objects that need to be removed, use the Slope Steepness Terrain Lens. This tool is available in the Terrain Lens group of the ANALYSIS tab.
- Use the single red Palette and set the Threshold to at least 100%. Vertical surfaces are highlighted red to help you easily detect objects that may need to be removed.
- Use the single red Palette and set the Threshold to at least 100%. Vertical surfaces are highlighted red to help you easily detect objects that may need to be removed.
- As mentioned above, another terrain cleaning tool is available in the Tools group of the HOME tab. The Replace Terrain tool requires at least 3 clicks around an object to remove it but allows for more control. It should be used for more complex items or terrain. Replace Terrain could be considered as an alternative tool when the Remove Object tool is not able to recognize and remove the objects from the elevation data.
- The terrain modification can be disabled or deleted at any time, which allows you to return to your original elevation data.
- To do this, delete or uncheck the Terrain Modifier found within the Project View.