Cross-Section Drawing for Beginners – Improve Efficiency and Achieve High Accuracy with LRTK

Creating cross-section drawings, which are required at construction sites and in civil surveying, is often perceived as a high hurdle for beginners. A cross-section drawing depicts the shape of terrain or structures when vertically cut along a given cutting line. It is used in various situations, such as checking ground undulations in roadworks or grasping the cross-sectional shape of embankments. However, when asked to “draw an accurate cross-section,” many new engineers may be at a loss as to where to start. This article carefully explains a method for creating cross-section drawings that even beginners can do, and introduces key points for improving efficiency and achieving high accuracy by utilizing the latest LRTK technology.

Basics of Cross-Section Drawing and Challenges Faced by Beginners

A cross-section drawing is a plan showing a vertical cut of the site, representing surface or structure heights and shapes in an easy-to-understand way. For example, for roads it shows lateral undulations, for river embankments it confirms strength via cross-sectional shape, and for buildings it shows internal height relationships. Creating cross-section drawings is an indispensable process in design, construction, and inspection. To draw such cross-sections accurately, it is necessary to survey the field to collect numerous elevation data points and plot them on the drawing.

However, for beginners this task presents many challenges. First, specialized knowledge such as handling surveying instruments and reading elevations is required, and with little experience it takes time to obtain accurate data. It is also difficult to decide where to measure, and important locations can be overlooked. Moreover, converting obtained numerical data into drawings manually is time-consuming, and mistakes can affect accuracy. In this way, creating cross-section drawings contains many factors that make beginners feel it is “difficult” or “likely to fail.”

Traditional Cross-Section Drawing Methods and Their Labor

First, let’s look at the flow of traditional cross-section drawing. In general, the following steps were required.

• On-site surveying by multiple people: A surveyor goes to the site with staff and sets up instruments such as levels or total stations. Usually at least two people are required: one operates the instrument while another holds a staff rod at the designated position. Heights are measured at each point along the target cross-section line, and values are read and recorded each time. For long sections or complex terrain, many survey points are needed and on-site work time is prolonged.

• Recording and organizing measurement data: Heights and distances obtained on site are written in notes or field books and organized back at the office. Distances and elevation differences for each survey point are calculated and compiled into data for plotting the cross-section. Handwritten records carry a risk of transcription errors, and beginners must be careful handling numbers.

• Drawing (tracing) work: Using the organized data, cross-sections are drawn either by hand on paper or by drawing lines in CAD software. For example, points are plotted on a graph with horizontal axis as distance and vertical axis as elevation, and connected by lines. This drawing process takes time, and if inexperienced one can make mistakes in drawing lines or scale. Because this work is repeated for each cross-section line, a lot of effort and time was required.

As described above, traditional cross-section drawing was a labor- and manpower-intensive task. Because measurements were taken point by point, resolution had limits and subtle surface irregularities on site could be missed. For beginners, complex instrument operation and cumbersome procedures were obstacles, leaving the impression that “creating accurate cross-sections efficiently is difficult.”

Workflow Changes with LRTK: The “Anyone, Simple, Fast” Points

Introducing the latest smart surveying technology LRTK completely revamps the above workflow. LRTK is a surveying system that utilizes smartphones and is designed to be easy for beginners to handle. With this tool, cross-section drawing becomes “anyone, simple, and fast.” Here are the main points.

• Measurement by fewer people and in less time: With LRTK, one person can generally complete on-site measurements. Where traditional surveying required two or more people, a single operator carrying a smartphone and a dedicated device can simply walk the survey line. As the operator moves along the desired cross-section line, many survey point data are automatically acquired, greatly shortening work time.

• No complex operations required: The smartphone app is designed for intuitive operation so even beginners can use it without hesitation. Difficult settings or adjustments specific to surveying instruments are unnecessary; just follow the guidance. Even without specialized knowledge, high-accuracy data can be obtained, enabling new staff to confidently take cross-section measurements.

• Real-time data confirmation: LRTK allows data acquired on site to be checked in real time on the smartphone screen. For example, the progress of the cross-section can be visualized on the spot, making it possible to instantly check whether anything was missed or whether there are erroneous values. This enables on-the-spot additional measurements or correction of mistakes, preventing wasted trips or re-surveys.

Thus, LRTK dramatically streamlines the cross-section drawing workflow. The ease that “anyone” can handle, the “simple” operation, and the speed at which data are collected allow beginners to create cross-sections smoothly.

Point Cloud Scanning Mechanism and Automatic Cross-Section Data Extraction

Now, let us explain how LRTK efficiently acquires high-accuracy cross-section data. The key is a technology called point cloud scanning. A point cloud is a collection of many points that make up the surface of an object or terrain, consisting of points with three-dimensional coordinates (X, Y, Z). LRTK uses a smartphone camera or LiDAR sensor to scan the surrounding environment and record terrain and structure shapes as countless point data.

During point cloud scanning, LRTK continuously positions the scanning device to centimeter-level accuracy (cm level accuracy, half-inch accuracy) by using a high-precision GNSS receiver (RTK method) attached to the smartphone. This gives each point in the acquired point cloud data accurate geographic coordinates, and automatically corrects distortions that tend to occur during scanning. As a result, a faithful 3D model of the current condition can be obtained in a short time.

The strength of LRTK is that cross-section data can be automatically extracted from the acquired point cloud data. Specifically, you can specify any two points on the point cloud and instantly draw a cross-section along that line. This is because software analyzes the vast measurement information in the point cloud and extracts elevation data where the specified line intersects it. Where traditionally each point had to be measured individually, a point cloud scan has already comprehensively recorded such points, so there are no overlooked measurements or missing data. High-accuracy cross-sections that reflect even fine undulations along the cross-section line are automatically generated, allowing beginners to obtain high-quality results.

In short, LRTK’s point cloud scanning is like “measuring the entire site at once and then cutting out cross-sections wherever you like.” You do not need to decide exactly where to cross-section at the time of surveying, because you can freely create required cross-sections from the acquired 3D point cloud. This mechanism greatly reduces the need to revisit the site due to measurement omissions or when additional cross-sections are needed.

Cross-Section Display and DXF Export on the LRTK Cloud: Convenience Linking Site and Office

Another advantage of LRTK is that acquired data can be immediately used in the cloud. Point cloud and positioning data collected by the smartphone on site can be uploaded to the LRTK Cloud with a single button. Once data are uploaded to the cloud, they can be viewed and used from an office PC via the Internet. This seamless link between the site and office further enhances the efficiency of cross-section creation.

The LRTK Cloud provides an easy-to-use point cloud viewer, allowing 3D point clouds to be viewed from a browser. No dedicated software installation or high-performance PC is required; it runs smoothly on a typical PC. In this viewer, specifying a cross-section line on the on-site point cloud immediately displays the cross-section. Multiple cross-section lines can be set and displayed in sequence, enabling the desired cross-sections to be obtained freely from the scanned on-site data.

Furthermore, those cross-sections can be exported as DXF files. DXF is a drawing file format that many CAD applications can read, and DXF files downloaded from the cloud can be imported into design drawings or delivered as deliverables. In other words, you can generate cross-sections that can be used in CAD drawings immediately from on-site data. Since cross-sections that had to be traced by hand can now be obtained by button operation, drawing time is greatly reduced.

LRTK Cloud also excels at data sharing. Survey data and generated cross-sections can be shared with stakeholders on the cloud. For example, office engineers can immediately view the latest data uploaded from the site and give direction after checking cross-sectional shapes, enabling real-time collaboration. There is no need to bring data back on a USB memory stick, and remote team members can discuss the same 3D data. This smooth information sharing between site and office allows cross-section checks and revision instructions to be performed quickly.

Completed with Just a Smartphone and a Lightweight Device: Why Beginners Can Try It

Another reason LRTK-based cross-section creation is beginner-friendly is the simplicity of required equipment. The basic configuration is only a smartphone and a pocket-sized lightweight device. Specifically, a small RTK-GNSS receiver (integrated with a dedicated case) that attaches to an iPhone or iPad is used; it is compact enough to carry at all times, weighing about 125 g. With this device and a smartphone, high-precision positioning and point cloud scanning can be performed on site.

Traditionally, heavy tripods, stationary surveying instruments, or even large 3D laser scanners had to be brought to the site. With LRTK, no special hardware is necessary, allowing you to go to the site lightly equipped. This reduces the psychological and physical burden of handling large equipment for beginners and provides reassurance that “I can do this too.” Also, because setup and calibration of equipment are minimized, measurement can start soon after arriving on site.

Furthermore, the smartphone app is provided with an interface users are familiar with, which should not be overlooked. Since it operates on a device you use in daily life, you can understand it intuitively without special training. Complex technical terms and settings are minimized, and following the guide messages completes the survey. The software supports points where beginners tend to get stuck, so even those who “are worried about handling machines…” can confidently try creating cross-sections.

In short, LRTK is a tool that “turns a smartphone into a high-precision surveying instrument,” and its ease encourages beginners. With heavy equipment and specialized knowledge no longer required, those with little on-site experience can actively participate in surveying and cross-section drawing.

Various Field Examples: Benefits of Cross-Section Use for Slopes, Embankments, Structures, and Roads

How does LRTK-assisted cross-section creation actually help on real sites? Here we introduce benefits in representative cases such as slopes (cut or fill faces), embankments, structures, and roads.

• Surveying and inspection of slopes: Cross-sections of slopes such as mountain sides or embankments are important for checking slope angles, erosion, and planning reinforcement work. Traditionally, workers had to enter dangerous steep slopes to survey. Point cloud scanning with LRTK allows entire slopes to be measured at once from a safe distance. From the acquired point cloud data, multiple cross-sections can be extracted, enabling efficient grasp of the entire slope shape and monitoring of deformations. For example, comparing cross-sections of potentially collapsing areas can be used to detect abnormalities early in inspections.

• Embankment construction management: For embankments in roads or development sites, it is necessary to confirm whether the cross-section matches the design and to determine the volume of earth. Scanning the embankment with LRTK allows immediate comparison between the current cross-section and the design cross-section. Because the cloud can overlay the design model and current point cloud and display differences in color, where soil is lacking or excessive is obvious at a glance. Also, outputting cross-sections and volume calculation results as DXF files for records makes preparation of as-built management materials simple. Embankment management that used to require extensive inspection surveys can be performed in a short time with high accuracy using LRTK.

• Structure shape confirmation: Cross-sections can be important for structures such as bridge piers, tunnels, and building foundations—for example, confirming that a pier’s cross-sectional dimensions match design values or that tunnel clearances are maintained. Scanning structures with LRTK yields detailed 3D models even for complex shapes. Arbitrary cross-sections can be created from that model, enabling reliable dimension checks even in locations that are difficult to measure directly on site. In addition, photos can be linked to point cloud data, allowing records of concrete cracking conditions together with cross-sections, which improves the quality of inspection reports.

• Road cross-section creation: In roadworks, cross-sections of the road at regular intervals are created to check differences from the design and drainage slopes. Before LRTK, it was necessary to measure many points of road width and elevation at each location. Now, simply scanning a road section yields cross-sectional shapes at arbitrary positions that can be obtained later. For example, you can analyze pavement profiles in curves in detail or compare cross-sections before and after paving to verify construction thickness, aiding quality control. Because the overall terrain along the road is included in the point cloud, it is also easy to create longitudinal profiles (cross-sections along the road centerline) as needed. As a result, the workload for survey drawing creation related to road design and construction is greatly reduced.

As shown above, cross-section creation using LRTK delivers benefits in many field scenarios. Common advantages such as improved safety, speed, and data comprehensiveness benefit a wide range of users from beginners to veterans.

Efficiency Improvements in Surveying and Drawing, and Effects on Quality and Safety

The greatest effect of LRTK-based cross-section creation is a dramatic improvement in work efficiency for surveying and drawing. Because required data can be acquired in a single point cloud scan, repeated trips between the site and office are reduced. Since various measurements—distance, area, volume, etc.—can be performed from the same data, tasks that were previously handled separately can be processed together. As a result, time and personnel previously allocated to cross-section drawing can be redeployed to other productive tasks.

Also notable is the improvement in drawing quality. Cross-sections based on point cloud data are generated from numerous measured points, so they are highly accurate and reliable. Compared with manual interpolation, drawings that reflect subtle terrain undulations can be obtained, improving the accuracy of design changes and construction decisions. For example, when calculating soil volumes from cross-sections, high-accuracy cross-sections minimize calculation errors. Reduction of human error is another important point; fewer measurement and drawing mistakes lead to better quality assurance of deliverables.

Contributions to safety are also significant. As mentioned earlier, dangerous slope surveying is no longer necessary, and work time on high-traffic roads can be shortened, resulting in improved on-site safety. Measurements that require fewer people and less time reduce worker risks and are advantageous from heatstroke prevention and other perspectives. In addition, using LRTK data makes it easier to detect construction defects or ground issues early, which contributes to preventing accidents and rework as part of safety management.

In summary, by using LRTK you improve “speed,” “accuracy,” and “safety.” The entire process involved in cross-section creation becomes more efficient, enabling reductions in on-site burdens and productivity improvements as part of workstyle reforms. Unlike the past when beginners felt uneasy about accuracy, an environment is being established where anyone can reliably collect data and create drawings—this is a major advancement.

Conclusion: New Possibilities Brought by LRTK for Simple Surveying

This article explained cross-section creation that even beginners can do, introducing the latest methods using LRTK and their benefits. With the advent of LRTK, cross-section drawing is no longer work reserved for experienced engineers; a new era where even newcomers can produce high-accuracy results has arrived. The style of “simple surveying,” where anyone can be a surveyor with just a smartphone and a small device, brings new possibilities to site workflows and human resource development.

LRTK, which achieves both efficiency and high accuracy in cross-section creation, will become a powerful partner in future surveying and construction management. Simplifying previously complex tasks raises on-site motivation and allows more people to actively utilize survey data. LRTK’s methods, which deliver speedy results while ensuring quality and safety, are effective not only for cross-section creation but for various surveying tasks.

If you are a beginner, don’t avoid new technologies thinking “it’s difficult” or “it’s hard.” With LRTK-based simple surveying, the barrier to cross-section creation is lowered, and you can expect surprising efficiency gains and peace of mind in your fieldwork. Take this opportunity to try LRTK and experience the future of surveying enabled by the latest technologies.