How to Check the Contours and Structure Elevations (USA)

This article explains how to interpret the Topography and use the Structure Elevations to determine the slope of the property and elevation at each corner of a design.

The contour and topography data in Canibuild is generated using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology.

 

Toggle Contours – Displays coloured contour lines indicating changes in elevation.

Structure Elevations – Shows elevation levels above sea level at each corner of the structure.

How to Check the Slope of the Property

  • Click Toggle Contours on the main toolbar (Top Right).

  • Observe each contour line marked with a number or RL (Reduced Level), indicating height above sea level.

  • Use the colors to quickly understand elevation

Red indicates the Highest Point on the property

Blue indicates the lowest point on the property

Solid lines indicates a 5 ft elevation change

Dotted lines indicates a 1 ft elevation change.

When contours are turned on, a notification will display the type of data:

  • Pre-existing contours, high confidence.

  • Pre-existing contours, low confidence.

  • Proposed contours (by the developer for a new subdivision).

  • Contours unavailable.

If contours are unavailable, a notification will appear at the bottom of the screen. This often occurs in new subdivisions. If you have a contour survey from the developer, please submit it to our team for upload.

Proposed contours outside the standard  intervals are shown as solid orange lines.

How to Understand the Structure Elevations

  • Left-click on the design.

  • Select the Elevation icon from the Design Options.

The structure elevations show the change in height at the four outer most corners of the structure:

  • The Green point (A) is always the highest point.

  • The Blue points indicate how much lower they are than point A.

Click on any letter to view additional details:

  • NGL – Natural Ground Level.
  • FFL – Finished Floor Level.

    You can edit the 0 value at Point A to simulate foundation height. For example, entering 1 will update the FFL 1 foot.