Generate Vertical Sections

Discover Sections are displayed in ArcGIS Pro's 2D map windows. This enables you to take full advantage of ArcGIS Pro’s powerful editing tools and 2D symbology capabilities.

However, ArcGIS Pro’s 2D maps recognize only X and Y coordinates and do not support Z-values. To address this limitation, Discover adds metadata to each layer associated with a section, allowing it to be modeled in 3D. Any layer digitized on a section must be a section layer and should be added using the Section Template or the Add Section Layer tool. Otherwise, it will not transfer to the 3D environment. Note that Discover supports only vertical sections.

When a section is created, Discover generates a map using the WGS84 Web Mercator Coordinate Reference System (CRS) by default. The section’s scale uses the same unit as the map window. The left-hand side of the map window displays coordinate values as follows:

  • X-value = 0
  • Elevation (RL) value = 0
  • Y-value = 0

Activity Steps

  1. On the Section ribbon tab, in the Create group, expand Generate Sections and click Draw Section Line.

    The Generate Sections panel displays the Define tab.

  2. Configure Define Section as required.
    1. Select whether to Create a section line.

      If selected, draw a section line in the 2D Map window.

      • You can select one of the following drawing options to create a line:
        • Line—Creates a straight section (double click to close line)
        • Polyline—Creates a polyline section (double click to close line)

          Note: Due to their complexity, polyline sections cannot be transferred to the 3D environment or have section grid Easting and Westing values put on them.

    2. Select whether to Select a pre-drawn line.

      If selected, click Populate from Selected Line.

    3. Select whether to create an Envelope Section or a Long Section.
  3. Configure the Section Envelope as required.
    1. Enter the Envelope Width (m)—The width on either side of the section that the drillhole traces display in.
    2. Enter the Section start m (Easting)—The easting of the section start point.
    3. Enter the Section start m (Northing)—The northing of the section start point.
    4. Enter the Section orientation (deg)—The orientation of the section, which is the bearing of section line from first point drawn to last.
    5. Enter the Sections length (m)—The length of section.
    6. Enter the View Direction—A choice of two view directions perpendicular to the section orientation.
  4. Select Drillholes to display on the vertical section.
  5. Select whether the section should contain:
    • Complete Hole Traces—The entire hole trace on any hole that is within the section envelope.
    • Hole Traces in Envelope—Only the drill trace that goes in and out of a section envelope.
  6. If required, enter the Vertical Exaggeration. Default: 1
  7. Enter the Section Name.
  8. Select whether to Add Section Template Layers. Adds the section template layers to the section. Default: Checked.
  9. Configure settings on the Multiple tab if required. If multiple section lines in a grid are required, you can set up multiple lines that cover the entire sample or drilling area.
    1. Enter the Number of Sections—The number of sections to be produced.
    2. Enter the Offset Distance—The distance between sections.
    3. Select to Offset towards—The direction in which the sections are drawn perpendicular to the initial drawn line.
    4. Select the Section name suffix— A variable that can be added to the section name to create unique names. Select from Northing, Easting, letter A...Z or number 1...20.
    5. Enter the Section name prefix (optional).
  10. Configure settings on the Drill Trace tab as required. On this tab, you can add or exclude labels and depth ticks to display on each drill trace in the section. You can also edit labels and depth ticks.
    1. To configure the Line Style, see Edit the Line Style.
    2. Select whether to display the Collar Label.
    3. Select whether to display the End of Hole EOH Label.
    4. Select whether to display the Top Intersection Label.
    5. Select whether to display the Bottom Intersection Label.
    6. Select whether to Show EOH and Intersection Symbols.
    7. Configure the Ticks if required.
      1. Select whether to Show Depth Ticks.

        If selected, enter a Depth Interval in metres.

      2. Select whether to Show Labels. See Edit the Label Style.
  11. Configure settings on the Surfaces tab if required. On this tab, you can style and scale imported surfaces (non topographic surfaces only). You can use the symbology to colour the surface drape that is clipped to a topography layer.
    1. Select whether to Show Topography.
    2. To configure the Line Style, see Edit the Line Style.
    3. Select whether to Show Surface Drape.
    4. Select a Symbology from a list.
    5. Select whether to Show Topography on section where no surface.
    6. If required, select the Subterranean surfaces to display on the section.
  12. Click Apply.