vSite Admin Portal: Elevation Settings

Overview

Elevation settings control how and where your objects are placed within the digital environment. Incorrect settings can cause visuals to appear at the wrong scale, shifted vertically, or even missing entirely in the vSite AR app.

Before configuring elevation, you must first determine whether your data source contains elevation (z-values). This can be verified using the sample data preview in the Object Layer Configuration screen. Identifying if your dataset is z-enabled ahead of time ensures you can select the most appropriate elevation type.

To learn if your data is Z-enabled, click here.

How To

Elevation Types

Elevation types define how vertical placement is applied. They can be assigned at the data source level or to individual object layers.

  • Default

    • vSite will attempt to use z-values directly from objects.

    • If no z-values exist, the system will check the depth/elevation field defined in the attributes.

    • If that field is also empty, the default value from the depth/elevation setting will be applied.

    • All calculations are relative to the ellipsoid or geoid defined in the Vertical Datum field.

  • Surface Offset

    • Uses the selected digital surface (e.g., terrain model) as the baseline for elevation calculations.

  • Ignore z-value

    • Ignores all z-values in the dataset and places objects at the default elevation defined in settings.

  • Parent Node Setting

    • Inherits elevation settings from the parent layer.

Quick Start Recommendations

  • Use the Default for most datasets.

  • Use Surface Offset for data sources where objects extend below the surface, such as subsurface utilities originating from GPR scans. 

Vertical Datum

If your dataset is z-enabled and you select Default as the elevation type, you must also configure a Vertical Datum:

  1. From the Vertical Datum drop-down (Fig. 1), select the datum that matches your dataset.

  2. Select the appropriate Unit of Measurement (UoM) from the drop-down next to the datum field.

  3. Remember: Vertical Datum can only be set at the root folder level, as it applies globally to the dataset.

    Fig. 1

If the datum in your dataset is not available in the Admin Portal, please contact vGIS Support to request assistance.

Supplementary Material

  • Common Issues: Misaligned or floating objects in AR are often the result of mismatched or undefined vertical datums.

  • Best Practice: Always verify vertical datum consistency between your GNSS device, data source, and vSite Admin Portal configuration.

  • vSite Admin Portal: Adjusting Vertical Datum

Have Questions? Feel free to Submit A Request to speak with a member of the vGIS Support Team.

Reviewed:  2025-05-29

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