Trace
Draw paths that follow the terrain
What It Is
A Trace is a terrain-following path for linear infrastructure. As you place control points, the path drapes over the terrain surface, giving you an accurate representation of how a road, trail, or utility run will sit on the land. Traces cannot be instanced; each one represents a unique route within the project.
Every trace carries an array of control points, a curve type (linear or spline), and an optional closed flag for creating loops. A cached terrain profile snapshot stores elevation data along the path so you can analyze grade without recalculating on every frame. When the terrain changes, the snapshot is marked stale and refreshes on the next query.
Key Capabilities
Terrain Following
Paths automatically drape over the terrain surface as you draw
Curve Types
Choose between linear segments and smooth spline interpolation
Open or Closed
Create open paths for roads or closed loops for perimeters
Terrain Profiles
Snapshot elevation data along the path for grade analysis
Control Points
Add, move, and remove vertices to refine the path
Length & Grade
Automatic calculation of path length and slope percentages
Use Cases
| Civil Engineers | Plan road alignments and analyze grade along the route |
|---|---|
| Homesteaders | Layout driveway paths and walking trails on hilly terrain |
| Farmers | Design irrigation pipe runs and fence lines that follow the land |
| Utility Planners | Route water, power, and sewer lines along terrain contours |
Try Traces
Open the editor to draw terrain-following paths, analyze elevation profiles, and plan linear infrastructure across your site.