🚧 Draft for internal review. This page is a proposed update to the existing AirWorks Breaklines product guide. Related Jira story: AUT-5755.
How it Works
Breaklines are available as an add-on during checkout when the 2D + Topo bundle is selected.
Price: 1.25 credits per acre (To be reviewed)
Input Data Requirements
When customer provides the data
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.las or .laz file - non-classified
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.tiff or .tif file
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All files should have a resolution of 0.5 or 1 ft.
Always required:
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.kml of your area of interest, uploaded or drawn in the app
What You Will Receive
A .dxf file with layered 3D linework representing man-made features with elevation data. Delivered via your project page in Automate alongside your other AirWorks deliverables.
Features captured include:
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Top and bottom of curb
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Back of curb and flowline / gutter
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Edge of walk / sidewalk
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Edge of concrete pads (at ground level)
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Edge and centerline of road
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Top and bottom of retaining walls
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Top and bottom of slope
How We Generate Breaklines
AirWorks Breaklines use both point cloud elevation data and point cloud RGB information to identify and extract linework around man-made features - areas where breaklines are most critical for surface accuracy. Unlike terrain-only grade-break approaches, our breaklines are feature-driven. We target the specific edges, transitions, and structures that matter for engineering and survey workflows.
Before You Order: Customer Checklist
To ensure your breaklines are configured correctly, you will be prompted to answer the following questions at checkout when Breaklines is selected. You can also share this with your customer success manager in advance of placing your order.
1. End use
What is the primary purpose of this surface?
(e.g. FEMA submittal, site grading, survey supplement, engineering design)
2. Do you need back of curb?
We deliver top and bottom of curb by default. Please indicate if you also need back of curb.
3. Elevated structures (drop down selection)
Should light poles, transformer pads, or structures on concrete bases in the project area be modeled at ground level or excluded from the surface?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Breaklines and Smart Contours?
Smart Contours generates smooth contour lines derived from the point cloud surface and is terrain-driven. Breaklines produces 3D linework that explicitly follows man-made features (curbs, pads, road edges) regardless of whether those features create a significant grade change. For projects where curb accuracy and surface fidelity around structures matter, Breaklines is the right choice. Many customers order both.
What resolution is the surface built at?
This is project dependent and relates to things like point cloud density and size.
What happens in areas with water?
LiDAR returns from open water are often noisy or incomplete, which can cause erratic breakline placement near stream banks and pond edges. By default, we use the water edge from the 2D linework and do not place breaklines within the water body itself. If your project has significant water features, flag this at checkout.