Workflow: Infomap Compare

The Compare feature in SDX Cloud (Infomap) visualizes terrain differences between two terrain states (for example: baseline ground vs. current stockpile surface) and reports key metrics such as positive/negative volume, net change, total change, and overlapping area.

Before you start

• Two terrain models are required: a Reference (baseline) and a Comparison (current state).
• Coordinate system consistency: Reference and Comparison must align (same project coordinate system / vertical units).
• Coverage overlap: both surfaces must overlap in the area you want to evaluate.
• Recommended: define the AOI using inclusive/exclusive geofences to avoid noise and unwanted objects.

Step 1: Prepare a clean reference surface (baseline)

A reliable comparison starts with a baseline that represents the terrain you want to compare against (often “ground under the pile” or “pre-pile ground”). Choose one of the preparation paths below.

Option A: Import an external reference model

Use this option when you already have a baseline surface (for example: survey-grade ground, pre-pile scan, or a design/reference surface). Supported reference formats: XML, DXF, LAS, LAZ.

1. Open Projects and select your target project.
2. Open the relevant folder/workspace where your terrain models live (example: a “PILES” folder).
3. Go to Data and open the Reference models tab.
4. Click + and upload your reference file (XML / DXF / LAS / LAZ).
5. Name it clearly and store any important metadata (source, date, coordinate system).

Option B: Create a reference surface by manipulating an existing model

Use this option when you don’t have a clean baseline but you do have a terrain model that can be edited into a baseline (for example: remove piles/objects, then fill/interpolate gaps so the baseline is continuous).

1. Go to Data → Data models.
2. Open the model you want to use as the basis for your baseline.
3. Use the model manipulation tools to remove unwanted objects and produce a “clean ground” baseline.
4. Save the manipulated version (this is required for Compare to use it).
5. Later, in the Compare dialog, enable Use manipulated version for the Reference selection.

Step 2: Create the comparison in Infomap

1. Navigate to your dataset area (Project → folder/workspace).
2. Open the Infomap tab.
3. In the left toolbar, click Compare.
4. In the Comparisons panel, click + to create a new comparison.
5. Fill in:
   • Name (required) and optional Description
   • Reference (baseline surface)
   • Comparison (current surface)
6. If you prepared manipulated surfaces, enable Use manipulated version for:
   • Reference: usually ON if your baseline is a cleaned ground created via manipulation
   • Comparison: only ON if you intentionally edited the comparison surface
7. Geofences (recommended):
   • Inclusive geofence: limits the calculation to your AOI (e.g., the stockpile boundary / yard)
   • Exclusive geofence: masks out sub-areas to ignore (e.g., buildings, conveyors, water, equipment zones)
8. Click Create.

Configure the gradient (color scale)

The gradient controls how the height difference between Comparison and Reference is visualized. Negative values (below reference) and positive values (above reference) are mapped to different colors on the legend.

Open the gradient editor

• While creating a comparison: click directly on the gradient bar in the Compare dialog to open the gradient editor.
• After a comparison already exists: editing the comparison opens the same Compare dialog again, where you can click the gradient bar to edit it.

Edit the gradient thresholds

1. Each row defines a band using Start and Stop values (in m).
2. To add a new band, click +. To remove one, click the – on the right side of the row.
3. Use tighter thresholds near 0.00 to highlight small changes (e.g., grading/cleanup), and wider thresholds to focus on larger changes (e.g., stockpile growth).
4. Save the comparison (Create/Update). The Infomap overlay updates to use the new thresholds.

Step 3: Read results and interpret metrics

What you see in Infomap

After creating the comparison, Infomap displays the difference overlay and the configured legend. The overlay is only shown where both surfaces overlap (and within any geofence constraints).

• Difference overlay: highlights where the terrain is higher/lower than the reference.
• Legend: shows the configured negative-to-positive range and thresholds.
• Overlap behavior: areas without overlap (or excluded by geofences) show no overlay.

Results and metrics in the Comparisons panel

Select the comparison entry in the Comparisons panel to view the results card. The card summarizes which surfaces were used and the computed volumes and analyzed area.

• Reference source: the baseline surface used for the comparison (including “(Manipulated)” when applicable).
• Source of comparison: the terrain state being compared against the reference.
• Negative volume: where the Comparison surface is below the Reference (cut/removal).
• Positive volume: where the Comparison surface is above the Reference (fill/added material).
• Net: overall change (positive minus negative).
• Total: overall magnitude of change (positive plus negative).
• Overlapping area: area actually used in the computation (after overlap and any geofence constraints).