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Group Areas Using Crossovers

Modified: 7 Jun 2026 Viewpoint Estimating Estimating Help

Group areas to digitize several areas at once using crossovers, which are lines that connect the areas you want to group together.

  1. Open a job in the Manage Earthwork Estimates screen.
    Note: To open a job in the Manage Earthwork Estimates screen, click Estimating > Earthwork > Manage Earthwork Estimates in the All Tasks pane. Click Open Existing Job. Then select the job you want to open, and click OK.
  2. Select the Area tab, if it is not already active.
  3. In the Active Layer field on the toolbar, click to select the layer you want to group.
  4. Click Point or Trace > on the speedbar to digitize the area you are going to group.

You can use the Align to Image tool to improve speed and accuracy during digitizing. When you digitize a drawing with the Align to Image tool activated, the application aligns the takeoff line to the closest black pixel. You can set the default sensitivity of the tool in Preferences. You can press and hold Shift to turn Align to Image on and off as you digitize a drawing. Align to image can be used with the following:

  • Compensate

  • Add Drawing

  • Point

  • Trace

  • Spot Elevation

  • Borings

  • Reference Point

  • Stake

  • Trench

  • Count Line

  • Count Item

    Note: When digitizing against a colored background, Viewpoint recommends that you turn OFF the Align to Image tool.
  1. Digitize the first area.
  2. When you reach the starting point of the first area, lift the stylus, and digitize the nearest point on the next area that you want to digitize.
  3. Repeat steps 4 - 6 until you have digitized all the areas. Digitize each area in the same direction you digitized the first area. For example, digitize all areas in a clockwise direction.
  4. Lift the stylus and digitize the starting point of the first area.
  5. Click Finished on the speedbar.
  6. Select the appropriate name for the area as well as the Area Properties for the area, then click OK. The grouped areas appear in the same color.
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