Understanding project files for Site Intelligence

Learn what Design Grade, Original Grade, Overlay, and add-on files are and when you need them for your project.

Written by Raymond Fuorry
March 31, 2026

What files does TraceAir use?

TraceAir uses uploaded project files to power measurements, comparisons, and analysis on your site. There are three core file types and four add-on file types. This article explains what each file does, when it's needed, and what format to provide.

You can upload files through the Project Portal (projects.traceair.net) or during Project Setup for new projects. For step-by-step upload instructions, see "How to upload files and overlays through the Project Portal."

Core files

Design Grade

The Design Grade is the most important file for your project. It is a 3D CAD surface representing the planned top-of-dirt surface after grading — what the ground should look like when grading is complete. TraceAir uses the Design Grade as the reference surface for Cut/Fill calculations, comparing each drone scan against this surface to determine how much cut or fill remains.

A Design Grade is required for Gold and Platinum scan tiers. Without a Design Grade, Cut/Fill Balance, Track Quantities, Compare Surfaces (Design Grade mode), and Lot Viewer will not be available.

Only one Design Grade can be published per project at a time. Design Grades can represent rough grade, intermediate grade, final grade, or any custom grade surface — they do not always reflect a "final" version. You can update your Design Grade file at any time through the Project Portal.

If you do not have a current Design Grade, contact your Customer Success specialist to discuss options.

Note: If you need additional surfaces published alongside your primary Design Grade, they can be published as a pseudoscan, which allows a limited set of tools. Contact your Customer Success specialist for details.

Accepted file types for Design Grade:

• XML — preferred. TIN models in XML format provide the most accurate surface data.
• DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) — preferred. Should contain 3D faces and boundaries.
• TTM (Trimble Business Center files) — accepted.
• PC3 (Topcon 3D Office files) — accepted.
• DWG (AutoCAD Drawing) — accepted. Civil 3D files may contain multiple surfaces — please specify which surface should be used. Civil 3D surfaces with low detail are still useful for TraceAir.
• Grading Plans (DWG) — accepted as a last resort. Processing time and quality depend on how accurately 3D objects and grading details are positioned at the correct elevations.

Tip: TIN models are the best option. If any subcontractors use GPS machine control systems, they may have already created a TIN surface — ask your grading contractor.

Important: When uploading a Design Grade, please specify how pads should be created:

• Should pads be sloped according to the general grading?
• Should pads be flat? If flat, specify the elevation to use (ground floor elevation, final floor elevation, or final pad elevation).

Original Grade

The Original Grade is the pre-construction topographical surface — what the land looked like before any work began. It is created by surveyors before the project starts. TraceAir uses the Original Grade to enable the "Original Ground" comparison mode in Compare Surfaces, showing total dirt movement from the beginning of the project to the current scan.

The Original Grade is optional and can be uploaded at any time. It is available on Gold and Platinum scan tiers.

If your site has not been cleared and you do not have an Original Grade, ask your Account Manager about requesting a LiDAR scan to capture the pre-construction surface.

Accepted file types: Same as Design Grade (XML, DXF, TTM, PC3, DWG).

Overlays

Overlays are project plans, drawings, or exhibits uploaded to TraceAir and displayed on top of the drone scan imagery. They let you compare planned design against actual site conditions — catching costly errors early. Overlays are the most-used feature in TraceAir.

Examples of overlays include lot lines and boundaries, sewer and utility plans, retaining wall locations, landscaping plans, dry utility plans, road and curb plans, and any other design or construction drawings.

Overlays are optional and can be uploaded whenever new plans are available. Unlike Design Grades, new overlays do not replace previous ones — they are published as additional files.

Overlays are available on all scan tiers (Silver, Gold, and Platinum).

Accepted file types for Overlays:

• DWG (AutoCAD Drawing) — preferred. Contains coordinates for accurate georeferencing.
• DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) — preferred. Contains coordinates for accurate georeferencing.
• PDF — accepted, but PDFs typically lack coordinate data. The GIS team will align the PDF as closely as possible using available reference points. For the most accurate overlay placement, provide DWG or DXF files whenever possible.

There is no file size limit for overlay uploads.

Add-on files

Add-on files activate premium features on your project. Each add-on requires a specific file upload to provide the data the feature needs. Add-on availability depends on your scan tier.

Lot Viewer

Lot Viewer provides automatic, per-lot Cut/Fill calculations, spot elevations, and slope data — eliminating the need to measure each lot individually.

Tier availability: Included with Platinum scans. Available as a paid add-on for Gold scans. Contact your Customer Success specialist or Account Manager for pricing.

What to upload: A DWG file containing lot boundaries and pad data. This ensures accurate Cut/Fill, Elevation, and Slope information is applied to each individual lot.

Important: When setting up Lot Viewer, confirm with your Customer Success specialist whether you want the tool aligned to Final Floor Elevation (FFE) or Final Pad Elevation (FPE).

Stormwater Report

The Stormwater Report provides a heat map showing how water and rainfall collect across your job site, available in the "Views" tab on the Office platform.

What to upload: A DWG file that includes drainage inlet data.

Note: Your Lot Viewer file and Stormwater Report file can be the same file, as long as it contains all required data (lot boundaries, pad data, and drainage inlets).

Slope Report

The Slope Report activates the Slopes view within Lot Viewer, showing slope percentages between lots and from driveway to sidewalk.

Tier availability: Included with Platinum scans. Available as a paid add-on for Gold scans (purchased separately from Lot Viewer through your Account Manager).

What to upload: A DWG file with the most up-to-date lot and pad slope data.

Scheduler

The Scheduler feature enables more detailed project tracking with milestones and tasks on the Office platform.

What to upload: An .mpp file exported from Microsoft Project. Only one Scheduler file can be used per project, but you can break down your schedule into individual milestones and tasks within the file.

General file upload tips

• Submit all your CAD files — it is better to provide more and let the GIS team sort through them than to provide too few.
• Specify your file types when uploading by checking the appropriate box in the upload dialog (Design Grade, Original Grade, Overlay, Lot Viewer, Stormwater, Scheduler).
• Use the comments field to tell the GIS team how to handle your upload (which layers to publish, which pages of a PDF to use, partial design grade replacements, etc.).
• Preferred formats are XML, DXF, and DWG. These contain coordinate data for accurate georeferencing. PDFs work for overlays but may be less precise.
• Upload individual files only — folders are not supported in the upload dialog.

Frequently asked questions

What is a TIN model?

A TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network) model is a 3D surface made of interconnected triangles that represents terrain. TIN models are the most accurate format for Design Grade files because they preserve the elevation detail of the planned surface.

Can I have more than one Design Grade at a time?

Only one Design Grade can be published per project at a time. If you need to update your Design Grade, the new file replaces the previous one (unless you specify a partial replacement in the comments). Additional surfaces can be published as pseudoscans — contact your Customer Success specialist for details.

What if I don't have any of these files yet?

If you're early in the project and don't have a Design Grade, you can still get started with Silver-tier scans, which don't require a Design Grade. When your design files become available, upload them through the Project Portal to unlock Gold/Platinum features. Contact your Customer Success specialist to discuss your options.

Do I need separate files for each add-on?

Not always. Your Lot Viewer file and Stormwater Report file can be the same DWG file, as long as it contains all required data (lot boundaries, pad data, and drainage inlets). The Slope Report file may also overlap. When uploading, check all applicable boxes so the GIS team knows which features to activate.