043] How to Create Equally Spaced Points Along Lines in Global Mapper

Distribute point features at precise intervals or fixed counts along road and river centerlines.

This tutorial demonstrates how to use the Advanced Feature Creation tools in Global Mapper to place sampling points along vector segments. We cover methods for both fixed sample counts and specific distance intervals, essential for surveying and environmental sampling tasks.

Let's get started.

First, draw an Area and a Line on the main screen.

Drawing Area and Line features in Global Mapper
img 1 : Drawing Area and Line features in Global Mapper

The first method we'll discuss is not adding points at a specific distance interval, but rather adding a specific number of points at equal intervals.

Creating Equally Spaced Points by Sample Count

After selecting both objects:

Selecting Advanced Feature Creation Options - Create Point Features Spaced Along Selected Feature(s)
img 2 : Selecting Advanced Feature Creation Options - Create Point Features Spaced Along Selected Feature(s)

Select Advanced Feature Creation Options - Create Point Features Spaced Along Selected Feature(s).

A window for setting the sample spacing will appear.

Sample Spacing Setup window for Fixed Number of Locations
img 3 : Sample Spacing Setup window for Fixed Number of Locations
  • Sample Count: Sets how many points to distribute at equal intervals along the line segments of the currently selected objects.
  • Start Label Number: Enter the number to start the numbering.
  • Prefix / Suffix: Enter any characters to be added before or after the number.

Click OK.

Next, specify the layer where the points will be added.

Modify Feature Info window for specifying the Point Layer
img 4 : Modify Feature Info window for specifying the Point Layer

Once you click OK:

Result showing 20 points placed at equal intervals
img 5 : Result showing 20 points placed at equal intervals

As you can see, a total of 20 points have been placed at equal intervals.


Creating Points at Fixed Distance Intervals

Next, let's try placing points based on a fixed distance interval.

Select both objects again and choose Create Point Features Spaced Along Selected Feature(s).

Sample Spacing Setup window for Fixed Distance Interval
img 6 : Sample Spacing Setup window for Fixed Distance Interval
  • Spacing distance: Places points at the specific distance interval you enter.
  • Name Points Sequentially Instead of by Distance: Assigns point names sequentially. If unchecked, the distance value will be entered as the name.
  • Keep Endpoint Even If Not at Distance Multiple: Maintains the endpoint even if it doesn't fall exactly on a distance multiple.
  • Don't Add New Vertex within Spacing of Endpoint: Prevents creating an extra point if it's too close to the endpoint.

After clicking OK and specifying the layer:

Result showing points added at 100m intervals
img 7 : Result showing points added at 100m intervals

The points are automatically generated at 100 m intervals along the line.

I will briefly explain the remaining options. Feel free to try them out yourself.

Additional Point Sampling Options

Additional options in the Sample Spacing Setup window
img 8 : Additional options in the Sample Spacing Setup window
  • Sample Features at Endpoints Only: Adds points only at the start and end points.
  • Sample Features at Single Fixed Distance: Adds a single point at a specific distance from the start point.
  • Keep All Original Vertices: Also adds points at the existing vertices of the line segment.
  • Sample Along 3D Length of Line if Possible: If the vertices of the line segment have elevation values, the distance is calculated considering the 3D length.

That's it for today!

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