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General FAQ

Quick answers to common questions about AO.

Quick answers to common questions about using Absolute Ocean (AO): the map, search, files, accounts and getting help.

The map

Which browsers does AO support?

AO supports the last two versions of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

How do I search for latitude and longitude coordinates?

Type the coordinates into the search box at the top right of the map.

  • If your organization uses AO's own location search, or AO has no internet access, such as on AO OnBoard, enter latitude first, then longitude. AO's own search also accepts degrees and minutes or degrees, minutes and seconds, with N, S, E or W. See Map tools.
  • Otherwise, enter longitude first, then latitude, in decimal degrees, for example -88.04, 30.69.

What does the 2D / 3D setting do?

AO is always a 3D globe. The Base Terrain setting in the Layers window's Global Layers chooses how the ground looks:

  • 2D shows the globe at a single elevation of zero. It needs less bandwidth because AO doesn't stream global elevation. Point clouds still display in 3D.
  • 3D shows land elevation and global bathymetry. Grids you visualize appear as their own 3D terrain (see Grids and 3D terrain). Press V to exaggerate heights. The Profile tool needs 3D.

What is AO's default bathymetry?

AO's base terrain uses the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) for ocean depths. It's a starting point for your own higher-resolution data.

Why can't I see my point cloud?

If the base terrain hides your point cloud, you may have pressed 1, which hides data below the base terrain. Press 1 again, or switch Base Terrain to 2D.

Why are my profile depths different from my original data?

To show everyone's data on one globe, AO displays everything on the WGS 84 ellipsoid, so depths are transformed for display; your files aren't changed. To show depths relative to mean sea level instead, click your initial in the top right corner, choose My Account, open Settings, and set Elevation Datum to EGM2008 Geoid (Mean Sea Level). See Vertical and Horizontal Datum.

What analysis tools does AO have?

You can measure distances and areas, draw profiles, and compare layers with the swipe tool. Right-click the map to measure a distance, copy a position or add an object. See AO videos and HotKeys available in AO.

How do I open several projects at once?

Hold Shift and drag a rectangle over the project dots on the map.

How do I share a view?

In the Layers window, choose Copy share link. The link opens the same view, layers and visibility for a colleague who signs in to AO and has access to the projects in it. To use a layer in a GIS tool or another viewer, choose Copy shared-layer definition on that layer instead. Shared-layer addresses work without signing in, so share them only with people who should see the data; to withdraw one, contact support@terradepth.com.

Files

What files can I upload?

Any files: AO stores them exactly as they are. Only some formats can be visualized on the map; see Supported file types and format requirements.

Where do my files live?

Every file belongs to a project. Open Projects at the bottom of the left toolbar, open a project, and go to its Files tab.

How do I upload and download files?

In a project's Files tab, choose Upload, or select files and choose Download. For large transfers and other options, see Moving Files In and Out of AO.

Your account

Where do I sign in to AO?

AO in the cloud is at https://ao.terradepth.com, and AO for government at https://gov.terradepth.com. Self-hosted AO and AO OnBoard have your organization's own address: ask your AO Admin. See Signing in and passwords.

How do I see my role?

Click your initial in the top right corner, choose My Account and open Profile. To change your role, ask your organization's Admin. See User Management.

Which release of AO am I using?

Click your initial in the top right corner, choose My Account and open Version, then look up the Geo API row's version code under Which release does my AO run? in AO Release Notes 2026.

How long do password reset links work?

24 hours. If yours has expired, request a new one, or ask your Admin to send one.

Getting help

Is AO up?

See the status page at status.ao.terradepth.com.

How do I ask for help or request an enhancement?

Choose Open a Support Request at the top of this page, or email support@terradepth.com.

Related: Quick start: your first project · Troubleshooting and getting help · Using the Help Center