  We analyze the distribution of G and K type stars towards the Galactic poles
using RAVE and ELODIE radial velocities, 2MASS photometric star counts, and
UCAC2 proper motions. The combination of photometric and 3D kinematic data
allows us to disentangle and describe the vertical distribution of dwarfs,
sub-giants and giants and their kinematics. We identify discontinuities within
the kinematics and magnitude counts that separate the thin disk, thick disk and
a hotter component. The respective scale heights of the thin disk and thick
disk are 225$\pm$10 pc and 1048$\pm$36 pc. We also constrain the luminosity
function and the kinematic distribution function. The existence of a kinematic
gap between the thin and thick disks is incompatible with the thick disk having
formed from the thin disk by a continuous process, such as scattering of stars
by spiral arms or molecular clouds. Other mechanisms of formation of the thick
disk such as `created on the spot' or smoothly `accreted' remain compatible
with our findings.
