SURVEY LINK

TM

for Windows 95/NT

User’s Manual

The Smart Communications

Solution

Tripod Data Systems, Inc. 2001

All Rights Reserved
 TRIPOD DATA SYSTEMS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT
IMPORTANT: BY OPENING THE SEALED MEDIA PACKAGE, YOU ARE AGREEING TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF THE LICENSE AGREEMENT AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY ("Agreement"). THIS
AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES THE COMPLETE AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND TRIPOD DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
("Licensor"). CAREFULLY READ THE AGREEMENT AND IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THE TERMS, RETURN THE
UNOPENED MEDIA PACKAGE AND THE ACCOMPANYING ITEMS (including written materials and binders or other
containers) TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU OBTAINED THEM FOR A FULL REFUND.
LICENSE. LICENSOR grants to you a limited, non-exclusive license to (i) install and operate the copy of the computer program
contained in this package ("Program") on a single computer (one central processing unit and associated monitor and keyboard) and (ii)
make one archival copy of the Program for use with the same computer. LICENSOR retains all rights to the Program not expressly
granted in this Agreement.
OWNERSHIP OF PROGRAMS AND COPIES. This license is not a sale of the original Program or any copies. LICENSOR retains
the ownership of the Program and all subsequent copies of the Program made by you, regardless of the form in which the copies may
exist. The Program and accompanying manuals ("Documentation") are copyrighted works of authorship and contain valuable trade
secrets and confidential information proprietary to LICENSOR. You agree to exercise reasonable efforts to protect LICENSOR'S
proprietary interest in the Program and Documentation and maintain them in strict confidence.
USER RESTRICTIONS. You may physically transfer some Programs from one computer to another provided that the Program is
operated only on one computer. Other Programs will operate only with the computer that has the same security code and cannot be
physically transferred to another computer. You may not electronically transfer the Program or operate it in a time-sharing or service
bureau operation. You agree not to translate, modify, adapt, disassemble, decompile, or reverse engineer the Program, or create
derivative works based on the Program or Documentation or any portions thereof.
TRANSFER. The Program is provided for use in your internal commercial business operations and must remain at all times upon a
single computer owned or leased by you. You may not rent, lease, sublicense, sell, assign, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of the
Program or Documentation, on a temporary or permanent basis, without the prior written consent of LICENSOR.
TERMINATION. This License is effective until terminated. This License will terminate automatically without notice from
LICENSOR if you fail to comply with any provision of this License. Upon termination you must cease all use of the Program and
Documentation and return them, and any copies thereof, to LICENSOR.
GENERAL. This License shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Oregon, United States of
America.
LIMITED WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
LICENSOR grants solely to you a limited warranty that (i) the media on which the Program is distributed shall be substantially free
from material defects for a period of NINETY (90) DAYS, and (ii) the Program will perform substantially in accordance with the
material descriptions in the Documentation for a period of NINETY (90) DAYS. These warranties commence on the day you first
obtain the Program and extend only to you, the original customer. These limited warranties give you specific legal rights, and you may
have other rights which vary from state to state.
Except as specified above, LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
REGARDING THE PROGRAM, MEDIA OR DOCUMENTATION AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS THE
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. LICENSOR does not warrant the
Program will meet your requirements or that its operations will be uninterrupted or error-free.
If the media, Program or Documentation are not as warranted above, LICENSOR will, at its option, repair or replace the
nonconforming item at no cost to you, or refund your money, provided you return the item, with proof of the date you obtained it, to
LICENSOR within TEN (10) DAYS after the expiration of the applicable warranty period. If LICENSOR determines that the
particular item has been damaged by accident, abuse, misuse or misapplication, has been modified without the written permission of
LICENSOR, or if any LICENSOR label or serial number has been removed or defaced, the limited warranties set forth above do not
apply and you accept full responsibility for the product.
The warranties and remedies set forth above are exclusive and in lieu of all others, oral or written, express or implied. Statements or
representations which add to, extend or modify these warranties are unauthorized by LICENSOR and should not be relied upon by you.
LICENSOR or anyone involved in the creation or delivery of the Program or Documentation to you shall have no liability to you or any
third party for special, incidental, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, loss of profits or savings, downtime, damage
to or replacement of equipment and property, or recovery or replacement of programs or data) arising from claims based in warranty,
contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, or otherwise even if LICENSOR has been advised of the possibility of such claim or
damage. LICENSOR'S liability for direct damages shall not exceed the actual amount paid for this copy of the Program.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS
If the Program is acquired for use by or on behalf of a unit or agency of the United States Government, the Program and
Documentation are provided with "Restricted Rights". Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as
set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013, and to all
other regulations, restrictions and limitations applicable to Government use of Commercial Software. Contractor/manufacturer is
Tripod Data Systems, Inc., PO Box 947, Corvallis, Oregon, 97339, United States of America.
Should you have questions concerning the License Agreement or the Limited Warranties and Limitation of Liability, please contact in
writing: Tripod Data Systems, Inc., PO Box 947, Corvallis, Oregon, 97339, United States of America.
TRADEMARKS
Survey Link is a registered trademark of Tripod Data Systems, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Form# .MAN-SURVLINK32 07312001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
GETTING STARTED ......................................................................................1-1
Introduction .......................................................................................................1-1
How to Read This Manual.................................................................................1-2
Different Survey Link Modules.........................................................................1-2
System Requirements ........................................................................................1-3
Installing the Survey Link Program...................................................................1-4
Running Survey Link.........................................................................................1-4

Chapter 2
A QUICK TOUR ..............................................................................................2-1
Starting Out .......................................................................................................2-2
The Toolbar.......................................................................................................2-3
The Menu Bar ...................................................................................................2-5
The File Menu.....................................................................................2-5
The Edit Menu ....................................................................................2-6
The View Menu.................................................................................................2-6
The Transfer Menu............................................................................................2-7
The Reports Menu.............................................................................................2-7
The Conversions Menu .....................................................................................2-8
The Adjustments Menu .....................................................................................2-8
The Options Menu.............................................................................................2-9
The Geodetic Menu.........................................................................................2-12
Geodetic Calculations .....................................................................................2-12
Create Zone File ..............................................................................................2-13
The Tools Menu ..............................................................................................2-14
The Help Menu ...............................................................................................2-15
The Edit Window ............................................................................................2-16

½ i ¾
Chapter 3
TRANSFER A FILE .........................................................................................3-1
Communications Setup......................................................................................3-2
Test Wizard.........................................................................................3-3
Receiving a File ..................................................................................3-4
Receiving Data from a Non-TDS Data Collector..............................................3-5
Sending a File....................................................................................................3-6
Manage Files With Server Mode ......................................................................3-7
Advanced Communications Settings.................................................................3-9
The Tools Menu..............................................................................................3-10
Upgrade Husky................................................................................................3-10

Chapter 4
EDIT A CR5 or JOB FILE ...............................................................................4-1
Print...................................................................................................................4-4
Print preview.......................................................................................4-5
Page Setup ..........................................................................................4-6
Create a Coordinate file ....................................................................................4-9
Creating and Editing a Point List ....................................................................4-10
Creating and editing a Text File ......................................................................4-13

Chapter 5
EDIT AN RW5 or RAW FILE .........................................................................5-1
TDS Raw Data Editor .......................................................................................5-1
Insert a Record....................................................................................5-3
Deleting a Line....................................................................................5-5
Change a Line into a Note...................................................................5-5
Change a Note back into a Line ..........................................................5-5
Undo/Redo..........................................................................................5-6
Find.....................................................................................................5-6
Go to ...................................................................................................5-7
Save / Save as .....................................................................................5-7
Print ....................................................................................................5-7
Print Preview ......................................................................................5-7
Page Setup... .......................................................................................5-7
Reports ..............................................................................................................5-8
Cut Sheet Reports ...............................................................................5-9
Offset Stake Cut Sheet Report ............................................................5-9
Point Stake Cut Sheet Report............................................................5-10
Slope Stake Cut Sheet Report ...........................................................5-10
Level Loop Report ............................................................................5-11

½ ii ¾
Generate Coordinates ......................................................................................5-11
Create a Raw Data File....................................................................................5-12

Chapter 6
FILE CONVERSIONS......................................................................................6-1
Coordinate File Conversions .............................................................................6-1
Coordinate File Formats....................................................................................6-2
ASCII Coordinate Format ...................................................................6-3
AutoCAD DXF Format.......................................................................6-4
Coordinate File to AutoCAD File Conversion....................................6-4
AutoCAD File to Other Coordinate File Conversion..........................6-5
AutoCogo file Format .........................................................................6-6
C&G Format .......................................................................................6-6
Convert DC File to C&G Coordinate File...........................................6-7
Convert C&G Coordinate File to Another Coordinate File
Format.................................................................................................6-8
CLM Format .......................................................................................6-8
Autodesk-Softdesk ASCII Format ......................................................6-9
Drafix Format....................................................................................6-10
Convert a Coordinate File to Drafix Format .....................................6-10
Convert Drafix File to Another Coordinate File ...............................6-11
Plotting in Drafix ..............................................................................6-11
Lewis & Lewis Format ....................................................................................6-11
Convert a Coordinate File to a Lewis & Lewis Coordinate File......................6-12
Convert Lewis & Lewis coordinate file to another coordinate file..................6-12
Maptech Format ..............................................................................................6-13
MTI Format.....................................................................................................6-14
PacSoft Coordinates Format............................................................................6-14
Plus 6 Format ..................................................................................................6-15
WILDSoft Format ...........................................................................................6-15
SurvCAD Format ............................................................................................6-16
User-defined ASCII Format ............................................................................6-16
Survey Pro CE Import/Export .........................................................................6-21
Nikon Import/Export .......................................................................................6-22
Trimble DC File Import/Export ......................................................................6-24
Importing From a DC File...............................................................................6-24
Exporting Coordinates From Within Trimble Geomatics Office ....................6-24
Exporting to a DC File ....................................................................................6-25
Importing Coordinates From Within Trimble Geomatics Office ....................6-25
Raw Data Conversions ....................................................................................6-26
Raw Data File Format Conversion ..................................................................6-27
TDS Raw Data to Autodesk-Softdesk ASCII Format .......................6-28

½ iii ¾
 TDS Raw Data to AASHTO Format ................................................6-29
TDS Raw Data to Intergraph ADF Format .......................................6-30
TDS Raw Data to CAiCE (SRV) Format..........................................6-30
TDS Raw Data to PLUS 3 Raw Data Format ...................................6-31
TDS Raw Data to SDRmap Raw Data Format .................................6-32
TDS Raw Data to WildSoft Raw Data Format .................................6-33
TDS Raw Data to PacSoft Raw Data Format....................................6-35
TDS Raw Data to Topcon FC-4 Format ...........................................6-35
Data Collector Conversion Formats ................................................................6-36
GRE 3 raw data to TDS raw data Format .........................................6-36
GRE 3 raw data to Intergraph's ADF Format....................................6-36
SDR Raw Data to TDS Raw Data Format ........................................6-40
SDR Numeric 4 Raw Data to Intergraph's ADF Format ...................6-41
SDR Raw Data to Autodesk-Softdesk FBK......................................6-44
FC-4 raw data to TDS raw data Format ............................................6-45
FC-4 Raw Data to Intergraph's ADF Format ....................................6-45
SMI Raw Data to TDS Raw Data Format.........................................6-45
Topcon GTS210/220/310 Series to TDS Raw Data Format.............6-46
Topcon DL-100 Series Digital Level to TDS Raw Data Format ......6-47
Nikon DTM-700, 400, 300, DR-48 to TDS Raw Data Format.........6-47
Recover an Archived Raw Data File ...............................................................6-48
Merge Coordinate File ....................................................................................6-49
Create a DTM File ..........................................................................................6-51

Chapter 7
GEODETIC MODULE.....................................................................................7-1
Introduction.......................................................................................................7-1
Datums................................................................................................7-1
Horizontal Datums ..............................................................................7-1
Projection Systems..............................................................................7-3
Height Systems and Vertical Datums..................................................7-5
Data Files Required for Horizontal and Vertical
Transformations ..................................................................................7-6
Geodetic Calculations .......................................................................................7-7
Performing a Transformation on a Single Point..................................7-9
Performing a Transformation on All Coordinates in a File...............7-10
Performing Calculations on Two Different Points in Different
Coordinate Systems ..........................................................................7-10
Defining a Custom Coordinate System ...........................................................7-11
Custom Transformations using the 3-D Similarity or
Molodensky Transformation Method ...............................................7-11
Custom Transformations Using the NGS NADCON Method...........7-13

½ iv ¾
Creating a Zone File ........................................................................................7-14
Map Projections and Geoid Modeling.............................................................7-16
Extract Sub-grid From Geoid File.....................................................7-16
Transferring the Files ........................................................................7-17
Husky Transfer..................................................................................7-18
Ranger Transfer ................................................................................7-19

Chapter 8
DIGITAL LEVEL ADUSTMENTS .................................................................8-1
Introduction .......................................................................................................8-1
Creating a New Topcon DL-Series Digital Level File ......................................8-2
Opening Digital Level Raw Data Files..............................................................8-2
Overview of the Digital Level Raw Data Editor ...............................................8-3
Digital Level Editor Screen.................................................................8-3
Editing a Digital Level Data Record ...................................................8-5
Delete a Digital Level Data Record ....................................................8-5
Duplicate a Digital Level Data Record ...............................................8-5
Go to a Particular Record....................................................................8-5
Inserting a New Digital Level Data Record ........................................8-6
Digital Level Record Types ................................................................8-7
Digital Level Loop Closure .............................................................................8-13
The Closure Report ...........................................................................8-14
Least Squares Overview..................................................................................8-15
Converting Level Input Files to Least Squares Input Files ...............8-15
Opening an Existing Least Squares Input File ..................................8-16
Joining Two Least Squares Input Files .............................................8-17
Editing a Least Squares Input File ....................................................8-17
Adjust the Network ...........................................................................8-19

Chapter 9
SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MGR..........................................................................9-1
Getting Started ..................................................................................................9-1
Features...............................................................................................9-2
Attributes ............................................................................................9-2
Creating a Feature File ......................................................................................9-3
Creating a Feature ...............................................................................9-4
Creating a String Attribute ..................................................................9-5
Creating a Value Attribute ..................................................................9-6
Creating a Menu Attribute ..................................................................9-7
The Unit Editor ...................................................................................9-9
Editing a Feature File ......................................................................................9-11

½ v ¾
 Renaming Items ................................................................................9-11
Changing the Order of Items.............................................................9-11
Deleting Items...................................................................................9-11
Expanding and Collapsing Branches ................................................9-12
Moving and Copying Items...............................................................9-12
The Form Editor..............................................................................................9-13
Moving a Field..................................................................................9-13
Resizing a Field ................................................................................9-13
Changing Text Colors .......................................................................9-14
Resetting Your Form.........................................................................9-14
Using a Feature File ........................................................................................9-15
Assigning a Feature File to a Job ......................................................9-15
Job Files in the Survey Attribute Manager........................................9-16
Organizing Job Data in the Survey Attribute Manager .....................9-17
Deleting All Feature Information From a Job ...................................9-17
Exporting Feature Information to Other File Formats ......................9-18

Appendix A
MGE ETI Codes ............................................................. Appendix A-1

Appendix B
ADF to InRoads ................................................................Appendix B-1

Appendix C
Auto Linework .................................................................Appendix C-1
Feature Codes ...................................................................Appendix C-1
Command Codes...............................................................Appendix C-2

½ vi ¾
1 GETTING STARTED
Congratulations on your purchase of Survey Link. Survey Link is the most
versatile file management tool for surveyors, available today. As you get to
know this product you may wonder how you got along without it. This first
chapter introduces Survey Link, and covers system requirements, installation
and how to start running Survey Link.

Introduction
With the TDS Survey Link package, you can transfer coordinate files, raw data
files and other files quickly between a data collector and a personal computer.
The Survey Link package uses an error-checking protocol to eliminate
transmission errors. Survey Link will communicate with all data collectors using
TDS software and can even communicate with several common non-TDS data
collectors.
With Survey Link you can convert your coordinate files into various formats for
compatibility with other surveying and CAD-based software packages. You can
also convert several types of non-TDS files into a TDS format or other popular
formats. Within Survey Link, you can edit your coordinate and raw data files and
reprocess the raw data to generate coordinates. Survey Link also allows you to
view or print coordinate and raw data files in a format that is easy to read.
Survey Link moves data between your data collector and PC. It helps you manage
your survey data, and the conversion routines open a gate to the rest of your world.
It is one tool that all surveyors should have.

½ 1-1 ¾
GETTING STARTED

How to Read This Manual

The Survey Link manual is written with each major function of the program
described in detail in a separate chapter. It is assumed that the user has an
understanding of the Windows 95, 98, or NT operating system.
Throughout the manual references to specific text that you will see within the
program are displayed in bold.
The instructions to access a particular part of the program are written in an
abbreviated format that lists each required mouse click, where each click is
separated by a pipe character ( | ). For example, “Open the Conversions |
Convert file format dialog box…” would mean to first click on Conversions
from the menu bar then select Convert file format from the pull-down menu,
which opens the Convert dialog box.

Different Survey Link Modules

There are four versions of the Survey Link program: Survey Link, Survey Link
DC, Survey Link with Geodetic Module, and Survey Link with Digital
Level Module. If the user wants to upgrade from the standard Survey Link
program, he simply needs to contact TDS and purchase a code that will activate the
appropriate module once entered into the program.

The differences between the versions are their capabilities:

• Survey Link has the capability of converting coordinate and raw data file
formats from one type to another, create a DTM file from a DXF file and
transfer data between a PC and a TDS data collector.
• Survey Link DC contains all the functions of Survey Link, plus the ability
to communicate with popular non-TDS data collectors such as SDR, FC-4,
and GRE 3. It also has the ability to convert raw data from these non-TDS
data collectors to other Raw Data file formats.
• Survey Link with Geodetic Module contains all the functions in Survey
Link, plus functions for geodetic coordinate and datum transformations. It
also has the ability to create a zone file used to display positions in any
coordinate system when used on a TDS GPS system.

½ 1-2 ¾
 GETTING STARTED

• Survey Link with Digital Level Module fully supports the Topcon DL-
Series digital levels, which allows you to edit digital level data, perform a
digital level loop closure, a least squares adjustment, and more.

This manual is intended for use with each product. Some of the functions
described in this manual may not be available in the particular product that you
purchased.

If a feature requires Survey Link-DC the manual will notify you with the
following symbol:

If Survey Link with Geodetic Module is required, you will see this symbol:

If Survey Link with Digital Level Module is required, you will see this symbol:

System Requirements
Survey Link requires a 486 processor or higher running Microsoft Windows 95,
Windows 98, or Windows NT. For communication with a data collector, you will
need an available serial (COM) port that is not being used by any other device.

½ 1-3 ¾
GETTING STARTED

Installing the Survey Link Program

Before installing Survey Link you must be running Windows. It is assumed that
you have a general understanding of the Windows operating system.

• Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. The

installation program should start automatically. If it
does not, double click on the Setup.exe file located
on the CD from Windows Explorer. The Master
Install screen will appear.

• Click the button to start the Survey Link

installation.
• The Welcome screen will open. Click to
continue.
• After reading the License Agreement, click
to continue if you agreement with the terms of the
agreement.
• Click to accept the default installation directory.
• The computer must be restarted for Survey Link to function properly. Click
the desired radio button then click to complete the installation.

Running Survey Link

A new program group called TDS Survey Works is created when Survey Link is
installed. To start Survey Link, simply click on Start | Programs | TDS Survey
Works | Survey Link.

½ 1-4 ¾
 2 A QUICK TOUR
This chapter is designed to give the user an overview of Survey Link. It will give a road
map to each function and a general procedure to get the user familiar with the program.
Once familiar with Survey Link’s general functions, many users will be off and running
using the remainder of the manual for reference only. The on-line help is also a tool that
can speed the learning curve and is available where and when you need it.

Survey Link is a program that lets you transfer your field data into your PC or
load your data collector with needed control and design data for your day’s
work. In addition, it is a survey data editor that lets you examine, correct or
update your work. Finally, it is a file conversion program that can prepare
your work for use in other PC programs. The many features of Survey Link
make it a very powerful tool.
For example, suppose that during a job, your rod person changed the rod
height. When you return from the field you discover that you neglected to
change the rod height in your data collector. All of your elevations from that
point in the survey are wrong. All you need to do is download the raw data to
your PC using the Survey Link program; edit your raw data file to change the
rod height where appropriate and regenerate the coordinates. Of course, the
ability to edit the raw data file is not limited to rod heights. Many elements of
the raw data file may be edited or deleted, or new elements may be inserted.
Or, suppose that you have performed an adjustment on your coordinates. You
then discover that you need the original coordinates to try another adjustment or
for some other purpose. With Survey Link, you can recreate the coordinates from
the original raw data file. This ensures that you can always reproduce the original
coordinates of the survey.

½ 2-1 ¾
QUICK TOUR

Starting Out
The window below will be displayed when you first start the program:
Parts of the Window
Title Bar: Displays the name of the
program and the version. When
editing a file, the title bar will display
the file that is open in the editor.
When performing a task, the title bar
will display the function is being
performed.
Program Control Buttons: These
buttons change the size of the window
or close the program.
Minimize Button moves the program
off the desktop.
Maximize Button will enlarge the
window to fill the screen.
Close Button will close the application.

Menu Bar: Displays the pull-down

menus that are available in the
program. Clicking the mouse arrow on
one of these will cause the menu to
drop down.
Toolbar: Is a set of buttons that
perform functions in the program. The
Toolbar can be toggled on and off from
the View pull-down menu.
Status Bar: Displays the settings and
helpful notes for various processes in
the program.

½ 2-2 ¾
 QUICK TOUR

The Toolbar
The third line from the top of the window is the Toolbar:

The toolbar can be toggled on and off by selecting View | Toolbar menu
option.
The toolbar is a row of buttons that perform the most common functions of the
program. Simply click the desired button to activate it. If more input is
needed, a dialog box will be displayed requesting additional information
before the function is executed. If no other input is needed then the function is
performed immediately. Below is a brief description of each tool button.
Each will be described in greater detail later in the manual.
Create a New File: This button lets you create a new file in any of the
supported file formats. When you click on this button, the New... window is
displayed. Select the desired file type and click on the button.
The appropriate edit window will be displayed. There are some
precautions that need to be observed when creating a new file,
especially a Raw Data file. See Chapters 4 and 5 for a discussion
of how to create a new file. This button is equivalent to the File |
New... menu selection.

Open an Existing File: This button is used to open an existing file. You will
use this button later in this chapter and throughout this manual. This button is
equivalent to the File | Open... menu selection.
Save the current file: This button saves the active (or top) file using the current
file name. This button is equivalent to the File | Save menu selection.

½ 2-3 ¾
QUICK TOUR

Print the current file: This button will print the current file. It is a equivalent to the
File | Print... menu selection.
Print Preview: displays the current file as it will appear when printed. The
following toolbar is displayed after the Print Preview button is clicked:

We will discuss this option in detail in Chapter 4. This button is a shortcut to

the File | Print Preview menu selection.
Undo: This button will undo the last change made to a file. You can click on this
button more than once to undo multiple changes that you have made. The next
button will drop down a list of the changes that have been made. From this list
you can select the changes you
want to undo. Once selected,
click the button and all
changes will be undone to that
point. The Undo button is
equivalent to the Edit | Undo
menu selection.
Redo: The Redo button performs the reverse function of the Undo button. If
something was inadvertently undone, it can be put back the way it was using this
button. Care should be taken however, because each time a change is made to the
active file, the redo list is emptied.
About Survey Link: This button displays information about the version of
Survey Link that is running.

½ 2-4 ¾
 QUICK TOUR

The Menu Bar

Directly above the toolbar is an area called the Menu Bar. The Menu Bar is a
list of pull-down menus that contain functions or procedures. When you click
on a pull-down menu title, that menu will drop down displaying its list of
commands.

The pull-down menus listed on the Menu Bar will change as you open various
files or move though the program. For example, the Edit and Reports pull-down
menus are not available until a file is opened. In addition, the commands that are
available within a pull-down menu are dependent on the type of file that is open.
Each pull-down menu is described below.

The File Menu

Most options in this menu are found in many Windows programs.
The first five commands deal with opening, closing and saving a
file. They will be discussed further as they are used to edit a file.
The third group deals with printing and manipulating the printed
output. They will also be discussed further in later chapters.
Next is a list of the last four files that have been opened. Clicking
on one of these will reopen that file for editing.
The last option in the File menu, Exit, ends the program. This
routine will prompt you to save any modified files.

½ 2-5 ¾
QUICK TOUR

The Edit Menu

The options within the Edit Menu change depending on the type of file
that is open. The options in the Edit Menu shown here are available when
a raw data file is open and active.

The View Menu

The View menu lets you control what is displayed in the program and how it
will look.
The Toolbar command turns on or off the display of the toolbar. The 9
indicates that the toolbar will be displayed. Clicking on this selection will
toggle it on and off.
The Status Bar command will turn the status bar at the bottom of the program
window on or off. The 9 indicates that the Status bar is displayed.
The Font… option allows you to change the font for the active file only. This
will effect the way the file looks on the screen and when it is printed. Once the
file is closed, the font will return to the default font. The default font for
different file types can be changed from Options menu, described later in this
chapter.

½ 2-6 ¾
 QUICK TOUR

The Transfer Menu

The Transfer menu lets you transfer files between your data collector and your
PC. Each command is briefly described here, but a complete explanation will
be given in Chapter 3.
Send/Receive... is where you access the Transfer dialog box. From
there you select your transfer options and setup your communication
parameters.
Get File... this command will get a file from a remote system that is
in a Kermit Host mode.
Manage files with Server Mode… connects to a data collector that
is running in server mode where files can easily be transferred
between the PC and data collector.
Survey Pro CE Import/Export… allows conversion between the newer
TDS JOB file format and the TDS CR5 file format.
Nikon Import/Export… allows conversion between the AP700 / AP800 file
formats and the TDS CR5 file format.
Test Wizard... is a communication test routine used to help identify the COM
port that you are using.
Advanced... lets you identify communication ports that Survey Link detects
on the PC.

The Reports Menu

The Reports menu is only available when a TDS coordinate or raw data
file is open. The specific routines available depend on if a RW5, RAW,
or CR5 file is open. The routines available can perform function such
as check a raw data file for errors, or generate a cut sheet, level loop, or
closure report.

½ 2-7 ¾
QUICK TOUR

The Conversions Menu

The Conversions menu lets you perform a number of file conversions. You
can convert your Coordinate and raw data files between TDS file formats and
many other formats. Below is the menu that will drop down when you click on
Conversions. Complete explanations for the options available here are
provided in Chapters 4, 5 and 6.
Convert File Format... is where you change data file formats.
Coordinate, Raw Data and Archived files can all be converted
from this window. Chapter 6 is dedicated to a description of this
option and the formats that are supported.
Merge Coordinate File... lets you combine two Coordinate files
into one. Several options are available for resolving point
number conflicts. See Chapter 4 for a more complete description
of this option.
Generate Coordinates... will reconstruct a CR5 file from an RW5 file or a
JOB file from a RAW file. This option is only available when a raw data file
is open. See Chapter 5 for a description of this option.
Generate DTM from DXF: allows you to create a Digital Terrain Model
(DTM) file from a DXF file. The DXF file must contain Triangulated Irregular
Network (TIN) data for the area that you wish to stakeout. The DTM file can
then be used to do stakeout and have the cut and fills based on the DTM for
that area. This option is only available when no files are open. See Chapter 6
for more information on this routine.
The remaining routines are used to convert TDS files to other various file
formats.

The Adjustments Menu

The Adjustments menu contains the routines to perform level loop closure
reports and least squares adjustments to data from a Topcon DL-series digital
level. This menu is only available after purchasing the Survey Link Digital
Level Module. The menu will then be accessible once a *.LEV file is opened.
When a digital level file is open, it is displayed in the Digital Level Editor
window. From this window, you can insert, delete or modify most of the data
records.

½ 2-8 ¾
 QUICK TOUR

The Digital level loop closure option in the Adjustments

menu allows you to generate a closure report from the
level loop file that is open in the Digital Level Editor.

A weighted least squares adjustment can be performed on a level network, but

this adjustment is not made directly to the *.LEV file. Instead, the adjustment
is performed on a *.DAT file, which is created by converting the *.LEV file.
The *.DAT file is written in the same format used by the popular STAR*LEV
least squares adjustment program from Starplus Software, Inc.
The Convert raw file to least square input file option in the Adjustments
menu will convert the *.LEV file that is currently open to a *.DAT file, which
can then be used to perform a least squares adjustment.
The Edit / Adjust least squares input file option in the Adjustments menu
accesses the screens used to perform a least squares adjustment.
For more information on digital level support, including level loop closure
reports and least squares adjustments, refer to Chapter 8, Digital Level
Module.

The Options Menu

The Options menu is similar to the View menu. It lets you set several
parameters that control how your program works and looks. Clicking on
Preferences will display the following dialog box.

½ 2-9 ¾
QUICK TOUR

The General Preferences window is organized

like index cards: Font, Order Precision, Colors,
Keyboard and Folder. To bring a different page to
the top click the desired tab. The settings under
each tab are described below.
The Font page lets you change the font that is used
for a particular file type. Changing a font will
effect the way the file appears within the program
and when it is printed. You can customize the
fonts used for Raw Data files, Job files and Reports
independently. Unlike changing the font from the
View menu, which is temporary, after you click the
Save button, the changes you make
will be permanent unless you return to this screen and change them again. The
default font is MS Sans Serif in Regular style and size 10.
The Order page allows you to change the order of the
Northing and Easting values when they are displayed or
printed from a coordinate file. The default setting is to
display and print coordinates in a Point number, Northing,
Easting, Elevation, Description format. This page also lets
you display and print coordinates in a Point number,
Easting, Northing, Elevation, Description format.

The Precision page lets you set the number of places that
Survey Link will use when displaying Northings, Eastings,
Elevations, Distances and Angles. Northing and Easting
values can be set between 1 and 6 places after the decimal
point. Elevations and Distances can be set between 0 and
6 places and Angles can be set between 3 and 7 places.
To change one of the settings click on the button and
make a selection from the drop-down list then click on the
number of places that you want to use. You can also
double click on the number field and enter the desired
value from the keyboard.

½ 2-10 ¾
 QUICK TOUR

The Colors page lets you select color options for several
features on the screen. By clicking on one of the long
buttons you can adjust the color used as the background for
the editors, the text in the editors and the color used to
indicate a number is negative.
When one of these buttons is clicked on, the Color screen
to the right is displayed. Click the mouse to select the
desired color. For instruction on custom colors, see your
Windows manual or click on .

The Keyboard page allows you to select between the [Tab]

key and the [Enter] key to move between data entry fields.
If the first option is selected, then pressing the [Tab] key
will move you to the next entry field in many windows.
(Holding down the [Shift] and pressing [Tab] will move
you up one field.)
If the second option is selected, then either the [Tab] and
[Enter] keys can be used to move you from field to field.

The Folder page lets you change the default directory

where you want to store your work. This will also be the
directory where Survey Link will first look to open files.
The currently selected directory is shown in the Folder
field (C:\Link50 in this example).
To change the directory, click the Choose button and
select the drive and directory where you want to normally
save and open files then click OK.

As you make changes to the preferences, they are applied immediately. When
you have finished making changes to the General Preferences, click on the
key if you want the changes to be permanent. If you want the changes
to apply only until you exit the program, just click on .

½ 2-11 ¾
QUICK TOUR

The Geodetic Menu

The Geodetic menu provides functions for geodetic coordinate and datum
transformations. These routines are only available in Survey Link with Geodetic
Module and are useful to those who are using TDS Survey Pro with GPS or TDS
SOLO.

Geodetic Calculations
The Geodetic Calculations option will transform coordinates from one
datum to another. You can transform either a single point or a file
containing multiple coordinates using any coordinate system and
datum, to a new coordinate system and datum that you define. It is
opened by selecting Geodetic | Geodetic Calculations.
For single point calculations, you would select the Single Point radio button.
To convert one point using a
particular coordinate system and
datum to a different system, you
would fill in LOCATION A with all
the information that applies to that
point. In LOCATION B, you would
then define the coordinate and datum
information that you wish to convert
to, while leaving the Northing,
Easting, or Latitude, Longitude
information empty. Clicking
will then calculate the
coordinates in the new coordinate
system and datum.
Point in direction and point to point
Inverse calculations can be
performed after entering two
different points on each side of the
screen.

½ 2-12 ¾
 QUICK TOUR

Each point can use a different coordinate system and datum. These
calculations can only be performed using information for single points; they
cannot be performed when using coordinates from a file.
If you are given coordinates for a project that are in a geodetic format, this
screen is useful if you need to convert those coordinates to a particular grid
system.

Create Zone File

If you select the Geodetic | Create Zone File option, the dialog box below is
opened.
This dialog box is used to create a
zone file that, when used with
Survey Pro with GPS or TDS
SOLO, will display coordinates in
any desired coordinate system
rather than just geodetic
coordinates.
After the screen is filled in as
necessary, click the
button. The Zone File dialog box
will open displaying the necessary
parameters for your zone file.
Users of TDS SOLO or Survey Pro
with GPS would then save the zone
file, which would eventually be
transferred to the data collector.

Transfer Geodetic Files

The Transfer Geodetic Files routine is for TDS Survey Pro with GPS users.
This routine is used to send certain files to a Husky or Ranger data collector so
that map projections can be used for horizontal control and a geoid model can
be used for vertical control. When both of these control methods are used
during data collection, it is not necessary to localize or use zone files. All that

½ 2-13 ¾
QUICK TOUR

is needed to start data collecting with accurate State Plane or UTM

coordinates is a known base position.
For more detailed information on the geodetic routines, refer to Chapter 7.

Extract Sub-grid from Geoid File

Geoid files can be used for vertical control as an alternative to localizing.
Unfortunately, geoid files are usually too large to be stored on a data collector
since they describe an area larger than most surveys. The Extract Sub-grid
from Geoid File routine is used to extract only the portion of a large Geoid99
or EGM96 file(s), which describes only the area where you plan to work. As a
result, the file created is much smaller than the source file(s). Also, since the
new file is in the same format as the source file, it can be used in any software
application that could use the original file. Refer to Chapter 7 for more
information on this routine.

The Tools Menu

The Tools menu contains a utility that allows users to update their
TDS software running on a Husky data collector and launches the
Survey Attribute Manger, which is used to create or edit a feature file
for use with Survey Pro for Windows CE. See Chapter 9 for more
information on the Survey Attribute Manager.
The TDS software that runs on a Husky is serialized for that particular unit.
This means that if that software in copied to another unit with a different serial
number, the software will only run in demo mode on that unit. The Upgrade
Husky routine allows a user to download software updates from the TDS web
page and serialize those files so they can be used on a Husky data collector
that is running a valid copy of an earlier version of the TDS software. See
Chapter 3 for more information on this routine.

½ 2-14 ¾
 QUICK TOUR

The Help Menu

The Help menu gives you information on a specific part of the
program. Index lists the help subjects that are available and gives you
access to them. Using Help gives an overview of how to use help.
About Survey Link... displays the same information window as the
button on the toolbar. It contains information about Survey Link
and your system.
Technical Support displays a dialog box with four separate pages listed
below.
• Contact: This page tells you how to reach a tech support person for help
with this product.
• Files: This page contains button that may be used to provide information
about your configuration during a technical support call, if necessary.
• Ports: This page is a list of instruction for viewing your PC’s COM port
configurations for trouble-shooting purposes.
• Drivers: This page lists the Windows drivers that are being used by
Survey Link. This information can be useful if technical support is
necessary.
In addition to the Help menu, many dialogs within Survey Link have a
button. Clicking on this button will display help about that particular
function. The button lets you point and click at buttons and other parts of
Windows for even more specific help. The button is a shortcut to the
help index.

½ 2-15 ¾
QUICK TOUR

The Edit Window

When you open a file within Survey Link, the file is displayed in an editor that
is designed for that particular file type. The example that follows is a brief
introduction to the coordinate file editor. Chapter 4 is an in-depth look at
editing a coordinate file.

To open a file, either click the button or select File | Open... You will be
presented with a dialog box that lists the files in your current directory. In
addition you can list files in different drives or directories.

Current Directory: is the directory Control buttons: assist in navigating to

whose files are listed in the main area of locate other files and let you customize the
the dialog box. You can navigate to other way files are listed. These are standard
drives and directories after clicking on Windows buttons and may vary slightly
the button in the right portion of this field. depending on your version of Windows.

File list: displays all the files in the

current directory, or only the file types
selected from the File of type drop-
down list.
File Name: is the file that will be
opened when this window is executed.
You can type the file name directly
into this field or select it from the file
list.
Files of type: can be used to limit the
file list to display only specific types of
files. When you click on this field or
the arrow button to its right, a drop-
down list will appear. From this list
you can select to display all files, or
just a certain type of file.

Use this dialog box to select the file you want to open. This can be done by
clicking the mouse on the file to be selected then clicking the Open button or
double clicking on the desired file. You would see a window similar to the
one below after opening a CR5 file.

½ 2-16 ¾
 QUICK TOUR

If the pointer passes

through the file display
area, it becomes a ,
indicating that you can
select a record and edit it.
Clicking on any line will
select it and allow you to
edit it in the lower portion
of the window.
As you edit a record, there
are several ways to move
between fields. You can
click on a field and edit the
existing value or replace it.
The [Tab] key will move
you down one field and highlight the value for replacement. Pressing [Shift]-[Tab]
will move up one field. Finally, the [Enter] key can act like the [Tab] key when the
appropriate radio button is selected from Options | Preferences | Keyboard page.
When the changes are correct and you want to enter it into the file, click on the
button. If you decide that you do not want to keep the changes that you
have made to a record, simply do not click on the button and the changes
will not be made.
Size the Edit area: To make the edit window easier to read, you can re-size the edit area. When the
pointer is positioned between the file display and the edit area it changes to .
While this symbol is positioned on the border, drag the border up or down to the
size that you want.

Save the file? When you are finished making changes to the file you should save the file to
store the change to your disk drive. Simply click on the Save File button
shown here.

The chapters that follow will give a more detailed description of these and the
remaining functions.

½ 2-17 ¾
3 TRANSFER A FILE

This chapter explores the transfer capabilities of Survey Link. This is where you
transfer data between your data collector or total station and your PC.

Data communication is one of the most important functions of Survey Link.

Survey Link makes transferring data between your PC and data collector as easy
as plugging in the data collector and clicking the mouse. With Survey Link-DC,
transfers between most major non-TDS data collectors and a PC are just as easy.
For successful transfers you will need an available communication port on your
PC and the correct transfer cable that connects your data collector to your PC. If
you encounter a problem, Survey Link has a Test Wizard that can help you
locate it.
This chapter is divided into four main sections: Setup, Receive file, Send file,
and Manage Files with Server Mode.

½ 3-1 ¾
FILE TRANSFER

Communications Setup
The first step needed to transfer data is to set up the communication parameters.
This usually only needs to be done once unless you change your communications
hardware.
The Setup dialog can be found by clicking Transfer | Send/Receive to
open the Send/Receive dialog box. From the Send/Receive dialog, click
the Setup… button. This will display the dialog box shown below.
There are four communication parameters that need to be set. First is
the COM port. This is the port on the PC that the transfer cable is
plugged into. If you are not sure which port the cable has been
plugged into, use the Test Wizard, described later in this chapter.

The second parameter is the Parity. This

setting must match the parity setting in the data
collector. If you are unsure how the parity
setting is configured in the data collector, select
None since that is the most common setting.
The third parameter is Flow control. When
using a TDS data collector, this field cannot be
changed since all TDS data collectors use None
for flow control. If you are running Survey
Link DC and you have an SDR data collector,
you should choose the Hardware option here.

If you are using a Topcon GTS-210 or GTS-310 series total station or a Topcon
digital level, this field is replaced with Protocol and shows that the ACK/NAK
protocol is being used for transfers. The Topcon instrument must also be
configured to use the ACK/NAK protocol. Refer to your Topcon documentation
for more information on setting the transfer protocol in the instrument.

½ 3-2 ¾
 FILE TRANSFER

The last parameter is the Baud rate. This is the speed that data is transferred.
This setting controls the speed of the transfer; the larger the number, the faster the
transfer occurs. This setting must match the baud rate set in the data collector. If
you experience erratic transfer results you may need to set the baud rate to a lower
number. Typically you should set the baud rate in Survey Link to the default
setting of your data collector. For TDS data collectors this is 9600 baud.

Test Wizard
If you are not sure of the COM port
that your transfer cable is plugged into,
Survey Link can help you determine it.
Select Transfer | Test Wizard to
open the Test Wizard. Follow the
instructions given in each page of the
wizard, starting with the Welcome
page and continuing through the
instructions provided in the Step1,
Step2 and Test pages. Each page
gives you all the needed set up
instructions. Once the test is finished,
the results are displayed in the Results
page.

After successfully completing the test and you Close the Test Wizard, you will
be asked if you want to use the port detected by the test for future transfers.
Click on your desired response.

½ 3-3 ¾
FILE TRANSFER

Receiving a File
Once the system is set up, you are ready to send or receive a file. Receiving a
file using a TDS data collector will be covered first. Select Transfer |
Send/Receive, and then select the Receive tab from the Transfer dialog box.
If you are running Survey Link DC, the first step in receiving a file is to select the
type of data collector that you are using.
From the Which Data Collector or Total Station is used field, select the
appropriate data collector from the drop-down
list.
When receiving a TDS Coordinate file, select
if you want to store it as a Sequential or Non-
Sequential file from the Output section of the
dialog box. A Sequential coordinate file uses
memory space on the data collector for unused
points that exist between used points. This is
the only format supported on the HP 48
platform.
With Non-Sequential files, only the actual
stored points will occupy space on the data
collector. The disadvantage of non-sequential
files is that the data collector must search from
the beginning of the file to find each needed
point. This slows the response time of the
data collector considerably as the file grows.
The Archive Raw Data file option applies when receiving a TDS Raw Data file.
When this option is checked, a compacted archive of the raw data file received is
stored in addition to the raw data file. The archived file gives you a backup copy
of your raw data in case your original file becomes corrupt or lost.
The Get file name from Data Collector or PC check box allows you to store the
received file with the same name as the file on the data collector when the box is
checked. When the box is unchecked, you can specify a new file name to use in the

½ 3-4 ¾
 FILE TRANSFER

File name field or use the Choose file… button to select an existing file to overwrite
with the received file.
The Setup… button displays the Communications Setup dialog box as described
earlier in this chapter.
To start receiving a file, click on the Receive button. Survey Link will display
Initializing. You now need to access the transfer screen on the data collector,
select the file to send to the PC and issue the SEND command. When
communication is established, the data collector and Survey Link will start
counting packets or blocks. Survey Link also displays an animated graphic in the
Status dialog box to indicate that the transfer is taking place. When the transfer
is complete Survey Link will display Data Transfer Completed and then
Receive Successful.
As the transfer is taking place the Stop button becomes active and clicking it will
terminate the transfer.

Receiving Data from a Non-TDS Data Collector

To receive data from a Non-TDS data collector you must have Survey Link-DC.
Receiving a file with a Non-TDS data collector is very similar to a transfer using
a TDS data collector, but because these data collectors do not notify Survey Link
that the transfer is complete the user must click on the Save File button to save the
file after the transfer is complete.

½ 3-5 ¾
FILE TRANSFER

Sending a File
To send a file select Transfer | Send/Receive, then be sure the Send tab is
selected from the Transfer dialog box.
If running Survey Link DC the first task is to select the type of data collector
that you are using from the drop-down list in the Which Data Collector or
Total Station is used field.

Next you must select the file that you want to

send. Under the What file do you want to send
field, click the Choose file… button and the Open
file window will be displayed. As with previous
sections, you can navigate to different drives and
directories to locate the file. Once located,
double-click on the file that you want to send,
then click the OK button.
In the What are you sending section, you need
to select the type of file that you want to send
from the File type drop-down list. When
sending to a TDS data collector you can select
Coordinate, Raw Data, Point List, Road Layout,
Road Template, or Text files. If you purchased
Survey Link with Geodetic Functions, you can
also select to send a Zone file, DTM Stakeout
file,
or a GPS file. When sending a TDS coordinate file you can choose to transfer the
Entire file or only a Block of points by choosing the appropriate radio button. If you
select the Block of points option, then only the range of points entered in the From
Point and To Point fields will be sent. When sending a TDS road file and there are
template files associated with the road, you can select the Send template files
checkbox to automatically send all associated templates during the road transfer.
If you want the file that you are sending to have a different name when stored on
the data collector, check the Rename file to checkbox and type in the new name
in that field. The new name must be in 8+3 format, meaning the name must be

½ 3-6 ¾
 FILE TRANSFER

no longer than 8 characters containing only letters and numbers and you must
also provide the appropriate 3-letter extension for the particular file type.
When using Survey Link DC and sending a TDS Coordinate file to an SDR data
collector, a conversion takes place to the file before it is stored on the data collector.
You have the option of saving a copy of this file on the PC for review. To save the
converted file, select the Save file checkbox and enter a name for the new file in that
field. You can also use the lower Choose file… button to select an existing file to
overwrite with the new file.
To send the file, start the receive routine from the data collector then click on the
Send button and Survey Link will display a Sending Data message. As the file
is transferred, both the data collector and Survey Link should count down the
packets or blocks of data as they are transferred. When the file has been sent,
Survey Link will display a Data Transfer complete message.

Manage Files With Server Mode

Many users find it easier to transfer files between their data collector and PC by
using the Transfer | Manage Files with Server Mode routine. When using this
method, transfers are controlled between the two platforms simply by clicking
the file(s) and pressing a button.
Before managing files using server mode, you must first place
the data collector in server mode. This is typically
accomplished by selecting [SERV] from the File Transfer
menu on the data collector. For more specific instructions,
refer to the documentation that came with your data collector.
With the data collector running in server mode, select Manage
Files With Server Mode from the Transfer menu. The
Server Mode wizard will open where the communication
parameters are selected.
Select the appropriate Device type, the COM port on the PC
that the data collector is attached to, the Parity set in the data
collector (usually None) and the Baud rate set in the data
collector. Click OK to continue.

½ 3-7 ¾
FILE TRANSFER

The Transfer dialog box will be displayed while the PC is

making a connection to the data collector. Once connected,
the Manage Files window will open where the files can be
transferred.

The left side of the screen

displays the Remote files
and directories that are
available in the data
collector. The right side of
the screen displays the
Local files and directories
on the PC.
You can display the
contents of a different
local or remote drive by
changing the selection in
the appropriate Drive
menu. You can change to
a different directory by
double clicking on it in the
appropriate window.

Double clicking on [Up One Level] will change to the directory above the
current directory until the root directory is reached. The Path field displays the
current drive and directory.
You can have only a certain type of file displayed by making a selection from the
Files to display drop down list. The default setting is to display all files.
The contents displayed in either side of the screen can be updated by clicking the
appropriate Refresh button.
To transfer files from the data collector to the PC, select them in the Remote
files portion of the window and click the Copy to Local Machine > button.
Similarly, to transfer files from the PC to the data collector, select them in the

½ 3-8 ¾
 FILE TRANSFER

Local files portion of the window and click the < Copy to Data Collector button.
The selected file(s) will be copied to the other platform.
If you want to delete any particular file(s), select them and click the appropriate
Delete button.

The Settings button will access the Communications Setup screen, described on
Page 3-2.

Advanced Communications Settings

The Transfer | Advanced... option lets
you identify communication ports that
Survey Link will check when searching
for available ports. When you select
this option the following dialog box is
displayed:
Most users should not need to adjust
these settings. The ports that Survey
Link detects are checked. You do not
need to change these settings even if
there are ports marked as available that your hardware does not have.
If, as you select the Transfer Setup... dialog, you get messages about ports that
are assigned to a digitizer, Fax/Modem or other serial device, you should de-select
that port from this dialog box. Simply click on the desired COM Port line to
toggle it on (checked) or off. Ports that are not checked will be ignored.
If a line appears in gray, Survey Link does not detect that port on the PC.

½ 3-9 ¾
FILE TRANSFER

The Tools Menu

The Tools menu contains a utility that allows users to update their TDS
software when it is running on a Husky data collector.

Upgrade Husky
The TDS software that runs on a Husky is serialized for that particular unit.
This is a form of copy protection that will allow the software to fully function on
only the specific data collector that it was intended to run on.
The Upgrade Husky routine allows a user to download software updates from
the TDS web page and serialize those files so they can be used on a Husky data
collector that is running a valid copy of an earlier version of the TDS software.
The following steps outline how to perform the Upgrade Husky routine.
1. You should already have the self-extracting upgrade file on your hard
drive that contains the updated Survey Pro files. Move the upgrade file to a
temporary folder and run it. Several files will be extracted to this folder.
2. Connect the data collector to the PC with the transfer cable and power
on the Husky.
3. Run the HCOM utility from both the PC and the Husky and use it to
copy the UPGRADE.EXE file that was extracted in Step 1 to the Husky.
Exit HCOM when you are finished.
4. Open Survey Link and select Tools |
Upgrade Husky. This will open the Upgrade
Husky dialog box.
5. Click the Choose Path button to open the
Browse for Folder dialog box and from there,
locate and select the folder where the files were
extracted in Step 1 and click OK .
6. Click OK again from the Upgrade Husky
dialog box. A prompt will tell you that you need
to run the upgrade utility on the data collector.

½ 3 - 10 ¾
 FILE TRANSFER

7. From the C:\> prompt on the Husky, type UPGRADE and press [Enter].
A message will tell you that it is ready to communicate with the PC.
8. Click OK in Survey Link to continue. The PC will read
information from the Husky and serialize the necessary
upgrade files that are stored on the PC. Once completed a
message will be displayed on both the PC and the Husky
saying that the upgrade is complete. These serialized files
must now be transferred to the Husky to complete the
upgrade.
9. Exit Survey Link and re-start HCOM on both the PC and the Husky.
10. Select and transfer all the files listed below that were extracted in Step 1
to the data collector:
• ERRORS.TDS
• LOGO.TDS
• SCREEN.TDS
• SCRLL.TDS
• SK.TDS
• TDS.EXE
Note: Be careful not to select the archive file, UPGRADE.EXE, since it is large,
will not be used, and will waste valuable storage space on the data collector.
Exit HCOM on the Husky and type TDS and press [Enter] to start the updated
version of Survey Pro.

½ 3 - 11 ¾
 EDIT A
4 CR5 or JOB FILE
Chapter 2 briefly looked at the coordinate editor. In this chapter you will be given an in-depth
look at the power of the job editor. This chapter explores the remaining features in the Edit
menu, such as; Insert and Delete, Find and Go To. Also, the Point List editor is described.
Output features such as Printing and creating Reports are also explained.

One of the important features of Survey Link is its ability to change, correct and
manipulate your survey data. Survey Link can help support your work whether you
are adding design points, making corrections for a mistake in the field or
converting a file for use in a different product. Editing a coordinate file was
discussed briefly in Chapter 2. This chapter will look at it in more detail. The Edit
Job procedure allows you to insert, modify, or delete points. You can also print the
coordinate list, and search for specific points.

Before you can edit a file you must first open it. Click on the Open button from
the toolbar or select File | Open. From the Open dialog box, select or enter a
CR5 or JOB file name and click OK. From the Open window you can change

½ 4-1 ¾
EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

the drive, directory and the file type that will be displayed to help you locate the
file you wish to edit. The coordinate file will automatically be opened in the
coordinate edit window.
As was described in Chapter 2, to edit a coordinate point, click the point you want
to edit. The coordinate values for that point will be copied into the edit field in
the lower portion of the window. Click on any field that you want to be change.
You can either edit an existing value or replace it.
If you want to change a point number or name, you must select the point and use
the Edit | Renumber Point option. Similarly, the Edit | Renumber Points
option can be used to rename a specified range of points simultaneously.
When editing a JOB file, as opposed to a CR5 file, you also have the ability to
add/edit geodetic coordinate data for points. When editing geodetic coordinates,
the Geodetic Flags button will be available, which is used to select the
following advanced settings for the selected point.
Set Up Group: is the set up group of the point. Consult
the Survey Pro GPS for Windows CE User’s manual for
more information on set up groups.
GPS Control Point: when checked, will include the
selected point in the list of localization control points.
Use for Horizontal Localization: when checked, will use
the point for horizontal control in the localization
solution.
Use for Vertical Localization: when checked, will use
the point for vertical control in the localization solution.
Use as localization calculator grid origin: when checked, identifies the selected
point as the local grid origin for computing rotation in localization calculator
solutions. (See the GPS User’s Manual for more information on localization
calculator.)

$FFHSW : accepts the screen selections and returns to the previous screen.
Continue to edit the remaining coordinate values as needed. You can make
changes to as many fields as desired. When you are satisfied with the changes,
click the Store button to save the changes to your hard drive. If you close the
file without saving it or pressing Store, the changes will not be saved.

½ 4-2 ¾
 EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

When a coordinate file is open, the Edit and Reports pull-down menus are
activated. In addition there are new menu options. These, and other options, that
were not covered in detail in Chapter 2 will be discussed here.
First, look at the Edit menu. The Undo and Redo option are the same as the
toolbar buttons, described in Chapter 2. The undo option will undo the last
change made to a file. You can select this option as many times as needed to
undo the changes you have made. The redo option performs the reverse function
of the Undo function. It is useful when you inadvertently use the Undo function.
Each time an edit is undone it is placed on the top of the Redo list. When edits
are redone they are placed back on the top of the Undo list. This allows you to
Undo and then Redo and Undo again. Care should be taken however, because
each time an edit is stored, the Redo list is emptied so those edits that have been
undone cannot be redone.

Next, you will use the Edit | Insert point option. When this
option is selected the following dialog box appears. The next
unused point number following the selected point, will be offered
as a default. If this is acceptable, click on the OK button. If not,
enter the desired point number to insert then click on the OK
button. The new point will be added with coordinates of zero.
Once you have created the point, its Northing, Easting, Elevation and
Description should be entered just as you would edit any other point. Edit the
field values to their correct coordinates and click Store.

Next you will delete a record. First, select the point that you wish
to delete by clicking on it. Now select Edit | Delete point. A
dialog box will ask if you want to delete the selected point.
Clicking Yes will delete the point.
It is important to note that the first point of a coordinate file can
not be deleted.

You can delete several coordinates at once using the Edit | Delete
points... option. The following screen lets you enter a range of
points that you want to delete. Enter the starting point and the
ending point of the range to be deleted. The points entered, and all
points between them will be deleted. Click OK to delete the
points.

½ 4-3 ¾
EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

The Edit | Find... function lets you search for a point

by its descriptor. Selecting the Find option displays the
following window. In the Find what field, enter
the text that you want to find. This can be any text that
you would find in a descriptor. It can be anything
from a single character to several words.
If you check the Match whole word only checkbox, the search rejects all matches that
are not a whole word. If the Match Whole Word Only in not checked and you were
searching for “PIN”, it would also find “SPIN” and “PINS."
If the Match case option is checked, the search compares not only the text, but
the case of the text. As an example, a search for “Tree” would NOT find
“TREE” or “tree.”
Finally, you can set the Direction of the search. As it is looking for a match, if it
comes to the top or bottom of the file, it will ask if you would like to search the
rest of the file. If you answer yes, it will continue searching the rest of the file.

The Go to... option will quickly move through the file and select the requested
point number. Enter the point number that you want to move to and click OK.
When you have finished editing a file you must save it or all changes will be
lost. As you edit your file, it is wise to save from time to time. You can also
save a file under a different name using File | Save As...

Print
When you want to print a file, either click the print button from the toolbar, or
select File | Print. The following dialog box will be displayed. Click OK and
the current file will be sent to your printer. In the Print Dialog Box, you have
several options that adjust the output:

• Select the All radio button to print all of the pages of the current file.
• Select the Pages radio button if you want to print only a certain range of pages.
You must also define the first and last pages in the from and to fields when using
this option.

½ 4-4 ¾
 EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

• In the Copies section, you can select the

number of copies you want printed and
whether or not they are to be collated.

Print preview
The Print Preview tool will open the current file in a window that shows how the
file will look once it
is printed. In this
view you can
display the next or
previous page,
display one or more
pages by zooming
out, or zoom in to
see more detail. All
the functions are
accessed from the
buttons on the
window’s toolbar.

If the document looks okay, you can initiate printing from this window by
clicking the Print button.

½ 4-5 ¾
EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

Page Setup
The margins, titles and text layout can be changed for
printing to suit your needs by selecting File | Page Setup.
This option presents you with three tabs. Each tab brings
you to a different page of setup options.
The Margins page is for setting the printing margins. Each
margin can be set independently. A margin can be changed
by clicking on it and selecting a new margin from the drop
down option list, or by double clicking on the field and
entering the desired value.

The Titles page lets you enter a title and/or a subtitle. The
Title will be printed in the center, at the top of each page.
The Subtitle will appear just below the Title. To enter a title,
simply click in the Title field then enter up to 80 characters.
The Subtitle is entered in the same manner.

The General page selects between grouping the printed data

into groups of 5 lines with a blank line between them for
easier reading, or using no line separation.
When you have made all the changes to the Page Setup, be
sure to click Save. If you exit this dialog without saving, all
changes will be lost.

The Notes page is used to add the notes entered to the bottom
of the report. The entered notes will then be printed with the
report and can also be viewed from the Print Preview routine.

½ 4-6 ¾
 EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

Reports
When you open a coordinate file, the Reports menu is
added to the menu bar. There are two reports that can
be generated from a coordinate file – a Statistics report
and a Closure report.
When you click on Statistics, no further input is
needed. An example of a Statistics report is shown
below.

When you select the Closure report option, the

following dialog box is presented. You can select
several ways in which a traverse closure report will
be determined.
In the Traverse Loop section, you select between
two methods of specifying the points of the
traverse. If you select the Consecutive point
numbers option, enter the beginning and ending
point of the traverse in the Start point and End
point fields. All existing points between the start
and end points will be taken in numerical order and
treated as traverse points. Sideshots and other non-
traverse points must be numbered outside this
range.

The Point List option gives you more freedom in point numbering. However if
you select this option you must define a point list. When this option is selected,
the Choose File… button is also activated and you must select a Point List file.
If the Raw Data file is available for this coordinate file you can generate a
traverse point list using File | Closure Point List. This method has some
limitations. First, a traverse record must have been used to generate each
traverse point, except for the first occupy point record. All other occupy point
records will be ignored. Second, if the file contains more than one traverse or
loops around on itself, you may need to break the traverse into smaller segments

½ 4-7 ¾
EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

to get a correct closure. You should always look at the point list that is
generated to make sure it is correct. Point lists are automatically opened in the
Point List Editor, which can be used to check it. The Point List Editor is
described later in this chapter. Third, the point list must be saved to a file so that
the file can be selected in the Generate Closure Report window.
The Loop Type section lets you select between an open or closed traverse. If
you select a Closed Loop, no additional input is needed. If you select an Open
Traverse then you must also provide the true coordinates of the ending point.
Finally, if you want the report to include the angular precision, you must supply
the Closing Angle. If you shot a closing angle in the field, or have computed a
closing angle you can enter it in the Closing Angle field. If you want Survey
Link to calculate the closing angle, click the Compute Closing Angle button.
The closing angle will be calculated using the next
to the last point, the last point and the second point
in the point list (see diagram).
The angular error is calculated using the same
method, whether you enter a closing angle or
calculate one. The angular error is based upon the
assumption that the sum of the interior angles of a
closed polygon is equal to (N-2)*180 where N is the
number of sides in the polygon. The angular error is
the difference between the theoretical and the actual
sum of the interior angles of the traverse.

With the Generate Closure

Report window filled in as
you want it, click on
theOK button to generate
the report. A sample
closure report is shown
here.

½ 4-8 ¾
 EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

Once a report is displayed, it can be saved to a file for later use. Since it is
simply a text document, it can be opened with you favorite word processor for
editing. To save a report, select File | Save. If the report has not already been
saved, you will be prompted for a file name and where you want to save the file.
You can also select the File | Save As command to save the file under a different
name or location.

Create a Coordinate file

To Create a new coordinate file, first click on the New button (shown) or select
File | New... You will be presented with the New dialog box.
Select the type of file you wish to create. To create a coordinate
file select Coordinate Data file and click OK.

Next you are asked for a starting point number. This is the
lowest point number that can ever be used in this file. For this
reason, enter the smallest one here. This point will be created
with the file when you click on the OK button.

You now have the coordinate data edit window displayed with
the starting point as the only point. Edit the starting point’s coordinate values
that you want and you are ready to insert the remainder of the file. From this
point forward the file is handled just as explained in the edit coordinate file
chapter. You can insert points using the Edit | Insert Point option. You first
insert the point and then use the edit area to enter the coordinate values.

Once the coordinates are entered don’t forget to save the file. Click on the Save
button or select the File | Save or File | Save As... option. When you create a
new file, a file name is not specified therefore the Save As... routine will be
used, whether you select Save or Save As...

½ 4-9 ¾
EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

Creating and Editing a Point List

In addition to the coordinate file option, the New... window lets you create Raw
Data, Point List and Text files. Creating Raw Data files is covered in Chapter 5.
Creating a Point List file will be covered here.
The point list is used to describe the order of specific points, the properties for
the points, and the way points are related to each other. It is used as a guide for a
data collector or PC program in how to manipulate your coordinates. Although
the Point List Editor will create a point list that can be used for any TDS data
collection software, there are actually different point list file formats that exist
for use with jobs in the CR5 format or the JOB format and different rules apply
to both. For example, CR5 format jobs only accept numeric point names, while
a JOB format job accepts alphanumeric point names.
The other difference in the format of point list files occurs when creating a
simple point list to describe the order of traverse points prior to an adjustment.
A point list is not used for a traverse adjustment in a JOB file. Instead, the
traverse points are defined from a polyline and any side shots are determined
from the raw data. If the point list is to be used with an adjustment in a CR5
format job file, the traverse points are listed in the order that they were shot and
any side shots follow the traverse point occupied when the side shot(s) were
recorded. A side shot is defined in the point list by entering an S, a space, and
the point number.
The Point List Editor can be opened from the New... menu item or button, or if
a point list file already exists, it can be opened from the Open... menu item or
button. For this example select the New… item under the File menu. The New
window is displayed. Now click on Point List file and click OK.
The following window is displayed. Shown in this window is a view of a portion
of the point list, an input field and several buttons.
The buttons are used to insert and edit the lines of the point
list. To add a point, select where you want to insert the
point by clicking on an existing line in the Points field.
Enter the new point into the Point field and click on the
button or press [Enter]. The entry will be added
to the list above the selected line.

½ 4 - 10 ¾
 EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

The items that can be entered into a point list are:

Entry Command What it will do

# Point name Adds the point number or name to the list. (A
CR5 format job only uses numeric point names.)
#-# Point range You may specify a range of points in numerical
order by entering the first and last point in the
group separated by a [-]. (Example: 10-15)
S # Side shot Enter [S] followed by a space and then the point
command number. This entry is only applicable when
working with a *.CR5 file.
S #-# side shot range Enter [S] followed by a space, the first point of
the range, a [-] and the last point in the range.
(Example: S 10-15) This feature is only
applicable when working with a *.CR5 file and is
typically used when adjusting a traverse that
includes side shots in a CR5 format job.
Curve This command is entered using the Curve button
(See below).
Spiral Curve This command is entered using the Spiral button
(See below).
U PenUp This will lift the pen during a screen plot, to only
draw dots until a PenDn command is given.
D PenDn This will put the pen down, drawing lines
between dots. The PenDn continues until a
PenUp command is given.

½ 4 - 11 ¾
EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

If you click on the Curve button, a dialog box will be displayed in which to
enter curve data. A horizontal curve is defined by a beginning and ending point, a
radius, whether it curves to the right or the left (as you occupy the start point and
face the end point) and whether it is a large (>180º) or small (<180º) curve. If
the horizontal curve also contains a vertical curve component, the beginning and
ending grade must be specified.
The dialog box can also define a horizontally straight
vertical curve between two points. Click on the Straight
Line-vertical curve option. The beginning and ending
grades and the Start and End points must be specified. The
radius, curve turn and arc size are ignored.

The Spiral button will display the Spiral Curve dialog

where a spiral curve can be defined. This curve is also
defined between a Start point and an End point, along with
the radius of the curve you are spiraling into, how long the
spiral will be and a Spiral PI point. The TS to SC or CS to
ST select between a tangent spiraling into a curve or a curve
spiraling into a tangent. Finally you specify a begin and end
grade.
Click OK to enter the new line in the point list.
Selecting a line from a point list and clicking Edit will
allow you to modify the selected entry. If the selected line
is a curve or spiral curve the entry is opened in the
appropriate dialog box described above. After the changes have been made,
click OK.
The Delete button will remove the selected line from the point list. The Clear
List button will delete all records from the current list.

Once the point list is created, click the Save button or select the File | Save or
File | Save As... option. When you create a new point list file, you must specify
a name for the file. If a name has not yet been defined for a file, the Save As...
routine will replace the Save routine providing a way to give the new file a
name. Do not forget to add the.PL5 extension to the file.

½ 4 - 12 ¾
 EDIT A CR5 OR JOB FILE

Creating and editing a Text File

You may wish to use this editor to create a descriptor file that can be uploaded to
your data collector. After clicking on the New... button select Text Document
and click OK.

A blank edit window is displayed. Enter the text that you

want. For a descriptor file enter a code, a space and your
descriptor. Press the [Enter] key to start a new line. Repeat
this procedure for each descriptor code and descriptor that
you want in the descriptor file.

Each line in a descriptor file should only

contain a descriptor code, a space and a
descriptor. The descriptor should be no
more than 16 characters in length
(including any spaces).

Once the descriptor file is complete it

should be saved and later transferred to
the data collector before it can be used.
The file is saved like other files. Either click the Save button or select the File |
Save or File | Save As... option. The HP 48 Survey Card can only use a
descriptor file that is named DESCRIPT.TXT. Most other TDS data collection
software can use descriptor files with any name in 8+3 format (up to eight
characters in length for the name with no spaces) and a .TXT extension.

½ 4 - 13 ¾
 EDIT AN
5 RW5 or RAW FILE
This chapter discuses the TDS Raw Data editor. The procedure for editing, inserting and
deleting a record is explained. How to print and generate raw data reports is also
discussed. We will also look at regenerating coordinates from the raw data file. In this
chapter you will be given an in-depth look at the power of the TDS Raw Data editor.

TDS Raw Data Editor

The ability to change and correct your raw data and then regenerate coordinates is
one of Survey Link’s most popular features. Survey Link can regenerate coordinates
from the raw data after adding design points from field data, making corrections for a
mistake in the field or working with a file converted from a non-TDS product.
To open an existing raw data file, click on the Open... button or select File |
Open. The Open dialog box lets you select a raw data file. TDS Raw Data
files will have either a .RW5 or .RAW extension.
Editing a line in a raw data file is similar to the process used to edit a line in a
coordinate file. Click
on the line you wish to
edit to select it. The
data from this line will
be copied to the edit
area at the bottom of
the window. Because
each line of raw data
can be different the
edit area will adjust to
the record type that
has been selected.

½ 5-1 ¾
EDIT TDS RAW DATA

Click on different record types and notice that the type and number of fields in
the edit area change depending on your selections. All editing of a raw data file
takes place in the editing fields in the lower portion of the editing window. You
cannot change a record from one type to another. For example, if you wanted to
change a traverse record to a side shot, you would need to delete the traverse
record and insert a side shot record.
When the fields from a line in a raw data file are shown in gray, they can only be
viewed – not edited. One reason some lines cannot be edited is because the line
ties in too closely to other areas of the raw data file and any changes can result in
the raw data file becoming unusable. The second reason some lines cannot be
edited is because the line information is only used as a record and changes to that
record will have no effect when regenerating coordinates.
Once you have made the desired changes to a record you must click on the
button. If you modify a record without storing the changes, the changes
will be lost.
Different records in a raw data file are often interrelated. As you edit a raw data
file, it is the user’s responsibility to maintain these relationships. As an example,
assume that an incorrect elevation is used in a store point. This point was then
occupied for the beginning of a traverse. Later it was again occupied as you
began a topo. If you only corrected the first elevation for the point then
regenerated coordinates, the elevation for the point would be overwritten in the
coordinate file with the second, incorrect, elevation. In order to generate correct
coordinates throughout the job, all occurrences of the incorrect elevation must be
changed.
The reprocessing of a raw data file starts at the beginning and proceeds line by
line to the end. Adding a store point at the end of a file will overwrite anything
done to that coordinate earlier in the file.
Caution must be taken when inserting and deleting lines from a raw data file. A
raw data file is the field book record of what occurred in the field. Because each
record is not usually independent, there is some inherent danger whenever any
change is made. When a record is removed, the information contained in that
record may have been needed for the integrity of other records. In addition,
when a record is inserted, several other records may be needed to insure that the
added record produces the desired result. For example, inserting a traverse or
side shot record may need an occupy record, a backsight record and a line of
sight record, along with the lines that generated the points used in these records.
Or deleting a store point record may remove the coordinates needed for a

½ 5-2 ¾
 EDIT TDS RAW DATA

resection, later in the file. It is the user’s responsibility to make sure that the
entire file is consistent and contains the needed data in its proper order. Before
editing a raw data file, a backup of the original file should be made.

It is a good idea to limit the editing of a raw data file to the correcting of minor
errors during data collection.

Insert a Record
To insert a record, select the line above where you want the new line inserted
from the raw data file. Next, select the Edit | Insert line(s) option. The edit
area is replaced with index card-style pages of options. Each tab is for a
different record that can be added.
Displayed are all of the record types that can be inserted. Not all records can be
added to a file. Sun shot, resection and other records that are not used in
regenerating coordinates cannot be added to a raw data file. Again the idea
behind editing raw data is to make minor corrections in order to regenerate
coordinates.

The Note page is useful to further document a

raw data file. You can add notes throughout the
file to more clearly explain certain parts of the
job.

A Backsight record requires two points and the

azimuth between them. The Backsight point
can be set to 0 to indicate a backsight direction
was used instead of a point. If the circle reading
of the gun was not zero when sighting the
backsight then that circle reading should be entered
in the Backsight circle field.

½ 5-3 ¾
EDIT TDS RAW DATA

The HI/HR page allows you to insert a height of

instrument and a height of rod record.
The Height of instrument and Height of rod
must be between -100 and 100.

The Occupy pt page sets the coordinates for the

point from which future shots will be taken. You
enter the Northing, Easting and Elevation, along
with a note if desired. This record will not
generate a coordinate record in the coordinate file.
Its coordinates should have been generated
previously by a store point or observation record.

The Side shot page inserts an observation record.

Here you enter a horizontal angle, vertical angle
and slope distance, along with the occupy point
number and foresight point number. A descriptor
of up to 16 characters can also be added. A
backsight, occupy and HI/HR record should have
been defined earlier. As this record is processed,
the coordinates for the Foresight point are
generated in the coordinate file.
The Store Points are where non-observed points are
entered. You enter the Northing, Easting and
Elevation, along with a descriptor of up to 16
characters if desired. This record will generate a
coordinate record in the coordinate file for this point.

½ 5-4 ¾
 EDIT TDS RAW DATA

The Traverse page, like the side shot page,

inserts an observation record. Again, you enter a
horizontal angle, vertical angle and slope
distance, along with the occupy point number
and foresight point number. A backsight, occupy
and HI/HR record should have been defined
earlier. A descriptor of up to 16 characters can
also be added. As this record is processed, the
coordinates of the Foresight point are generated in
the coordinate file.

Deleting a Line
Deleting a line (record) from a raw data file is done by clicking on the line to
select it then selecting the Edit | Delete line option. The selected line will be
Removed from the file. A number of lines can be deleted
simultaneously by using the Edit | Delete Lines... option. When
this option is selected the following dialog box is displayed. Enter
the first line to be deleted in the Starting line field and the last
line in the Ending line field. The Starting line, Ending line, and
all lines in between will be deleted. Click to delete the
lines.

Change a Line into a Note

The Edit | Change line into note routine will convert the selected line into a
note. The data found in the line will be preserved, but the line will not be used
for any reprocessing function.

Change a Note back into a Line

As long as the data in the note line has not been changed, the Edit | Change note
back to line routine will return it to its original form. Any modification to a line
that has been converted to a note may make it impossible to convert it back to the
original form.

½ 5-5 ¾
EDIT TDS RAW DATA

Duplicate a Line
The Duplicate a Line routine will copy the selected line and insert it directly
below. This line can then be edited as described above.

Undo/Redo
As with editing a coordinate file, the Undo and Redo tools are available when
editing a raw data file. These are discussed in detail in Chapter 2. The Edit | Undo
Undo option will undo the last change made to a file. You can continue selecting
this option or clicking the Undo button to undo multiple changes. The Edit |
Redo
Redo option performs the opposite function of the Undo routine. It redoes what
was undone. Each time an edit is Undone it is placed on the top of the Redo list.
Each time an edit is Redone it is placed back on the top of the Undo list. This
allows you to Undo and then Redo and Undo again. Care should be taken
however, because each time an edit is stored, the Redo list is emptied so those
edits that have been undone can not be redone.

Find
The find routine lets you search a raw data file for an
Occupy, Backsight, or Foresight point or for text within
descriptor fields or Note records. First select what you
will be searching for, using the appropriate radio button
from the Search For section. If searching for a point
number or specific text, enter the point number or the text
in the corresponding field. The text can be any text entry
that can be entered into a descriptor. It can be a partial
word, or more than one word. Finally select to search
either Up or Down from the Direction section and click
.

½ 5-6 ¾
 EDIT TDS RAW DATA

Go to
The Edit | Go to option will find, select and display the desired line
number.
Enter the line number that you want to move to and click on the
button.

Save / Save as
When you have finished editing a file you must save it or all changes will be
lost. As you edit your file, it is wise to click on the Save button from time to
time. You can also save a file under a different name using the Save as...
command in the File menu.

Print
When you are ready to print your raw data file, click on the print button. The
Print dialog box will be displayed. Click on the button and the raw data
file will be sent to your printer. The same options as were discussed in the
Print section of Chapter 4 are available to adjust the output of a raw data file.

Print Preview
The print Preview tool will also display the raw data file in a “What you see is
what you get” format. Again the same options and features are available in
previewing a raw data file as were described in Chapter 4.

Page Setup...
The margins, titles and text layout options, that are found in File | Page Setup,
can be changed as described in Chapter 4. All of the print functions are uniform
throughout the program.

½ 5-7 ¾
EDIT TDS RAW DATA

Reports
When a TDS Raw Data file is active the Reports menu has four options.
The Error Wizard... option is a raw data checking routine that is designed
to find potential problems in a raw data file. When this option is selected
the following dialog box is displayed.

There are several options that can be used to

customize this report. First are three check-boxes.
Point overwrite will warn you of point numbers
whose coordinate values have been changed.
Missing backsight or occupy points warns you
when there is no backsight for a given occupy
point.
Duplicate Mode lines alerts you if you have more
than one Mode line. The second line of a TDS Raw
Data file is reserved for the Mode line.
If a job was shot using a control file, you should
check the Use control file checkbox and specify the
coordinate file that was used as a control file when
the data was collected. Specify the file by clicking on
the button from the Control File
section of the dialog, then navigate to the file from the
Open file dialog.
Finally the Compare to coordinate file option will compare the coordinates
generated by the raw data file with those stored in the selected coordinate file for
discrepancies. Use the button to navigate to and select the file
from the Open file window that appears. When the two files are compared, the
coordinates that fall outside the tolerance set in the Coordinate tolerance are
reported.
With the Error Wizard is configured as you want it, click on the button to
generate the report. The report will be displayed in a window at the bottom of

½ 5-8 ¾
 EDIT TDS RAW DATA

the screen. If you click on any

of the warnings from the report,
the corresponding line in the
raw data file is located,
selected, and displayed. The
bottom of the report shows a
summary of some statistics
about your raw data file.

Cut Sheet Reports

Two different cut sheet reports can be generated from information in the active
raw data file. Cut sheet records are stored to the raw data file as a stakeout is
performed when the data collector is set to store cut sheet records. See the data
collector manual for details on turning cut sheet records on.
The cut sheet reports that can be created depend on the type of raw data file is open.
A *.RW5 raw data file gives access to creating an offset stake cut sheet report or a
point stake cut sheet report. A *.RAW raw data file gives access to creating an offset
stake cut sheet report or a slope stake cut sheet report.

Offset Stake Cut Sheet Report

Select the Reports | Offset

Stake Cut Sheet option to
generate that report. No
other input is needed. A
sample report is shown here.

½ 5-9 ¾
EDIT TDS RAW DATA

Point Stake Cut Sheet Report

The Reports | Point Stake Cut Sheet option is available when an *.RW5 raw
data file is open and will display the following dialog box.
Use the button to define which coordinate
file was used that contains the design points. The report
cannot be generated without this file. You can select
whether or not you want the Northing and Easting
differences between the design coordinates and the as-built
coordinates printed to the report. A sample point stake cut
sheet report is shown below.

Slope Stake Cut Sheet Report

The Reports | Slope Stake Cut Sheet option is
available when a TDS *.RAW raw data file is
open. When selected, the following dialog box
will open.
Only Slope Staking Record (SL) creates a cut
sheet report using only SL records (records
generated after locating and storing the catch
point).
Only Slope Staking Reference Offset Record
(SR) creates a cut sheet report using only SR
records (records generated after locating and
storing an offset to the catch point).
Both SL and SR Records creates a cut sheet
report from both SL and SR records.
All slope stake cut sheet reports that are

½ 5 - 10 ¾
 EDIT TDS RAW DATA

generated will contain at least the five fields that are listed in the center portion
of the dialog box shown here. You also have the option to include any of the
additional fields that are listed in the lower portion of the dialog box by checking
the desired checkboxes.
Clicking will create the report based on the selections made. A sample cut
sheet report is shown here.

Level Loop Report

The Level Loop
report will find the
LL records from the
active raw data file,
and generate a level
loop report using
these records.

To print a report, it must first be active. If the title bar is gray, that window is not
active. Simply click anywhere in the window to make it active. Next, click on the
Printer button and then .

Generate Coordinates
The Generate Coordinates option allows you to generate a coordinate file from
an RW5 or RAW raw data file. It is useful when you want to replace a
coordinate file that has been lost or damaged. It can also be useful to generate
new coordinates after making small changes to the raw data file. The first step in
generating coordinates is to have the appropriate TDS Raw Data file open and

½ 5 - 11 ¾
EDIT TDS RAW DATA

active. It is advisable to run the Error Wizard described above. Once all errors
and conflicts have been resolved, select the Conversions | Generate
Coordinates... option.
The following dialog will be displayed.
The default Output file name will be
the same as the raw data file name
except with a CR5 extension. All TDS
data collectors require that the
coordinate and raw data files have the
same name, however you can change the
Output File Name by entering a new
name or by clicking and
selecting an existing file to overwrite or
append to.
If generating coordinates to a new CR5
file, the Output File Type section will
be available. Select if the output file will
be Sequential or Non-Sequential.
If the file already exists, the Output File Type section will be grayed out and
the new file will be written in the same format as the existing file.
If writing to an existing file, you must choose whether to Overwrite the file or
Keep the file and merge generated coordinates to it. In the latter case, any
new points will be added to the existing file, but if a new point has the same
name as a point in the existing file, the existing point will be replaced by the new
point.
Finally, if a control file was used as the data was gathered, select the Use
Control file checkbox and select the file with the button.

With the dialog box properly filled out, click on the button and the
coordinates will be generated.

Create a Raw Data File

When creating a raw data file, care needs to be taken to enter all the needed
data in the proper order. More about this as we progress. To create a raw
data file, click on the New button to bring up the New dialog box.

½ 5 - 12 ¾
 EDIT TDS RAW DATA

Next, select the Raw Data file option and click .

A raw data file is created and is automatically opened in
the raw data editor window with six default records. A
sample new raw data file is shown below. The first is a
job record, which contains the job name and the date and
time that the raw data file was created. This must be the
first record of a TDS raw data file. You need to
edit this record to reflect your job name and the Time and Date if necessary.

The second line is the Mode record, which lets you set several parameters about the
job. Edit these parameters accordingly.
A Store Point record is third. This creates a first point to base the following
records from. The coordinates for this record will most likely need to be edited.
The next three records create the necessary setup for a traverse or side shot. First
is an Occupy point record. The coordinates should be changed to the same values
as the point created in the store point above or another Store Point record should
be added before this line to create the point that is used for this Occupy Point.
The next record sets the backsight. Again the Occupied point is 1. The backsight
point is 0, which indicates that the backsight was entered as an azimuth or bearing
and not a point. The azimuth and backsight circle are 0.0000. If your job starts
with a backsight azimuth instead of a backsight point, then edit this record with the
appropriate azimuth and backsight circle values. If your job used a backsight point
then you will need to add a second store point to use as a backsight. Then, enter

½ 5 - 13 ¾
EDIT TDS RAW DATA

this point number, the azimuth between the occupy point and this backsight point
and the backsight circle reading. The occupy and backsight points should not be
the same point.
The last record defines the Height of Instrument and Height of Rod. Edit this
record with the correct HI and HR.
The last three records are usually needed whenever a new point is occupied. If
the Traverse record is used when you move from point to point, then the
backsight point is assumed to be the previous occupied point and the occupied
point is the previous foresight point. Most likely, you would still need an HI / HR
record. The raw data file is a sequential record of the procedure used in the field.
Each observation must be entered in the order it would have been done had you
been recording it with a data collector in the field. Each side shot must follow the
occupy point record that it was shot from but before a new occupy point is set.
Traverse points must be in the order of the traverse. Any other record that
modifies coordinates must be inserted as they would have been if shot in the field.
Once you have modified the first six records that are created with the Raw Data
file, you can insert remaining records as described in the previous sections of this
chapter.
Records that are not directly involved in regenerating coordinates cannot be
inserted into a Raw Data file. When adding a repetitive shot, you insert only the
resulting Traverse or Side shot record, using the averaged observations. Points
generated by a Resection or Point in Direction, can be entered as a Store Point
record.
Remember that each record must be entered in the order that it would have been
collected from the field. As you insert a record watch for the following potential
problems:
• Be sure that all point numbers used in that record have been created
previously by a store point record or an observation record.
• Check that the coordinates entered into an observation record match with
previous store points.
• Watch that an azimuth stored in a record agrees with the inverse.
Once the file is created it needs to be saved. Click on the Save button or select the
File | Save or File | Save As option.

½ 5 - 14 ¾
 6 FILE CONVERSIONS
This chapter will describe converting survey data from one format to another with Survey
Link. Survey Link can convert coordinate data into a number of binary and ASCII formats for
compatibility with many popular COGO and CAD software packages. TDS Raw Data can be
converted into several popular field book formats for compatibility with third party software.
This chapter also deals with extracting TDS Raw Data from archived files, merging coordinate
files and creating a DTM file from a DXF file.

Coordinate File Conversions

To convert a coordinate file from one format to another, select Conversions |
Convert File Format to open the Convert dialog box, shown here. Select the
Coordinate file radio button from the
Input section of the dialog.
Now, you need to select an input and
output file type. Click on the button
in the Input type field to access the pull-
down menu. A list of valid coordinate file
types will appear. (A description of each
file format can be found in the next
section of this chapter.) Click on the type
of file from which you want to convert.
Note that a scrollbar appears with the
drop-down list that allows you to select
from more input file type options.
Now click on the button in the Output
type field and click on the
desired file type that you want to create from the drop-down list. The contents of
the drop-down list will vary depending on the selection made for the input file
type. Only valid conversion combinations are presented.

½ 6-1 ¾
CONVERSIONS
Next you need to select an input file and specify an output file. Click on the
button from the Input section and select the source file from the
Open file dialog box. The Output file will be created from the conversion so
you must specify a name for the file in the Output file name field. You can also
use the button from the Output section to select an existing file
to overwrite with the new file.

With the dialog box setup, click on the button. A prompt will tell
you when the conversion is finished.
If you choose a conversion type that needs further setup information, the
button will become active. The dialog boxes that will be presented when you click on
this button are described in the conversion sections below. The
button will be activated if you select User-defined ASCII conversion type as Input or
Output. This button lets you describe an ASCII format coordinate file of your design.
If your coordinate geometry software is not listed in the above options and you cannot
get any of the pre-defined conversions to work with your program, try the User-
defined ASCII option. It is described at the end of the Coordinate File Formats
section.

Coordinate File Formats

The coordinate file formats that Survey Link recognizes when it performs a coordinate file
conversion are discussed below. Please be aware that some software manufacturers may
change their format without notice. Fortunately, the use of an ASCII file format is getting
more popular. Today, many software packages have the ability to read or write this type of
file. The routine is usually named "Import" or "Export." If the file output by the Survey
Link program is no longer recognized by your software, please consult the manual of your
software and look for information on accessing these import or export routines.

½ 6-2 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

ASCII Coordinate Format

The ASCII coordinate format can be viewed and edited with a simple text editor
like Windows Notepad. Many software products can import and export in a
form that is similar to this format. The format is a comma delimited ASCII file
with five data fields, as follows:
Point Number, Northing, Easting, Elevation, Descriptor
Each line in the file describes a single point. A comma separates each field of a
line. Spaces after a comma are ignored. If the software you are using will
import and export in this format, it should be compatible with the ASCII
coordinate conversion routine.
Field Position Length
Point number 1-5 5
comma 6 1
Northing 7-19 13
comma 20 1
Easting 21-33 13
comma 34 1
Elevation 35-47 13
comma 48 1
Description 49++ variable (up to 16)
<CR>+<LF> 2

½ 6-3 ¾
CONVERSIONS

AutoCAD DXF Format

AutoCAD graphic files are not stored in ASCII, but can input and output through
an interchange file called a .DXF file. The procedure for converting between the
TDS coordinate and an AutoCAD .DXF file is outlined below.

Coordinate File to AutoCAD File Conversion

From the Convert dialog box, with the input file selected and the output file type Step 1:
set to AutoCAD DXF, click on the button and the following screen
will be displayed.
Click on the options you want to change. Select
Elevation Off, if you do not have the extended 3-
dimensional version of AutoCAD. Selecting the
Elevation On option will cause Survey Link to
transfer elevation information. If you do not have the
ADE-3 package, AutoCAD will not be able to read a
3-dimensional file.
The Text Scale Factor gives the size of characters when writing point numbers,
elevations, and note information. The larger the scale factor, the larger the
character size. The following chart shows the relationship between character
scale factor, AutoCAD scale and plotted character sizes:
Char. Scale AutoCAD Scale Char. size
1 1"=100' .02"
1 1"=50' .04"
3 1"=100' .06"
3 1"=50' .12"

Specify the number of places to the right of the decimal that you want in the
elevation.
Click on the button to return to the Convert dialog box. Be sure you have
selected both of the file types and entered input and output file names. Start the
conversion by clicking on the button.

½ 6-4 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Step 2: When the conversion is finished, create and load a new work file into AutoCAD.
Use the command DXFIN to input the newly created DXF file. Refer to the
AutoCAD documentation for more information on the DXFIN command.
Step 3: The Survey Link program puts the coordinate labels and note information on
separate levels. You can choose to display or not display these. The following
layers are used in the converted .DXF file:
Layer # Objects
0 Point marker
1 Point number (Text)
2 Note (Text)
3 Elevation (Text)
Step 4: Save the new work file in AutoCAD.

AutoCAD File to Other Coordinate File Conversion

Step 1: Load the AutoCAD file into AutoCAD.

Step 2: Use the command DXFOUT to create a DXF file.

Step 3: Run the Survey Link program to convert the new DXF file to the desired
coordinate file format.

The AutoCAD DXF format has become a standard for CAD and various CAD
support packages. You may be able to import and export the DXF format into
CAD packages other than AutoCAD. The format is beyond the scope of this
manual. Refer to the AutoCAD manual for an explanation of the DXF file
format.

½ 6-5 ¾
CONVERSIONS

AutoCogo file Format

Use the standard procedure for converting file formats. No extra steps need to
be taken.
The AutoCogo format is a space delimited ASCII file. Each line in this format
contains coordinates of one point.
Field Position Length
Point number 1-4 4
space 5 1
Easting 6-19 14
space 20 1
Northing 21-34 14
space 35 1
Elevation 36-49 14
space 50 1
Description 51++ variable
<CR>+<LF> 2
If the format you are using has the same ordering of its fields, this format may
work with other space-separated files.

C&G Format
C&G's internal coordinate file is not an ASCII file. However, C&G has
provided a method for inputting ASCII coordinate files into their internal format.
There is also a way to output the coordinate data to an ASCII file. The ASCII
file used by C&G's software has the ASC extension.

For transferring data between another coordinate file and the C&G software, you
need to complete the following procedures:

½ 6-6 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Convert DC File to C&G Coordinate File

Step 1: Run the Survey Link program to convert a coordinate file to a C&G file. The file
will be formatted as follows:
Field Position Length
Point number 1-4 4
space 5 1
Easting 6-19 14
space 20 1
Northing 21-34 14
space 35 1
Elevation 36-49 14
space 50 1
Description 51++ variable
<CR>+<LF> 2
Step2: Run the "SU" program of the C&G's software.
Step 3: In the main menu of the "SU" program, type in "V" for selecting the conVert
option.
Step 4: In the CONVERT menu, type in "I" for selecting: "Input ASCII text file INTO .CRD
file."
Step 5: In the Available Formats Menu, type in "1" for selecting: "1-from AutoCogo (#
East North Elevation Description<CR><LF>)."
Step 6: The program will now prompt, “Enter path where ASCII files are stored.” Type
in: \SU\DATA\ (This assumes that you have a standard setup for the C&G
package).
Step 7: Next you will be prompted, “Enter next file to convert (or press [ENTER] to
begin).” Type in the name of the file that you wish converted.
Step 8: You will again see the Enter next file to convert (or press [ENTER] to begin)
prompt. This time press the [ENTER] key.
You will now be prompted: How do you wish to handle duplicate points?
Ignore
Overwrite
Ask before overwrite
Press I for Ignore. The C&G software will now convert the file.
Step 9: After completion, press [Esc] to exit.

½ 6-7 ¾
CONVERSIONS

Convert C&G Coordinate File to Another Coordinate File Format

Run the "SU" program of the C&G's software. Step 1:
In the main menu of the "SU" program, type in "V" for selecting the conVert option. Step 2:
In the CONVERT menu, type in "O" for selecting: "Output ASCII text file FROM Step 3:
.CRD file"
In the available formats menu, type in "3" for selecting: "3- to AutoCogo (# East North Step 4:
Elevation Description<CR><LF>)"
The program will now prompt: Enter path where ASCII files are to be placed. Step 5:
Type in: \SU\DATA\ (This assumes that you have a standard setup for the C&G
package).
Next you will be prompted: Enter next file to convert (or press ENTER to begin). Step 6:
Type in the name of the file that you wish converted.
You will again see the Enter next file to convert (or press [ENTER] to begin) prompt. Step 7:
This time, press the [ENTER] key.
After completion, press [Esc] to exit. Step 8:
Run the Survey Link program to convert the C&G ASCII file to another coordinate file. Step 9:

CLM Format
Use the standard procedure for converting file formats. No extra steps need to
be taken.
The CLM format is a space delimited ASCII file. In this format, each line
contains the data of a point as follows:
Field Position Length
"PNT" 1-3 3
space 4 1
Point number 5-8 4
space 9 1
Easting 10-26 17
space 27 1
Northing 28-44 17
<CR>+<LF> 45-46 2

½ 6-8 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Autodesk-Softdesk ASCII Format

Autodesk-Softdesk has provided a way to input ASCII coordinate files and to
output coordinate data to an ASCII file. Refer to the Autodesk-Softdesk manual
on methods to import and export ASCII coordinate files. Before converting an
Autodesk-Softdesk file you specify whether you want elevations transferred.
Step 1: From the Convert dialog box, with the Output type set to Autodesk-Softdesk
ASCII, click the button and the following screen will be displayed.

Click on the options you want to change. Select

Elevation Off, if you do not want elevations in the
Autodesk-Softdesk ASCII file. Selecting the
Elevation On option will cause Survey Link to
transfer elevation information.

Specify the number of places to the right of the decimal that you want in the
elevation in the Digits of precision for elevation field.
Click to return to the Convert dialog box. Be sure you have selected an
input file and entered an output file name. Start the conversion by clicking on
the button.

The file that is created is a comma delimited ASCII coordinate file with 5 fields.
The order of the fields is as follows:
Point number, Easting, Northing, Elevation, Description
Notice that the Easting is before the Northing, unlike the ASCII (N, E, Z, Note)
conversion routine. All the values are free form, separated by a comma. For
display purposes, the elevation is truncated to the specified number of places.

½ 6-9 ¾
CONVERSIONS

Drafix Format
For transferring data between a coordinate file and the Drafix 1 Plus format, you
need to complete the following procedures.

Convert a Coordinate File to Drafix Format

Run the Survey Link program to convert a coordinate file to a Drafix (DAF) file. Step 1
Before converting the file you can enter a Scale factor by clicking on the
button. Only the text is scaled using this scale factor. You may want
to experiment with the scale factor. If you are going to enter 1:20 in Drafix, then
enter 20 as the Scale factor in Survey Link. You can use this to change character
size for various-scale drawings. Refer to the Drafix manual for more information
on DAF files.
After entering a scale factor, click to return to the Convert dialog box. Be
sure you have selected an input file and specified an output file name. You
should use the DAF extension for the output file name. Start the conversion by
clicking on the button.

Run the DFXPORT program supplied with the Drafix software. Step 2
Select the "I" for Import option in the DFXPORT program. Step 3
The DFXPORT program will prompt for an optional blank template file. Press Step 4
the [ENTER] key to ignore this.
Next, the DFXPORT program will prompt for the ASCII file name to import. Step 5
Type in the name of the file created by the Survey Link program (with the DAF
extension).

½ 6 - 10 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Convert Drafix File to Another Coordinate File

Step 1: Run the DFXPORT program supplied with the Drafix software.
Step 2: Select the “E” option for Export in the DFXPORT program.
Step 3: The DFXPORT program will prompt for the name of the drawing file to
convert. Type in the name of the drawing file that you wish to convert
including the DWG extension.
Step 4: The program will now prompt for the output ASCII file name. Type in the
name of the file you wish it saved to (include the DAF extension).
Step 5: Run the Survey Link program to convert the Drafix file into the desired
coordinate file.

Plotting in Drafix
To be able to plot the drawing file in Drafix, follow these steps:
Step 1: When you enter Drafix and have the drawing loaded, select display extents.
Step 2: Select “check coordinates.” Find the coordinate that you would like to be the
lower left of your drawing.
Step 3: Select “parameters scale.” Change to the scale that you want.
Step 4: Select “parameters sheet origin select.” Then press “c” for coordinate entry.
Enter the coordinates from step 2 as negative numbers separated by a comma.
For example: if for step 2, you found the coordinates to be 5030 and 580, then
step 4, should be entered as -5030, -580 <CR> (carriage return). Finally, click
the mouse button.
You should see the drawing on the screen. You may want to repeat step 4 in
order to gain a more precise alignment. To do this, first select parameters sheet
origin center. Then, repeat step 4.

Lewis & Lewis Format

Lewis & Lewis' internal coordinate file is not an ASCII file. However, Lewis &
Lewis has provided a way to input an ASCII coordinate file into their internal
format and also to output the coordinate data to an ASCII file. To transfer data
between another coordinate file and the Lewis & Lewis software, you need to
complete the following procedures.

½ 6 - 11 ¾
CONVERSIONS

Convert a Coordinate File to a Lewis & Lewis Coordinate File

Run the Survey Link program to convert a coordinate file to a Lewis & Lewis file. Step 1
Before converting the file, be sure you have selected the input file and specified a
name for the output file. You can choose to export elevations by clicking
. Select either Elevations in output or No elevations in output.
Clicking will return you to the Convert dialog box. Start the conversion by
clicking on the button. A comma delimited file will be created in the
following format:
Field Position Length
Point number 1-5 5
comma 6 1
Northing 7-19 13
comma 20 1
Easting 21-33 13
comma 34 1
Elevation 35-47 13
comma 48 1
Description 49++variable
<CR>+<LF> 2
Run the "IMPORT" program of the Lewis & Lewis software. Step 2
After completion, enter + and hit the carriage return at the "Input File:" prompt. Step 3

Convert Lewis & Lewis coordinate file to another coordinate file

Run the “EXPORT” program of the Lewis & Lewis software. Step 1
After completion, enter + and hit the carriage return at the “3D Input File:” Step 2
prompt.
Run the Survey Link program to convert a Lewis & Lewis file to a coordinate file. Step 3

½ 6 - 12 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Maptech Format
Use the standard procedure for converting file formats. No extra steps need to
be taken.

Maptech's coordinate file is an ASCII file. It is not identified by its file

extension. The coordinate file is defined by the first line in the file. The first line
has the following format:
Position Description
1-5 "COORD", indicates coordinate file
6 - 11 integer number of points in file
12 comma
13 - 17 starting point number
18 comma
19 - 28 text desc. on field book (10 chars)
29 -104 text description of file (76 chars)
105 -118 required blanks (14 chars)

All remaining lines in the file contain coordinates for points in the following
format.
Field Position Length
Northing 1-17 17
space 18 1
Easting 19-35 17
space 36 1
Elevation 37-47 11
space 48 1
Description 49-58 10
<CR>+<LF> 59-60 2

½ 6 - 13 ¾
CONVERSIONS

MTI Format
Refer to the MTI Manual for procedures for importing and exporting ASCII
coordinate files.

In the MTI format, the coordinates are free-form and separated by a comma.
The note is at the end of each line of coordinate information and is inside quotes.
The format is as follows:
Point number, Easting, Northing, Elevation, "Description"

PacSoft Coordinates Format

PacSoft runs on a co-processor board that plugs into the PC. This allows Rocky
Mountain Basic to run. After the Survey Link program creates the PacSoft
Coordinate file, follow the steps in the co-processor board's manual for
transferring a PC file to HP formatted directories. When in the directory, you
can import the file into the PacSoft software.

In the PacSoft format, coordinates are referenced by their placement on the data
line. Except for their position on the line, there are no separators between the
coordinate information.
Field Position Length
Point 1-5 5
Northing 6-19 14
Easting 20-33 14
Elevation 34-47 14
space 48 1
Description 49 variable
<CR>+<LF> 2

½ 6 - 14 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Plus 3 Format
The Standard ASCII format is compatible with PLUS 3's software. Follow the
standard conversion procedure. No extra steps need to be taken.
Field Position Length
Point number 1-5 5
comma 6 1
Northing 7-19 13
comma 20 1
Easting 1-33 13
comma 34 1
Elevation 35-47 13
comma 48 1
Description 49++ variable
<CR>+<LF> 2

WILDSoft Format
WILDSoft has the ability to read an ASCII coordinate file. Follow the normal
conversion process. No extra steps need to be taken.

WILDSoft is free-form in length, with values being separated by commas in the

following format:
Point, Northing, Easting, Elevation, Description

½ 6 - 15 ¾
CONVERSIONS

SurvCAD Format
The SurvCAD file format that TDS will convert to, is an AutoCAD DXF format
with a different order to its layers:
Layer # Object
0 Point marker
1 Point number (text)
2 Elevation (text)
3 Descriptor (text)
See the AutoCAD conversion section for more details.

User-defined ASCII Format

Survey Link has a file conversion selection in which the user can define the
format. This enables conversion to or from ASCII formats that are not supported
by Survey Link’s built-in conversion routines. If the CAD or COGO software
product you are trying to convert to is not directly supported by Survey Link,
you should try the following steps:
Determine if your software can convert to and from any other provided format. Step 1
Select a format that is directly supported in Survey Link. If none are available,
you need to determine what ASCII format(s) your software can convert its
coordinate data to and from.

If your software cannot use one of the available formats and cannot convert to and
from an ASCII file, we cannot transfer the coordinate data to that software. Try
contacting the company that produced your CAD or COGO software to see if there
is a new conversion routine being developed. The possibility of designing a generic
or user-defined binary conversion routine is very complex and beyond the scope of
Survey Link.

Determine if your software can convert to and from our standard ASCII format. Step 2
If so, use this format. If your software cannot use the standard ASCII format, then
you need to custom-define your conversion format.

½ 6 - 16 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Select User-defined ASCII

format as the Input or
Output type then click the
button.
The Define Coordinate
File Format screen will be
displayed as shown here.

Step 3: First, you need to determine which of two formats your software produces. If
your software will produce more than one ASCII format, you might want to
recheck to see if the Survey Link standard ASCII format is not already one of
them. If not, then pick the one that is closest to the standard ASCII. You will
need a printout of an ASCII converted file from your software that has a range
of northings, eastings and elevations. Look to see whether the decimal points
line up in a column or move over a space when they go between hundreds and
thousands (see below).
-- FREE FORM --
|||||||||0|||||||||0|||||||||0|||||||||0|||||||||0|||||||||0|
Store 34 , 5346.1647 , 23426.4673 , 243.3452 *POB
Store 153 , 45543.2949 , 12478.244 , 98.9547 *NW Corner
Store 262 , 26298.7434 , 43245.5875 , 1243.3452 *NE Corner
Store 1673 , 986.1647 , 38126.25743 , 6.23 *SE Corner

-- COLUMNAR --
|||||||||0|||||||||0|||||||||0|||||||||0|||||||||0|||||||||0|
Store 34, 5346.1647 , 23426.4673 , 243.3452 *POB
Store 153, 45543.2949 , 12478.244 , 98.9547 *NW Cor.
Store 262, 26298.7434 , 43245.5875 , 1243.3452 *NE Cor.
Store 1673, 986.1647 , 38126.25743, 6.23 *SE Cor.

If your data is free form, you should select Free form from the Fields section. Our
example will be columnar so select the Fixed number of characters. (The format used
in this example will convert to or from a CivilSoft file.)

½ 6 - 17 ¾
CONVERSIONS
Now, check if there are any characters in front of the first field. If there are, they
should be entered in the Line prefix field. The prefix must be text that is in each
and every line of the file without deviation. In our example, "Store" is in front of
the Point Number on each line, so type "Store" in the Prefix field. If your file does
not have any characters in front of the first field, leave this field blank.
The next step is to assign the order of each data field. If the order is not Step 4
correct, simply click on each Type field that needs changing. An option list
will appear. Select the proper field by clicking on the desired option. Repeat
the process until all the fields are in their proper order. If you have less than
five fields, use the <<None>> selection to fill any unused fields at the end of
the data line. For this example the default order of Point #, Northing, Easting,
Elevation, Note, is appropriate.

123456 Õ character spacing

Store 34, 5346.1647 , 23426.4673 , 243.3452 *POB

Now you need to define each field. Each field has two or three parameters that Step 5
need setting. First you define the point number field. Determine the number of
character positions used for the first field. In our example, we need 6 so, enter
“6” in the Length field. (The Length field does not apply when using the free
form method.)
The second parameter would be Places or the number of digits to the right of Step 6
the decimal point. Since the point number is a counting number, it has no
fractional part. Enter the number of fractional digits for those fields that
require it.
Finally the Delimiter is one or more characters that are used to separate each field.
This will typically be a comma, semicolon, or a space. The free form must have a
delimiter, but the Fixed number of characters option does not require a delimiter.
For this example, a comma is used as the delimiter between each field of data.
The line just above the buttons at the bottom of this dialog box represents a line
of the file you are defining. Each “P”, “N”, “E” and “Z” is a Point #, Northing,
Easting and Elevation, respectively, and each “D” is a Note character. This line
is updated as you change the parameters.

½ 6 - 18 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Step 7: Repeat each of the last three steps for the second field, which is the Northing. Enter
“14” as the Length, “5” for the Places and “,” for the Delimiter.
12345678901234 Õ character spacing
Store 34, 5346.1647 , 23426.4673 , 243.3452 *POB

Notice that the Length is the total width of the data field between each
delimiter.
Step 8: Repeat these steps again for the remaining fields. The Easting is similar to the
Northing. The Elevation has “10” for a Length, “4” decimal Places of accuracy
and a two character
delimiter of a space
and an ampersand
(*).
The Note has a
Length of “16” as its
only parameter.
When the example is
completed, the
Define Coordinate
File Format screen
should look like the
one shown here.
The last entry is the
Line Suffix. It is like the prefix in that it must be the same on every line. This
example does not have a suffix so leave it blank.
Let us highlight some points:
• Delimiters can be different between each field.
• The delimiter before the descriptor has a space in front of the "*". Spaces
can be a part of, or the whole delimiter.
• When using the Fixed number of characters option, you do not need to
have a delimiter between any of the fields.

½ 6 - 19 ¾
CONVERSIONS

That completes the definition of a User-defined ASCII conversion format. Now Step 9
click on the button
to see a sample display of the
format.
If there are errors, go back to
that line in the Define
Coordinate File Format
screen and correct them.

Not all ASCII files can be converted using the User-defined ASCII conversion
format. Below is a table that is a guide to what can and cannot be done:

Free Form Fixed Form

One line of data for each coordinate. Must Have Must Have
Lines that have information other than coordinate data. (a block of text) Can't Have Can't Have
All lines have the same number of fields. Must Have Must Have
The fields must be in the same order. Must Have Must Have
All fields except the Desc. field must be numeric. No non-numeric
Must Have Must Have
information in a numeric field.
A different delimiter between each field. Can Have Can Have
Can have less than five fields. Can Have Can Have
Can have fields in any order Can Have Can Have
Between each field you must have a delimiter Must Have Can Have

½ 6 - 20 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Survey Pro CE Import/Export

The Survey Pro CE Import/Export routine allows you to convert coordinate files
between the newer TDS JOB file format and the TDS CR5 or ASCII file format.
The Import routine will read in a TDS
JOB file and output a TDS CR5 or ASCII
file. To import a file, select Conversions
| Survey Pro CE Import/Export and
then click the Import tab.
Enter the full path and file name for the
JOB file that you want to import in the
Job file name field, or use the Browse
button to locate and select the file.
In the Distance units field, select the
units for the coordinates to be stored in
the destination file. If the selected units
do not match the original units, the new
units will be converted.
If the JOB file contains both geodetic and plane coordinates, select the type of
coordinates that you want in the destination file from the Data type field. If the
JOB file only contains one type of coordinates, you must select the same type in
the Data type field.
To output to a CR5 file, select the TDS CR5 radio button. To output to an
ASCII file, select the ASCII radio button.

If importing to a CR5 file from a JOB file that contains alpha point names, the
alpha names will automatically be renamed to numeric names. If the JOB file
contains both numeric and alpha point names, the numeric point names will
remain unchanged, but the alpha names will be renamed to numeric names in
numeric order after the largest existing numeric name in the JOB file.

Specify the full path and a name for the output file in the File name field or use
the Browse button to select a location for the file. Click the Import button to
create the new file.

½ 6 - 21 ¾
CONVERSIONS
The Export routine will read in a TDS CR5
or ASCII file and output a TDS JOB file.
To export a file, select Conversions |
Survey Pro CE Import/Export and then
click the Export tab.
In the Distance units field, select the units
that are used in the source file. Selecting
different units will not result in a
conversion when exporting a file.
Select the type of units that are stored in
the source file from the Data type field
and select the file type for the source file
from the File type field.
Use the upper Browse button to locate and select the source file.
Enter the full path and file name for the destination file in the Job file name
field, or use the Browse button to select an existing file to overwrite with the
new data.
When the screen is filled in, click the Export button to create the new CR5 or
ASCII file.

Nikon Import/Export
The Nikon Import/Export screen allows users of the Nikon DTM-700 and DTM-
800 total stations that are running the AP700 or AP800 software compatibility
with TDS software.
The Import routine will read in a Nikon DBM database file and output to a
Nikon raw data file. This output file can then be converted to a TDS raw data
file by using the Conversions | Convert File Format… routine.
The Export routine will read in a TDS CR5 coordinate file and output to a Nikon
DBM database file.
To import a Nikon DBM database file, select Conversions | Nikon
Import/Export… and then select the Import tab.

½ 6 - 22 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

From the Data format drop down list,

select if you are importing a Nikon AP700
or Nikon AP800 database file.
With the DMB database file already stored
on your local drive, tap the first
Choose File… button and then locate and
select the file.
Enter the full path and file name, including
the appropriate TRN, NK, RAW, or DN
extension in the Import file name field, or
use the second Choose File… button to
select an existing file to overwrite.
Tap the Import button to perform the
conversion.
To export a TDS coordinate file to a Nikon DBM database file, select
Conversions | Nikon Import/Export… and then select the Export tab.
With the TDS coordinate file already stored
on your local drive, tap the first
Choose File… button and then locate and
select the file.
You can either select the Entire file radio
button to export all of the points in the
coordinate file, or select the Block of points
radio button to export a range of points
specified in the Begin point and End point
fields.
From the Export format drop down list,
select if you are exporting to a Nikon
AP700 or Nikon AP800 database file.

Enter the full path and file name, in the Job file name field, or use the second
Choose File… button to select an existing file to overwrite.

Tap the Export button to perform the conversion.

½ 6 - 23 ¾
CONVERSIONS

Trimble DC File Import/Export

The Trimble DC File Import/Export routine will convert coordinates between
any TDS JOB or CR5 file and a Trimble Geomatics Office DC file.
Select Conversions | Trimble DC File Import/Export… to open the Trimble
DC File Import/Export dialog box.

Importing From a DC File

To convert a Trimble DC file to a TDS file,
tap the Import tab.
Click the upper Browse button to locate
and select the Trimble DC file that you
want to convert.
Select the appropriate radio button that
corresponds with the type of file that you
want to create under the TDS File section.
Enter a path and file name for the new file
in the lower File Name field.
Alternatively, you can use the lower
Browse button to locate and select an
existing file to overwrite with the new file.
Click the Import button. All point names and coordinates in the DC file will be
imported to the selected TDS file format.

If importing a DC file that contains numeric and alpha point names to a CR5 file,
the numeric point names in the DC file will remain unchanged, but the alpha
names will be renamed to numeric names. The new numeric names will begin in
numeric order after the largest existing numeric name in the DC file.

Exporting Coordinates From Within Trimble Geomatics Office

To export coordinates from a Trimble Geomatics Office project, open the
project that contains the data that you want to export.
Select the Export button on the left side of the screen.

½ 6 - 24 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Select the Survey Controller DC File option.

Specify the DC file to create, which will be used by Survey Link to create a new
TDS coordinate file.

Exporting to a DC File
To convert a TDS file to a Trimble DC file, tap the Export tab.
Select the appropriate radio button that
corresponds with the type of file that you
want to export under the TDS File section.
If selecting a TDS CR5 file, you must also
specify the distance units used in that file
from the CR5 File Distance Unit drop-
down list.
Click the upper Browse button to locate
and select the TDS file that you want to
convert.
Enter a path and file name for the new file
in the lower File Name field.
Alternatively, you can use the lower
Browse button to locate and select an
existing DC file to overwrite with the new file.
Click the Export button. All point names and coordinates in the TDS file will
be exported to the specified DC file.

Importing Coordinates From Within Trimble Geomatics Office

To import coordinates from a DC file into an existing project in Trimble
Geomatics Office, open the project where the new data will be imported.
Select the Import button on the left side of the screen.
Select the Survey Controller DC File option.
Select the DC file created from Survey Link to import the new data.

½ 6 - 25 ¾
CONVERSIONS

Raw Data Conversions

Converting a raw data file is similar to converting a coordinate file. You select
an input and output format and file, then click . There are some
differences that need to be addressed.
Coordinate files can be converted from one format to another and then converted
back to the original format. This works well because all coordinate files are point
numbers, northings, eastings, elevations and notes or some subset of these. Once
a raw data file is converted, it usually cannot be converted back to the original
format. Converting raw data requires the manipulation of what one format has
stored about a job into what a second format wants to know about that job.
Some data is not available and must be calculated, asked to be entered, or may
even be ignored. Some of the formats that a raw data file is converted into are
not technically raw data formats, but CAD or coordinate geometry files. This
can result in data that is not used. If we tried to convert back to the original
format, much of the data that is needed is no longer available. The raw data file
would be limited at best.
Secondly, this same difference in what each raw data format stores imposes limitations
on some of the conversions. These limitations are addressed in the descriptions of each
conversion format after the description of the process itself.
Only Survey Link-DC has the ability to convert raw data originating from non-TDS
data collectors. The steps to convert a raw data file are virtually the same as for a
coordinate file. The first step is to select the Raw Data file radio button. Next you
specify the file types. Survey Link-DC users can
select an input file type by clicking on the
button from the Input type field. A selection can
be made from the drop-down list. A description
of each format can be found at the end of the next
section. Click on the desired input file type to
select it.
Now Click on the button in the Output type
field and select the type of file that you want to
create from the drop-down list. The file types
available will depend on the selection made for
the input file type. A description of each format
can be found in the next section.
Next, you need to select a file for the input file and specify a name for the output
file. Click on the button from the Input file name field to select

½ 6 - 26 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

a file. For the output file, enter a file name in the Output file name field or use
the button to select a file to overwrite with the new file.
The last step is to click . A prompt will tell when the conversion is
finished.
If you chose a Plus 3 output file type, the button will become active.
This is explained in the Plus 3 section.

Raw Data File Format Conversion

Survey Link can convert TDS Raw Data files to various formats used by other
surveying or civil engineering software. Survey Link DC can also convert files
from other data collectors to these file formats.

½ 6 - 27 ¾
CONVERSIONS

TDS Raw Data to Autodesk-Softdesk ASCII Format

TDS Raw Data can be converted into an Autodesk-Softdesk ASCII field book
file. The auto-plotting data may be collected using either TDS's line work
commands or Autodesk-Softdesk's field book commands. Data should be
collected using one set of commands, not a mixture of the two. A listing of the
TDS line work commands is shown in Appendix C. Refer to Autodesk-Softdesk
documentation for a description of their line work commands.
NOTE:
1. The TDS line work commands that are converted are BEG, C3, END, JFS,
JN, JPS, JT, JP and SS.
2. When using Autodesk-Softdesk line work commands:
a. You must issue a BEG <polyline> before the first point of a line is shot.
If you do not enter <polyline> with the BEG command, the name of the
line will be taken from the note field of the next point shot.
b. It is not necessary to issue a CONT <polyline> command every time an
existing line is resumed. The conversion program will insert CONT
<polyline> when it detects that a point shot is in a line, but is not in the
same line as the preceding point shot.
c. The Note field of a point must have its <polyline> name in it.
To convert a TDS Raw Data file into an Autodesk-Softdesk field book file and
import it into Autodesk-Softdesk:
In Survey Link, convert the TDS file to the Autodesk-Softdesk ASCII format. Step 1:
The Autodesk-Softdesk filename should have the .FBK extension.
Exit Survey Link. Step 2:
Start Autodesk-Softdesk and select: Step 3:
a. OPEN or NEW for project.
b. SURVEY module.
c. COLLECT from menu.
d. IMPORT FIELD BOOK from Collect Menu.
e. select the .FBK file created in Step 1.

½ 6 - 28 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

NOTES:
1: Autodesk-Softdesk does not recognize 0 as a point number. When an Azimuth
or Bearing is used as a backsight, TDS data collectors will store a backsight
point number of 0. If the TDS Raw Data file has 0 for a BS point number,
(whenever you use a BS azimuth or bearing), the 0 must be replaced with an
unused point number.
If during conversion a BS point number of 0 is
read, the user is prompted to substitute a non-
zero unique point number from the screen
shown.
After entering the desired point number, click
to continue the conversion.

2: Softdesk requires that the starting and closing point numbers of a closed traverse
be the same number. Survey Link requires a different point number for the
beginning and ending points. Therefore our data collector manuals will instruct
you to use a different point number for the closing shot to the beginning point.
If you are generating data that will be transferred to an FBK file, the data must
be collected in the form that Autodesk-Softdesk requires, independent of the data
collector. For example, you must use the same point number for the beginning
and ending points. Be aware that if you do use the same point number for the
beginning and ending point, only the coordinates of the ending point are retained
in the TDS coordinate file. However the raw data for both shots will be stored in
the raw data file.

TDS Raw Data to AASHTO Format

TDS Raw Data is converted into an AASHTO SDMS Combined Task data file.
The project data item in the AASHTO file will be the name of the TDS Raw
Data file.

½ 6 - 29 ¾
CONVERSIONS

TDS Raw Data to Intergraph ADF Format

Survey Link can convert a TDS Raw Data file into Intergraph's ADF file format.
If TDS line work commands were not used in the raw data file, the conversion
will only generate POINT, DISTANCE and ANGLE data in the ADF file. In
order to generate the LINE data in the ADF file, the raw data must contain a
"BEG" command in the record just before the first point of a line is defined.
Refer to Appendix A at the end of this manual for a complete discussion of the
line work commands.

This conversion will not recognize any ETI codes in the TDS Raw Data file. In
order to generate line work in the ADF file, TDS line work commands must be
used.

The conversion also produces an ICS file that contains an AUTO PLOT and
STORE FIGURE record that corresponds to each LINE in the ADF file. The
ICS file will have the same name as the ADF file, but with an extension of .ICS.
At this time, Intergraph's InRoads program does not recognize the LINE records
in an ADF file. To import line information into InRoads, the ICS file can be
loaded.
See Appendix B for instructions on loading an ADF file into InRoads.

TDS Raw Data to CAiCE (SRV) Format

TDS Raw Data can be converted into an ASCII SRV file that will interface with
CAiCE.
Two input files are required: the raw data file and its corresponding Coordinate
file. The Coordinate file must have the same name as the raw data file, but with
the .CR5 extension.
Chains will be included in the SRV file only if TDS line work commands were
used when the data was collected. See Appendix A at the end of this Manual for
a listing of the TDS line work commands.

½ 6 - 30 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

TDS Raw Data to PLUS 3 Raw Data Format

TDS Raw Data can be converted into a PLUS 3 FieldT version 1.0 or 2.0 .TRV
format.
1. The FieldT program requires that traverse data be collected in the same order as
the traverse. For example, if a traverse goes from point 9 to 10 to 15 to 21 to 9,
then the shots must be taken in that order. The FieldT program will not give
correct results if, for example, measurements are taken as 9 to 10, 15 to 21, and
then back to 10 to 15 and then 21 to 9.
2. The FieldT program requires that the initial backsight with unknown coordinates
has 0 as its point number.
If you are running FieldT version 1.0, select Plus 3 version 1.0 from the Convert
dialog box. If you are running FieldT version 2.0, or higher, select Plus 3 version
2.0. Click on the button and the following dialog box will be
displayed. Click on the appropriate options. The
first four radio buttons select the traverse type.
This is determined by how the traverse was
performed. See your Plus 3 manual for a
description of each type.
The Carry elevation option specifies whether
elevations will be transferred to the new file. The
Average backsight distance option tells Plus 3
to average the backsight distances.

Click to return to the Convert dialog box.

Be sure you have selected both of the file types
and entered input and output file names. Start the
conversion by clicking .

½ 6 - 31 ¾
CONVERSIONS

TDS Raw Data to SDRmap Raw Data Format

Survey Link can convert a TDS Raw Data file into an ASCII file that can be
imported into SDRmap. TDS line work commands are converted into SDR
Control Codes.
To import a file into SDRmap (Version 3.10):
From the Main Menu select: Step 1:
[1] Job creation and selection.
From the Job Control Menu select: Step 2:
[1] Start a new job.
From the Job Initialization Details Menu specify: Step 3:
Job identifier,
Directory to store job in, etc.
From the Main Menu select: Step 4:
[2] SDR menu.
From the SDR Menu select: Step 5:
[1] Receive data from SDR.
From the Receive data from SDR Menu select: Step 6:
[F4] Import data file as SDR file.
Enter file name.

½ 6 - 32 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

TDS Raw Data to WildSoft Raw Data Format

Survey Link can convert raw data collected using a TDS data collector into a
WILD collection file. Data may be collected using either TDS line work
commands or any of the WildSoft Data Collection Codes.
If data is collected using TDS line work commands, it is assumed that the line
work is collected in the same way it would be collected if WILDsoft's Data
Collection Codes were used. This limits the TDS line work commands that can be
used to the following:
BEG to start a line,
END to interrupt a line,
JPS to continue a line, and
C3 for 3 points of an arc .
These commands correspond to WILDsoft's Data Collection Codes 70, 71, 72
and 73.
If data is collected using WildSoft Collection Codes, WildSoft codes 1 to 999 will be
read with their info fields 1-4 and output to a WILD code block record.
NOTE:
1. The codes are input as W### or w### in the TDS note record, where ### is the
WildSoft data collection code.
2. Info fields, INFO1-INFO4, are input following the code. There must be a space
between info fields. An optional info field may be omitted by inputting a zero.
An info field may have a maximum of 8 characters; any more will be truncated.
Example:
TDS Note Record: (The second info field is omitted.)
--W145 fence 0 24
Corresponding WILD record:
410006+00000145 42....+000fence 43....+00000000 44....+00000024
To convert a TDS Raw Data File into a WildSoft Collection File and import it
into WildSoft:
Step 1: In Survey Link, convert TDS file into a WildSoft ASCII collection file.
job.RW5 --> Job.WLD

½ 6 - 33 ¾
CONVERSIONS
Exit Survey Link. Step 2:
Run the stand-alone WildSoft program, COLLFIX, to convert the WildSoft Step 3:
ASCII collection file, Job.WLD, into the non-ASCII collection file format that
WildSoft reads.
a. At the DOS prompt, type COLLFIX.
b. Specify option 2) PREPARE FILE FOR WILDSOFT CONVERSION.
c. At the 'File to Edit' prompt, give the name of the WildSoft ASCII collection
file, Job.WLD.
Rename the file so it has the extension .COL that WildSoft looks for. Step 4:
REN Job.WLD Job.COL

To Process the collection file, run WildSoft: Step 5:

• Give the name of the job when Job File Name is
requested.
• From the Main Menu, select:
3.) ELECTRONIC DATA COLLECTION.
• From the Electronic Data Collection Menu, select
1.) CHANGE FILE AND JOB CONFIGURATION
From this screen, select:
1.) CHANGE JOB FILE.
Give job name and create other files used.
6.) CHANGE JOB CONFIGURATION.
1.) UNITS FOR I/O.
Set appropriate angle and distance units.
2.) METHOD OF MEASUREMENT.
1.)REPS-REPETITIONS
or 3.)1ANG-SINGLE
5.)EDM
9.) SAVE CONFIGURATION.
• From the Electronic Data Collection Menu, select
4.) COLLECTION FILE PROCESSING.
3.) CHANGE MEASUREMENT SEQUENCE
to be B-F-F-B or B-F-B-F.
4.) CHANGE BEGINNING POINT ID'S
to be "Use Points from Measurement Blocks"
1.) BEGIN PROCESSING COLLECTION FILE
INTO FIELD DATA FILE.

½ 6 - 34 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

TDS Raw Data to PacSoft Raw Data Format

This program converts raw data collected by a TDS data collector into an ASCII
file that can be read by DesignMaster. In DesignMaster, the file is converted
into a PacSoft .FLD binary file. To import the ASCII file to DesignMaster:
Step 1: From the DesignMaster Menu:
• choose: 0 FILES
Step 2: From the Files screen:
• specify the default directory.
• choose: 1 OPEN FILES
• specify coordinate file
• exit to DesignMaster Menu
Step 3: From the DesignMaster Menu:
• choose: 3 SURVEYING
Step 4: From the Surveying screen:
• choose: 1 FIELD SURVEY
• give name of FIELD NOTE FILE.
(This is the binary .FLD file.)
• give FILE size.
Step 5: From FIELD NOTE screen:
• choose: 6 IMPORT FROM ASCII
• select: 0 CIRCLE READING (for horizontal angle mode)
• select: 0 RAW (for distance mode)
• give ASCII FILE NAME
(The name of the ASCII file generated by Survey Link.)
TDS line work commands are not interpreted. They are written in the Note
Record of the PacSoft file. PacSoft has no line work commands.

TDS Raw Data to Topcon FC-4 Format

Survey Link can convert TDS Raw Data to the Topcon FC-4 format raw data.

Use the button from the Input section to select the Topcon .FC4
raw data file that you want to convert. For the Output type, select Topcon FC-
4 then enter a file name for the output file in the Output file name field.

Click the button to create the new file.

½ 6 - 35 ¾
CONVERSIONS

Data Collector Conversion Formats

The raw data conversion routines discussed below are only available when using
Survey Link DC or Survey Link DC with Geodetic Functions.

GRE 3 raw data to TDS raw data Format

Data collected with the Wild GRE 3 data collector can be converted into a TDS
raw data file.
The conversion program assumes that the data collector was set to use the Wild
“Standard Measurement Format” and that Intergraph's ETI codes were used
when the data was collected.
Refer to the next section, GRE 3 to ADF, for notes on collecting ETI codes and
limitations of the conversion routine.

GRE 3 raw data to Intergraph's ADF Format

The conversion routine will read a raw data file from a Wild GRE 3 data
collector, reduce the measurements in accordance with the ETI codes in the raw
file and output the POINT, LINE, ANGLE and DISTANCE data to the ADF
file.
The conversion also produces an ICS file that contains an AUTO PLOT and
STORE FIGURE record that correspond to each LINE in the ADF file. The ICS
file will have the same name as the ADF file, but with an extension of .ICS. At
this time Intergraph's InRoads program does not recognize the LINE records in
an ADF file. To import line information into InRoads, the ICS file can be
loaded. See Appendix B for instructions on loading an ADF file into InRoads.
The user should refer to Intergraph's “MGE ETI Reference Manual,” March
1992, for a complete discussion of the use of ETI codes. (See appendix A also).

½ 6 - 36 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

When collecting the data, ETI codes are input to the Wild GRE 3 by using the
CODE function key. The data collector will prompt you to input each of the ETI
data fields. If you want to skip a data field, select the RUN key

without entering any data. The data collector will automatically enter zeros in
any skipped data field. A zeroed field is always interpreted as having no data and
a default value is taken. If a value of zero is actually required, an approximate,
non-zero value should be entered. For example, when using Code 2, in order to
enter an azimuth of zero, you could enter either 360 or 00000001.

NOTES:
1. No corrections or adjustments are done to the data. For example, if a Code 22-
Crosstie Shot is issued, the measurements are reduced and output to the ADF file
as ANGLE and DISTANCE data, but the traverse point is not adjusted.

2. The number of points in one network (collected with Code 23 - Foresight to

Network Point) is limited to 20. However, there may be any number of networks
in a file.

3. The number of linear figures in any profile template (collected with Code 24 -
Profiles by Cross-Section) is limited to 20. However, the number of shots taken
is not limited.

4. Defaults for optional data fields in an ETI code record are implemented in the
conversion program as specified in the definitions of the ETI codes (See
Intergraph's "MGE ETI Reference Manual", March 1992) except:

a. Where the default value is taken from the "next" available value for that
field. For example, with Code 14, the Figure Number, Field 2, must be
specified.

b. Where the default value is taken from the "eti.par" file. There is no user-
defined file with default values and parameters comparable to Intergraph's
eti.par file used when the data is converted. Consequently, any optional field in
an ETI code record that can be taken from the eti.par file must be specified.
For example, when using Code 7, the measurement mode, Field 3, must
always be entered.

5. ETI code 27 can be used in two ways: to associate a Descriptor with a point or to
associate a Point-Type keyword, FIXED, FREE or SIDE, with a point. Point-
Types are used for adjustments.

½ 6 - 37 ¾
CONVERSIONS
If code 27 is to be used to define Point-Types for adjustments, then a number has
to be associated with each keyword since you cannot input alpha characters into
the GRE3. To do this you can either use the default equivalents or define them
yourself by means of an ASCII file.
The first time an ETI code
27 (Point Descriptor) is
read, the following dialog
box will appear.
The user is asked to
choose how field 2
(Descriptor) is to be
interpreted, either as a
Point Descriptor or Point-
Type for adjustments.
If field 2 is to be interpreted as Point-Type for Adjustments, you can use either
the pre-defined default values to equate field 2 with the 3 recognized Point-
Types
1 for FIXED
2 for FREE
3 for SIDE

or, a user-defined ASCII file to equate field 2 with the 3 Point-Types.

For example, with the following ASCII file:

11 FIXED
22 FREE
33 SIDE

A raw data record 410001+00000027 42....+00000054 43....+00000011

will set the Point-Type to be FIXED.

½ 6 - 38 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

6. ETI code 31 is used to define points that are to be loaded into a surface. The
first time an ETI code 31 (DTM-type) is read, the following screen will appear:
The user is asked to choose how field 1 (DTM feature)
is to be interpreted. The choices are:
Use pre-defined defaults to equate field 1 of code 31
with the 6 recognized DTM types.
0 NONE
1 REGULAR
2 BREAK
3 CONTOUR
4 OBSCURE
5 EDGE

A raw data record 410000+00000031 42....+00000001

will set the DTM-Type to be REGULAR.
b. Use a user defined ASCII file to equate field 1 of code 31 with the 6 recognized
DTM types. For example, with the following ASCII file:
10 NONE
11 REGULAR
12 BREAK
13 EDGE
14 CONTOUR
100 EDGE
A raw data record 410000+00000031 42....+00000100
will set the DTM-Type to be EDGE.

½ 6 - 39 ¾
CONVERSIONS

SDR Raw Data to TDS Raw Data Format

Data collected with the Sokkia SDR data collector can be converted into a TDS
raw data file. There are two SDR input type options. When using the SDR 2x
data collectors, you should select the Sokkia SDR Numeric 4 option. The SDR
33 has the ability to write raw data in Numeric 4 or Alpha 14 format. Select the
Sokkia SDR Alpha 14 option when using an SDR 33 and writing raw data in the
Alpha 14 format.
SDRmap feature codes are converted. The following should be noted:
1. The description field of each SDR observation record is transferred directly
into the corresponding TDS record NOTE field. SDR allows multiple point
codes for a point; TDS does not. Only the first point code will be used as the
point's feature code when TDS line work is done.
2. The following SDR line work control codes are converted into their
corresponding TDS line work command: BEGIN, ST, START, JP, JN, JNS,
JFS and JPT.
The curve control codes, PC, PT, NEWCV, ENDCV, STCV and EC are
converted into C2 or C3. TDS line work will only draw curves of 2 or 3
points, whereas SDR allows multiple point curves. A multiple point curve
can be achieved in TDS by collecting consecutive 2 or 3 point curves. The
points of a curve must be shot consecutively.
Line work Example:
SDR data:
09F10001100722.200000089.997222242.5861111CURB1 FCE ST PC
09F10001100822.993000089.986111124.6844444CURB1 FCE PT
is converted to:
--BEG
--C2
SS,OP1,FP1007,AR42.5861,ZE89.9972,SD22.2000,--CURB1 FCE ST PC
SS,OP1,FP1008,AR24.6844,ZE89.9861,SD22.9930,--CURB1 FCE PT

From the Convert dialog box, with the input file type set to the appropriate
Sokkia SDR format click the button and the following screen will
be displayed.

½ 6 - 40 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Click on the options you want to have converted into a TDS traverse record(TR).
You may select as many as you would like.

Click on the button to return to the

Convert dialog box. Be sure you have
selected both of the file types and entered
input and output file names. Start the
conversion by clicking on the
button.

SDR Numeric 4 Raw Data to Intergraph's ADF Format

The conversion routine will read a raw data file from a Sokkia SDR data collector
recorded in the Numeric 4 format, reduce the measurements in accordance with the
ETI Codes in the file; and, output POINT, LINE, ANGLE and DISTANCE data to
the ADF file.
The conversion also produces an ICS file that contains an AUTO PLOT and
STORE FIGURE record that correspond to each LINE in the ADF file. The ICS
file will have the same name as the ADF file, but with an extension of .ICS. At
this time, Intergraph's InRoads program does not recognize the LINE records in
an ADF file. To import line information into InRoads, the ICS file can be
loaded. See Appendix B for instructions on loading an ADF file into InRoads.
The conversion routine assumes that the data has been collected with the SDR
program either with or without Intergraph's ETI Codes. Refer to the Intergraph's
"MGE ETI Reference Manual", March 1992, for a complete discussion of the
ETI Codes. (See appendix A also).

½ 6 - 41 ¾
CONVERSIONS
The ETI Codes are entered with the Note function. Each field in the Code record
is separated by a space. To leave a field blank, enter an extra space. For
example, entering a Code 7 with no blank field would be done as follows:
NOTE 7 Space 10 Space 5.14 Space 0 Space 6
To leave field 3 blank in order to use a default value for the instrument height,
the data would be entered as follows:
NOTE 7 Space 10 Space Space Space 0 Space 6
NOTES:
1. No corrections or adjustments are done to the data. For example, if a Code 22-
Crosstie Shot is issued, the measurements are reduced and output to the ADF
file as ANGLE and DISTANCE data, but the traverse point is not adjusted.
2. The number of points in one network (collected with Code 23 - Foresight to
Network Point) is limited to 20. However, there may be any number of
networks in a file.
3. The number of linear figures in any one Profile template (collected with
Code 24 - Profiles by Cross-Section) is limited to 20. However, the number
of shots taken is not limited.
4. Defaults for optional data fields in an ETI code record are implemented in
the conversion program as specified in the definitions of the ETI codes (See
Intergraph's "MGE ETI Reference Manual", March 1992) except:
a. where the default value is taken from the "next" available value for that
field. For example, with Code 14, the Figure Number, Field 2, must be
specified.
b. where the default value is taken from the "eti.par" file. There is no
user-defined file with default values and parameters comparable to
Intergraph's eti.par file used when the data is converted. Consequently,
any optional field in an ETI code record that can be taken from the
eti.par file must be specified. For example, when using Code 7, the
measurement mode, Field 3, must always be entered.
5. ETI code 31 is used to define points that are to be loaded into a surface. To
save the user from having to type in the whole DTM-type word,
abbreviations can be used. The first time an ETI code 31 (DTM-type) is
read in the raw data file the following screen appears.

½ 6 - 42 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

The user is asked to choose how field 1 (DTM feature) is to

be interpreted. The choices are:
a. Use pre-defined defaults to equate field 1 of code 31
with the 6 recognized DTM types.

N NONE O OBSCURE
R REGULAR E EDGE
B BREAK C CONTOUR
A raw data record 13NM31 R will be interpreted as if it were 13NM31
REGULAR
b. Use a user defined ASCII file to equate field 1 of code 31 with the 6
recognized DTM types. For example, with the following ASCII file:
0 NONE E EDGE
1 REGULAR 5 CONTOUR
2 BREAK 99 EDGE
A raw data record 13NM31 99 will be interpreted as if it were 13NM31
EDGE
c. Read field 1 directly as the DTM feature.

½ 6 - 43 ¾
CONVERSIONS

SDR Raw Data to Autodesk-Softdesk FBK

Data collected with the Sokkia SDR data collector in the Numeric 4 or Alpha 14
format can be converted to an Autodesk-Softdesk Field Book file.
Autodesk-Softdesk line work commands should be used when collecting data.
The following line work commands are converted:

B / BEG / BEGIN : begin line

C3 : 3-point curve
C / CONT : continue line
CLOSE : close figure
R / RECALL : recall point
RT (distance)

From the Convert dialog box, with the input file type set to the appropriate Sokkia
SDR format click the button and the following screen will be
displayed.
Click on the options you want to have
converted into a Autodesk-Softdesk traverse
record. You may select as many as you
would like.
Click on the button to return to the
Convert dialog box. Be sure you have
selected both of the file types and entered
input and output file names. Start the
conversion by clicking on the
button.

½ 6 - 44 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

FC-4 raw data to TDS raw data Format

Data collected with the TOPCON FC-4 data collector can be converted into a
TDS raw data file. It is assumed that TOPCON's Field Management Program
was used when the data was collected.

FC-4 Raw Data to Intergraph's ADF Format

Data collected with the TOPCON FC-4 data collector can be converted into an
ADF file, which has POINT, LINE, ANGLE and DISTANCE data.
The conversion also produces an ICS file that contains an AUTO PLOT and
STORE FIGURE record that correspond to each LINE in the ADF file. The ICS
file will have the same name as the ADF file, but with an extension of .ICS. At
this time, Intergraph's InRoads program does not recognize the LINE records in
an ADF file. To import line information into InRoads, the ICS file can be
loaded. See Appendix B for instructions on loading an ADF file into InRoads.
The conversion routine assumes that Topcon's Field Management Program was
used when data was collected. ETI Codes are not used.

SMI Raw Data to TDS Raw Data Format

Data collected with the SMI data collector can be converted into TDS raw data.

For the Input type, select SMI then use the button to select the
appropriate Surveyor’s Module Inc. (.SMI) file. Specify a file name for the new
TDS Raw Data file in the Output file name field including the .RW5 extension.
Click the button and the

½ 6 - 45 ¾
CONVERSIONS

Topcon GTS210/220/310 Series to TDS Raw Data Format

Survey Link can convert a raw data file from the Topcon GTS210/220/310
series total stations that was created while using the on-board data collection.
For the Input type, select Topcon GTS210/220/310 Raw Data then use the
button to select the appropriate Topcon Raw Data (.FB0) file.
Specify a file name for the new TDS Raw Data file in the Output file name
field including the .RW5 extension. Click the button and the
following dialog box will appear.
You will be asked to specify which Vertical
Angle Type was used in the instrument setup.
You should select the Zenith Angle radio
button if your vertical angle reads 90º when
the instrument aims at a level target or select
the Vertical Angle radio button if your
vertical angle reads 0º when the instrument
aims at a level target.
Select if the Direction type used was in
Angle Right or Azimuth format. If Angle
Right is selected, the first angle measurement after the occupy point record is
treated as the angle reading from the backsight. If Azimuth is selected, all
horizontal angles are assumed to be in reference to true north. Click to
start the conversion process.
Once the conversion of the .FB0 file begins, you will be prompted to enter the
occupied point’s coordinates if they are not known or confirm them if they are
known.
Similarly, you will be prompted to confirm the backsight if it is known, or
specify it if it is not known. You can define the backsight by entering its
coordinates, the backsight azimuth, or the backsight bearing.
The conversion will only accept point numbers without alpha characters (letters)
in them. If any point contains a letter, you will be prompted to replace the point
with a number.
Other data from the GTS210/310 series, such as coordinate data and PCODE
(descriptors) are automatically converted when those files are transferred.

½ 6 - 46 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Topcon DL-100 Series Digital Level to TDS Raw Data Format

Survey Link can convert a raw data file from a Topcon DL-100 Series Digital
Level.
For the Input type, select Topcon DL-100 then use the button to
select the appropriate Topcon digital level (.LEV) file. You do not specify a file
name for the new TDS Raw Data file until the conversion begins. Click the
button to start the conversion.
It is possible to have multiple jobs stored in a single DL-100 Raw Data (.LEV)
file. When Survey Link encounters multiple raw data files, a separate TDS Raw
Data file is generated for each job. Each time a new job is encountered during
the conversion you are prompted to enter a new file name, or you can simply
press enter to accept the default name, which is the name assigned to the job
when it was created in the digital level. After the conversion, a list of the TDS
Raw Data files generated is displayed.
Since a .LEV file only contains elevations with no coordinate values, northing
and easting coordinates of -999,999.9999 are automatically assigned to each
point.

Nikon DTM-700, 400, 300, DR-48 to TDS Raw Data Format

Survey Link can convert a raw data file from a Nikon DTM-700, 400, 300, and
DR-48 to the TDS Raw Data format.
For the Input type, select Nikon DTM-700, 400, 300, DR-48 then use the
button to select the appropriate Nikon Raw Data (.TRN) file.
Specify a file name for the new TDS Raw Data file in the Output file name
field including the .RW5 extension. Click the button to perform the
conversion.

½ 6 - 47 ¾
CONVERSIONS

Recover an Archived Raw Data File

The final type of conversion in the window is to restore a raw data file from an
archived file. With this procedure you have no file type options. You simply
select the TDS Raw Archive radio button and select an input file and an output
file name. Click in the
Input section. Select the archived raw
data (.AR5) file from the Open dialog.
Next enter a file name in the Output
file name field with a .RW5 extension.
With the dialog box correctly setup,
click on the button. A
prompt will tell when the conversion is
finished.

½ 6 - 48 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Merge Coordinate File

The Merge Coordinate file routine, takes two coordinate file and combines them.
The set up is much the same as for the other routine discussed in this chapter.
Use the button select input file 1, input file 2 and the output file.
This is done in the same manner as all files
are selected in Survey Link, through the
Open window. The output file can be
configured as a Sequential or Non-
sequential file.
Finally select the method that is to be used
to resolve point number conflicts. There
are four choices here. If Prompt for
action is selected then each time a point
number is found in both input file, the
program will stop with a window that will
ask how you wish to resolve this conflict.
This window displays the coordinates
from each file and gives you five options
to resolve the conflict. The and
buttons will renumber the conflicting coordinate
from the selected file to the end of the merged output file. The
or buttons will
discard the conflicting
coordinate from the
selected file. The

button will abandon the

merge operation
without effecting the
output file.

½ 6 - 49 ¾
CONVERSIONS
The Renumber file 1 and Renumber file 2 will merge the two files, inserting
point numbers from file 2 into file one. When there is a point number that exists
in both file 1 and 2, the coordinate in file that has been selected for renumbering
will be number a the end of the output file.
The Append file 2 to file 1 will first copy file 1 to the output file. Then, it will
copy file 2 onto the end of the output file, renumbering the points of file 2
starting at the selected Starting pt for file 2. If the Starting pt for file 2 is
smaller than the largest point in file 1, then file 2 will be renumbered, starting at
one point after the end of file 1. Therefore if you want file 2 to follow directly
after the last point in file 1 you can simply leave the Starting pt for file 2 as its
default of 1.

With the Conflict resolution method selected click on the button and the
two files will be combined.

½ 6 - 50 ¾
 CONVERSIONS

Create a DTM File

The Stake DTM routine is useful if you wish to recreate, in the field, a surface
that is defined in a digital terrain model.
As an example, let’s say you have topography data for a section of a golf course.
Later, that section is altered due to a construction project. The topography
points can be imported into mapping software where the mapping software can
then create a triangulated irregular network (TIN) and export it to a DXF format
file.
Survey Link has the ability to convert this DXF file into a DTM file. Once the
DTM file is transferred to the data collector, points can be staked anywhere
within the boundaries defined in the DTM file allowing you to get the cut and fill
information necessary to reconstruct that section of the golf course.
The first step in creating a DTM file is to output a TIN for the area that you wish
to stake out to a DXF file using Easy Survey Plus, ForeSight, or your favorite
mapping software. TIN’s are typically created prior to generating contour lines.
Once the DXF file is created, pull down the Conversions menu in Survey
Link and select Generate DTM from DXF to open the window shown
below.

Click on the button to select and open

the DXF file that you created earlier.
Enter a filename for the new DTM file in the Output file
field with a .DTM extension. Alternatively select an
existing DTM file to overwrite using the
button.
Click the button to start the conversion and
create the DTM file.

Once the DTM file is created, it needs to be transferred to the data collector. See
Chapter 3 for more details on file transfers.

½ 6 - 51 ¾
7 GEODETIC MODULE
Survey Link with Geodetic Module contains all the functions of Survey Link, plus
functions for geodetic coordinate and datum transformations. These routines are
useful to those who are using TDS Survey Pro with GPS or TDS SOLO.

Introduction
Most GPS equipment, such as TDS Survey Pro with GPS and TDS SOLO
record geodetic coordinates. The horizontal geodetic coordinates are stored in
latitudes and longitudes and the vertical coordinate is an ellipsoid height.

Since most surveyors work with data in a standard plane coordinate system,
expressed in northings, eastings, and elevations, the data must go through a
transformation before it can be used. That’s one place where the geodetic
Module in Survey Link is needed.

Datums
A datum is a basis for a coordinate system. For example, a horizontal datum is
established when coordinates, such as N 5000, E 5000, are assumed for a
monument and a basis of bearing is chosen. A vertical datum is defined, for
example, by assigning an assumed elevation to a monument or temporary point.

Horizontal Datums
When a horizontal datum is established by assigning coordinates to a point and
choosing a basis of bearing, the implicit assumption is that the earth is flat. Such
an assumption is reasonable as long as the survey is restricted to a small area. In
defining a datum to cover the entire continent or the world, however, this
assumption is obviously not valid.

It is well known that the earth is not a perfect sphere. In fact, the deviation from
a true sphere is only about 0.3%. This deviation, however, is significant enough
that a spherical model is not sufficiently accurate for survey applications.

½ 7-1 ¾
GEODETIC MODULE
Instead, a rotational ellipsoid model is used. This model reflects the fact that the
diameter of the earth at the equator is larger than its diameter at the poles.

Horizontal geodetic coordinates - latitudes and longitudes

- are measured with respect to an ellipsoid. The geodetic
latitude of a point P, designated φp, is defined as the angle
which the ellipsoidal normal at P makes with the
equatorial plane. The geodetic longitude of P, designated
λp, is defined as the angle, measured counterclockwise in
the equatorial plane, which the mean meridian plane of P
(the plane containing the ellipsoidal normal at P, the
North Pole, and the center of the ellipsoid) makes with the
mean meridian plane of Greenwich.

Throughout Survey Link, Latitudes and Longitudes are

expressed as angles in DMS (degrees-minutes-seconds)
format and is represented as DDD.MMSSsss: Geodetic Latitude

DDD One or more digits representing the number of degrees.

MM Two digits representing the number of minutes.
SS Two digits representing the number of seconds.
sss Zero to three digits representing the decimal fraction part of the
seconds.

In Survey Link, latitudes from 0 to +90 cover the Northern

Hemisphere, where latitudes from 0 to -90 cover the Southern
Hemisphere. Longitudes from 0 to 180 cover the Eastern
Hemisphere, where Longitudes from 0 to -180 cover the Western
Hemisphere.

It is important to remember that if you are working in North

America, or anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere, your
longitudes must be entered as negative values in Survey Link. If
you are working in the Southern Hemisphere, your latitudes must
be entered as negative values in Survey Link.

Geodetic Longitude

½ 7-2 ¾
 GEODETIC MODULE
Since an ellipsoid is an artificial model of the earth, its size and shape and its
position with respect to the real (physical) earth are arbitrary. These defining
parameters have historically been chosen to apply to a particular region of the
earth's surface. The North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27) is an example of
such a regional datum. NAD27 was meant to apply to the conterminous United
States (CONUS) but was also used in Alaska and Canada. With the growth of
satellite surveying, regional datums have largely been supplanted by global
datums such as the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84), which is the
native datum for GPS. For our purposes, WGS84 can be considered to be
equivalent to NAD83 (see below).

In North America, the transformation used to convert NAD27 latitudes and

longitudes into a global datum takes two things into account: The obvious
consideration is the relationship of the global datum's ellipsoid to the ellipsoid
implicitly defined by NAD27. However, an attempt has also been made to relate
the new datum to the existing system of fundamental control points. In order to
do this, historical and modern survey measurements on these existing control
points were combined in a massive least-squares adjustment. The resulting
datum is the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). Because of the massive
amount of survey data that was included in the definition of NAD83, it is not
possible to transform coordinates between this datum and NAD27 with simple
formulas alone. This is why it is necessary to use NADCON data files (.las and
.los, mentioned below) to effect these conversions.

The NADCON conversion and other datum conversion methods, which rely on
interpolation, such as NTv2 in Canada, are not intended to be used for high-
precision control work. NADCON, for example, has a precision of about 0.15
meters in the conterminous US at the 67% confidence level; it's precision is
lower than this in Alaska and Hawaii. High-precision tasks, such as control
densification, should be based on published coordinates on specific control
points.

Projection Systems
Ellipsoidal surface geometry is fairly complicated and, therefore, latitudes and
longitudes are not convenient for distance and azimuth computations. Instead,
some system of plane coordinates is most often used. As mentioned above, it is
reasonable to treat a job site that occupies only a small area as if it were flat - no
corrections need be made to account for the curvature of the earth.

It is often desirable, however, to provide ties to other control in the larger area
surrounding the survey. Such numerical ties, for example, might aid in boundary

½ 7-3 ¾
GEODETIC MODULE
retracement or might serve as the "glue" which binds the data in a GIS. The use
of plane coordinates then presents a dilemma: it is not possible to create a
rectangular grid on the earth's surface. Technically speaking, the surface of a
sphere or ellipsoid is not developable. This is the same problem which confronts
map makers, whose solution has been to first project the earth's surface onto
another surface, such as a plane, cone, or cylinder, which is developable.

Standard projection systems, such as State Plane Coordinates in the United

States, were created several decades ago to allow surveyors to work in a unified
framework where plane trigonometric formulas almost apply. The word "almost"
reflects the fact that all map projections are distorted; some corrections must be
applied because the scale factor can not be considered to be constant over a large
area and meridian convergence can not be ignored.

Because the precise WGS84 latitude and longitude of the base are required for
the alternative localization method described here, plane coordinate input in
Survey Link with Geodetic Module must be in some system which is convertible
to WGS84. Examples of such systems are Universal Transverse Mercator and
State Plane. A custom (user-defined) projection can be used, but only if the exact
relationship between this system and acceptable geodetic latitudes and
longitudes is also provided.

The NAD83 datum, with its basis on myriad classical survey measurements, is
not really suitable for GPS control purposes. Instead, High Accuracy Reference
Networks (HARNs) (also called High Precision Geodetic Networks, or HPGNs),
which are based on GPS vector measurements, have been established in some
parts of the United States. Note that each of these HARNs is treated as a separate
datum in Survey Link with Geodetic Module. Although some of these datums
overlap one another, different values for latitude and longitude will be obtained
for the same location when different HPGNs are selected.

Survey Link with Geodetic Module includes utilities to convert between NAD27
and WGS72 (a forerunner to WGS84) and NAD83/WGS84 and HPGN within
the United States.

Height Systems and Vertical Datums

Heights are somewhat more closely tied to the real (physical) world than are
geodetic latitudes and longitudes. While it is possible to choose a best-fitting
ellipsoid for a particular region based on arbitrary criteria, it is not possible, as
plumbers know, to arbitrarily select the direction "up". In surveying, height

½ 7-4 ¾
 GEODETIC MODULE
networks have traditionally been handled separately from horizontal networks.
GPS is changing this.

GPS can be thought of as a precise three-dimensional tape measure. All three

measurements are given with respect to the WGS84 reference ellipsoid.
Unfortunately for height determination, an ellipsoid is not (by itself) a suitable
reference surface for elevations. Instead, an equipotential surface is used. All
points on an equipotential surface are at the same height. A level tabletop is an
example of such a surface. A ball placed on this tabletop will not roll unless it is
pushed.

An example of an equipotential surface on earth is “mean sea level”. This term is

not used much anymore because it is rather imprecise. Instead, the term geoid is
used. The figure below illustrates the relationship between the ellipsoid, the
geoid, and the earth's surface (terrain). The maximum deviation of the geoid and
standard global reference ellipsoids is about 100 meters.

Heights referenced to a surface that approximates the geoid are called

orthometric heights. Heights output by GPS are called ellipsoid heights. These
heights are related by

orthometric height = ellipsoid height − geoid height.

If someone were able to construct a surface on the ellipsoid, a ball placed on this
surface would, in general, tend to roll. In fact, it's possible that if this surface
were tilted slightly, gravity could cause the ball could roll from a lower ellipsoid
height to a higher ellipsoid height. The force of gravity, however, can not cause a
ball to roll from a lower orthometric height to a higher one. Therefore,
orthometric heights are much more useful than are ellipsoid heights.

The exact relationship between the ellipsoid, the geoid, and the reference surface
(datum) for elevations is rather difficult to determine. Due to modern computers
and the availability of a great deal of gravity data, however, the ability to

½ 7-5 ¾
GEODETIC MODULE
determine this relationship is increasing. This ability, along with the availability
of modern leveling data, has prompted the establishment of new, more modern,
height datums. In North America, the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929
(NGVD29) is being supplanted by the North American Vertical Datum of 1988
(NAVD88).

Survey Link with Geodetic Module includes utilities to convert between

ellipsoid and orthometric heights and between NGVD29, NAVD88
(VERTCON), and EGM96 in most of the United States.

Data Files Required for Horizontal and Vertical

Transformations
Survey Link with Geodetic Module incorporates the National Geodetic Survey
models NADCON (including HPGN), VERTCON, and a variety of geoid
models. These files are provided by NGS. If you purchased Survey Link as a
stand-alone product, you can obtain these files via anonymous ftp at
ftp://ftp.ngs.noaa.gov/pub/pcsoft.

If you purchased ForeSight with Survey Link, the

necessary files are included on the installation CD. To
install the NGS files from the CD, run the Master
Install from the CD as described in Chapter 1.

Click on the button from the Master Install

window. The next screen will ask you where you want
to store the files. You can either browse to an
alternate directory, or accept the default directory and
continue with installation by clicking on Next.

½ 7-6 ¾
 GEODETIC MODULE

Geodetic Calculations
The Geodetic Calculations Dialog has three functions:
• To perform a transformation from a file containing coordinates stored in a
particular coordinate system and datum to a different coordinate system and
datum.
• To view the coordinates for a single point after transforming it to a different
coordinate system.
• To perform simple CO-GO functions between two points in any different
coordinate systems.

A B C

D
E

G
H

K L M

½ 7-7 ¾
GEODETIC MODULE

A) Transformation Method
3-D Similarity: This transformation method will provide a general solution that
is accurate within 5 to 10 meters. The 3-D Similarity transformation method can
be used with local geodetic datums for any location on earth.

NGS Nadcon: This transformation method provides a solution that is accurate to

within 0.15 to 0.5 meters. The accuracy is somewhat lower in Alaska and
Hawaii. The NGS NADCON method requires a set of grid files that define
specific geographic areas in North America. These files are available via
anonymous FTP. See the Introduction to this chapter for more information.

B) Select Data Source

This is where you specify if you are working with data for a single point or from
a file containing data for any number of points.

C) Path to Nadcon and Geoid Files

When using the NGS Nadcon transformation method, this line displays the path
to the necessary .las, .los, and .geo files. Use the Choose Path… button to define
the path after obtaining the appropriate files either via ftp, or from the ForeSight
CD-ROM. When installing the NGS files from the ForeSight CD, the default
path is C:\GEO_DATA.

D) Coordinate System
Geodetic: is selected if your horizontal coordinates are expressed in latitude and
longitude.

State Plane 1927: is selected if your horizontal coordinates are expressed in

northing and easting based on the State Plane Coordinate System of 1927.

State Plane 1983: is selected if your horizontal coordinates are expressed in

northing and easting based on the State Plane Coordinate System of 1983.

UTM: is selected if your horizontal coordinates are based on the Universal

Transverse Mercator Coordinate System. This system is expressed in Northing
and Easting. You must additionally specify a zone and northern or southern
hemisphere when using this coordinate system.

Custom: allows you to create a user-defined coordinate system. When using this
option, the parameters for the coordinate system are entered in the Create
Custom Projection File window. This procedure is explained later.

½ 7-8 ¾
 GEODETIC MODULE
E) Horizontal Datum: is where you select the horizontal datum for the area
that you are using for your calculations.

F) Zone: is where you select the zone for the area you are working in.

G) Elevation Type: is where you specify if you are using orthometric or

ellipsoid heights. These heights are described in the Introduction of this chapter.

H) Vertical Datum: is where you define your vertical datum the options
available will depend on the selected Region and Elevation Type.

I) Height / Distance Units: is where you define if your heights are expressed
in meters, feet, or international feet.

J) Position: are the horizontal and vertical coordinates for the point. These
can be input before performing a transformation, or output as a solution to a
transformation.

K) Convert: This button is used to convert the coordinates in the system

entered in one side of the screen to the coordinate system entered on the other
side of the screen.

L) Inverse: performs a calculation to show the distance and direction from the
point entered on one side of the screen to the point entered on the other side of
the screen where the horizontal datums are the same for each point.

M) Point In Direction: allow you to calculate the coordinates for a new point
after providing the information for a reference point and the direction and
distance to the new point.

Performing a Transformation on a Single Point

The Geodetic Calculations Dialog can be used to transform a single coordinate
in one coordinate system to the coordinates for that point in a different
coordinate system. You must define both coordinate systems and provide the
coordinates for the original point.

1. Choose the desired transformation method.

2. ~
Select the Single Point radio button.

½ 7-9 ¾
GEODETIC MODULE
3. Enter the point’s coordinates and select the details for that point in one side
of the screen. For this example, enter the information on the left side of the
screen for LOCATION A.
4. Select the details for the type of coordinates that you are transforming the
original point to on the right side of the screen for LOCATION B.
5. Click on the Convert>> button to transform the information from the left side
of the screen to the format defined on the right side of the screen. The
coordinates for the transformed point will be shown for LOCATION B.

Performing a Transformation on All Coordinates in a File

You can perform a transformation to all the points stored in a file and save the
resulting points to a new file. The procedure is as follows and is very similar to
the procedure to perform a transformation on a single point.

1. Choose the desired transformation method.

2. ~
Select the From file radio button.
3. Enter the details for the source file’s coordinates in one side of the screen.
For this example, enter the information on the left side of the screen for
LOCATION A.
4. Use the Choose File… button to select the source file.
5. Select the details for the type of coordinates that you are transforming the
original file to on the right side of the screen for LOCATION B.
6. Enter a path and filename, or use the Choose File… button on the right side
of the screen for the new file that will be used to store the transformed
coordinates to.
7. Click on the Convert>> button to transform the information from the left side
of the screen to the format defined on the right side of the screen.

Performing Calculations on Two Different Points in Different

Coordinate Systems
Inverse: When two different points are entered in the Geodetic Calculations
Dialog, the Inverse>> button will calculate and display the direction and distance
from LOCATION A to LOCATION B. Similarly, the <<Inverse button will
display the direction and distance from LOCATION B to LOCATION A.

Point in Direction: You can calculate coordinates for a point in a different

coordinate system and in a different location. You must define the coordinate
system for both LOCATION A and LOCATION B and provide coordinates for

½ 7 - 10 ¾
 GEODETIC MODULE
one location. Pressing the appropriate Point in direction button will prompt you
for direction and distance offsets from the starting point then calculate the new
coordinates in the other defined coordinate system.

Defining a Custom Coordinate System

Geodetic Transformations can be performed based on a user-defined coordinate
system.
~ ~
• Select if you wish to use the 3-D Similarity or NGS NADCON
transformation method. The method for defining a custom projection system
file varies depending on your selection here. The procedures for using each
method are documented individually.
• Select if you want to convert data for a single point or data from a file in the
Select data source: field.
• Choose Custom from the Coordinate System field. This selection will
cause two new buttons to appear in the Geodetic Calculations Dialog
window, which allow you to create a new transformation file or open an
existing one.

Custom Transformations using the 3-D Similarity or Molodensky

Transformation Method
If you choose the 3-D Similarity Transformation Method, you will create or
recall a Custom Coordinate System File. These files have a .CS5 extension. Use
the Choose File… button if you want to use an existing .CS5 file. When creating a
new Coordinate System File, you first press the Create File… button to open the
Create Custom Coordinate System window shown below.

You need to enter the parameters for your projection and horizontal datum. The
datum can be defined as Molodensky or 3-D Similarity.

You can either enter all new parameters or recall the parameters from an existing
Coordinate System File for modification. To recall an existing file, press the
Recall Crd System button and select a file.

After each field is completed correctly, use the Save button and enter a filename
to save the data to a file. The .CS5 extension is automatically appended to the
filename.

½ 7 - 11 ¾
GEODETIC MODULE

Return to the Geodetic calculations screen, fill in any remaining fields and
complete the conversion with the appropriate Convert button.

½ 7 - 12 ¾
 GEODETIC MODULE

Custom Transformations Using the NGS NADCON Method

The NGS NADCON Transformation Method
requires that you select either the NAD 1927 or NAD
1983 horizontal datum. If you choose the NGS
NADCON Transformation Method, you will create
or recall a Projection System File. These files have a
.PJ5 extension. Use the Choose File… button if you
want to open an existing .PJ5 file. When creating a
new Projection System File, you first press the
Create File… button to open the Create Custom
Projection System window shown below.

Since you select an existing horizontal datum when

creating a custom transformation using the NGS
NADCON method, you do not need to define datum
parameters as you do when using the Molodensky
method.

As with the previous method, you can either enter all new parameters in the
window or edit parameters from an existing custom Projection System File. To
open an existing file, press the Recall Crd System button and select the desired
Projection System File.

After the parameters are filled in correctly, Save the data to a new file, or
overwrite an existing file. The .PJ5 extension is automatically appended to the
filename.

Return to the Geodetic calculations screen, fill in any remaining fields and
complete the conversion with the appropriate Convert button.

½ 7 - 13 ¾
GEODETIC MODULE

Creating a Zone File

Survey Link with Geodetic Module provides you with the ability to create a
zone file for data collectors that are running TDS SOLO. The zone file is then
transferred to a data collector and used to display your position in the coordinate
system defined in the zone file.

If you are running Survey Pro with GPS on your data collector, Survey Link
with Geodetic Module will generate and transfer the necessary transformation
parameters to your data collector, which performs the same function as a zone
file.

To create a zone file for use with TDS SOLO or GPS parameters for
use with Survey Pro with GPS, select Create Zone File… from the
Geodetic pull down menu.

Enter the parameters

for the desired
coordinate system in
the Create Zone
File window. If
using a custom
coordinate system,
you would
additionally need to
create or recall the
parameters for that
coordinate system.
Creating and
recalling user-define
coordinate
parameters is
described in the
previous section.

½ 7 - 14 ¾
 GEODETIC MODULE
Once the Create Zone File window’s parameters are defined correctly, click the
Create… button to open the Zone File window. The
parameters for the zone file that you created are shown in this
window.

If you are using TDS SOLO, or Survey Pro with GPS

version 4.3.07 or later, you need to save these parameters to a
zone file by clicking the Save Zone File button. From the
Save Zone File window. You can enter a new filename to
save the transformation parameters to, or select an existing
zone file to overwrite. You should include the .ZON default
extension for TDS Zone files. Once the file is saved, you
would need to transfer the zone file to the data collector using
the data transfer routine described in Chapter 3.

If you are using Survey Pro with GPS prior to version 4.3.0,
you need to send the transformation parameters directly to the
data collector from the Zone File window.

Click on the Send params… button to enter the

Communications window. Connect the data collector to the
PC with the appropriate transfer cable and select the communications settings
that you are using. Click the OK button to start the transfer. You will then
return to the Zone File window where a new line in the window shows the status
of the transfer.

½ 7 - 15 ¾
GEODETIC MODULE

Map Projections and Geoid Modeling

Map projections are used for horizontal control and allow you to obtain accurate
State Plane and UTM coordinates without the need for localizing. Geoid
modeling is used for vertical control and allows you to measure elevations based
on mean sea level rather ellipsoid heights, which are based on the GPS ellipsoid.
When combining these two control methods during data collection, you do not
need to localize or use zone files; all you need is the appropriate transformation
files and a known base position. TDS Survey Link with Geodetic Module is used
to transfer these files to the data collector.
All of the necessary files can be installed from the Survey Link installation CD,
or downloaded via anonymous FTP from the Internet. The data files describe
separate zones for Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the United States,
including Alaska and Hawaii. Since a single geoid model file for one zone is
approximately 1.2 megabytes in size, only the necessary files for the area you are
working in are transferred to the data collector. For users running Survey Pro on
a Ranger data collector, the Extract Sub-grid From Geoid File routine
(described next) can be used to create smaller geoid files.
If you are working near a boundary between two geoid zones, more than one
geoid file will be transferred to the data collector. The appropriate geoid file(s)
transferred is determined by your base position and project extents, which are
entered in the Transfer Geodetic Files dialog box, described later.

Extract Sub-grid From Geoid File

When using Survey Pro on a Ranger data collector, the Extract Sub-grid From
Geoid File routine can be used to read Geoid99 or EGM96 geoid files and create
a new file in the same format that describes only the area where you will be
working. As a result, the geoid files created will be much smaller in size.
The file that is generated from this routine is in the same format as the source file
so it can be used in other applications that support the Geoid99 and EGM96 file
format.
To use the routine, you will need three things: The path on your hard drive where
the source Geoid99 or EGM96 files are stored; the geodetic coordinates near the
center of the area where you plan to work; and the extents that you plan to work
away from the specified center.

½ 7 - 16 ¾
 GEODETIC MODULE
1. Pull down the Geodetic menu and select Extract Sub-grid from
Geoid File…
2. In the Geoid Model dropdown list, select the type of geoid model that
you are using (Geoid 99, or Egm 96).
3. In the Geoid File Path field, select
the path on your hard drive where
the source geoid files are stored.
4. In the Geoid Sub-grid Filename
field, enter the path, file name, and
extension of the output file that you
want to create.
5. In the Base Latitude and Base
Longitude fields, enter the latitude
and longitude, respectively, of the
location near the center of the area
where you plan to work.
6. In the Project Extent field, specify the extent that you plan to work
away from the specified centermost location.
7. Tap OK . The new file will be created, which can then be transferred to
a data collector and selected as a local geoid file.


Note If the specified extents cross the boundary between two or more
source geoid files the routine will automatically read from all of the
appropriate files.

Transferring the Files

Before the necessary files can be transferred to the data collector, they must be
stored on your PC. If you have not already installed these files from the Survey
Link installation CD, downloaded them from the Internet, or created the
necessary sub-grid files, refer to Page 7-6 or 7-16 for instructions on these
procedures.
The transfer procedure and options are different depending on if you are using a
Husky or Ranger data collector so each routine is discussed separately below.

½ 7 - 17 ¾
GEODETIC MODULE

Husky Transfer
1. Using Survey Link with Geodetic Module, click the Geodetic pull down
menu and select Transfer Geodetic Files.
2. From the Transfer Geodetic
Files dialog, click the Husky
tab and then click the
Choose Path button and select
where the data files are located
on your hard drive. If they were
installed from the Survey Link
installation CD, the default
directory is C:\GEO_DATA.
3. From the Survey coordinate
system field, select if you want
State Plane 83, State Plane 27,
UTM NAD 83 or UTM NAD
27 coordinates.
4. Enter an approximate base
position in the WGS 84 Base latitude and WGS 84 Base longitude fields.
Since this position is only used to determine which zone you are in,
accuracy within one minute should be adequate.
5. In the Project extent field, enter the approximate maximum distance that
you will be working away from the base in miles or kilometers.
6. Select the type of files that you want to send.
a) Select the Send projection and geoid files
radio button if you plan to use both map
projections and geoid modeling.
b) Select the Send projection files only radio
button if you plan to only use map projections
without geoid modeling. This option should
be used if you do not have at least 1.2MB of
available space on the data collector to store
any geoid files.
c) Select the Send geoid files only radio button
if you plan to only use geoid modeling

½ 7 - 18 ¾
 GEODETIC MODULE
without map projections.
7. Click the OK button. The Files to send dialog box will open as shown here.
The appropriate files to send will be checked. You can check additional files
to send or uncheck files that you know that you won’t need before
continuing.
8. With the data collector connected to the PC, click the Send button to send
all the checked files to the data collector.

Ranger Transfer
1. Select the horizontal projection files that you want to transfer.
a. If you want to transfer a custom projection file created from the
Geodetic Calculations routine, check the Custom Projection File
checkbox, and click the first Browse button to locate and select the
custom file.
b. If you want to transfer
NADCON Datum
Transformation files,
check the corresponding
checkbox, select the area
where you will be working
from the drop-down list,
and then click the first
Choose Path button to
select the location of the
*.las and *.los files on
your hard drive.
2. Select the vertical projection
files that you want to transfer.
a. Check the Geoid Models checkbox and select the appropriate geoid
model from the dropdown list.
b. If you selected a geoid model other than EGM 96 or Geoid99, click the
lower Choose Path button and select the location of the projection files.
c. If you selected to send either EGM 96 or Geoid99 files, you need to
transfer any sub-grid files created with the Extract Sub-grid from
Geoid File routine. Tap the lower Browse button to locate and select
the appropriate Geoid99 or sub-grid file.

½ 7 - 19 ¾
GEODETIC MODULE
3. Connect the Ranger to the PC and put the Ranger in server mode by tapping
Transfer | Server Mode . With the files selected, click the Send button. A
dialog will open explaining that the files will be transferred to the
“\Disk\TDS Geodata” directory on the Ranger. When you are ready, click
OK to start the transfer.

½ 7 - 20 ¾
 DIGITAL LEVEL
8 MODULE
Survey Link with Digital Level Module contains all the functions of Survey Link,
plus functions to support the Topcon DL-Series Digital Levels.

Introduction
Survey Link fully supports the Topcon DL-Series digital levels when purchased
with the Digital Level Module.
Survey Link with the Digital Level Module can perform the following functions:

• Create a new Topcon digital level raw data file from scratch
• Edit an existing Topcon digital level raw data file
• Perform a digital level loop closure
• Create a least squares input file from a Topcon digital level raw data file
• Edit a least squares input file
• Perform a least squares adjustment

This chapter explains all of the above routines.

½8-1 ¾
DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Creating a New Topcon DL-Series Digital Level File

1. To create a new Topcon DL-Series digital level file, pull down the File
menu and select New, or click the button.
2. From the New dialog (shown), select Topcon Digital
Level Data file and click .
3. A prompt will ask you which distance units you want to
use. Select either Feet or Meters and click .
A new file is created containing a single Start Level Loop
record entry.
New records can be added and existing records can be modified. For a complete
description of all the available record types and editing level raw data, see the
Overview of the Level Raw Data Editor section, later in this addendum.

Opening Digital Level Raw Data Files

Once a digital level raw data file has been transferred to the PC, it can be opened
in the same way as any other file in Survey Link.
1. Pull down the File menu and select Open, or click the button.
2. Access the directory where the file you want to open is located and either
double-click on the file or click on the file and then click .
3. The dialog shown here will appear prompting how to
open the non-TDS file. Select the Topcon digital
level data radio button and click .
New records can be added and existing records can be
modified. For a complete description of all the available
record types and editing level raw data, see the Overview
of Level Raw Data Editor section, later in this addendum.

½ 8-2 ¾
 DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Overview of the Digital Level Raw Data Editor

Once a level raw data has been created or transferred to the PC, it can be edited
viewed and printed with the level data editor. In addition to editing raw data
files, the editor can be used to enter and reduce level notes manually. The level
editor has been designed so that all displays and prompts are in a format that
looks like traditional level notes. The editor will also display and reduce level
loops that were collected in one of the multiple collection modes. Anybody who
is familiar with taking level notes should find this editor easy to learn and use.
The first step to editing level data is to create a new level data file, or open an
existing file, as described earlier.

Digital Level Editor Screen

The following screen displays how a typical level loop would appear from within
the level editor. The first column lists the record numbers and the last column
displays the job name and benchmark used. The headings for all the other
columns explain what they represent.

Survey Link supports the collection of level data in the any of the following
three sequences:
• Backsight, foresight

½8-3 ¾
DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

• Backsight, backsight, foresight, foresight

• Backsight, foresight, foresight, backsight
On the first line of the screen there will be displayed “Level BF,” “Level BBFF,”
or “Level BFFB.” This display indicates which method of collection was used to
collect the level loop. You cannot mix different methods of collection within the
same level loop, but you may have different methods of collection between
different loops within the same file.

When using one of these methods, the following rules must be followed:
• Data must be entered in the exact sequence as specified in the method used.
• If collecting in the BBFF mode, each setup requires two backsight readings
and two foresight readings. The backsights must precede the two foresights.
• If collecting in the BFFB mode then each setup requires two backsight
readings and two foresight readings in the order of backsight-foresight;
foresight-backsight.
• Sideshots can only be entered after the two backsights have been entered.
• You must have the same number of foresights as you have of backsights.

When collecting data with the digital levels in one of the multiple collection
modes you have the opportunity to invalidate readings if they are not within
specified tolerances. These invalidated records are displayed as ‘invalid’ in the
level editor in the specific record line. Invalidated records cannot be edited; they
can only be deleted and are not used in any calculations.
The multiple collection modes are essentially the simultaneous collection of two
level loops. The program reduces and calculates elevations and height of
instruments as if the data were two separate loops. The end record is the only
record that displays averaged data. The end record displays the average
difference in elevation using the data from both loops. The end record also
displays the average horizontal distance leveled between the start and end of the
level circuit.

½ 8-4 ¾
 DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Editing a Digital Level Data Record

To edit a particular data record, simply locate that record in the Level
Editor and double-click on it. Depending on the type of record selected,
the data will be opened in its corresponding dialog box where it can
then be modified. After the changes are made, click the button to
save the changes or the button to close the dialog box without
saving any changes.
Survey Link does not allow you to edit certain fields. For example, the
height of instrument field in the sample dialog shown is a calculated
value and Survey Link does not allow the editing of calculated values.
Each record type is explained later in the Record Types section of this
addendum.

Delete a Digital Level Data Record

To delete a data record, simply click on the desired record, pull down the Edit
menu and select Delete Lines… Answer to the prompt asking if you are
sure.
A block of records can be selected simultaneously by clicking on the first record
NOTE and holding the [Shift] key down on the keyboard while clicking on the last
record.
Individual records can be toggled between being selected and not selected by
holding the [Ctrl] key down on the keyboard while clicking on the individual
records.

Duplicate a Digital Level Data Record

To duplicate a data record, select it, pull down the Edit menu and select
Duplicate line. The selected line will be repeated below it.

Go to a Particular Record
You can quickly jump to a particular record by selecting Go to… from the Edit
menu. Enter the record number and click .

½8-5 ¾
DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Inserting a New Digital Level Data Record

1. To insert a new record in a data
file, select the line above where
you want to insert the new line.
2. Pull down the Edit menu and
select Insert Line(s). The
Insert Topcon DL Data
dialog box (shown) will open.
3. Select if your units are in feet or
meters by clicking the
appropriate radio button.
4. Click on the tab for the record
type that you want to insert.
You can scroll to additional tabs
by clicking the buttons.
5. When the desired record type is
selected, fill in the appropriate values and click the button.
Each record type is explained later in the Record Types section of this
addendum.
Since new records are always inserted below the selected record, you can use the
following procedure for the special situation of inserting a new record above the
first record in the file.
1. Select the first data record in the file.
2. Pull down the Edit menu and select Duplicate Line. The fist line will be
duplicated and the top line will still be selected.
3. Follow the steps above to insert a new record.
4. After the new record is inserted, select the first record (which has been
duplicated).
5. Pull down the Edit menu and select Delete Lines…
6. A dialog will prompt you asking if you are sure. Select .

½ 8-6 ¾
 DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Digital Level Record Types

There are several types of level records that can be added or modified. The fields
available for a particular record type will be different depending on the type of
record that is selected. This section addresses all of the available record types
and explains each field.

Start Level Loop

Use this record type to begin a level loop. This record type defines the starting
benchmark elevation.
There are three different Start Level Loop options depending on the sequence
that the data is gathered. The fields for each option are identical. Select the
option that is appropriate for your situation:
• Start Loop BF: Backsight,
foresight
• Start BBFF: Backsight, backsight,
foresight, foresight
• Start BFFB: Backsight, foresight,
foresight, backsight
The BM elevation field defines a
starting elevation of a level loop. When
entering data manually this is the only
field in the record that has to have a
valid entry.
Be careful not to mix feet and meter units within the same level loop job.
Backsight for Level Loop
Use this record type to record the rod reading to the backsight when collecting
data in the backsight, foresight sequence. The following fields are used by this
record type.

½8-7 ¾
DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Rod Height: This field defines the rod

reading to the backsight.
Horizontal distance: Horiz Dist. is
the distance to the level rod from the
digital level. This value is used to
compute the weighting factors in the
least squares adjustment. If you are
entering level notes by hand and do not
know the horizontal distance then you
can leave this field blank.
Point number: This field is the point
number of the point you are
backsighting.
Benchmark number: This is the benchmark number of the current level loop.
Instrument height: This field is the height of instrument. This is computed
value and therefore cannot be entered or edited.

Foresight for Level Loop

Use this record type to record the rod reading to the foresight when collecting
data in the backsight, foresight mode. The following fields are used by this
record type.
Rod Height: This field defines the
rod reading to the backsight.
Horizontal distance: This is the
distance to the level rod from the
digital level. This value is used to
compute the weighting factors in the
least squares adjustment. If you are
entering level notes by hand and do
not know the horizontal distance, you
can leave this field blank.
Point number: This field is the point

number of the point you are foresighting. This field is used in the least squares
routine as the foresight description.

½ 8-8 ¾
 DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Benchmark number: This field is the benchmark number of the current level
loop.
Elevation: This field is the computed elevation for the foresight. This is a
computed value and therefore cannot be entered or edited.

Sideshot for Level Loop

Use this record type to record the rod reading to a sideshot.
The fields for a sideshot are identical
in use to a foresight record, described
above.

End Level Loop

This record is used to define the end of a level loop. This record contains all
computed data and therefore this record can only be viewed or inserted and not
edited. The following computed values define this record type.

½8-9 ¾
DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Benchmark number: This field is the

benchmark number of the current level
loop.
Change in elev from last Change
Point: The change in elevation from
the last change point to the previous
foresight point.
Change in elevation from BM: The
change in elevation from the
Benchmark to the last foresight point.
Distance from last Change Point:
The horizontal distance from the last
change point to the previous foresight point.
Distance from BM: The horizontal distance from the benchmark to the
previous foresight point.
Elevation: The computed elevation of the previous foresight point.

Start Measurement Sequence

This record contains the starting
information for a standard
measurement sequence. The operation
of the standard measurement sequence
is described in the DL-101 Instruction
Manual. There are no elevations
calculated during the standard
measurement sequence. The standard
measurement sequence is used to
collect raw readings to the rod. In most
cases, users will use the line leveling
sequence instead of the measurement
sequence.

½ 8 - 10 ¾
 DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Measurement Sequence
This record contains the actual measured data for the measurement sequence.

Change Point
This record is used to define the previous foresight point as a change point.
Designating a point as a change point is done for two reasons.
The first reason is to display the
various calculated values for the
previous point.
The second reason is to define a
change point for use in the least
squares conversion routine. One of the
choices when converting the *.LEV
file is to convert only the designated
change points. When a point has been
designated as a change point, the
following information is either entered
or calculated for that point.

½ 8 - 11 ¾
DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Backsight 2 for Level Loop

Use this record type to record the rod reading to the second backsight when
collecting data in one of the multiple reading modes. The following fields are
used by this record type.
Rod Height: This field defines the rod
reading to the backsight.
Horizontal distance: is the distance to
the level rod from the digital level. This
value is used to compute the weighting
factors in the least squares adjustment. If
you are entering level notes by hand and
do not know the horizontal distance then
you can leave this field blank.
Point number: This field is the point
number of the point you are backsighting.
Benchmark number: This is the benchmark number of the current level loop.
Instrument height: This field is the height of instrument. This is computed
value and therefore cannot be entered or edited.

Foresight 2 for Level Loop

Use this record type to record the rod reading to the second foresight when
collecting data in one of the multiple reading modes. The following fields are
used by this record type.
Rod Height: This field defines the rod
reading to the backsight.
Horizontal distance: is the distance to
the level rod from the digital level. This
value is used to compute the weighting
factors in the least squares adjustment. If
you are entering level notes by hand and
do not know the horizontal distance, you
can leave this field blank.
Point number: This field is the point

½ 8 - 12 ¾
 DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

number of the point you are foresighting. This is used in the least squares routine
as the foresight description.
Benchmark number: This field is the benchmark number of the current level
loop.
Elevation: This field is the computed elevation for the foresight. This is a
computed value and therefore cannot be entered or edited.

Digital Level Loop Closure

Survey Link can create a closure report from a level loop that is open in the level
editor. The closure report displays the vertical closure error and the adjusted
elevations for a single level loop.
1. Since a raw digital level file can contain multiple level loops, you must first
select a line from within the particular level loop that you want to use for the
closure report.
2. Pull down the Adjustments
menu and select Digital level
loop closure. The Digital
Level Loop Closure dialog,
shown below, will open.
3. Enter the elevation for the
ending benchmark in the
Ending BM elevation field.
4. Enter the desired precision in
the Precision field. Typical
values may range from 0.4 for
very rough leveling to 0.01 for
precise leveling1.
5. From the Units field, select if the measurements were in Feet or Meters.

1 Refer to “Manual of Leveling Computation and Adjustment” by Howard S.

Rappleye. Special Publication No. 290 available from the U.S. Department of
Commerce, Coastal and Geodetic Survey.

½ 8 - 13 ¾
DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

6. If no horizontal distances were input, select Adjustment proportional to

the number of turns. If horizontal distances were input, select
Adjustment proportional to total distance.
7. Press . The Closure error and Allowable error are computed after
solving, and a Closure Report is generated.

The Closure Report

The closure report shown here was
generated from a level loop that
starts and ends at the same
benchmark. The first line displays
the job number, followed by the
benchmark number for the loop.
The next line displays the elevation
of the start of the loop followed by
the unadjusted ending elevation,
which was specified by the user.
The next line shows the closure
error, which is the difference
between the ending benchmark
elevation and unadjusted ending
elevation. The following lines show
the total horizontal length of the
level loop and the allowable error.
The allowable error is calculated
using the formula:

[precision × distance ], where the distance is in kilometers or miles and is

computed from the length of the level loop. The method that was used to adjust
the elevations is displayed. The final section of the report lists the unadjusted
and adjusted elevations for all benchmarks, turning points and sideshots. You
can scroll up and down through the report to view all the data. The report can be
printed and saved in the same way as other Survey Link reports.

½ 8 - 14 ¾
 DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Least Squares Overview

The least squares adjustment routine will perform a weighted least squares
adjustment on a level network. The adjustment can be applied to data that was
collected with the digital level or data that was manually entered into a new
digital level file. The least squares routine does not actually adjust the *.LEV
file, instead, a *.LEV file is first converted into a least squares input file. The
least squares input file, which has a default extension of *.DAT is compatible
with the input files used by STAR*LEV, the least squares adjustment program
from Starplus Software, Inc. The input for the least squares program consists of
fixed stations and their elevations, and stations that will be adjusted. Also
inputted are the observed differences in elevations between the various stations
and the horizontal distance between stations, which is used as a weighting factor.
The adjustment can be performed on a simple level loop or it can be used to
adjust a network with many interconnecting measurements. The more
redundancy in the network, the better the adjustment will be.

Converting Level Input Files to Least Squares Input Files

There are two methods available to convert *.LEV files to least squares input
files. One method converts all the turning points, while the other method
converts only the change points designated. Since the user designates which
turning points are change points, he has more flexibility and control over the
conversion if he chooses to convert only change points. The change point
method also offers more control over what descriptions are used with each point.
However, using the change point method requires the user to either take more
time in the field to designate the change points or he must insert the change
points in the level editor once the data has been downloaded into the computer.
The Convert BM's, turning pts, end pts and SS's option will be adequate
when adjusting single loops, but if you are adjusting level networks you will be
best served by using the Convert BM's, change pts, end pts and SS's
method.
Another reason to only convert change points instead of all turning points is that
bigger networks can be adjusted if only the points that need to be adjusted are
included in the adjustment. When leveling, many of the turning points are of no
consequence except as temporary points. Since these points will never be used

½ 8 - 15 ¾
DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

after the initial level loop is completed they can be excluded from the
adjustment, freeing up more space for large adjustments.
When converting all turning points, the conversion routine uses the point number
as the benchmark description in the least squares conversion routine. When
converting only change points, the program uses the info1 description field as
the benchmark description rather than the point number. The user can enter any
description he wants at the info1 prompt.
Converting a digital level file into a least squares input file is done as follows:
1. Open the *.LEV file that contains
the data to be used in the least
squares adjustment.
2. Pull down the Adjustments
menu and select Convert raw
file to least squares input
file. The dialog shown here will
be displayed.
3. Type in the full path and file
name (including the DAT
extension) for the new input file in the Least square input file field or
use the button to locate an existing file to overwrite with the new file.
4. Choose which conversion method you want to use, as described above, by
clicking the Convert BM's, turning pts, end pts and SS's or
Convert BM's change pts, end pts and SS's radio button.
5. Click to create the new *.DAT file.

Opening an Existing Least Squares Input File

To open an existing *.DAT least squares input file, you select Edit / Adjust
least squares input file from the Adjustments menu. This option is only
available when a *.LEV file is open and active so before you can open a *.DAT
file, you must first open any *.LEV file and make that window active by clicking
anywhere on it.

Joining Two Least Squares Input Files

½ 8 - 16 ¾
 DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

There may be occasions when you want to append one *.DAT file to another
one. For example, if you are working on a large leveling project that involves a
network of multiple loops, you may collect each loop on a different day in
separate files. When the project is completed, you may want to adjust the entire
project as a single level network.
1. To merge two *.DAT input files, open the first *.DAT file as described
above.
2. With the input file window
active, pull down the Edit menu
and select Append least
squares input file.
3. Use the button and select
another *.DAT file. The data
from the selected file will be appended to the data in the active least squares
input file window.
4. Be sure to save the file after making changes.

Editing a Least Squares Input File

When a least squares input file is open or created, it is displayed in the Least
Squares Input File Editor, as shown below.

A least squares input file is edited in the exact same way as editing a digital level
file. You can edit an existing record simply by double clicking on it. The
appropriate record editor for that field will open displaying all of the data from
that record.

½ 8 - 17 ¾
DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

To insert a new data record, select the line above where you want to insert the
new data. Pull down the Edit menu and select Insert Line(s). Select the type of
data record to insert, enter the data, and press .
There are only two types of data records in a least squares input file, Fixed
Benchmarks and Routes.
Fixed Benchmarks
Description: is the description for the
benchmark.
Elevation: is the elevation for the benchmark.

Routes
From: is the description for the “From” station.
To: is the description for the “To” station.
Change in elevation: is the change in elevation
from the “From” station to the “To” station. A
decrease in elevation is entered as a negative
value.
Length: the horizontal distance in meters or feet
between the stations. This is used as a weighting
factor. If you do not know the distance between the stations and you want the
adjustment to be equally distributed between all the stations then you can enter
the same number at this prompt for all the routes.
You can duplicate, delete, and go to any line in the least squares input file from
the Edit menu. These routines are identical to editing a digital level file and
explained on Page 5. Be sure to save the file after making changes.

Adjust the Network

To perform a least squares adjustment, be sure the input file window is active (it
will become active by clicking anywhere on it). Pull down the Adjustments

½ 8 - 18 ¾
 DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

menu and select Adjust least

squares network.
A Least Squares Level Network
Adjustment Report will be
generated. A sample report is
shown here.
You will probably need to scroll
through the report to see all of it.
The report first lists the input
data. The program lists the fixed
benchmarks, the stations to be
adjusted and a summary of the
changes in elevation and
distances between the different
stations.
The ADJUSTED ELEVATIONS
section displays the final
adjusted elevations of the
stations. This section also
displays the standard deviation
for each adjusted elevation. The
standard deviation is a measure
of the precision of the final
adjusted elevations. A large
standard deviation is an
indication of a problem with the
input data.
The last section displays the final
adjusted difference in elevations
between the stations. This section
also displays the residuals for the
different routes. The residual is

the difference between the inputted elevation differences and the adjusted
elevation differences. Checking the residuals is the best method of determining if
there is a problem with the level network. If there is a blunder in the survey then

½ 8 - 19 ¾
DIGITAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

it will be reflected in the residuals. The route with the highest residual most
likely is the source of the blunder.
Least squares is a powerful statistical tool and can give the surveyor a wealth of
information about the integrity and validity of his survey in addition to providing
a statistically valid adjustment. However, least squares adjustment is only as
good as the data used to perform the adjustment. Least squares methods work
best when there is a lot of redundancy built into the survey. A simple level loop
has only one redundant measurement, or one degree of freedom. Using least
squares to perform an adjustment on a network with only one-degree of freedom
is of only limited use. In fact, if you perform a least squares adjustment on a
simple level loop with equal weights for each turning point, you will see that the
least squares adjustment did no more than equally distribute the error among
every turning point. So to use least squares effectively you must build
redundancy into your surveys. With redundancy, we will be able to better detect
blunders and problems with our survey as well as perform statistically valid
adjustments

½ 8 - 20 ¾
9 SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MGR

This chapter covers the Survey Attribute Manager, which is a separate

application that is launched from Survey Link and is used to create or edit a
Feature File. A Feature File is used to help describe objects in Survey Pro
for Windows CE. Select Survey Attribute Manager, from the Tools menu to
launch it.

Getting Started
In the past, describing a point during data collection involved typing out a
description, or using descriptor codes prior to storing it. This was often an
awkward and limited solution.
TDS Survey Pro for Windows CE allows you to describe points using feature
codes. Feature codes can be used to describe points more quickly and in more
detail than a standard text description, particularly when data is collected for
several points that fit into a single category. For example, if the locations for all
the utility poles in an area were being collected, a single feature code could be
used to separately describe the condition of each utility pole.
When describing a point using feature codes, a selection is made from any
number of main categories called features. Once a particular feature is selected,
any number of descriptions can be made from sub-categories to the selected
feature called attributes.
In general, a feature describes what an object is and attributes are used to
describe the details of that object.
The primary function of the TDS Survey Attribute Manager is to create feature
code files. These can contain all of the feature and attribute information that is
needed for any particular job.
The TDS Survey Attribute Manager can also be used to view or modify the
selected features in a particular job and to export them to any of several different
file formats for use in other popular software packages.

½ 9-1 ¾
SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

Features
The most fundamental part of any feature code is called a feature. Features
generally describe what an object is. There are three types of features: points,
lines, and areas, which are described below.
When assigning a feature to data that was collected in Survey Pro for Windows
CE, only features of the same type are available for selection. For example, if
selecting a feature to describe a point in a job, only the point features are
displayed. Likewise, if selecting a feature to describe a polyline, only the line
features in the feature file are displayed.
Point Features
A point feature consists of a single independent point. Examples of a point
feature would be objects such as a tree, a utility pedestal, or a fire hydrant.
Line Features
A line feature consists of two or more points that define a linear object, such
as a fence or a waterline.
Area Features (Not used in Survey Pro for Windows CE)
An area feature consists of several points that define a two-dimensional
object that has a measurable area, such as a lake or a city lot.

Note: Survey Pro for Windows CE does not store information that
specifically defines an area, therefore area features are ignored in
Survey Pro for Windows CE. Area features are only available to
maintain compatibility with feature files used in other TDS software
applications.

Attributes
A feature, by itself, would not be useful in describing a point or a line with much
detail since a feature only helps describe what the stored point is. Attributes are
used to help describe the details of the object.
Attributes are either typed in from the keyboard or selected from a pull-down
menu and fall into the following three categories.
String Attributes
A string attribute consists of a title and a field where the user can type any
characters from the data collector’s keypad up to a specified maximum

½ 9-2 ¾
 SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

length. An example of a string attribute is an attribute titled Notes where the

user would type anything to describe a feature.

Value Attributes
A value attribute accepts only numbers from the keypad. These attributes
are setup to accept numbers that fall in a specified range. Some examples of
a numeric attribute would be the height of a tree or a utility pole’s ID
number.

Menu Attributes
A menu attribute is an attribute that is selected from a pull-down menu
rather than typed in from the keypad. Menu items can also have sub-menu
items. For example, you could have a feature labeled Utility with a pull-
down menu labeled Type containing Pole and Pedestal. There could also
be sub-menu items available that could be used to describe the pole or
pedestal in more detail. Menus can only be two levels deep, but there is no
limit to the number of items that can be listed in a pull-down menu.

Creating a Feature File

The following examples show how each type of feature and attribute is created.
To follow along with any of the examples, you can open an existing feature file,
or you can create a new feature file using the following steps:

1. Click the New Feature Code File button , or pull down the File menu and
select New. The New Feature File dialog box will open and prompt you for a
file name.
2. Enter a file name in the File name field. (The *.FEA extension is added for
you automatically in the next step.) The file name can be any name you want
and it does not have to match a job name.
3. Click the 6DYH button.

Creating a Feature
1. The fist step to adding a new feature code can be performed using any of the
following three commands:

½ 9-3 ¾
SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

• Click on the New Feature Code button .

• Press [Ctrl]-[F] on your keyboard.
• Pull down the Features menu and select New Feature.
2. A question mark will be displayed along with a blinking cursor. Type
the name of your feature and press [Enter].
4. Select if your feature will be used to describe a Point or a Line from the
drop-down list in the Type field located on the right side of the screen under
the Feature Code Properties. (Area features are not used in Survey Pro for
Windows CE.)

½ 9-4 ¾
 SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

Note: You can easily change the name of any existing feature or
attribute and is described on Page 9-11.

Creating a String Attribute

1. First select the desired feature that you want to associate the new attribute
with by clicking on it.
2. Open the Select Attribute Type dialog with any of the following commands:

• Click on the New Attribute button .

• Press [Ctrl]-[A] on your keyboard.
• Pull down the Features menu and select New Attribute.
3. Select the String attribute type by clicking the corresponding radio button
and then click 2. , or press [S] on your keyboard to select it.

Note: The fastest method of entering feature codes and attribute is

by using the keyboard hotkeys. For example, the fastest method to
reach this point when entering an attribute is to hold down [Ctrl]
and press [A] followed by [S].

4. A question mark will be displayed along with a blinking cursor. Type

the name of your attribute and press [Enter].
5. Define the maximum allowable length of the feature in the Max. Length
field located on the right side of the screen under the String Attribute
Properties. When the user fills in this field to describe the feature, he will be
limited to using the number of characters defined here.

½ 9-5 ¾
SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

Creating a Value Attribute

1. First select the desired feature that you want to associate the new attribute
with by clicking on it.
2. Open the Select Attribute Type dialog with any of the following commands:

• Click on the New Attribute button .

• Press [Ctrl]-[A] on your keyboard.
• Pull down the Features menu and select New Attribute.
3. Select the Value attribute type by clicking the corresponding radio button, or
press [V] on your keyboard to select it and then click
2. .
4. A question mark will be displayed along with a blinking cursor. Type
the name of your attribute and press [Enter].
5. Define the parameters listed below on the right side of the screen under the
Numeric Attribute Properties.
• Decimals: is the number of decimal places that will be displayed for the
entered attribute. For example, if 1 is entered here and a numeric
attribute is entered of 15.666 during data collection, the value will be
automatically rounded to 15.7.
• Minimum: is the minimum value allowed. If an attempt is made to enter
a smaller value for this attribute during data collection, an error will
result.
• Maximum: is the maximum value allowed. If an attempt is made to
enter a larger value for this attribute during data collection, an error will
result.
• Default: is the default value for this attribute. If nothing is entered for
this attribute when describing the associated feature during data
collection, the default value is automatically used.
• Units: if units have been defined using the Unit Editor, described on
Page 9-11, the units for this value attribute can be selected from a drop-
down list. As a result when using this attribute during data collection,
the attribute title will also display the selected units in parenthesis. For
example, if a value attribute were titled Height, and Ft was selected for

½ 9-6 ¾
 SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

the units, the title will be displayed as Height (Ft) for that attribute
during data collection.

Creating a Menu Attribute

To illustrate how a menu attribute is created, we will build the menu displayed
here. Both the menu structure, as viewed from the Survey Attribute Manager is
shown, along with how the dialog would look in a data collector when using this
feature to describe a point.
The feature code is named Utility and contains a menu attribute named Type.
The Type menu attribute contains two menu items called Pole and Pedestal.
The Pole menu item contains three sub-menu items called Wood, Steel and
Composite, which would be used to describe the type of utility pole. The
Pedestal menu item contains two sub-menu items called Phone and Cable, which
would describe the type of utility pedestal.

Create the ‘Utility’ Feature

1. Create a new feature called Utility with the steps
described on Page 9-3

Add the ‘Type’ Menu Attribute

2. Select the Utility feature that was just created by
clicking on it.
3. Open the Select Attribute Type dialog with any
of the following commands:

• Click on the New Attribute button .

• Press [Ctrl]-[A] on your keyboard.
• Pull down the Features menu and select New Attribute.
4. Select the Menu attribute type by clicking the corresponding radio button, or
press [M] on your keyboard to select it and then click
2. .

½ 9-7 ¾
SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

5. A question mark will be displayed along with a blinking cursor. Enter

Type as the name of the new attribute and press [Enter].

Note: You can save the work you have done at any time by clicking
the Save button or by pulling down the File menu and selecting
Save.

Add the ‘Pole’ and ‘Pedestal’ Menu Items

6. Select the Type menu attribute by clicking on it.
7. Add a new menu item using any of the following commands:

• Click on the New Menu Item button .

• Press [Ctrl]-[M] on your keyboard.
• Pull down the Features menu and select New Menu Item.
8. A question mark will be displayed along with a blinking cursor. Enter
Pole as the name of the new menu item and press [Enter].
9. Repeat Steps 6 through 8 to add the second menu item, except name it
Pedestal in Step 8.

Note: When a menu item or sub-menu item is selected, the Menu

Item Properties for that item are displayed on the right side of the
screen. This contains a field called Default where either Yes or No can
be selected. When Yes is selected for a menu or sub-menu item, a
9 checkmark is displayed next to it. This indicates that this item will
be the default selection when using the feature code during data
collection.

Add the Sub-Menu Items to the ‘Pole’ Menu Item

10. Select the Pole menu item by clicking on it.
11. Add a new sub-menu item using any of the following commands:

• Click on the New Sub-Menu Item button .

½ 9-8 ¾
 SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

• Press [Ctrl]-[S] on your keyboard.

• Pull down the Features menu and select New Sub-Menu Item.
12. A question mark will be displayed along with a blinking cursor. Enter
Wood, Steel, or Composite as the name of the new menu item and press
[Enter].
13. Repeat Steps 10 through 12 until each of the Wood, Steel, and Composite
sub-menu items have been created.

Add the Sub-Menu Items to the ‘Pedestal’ Menu Item

14. Select the Pedestal menu item by clicking on it and then follow Steps 10 and
12 to create the Cable and Phone sub-menu items.

The Unit Editor

The Unit Editor is used to create a list of units,
which can be used with value attributes within the
current feature file. When a value attribute is
created, the units for that attribute can be selected
from the list of units created with the Unit Editor.
This will then display the selected units in
parenthesis after the value title. For example, if a
value attribute were titled Height, and Ft was
selected for the units, the title will be displayed as
Height (Ft) for that attribute during data
collection.
To open the Unit Editor, pull down the View
menu and select Units…

Adding a New Unit Name

To add a new unit, click the 1HZ button, type the new unit name, and click
$SSO\ or press [Enter]. Alternatively, you can simply start typing the new unit
name as long as the Unit Editor is open.

½ 9-9 ¾
SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

Editing an Existing Unit Name

To change an existing unit name, simply click on it to select it then click the (GLW
button, or double-click on the unit name. Edit the name, and press [Enter] or
click $SSO\ .

Deleting an Existing Unit Name

To delete an existing unit name, simply click on it to select it then click the
'HOHWH button, or press the [Delete] key on your keyboard.

Rearranging the Unit Names

To change the order that the unit names occur in the list, select the unit name that
you want to move and press the or buttons to move the unit name up or
down in the list.

Undo Changes
Clicking the 8QGR &KDQJHV button will remove all of the changes that were
made with the Unit Editor since it was last open – use cautiously!

Exiting the Unit Editor

To save your changes and close the Unit Editor, click the 2. button. If you
want to close the Unit Editor without saving your changes, click &DQFHO .

½ 9-10 ¾
 SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

Editing a Feature File

The routines in this section are used to change the way an existing feature file
looks. Most of these routines will affect how the features file contents will appear
when using it during data collection in Survey Pro for Windows CE, but some
only affect how things appear within the Survey Attribute Manager.

Note: Once a feature file is used to describe a feature in a job, that

feature file cannot be modified and then reassigned to that job unless
all of the attributes originally collected in the job are first removed.
See Using a Feature File on Page 9-15 for more information.

Renaming Items
To rename any feature or attribute, select it by clicking on it and then edit the
existing name in the Type field shown on the right side of the screen under
Properties.

Changing the Order of Items

To change the order of any feature or attribute, click on that item to select it, and
then click on the and keys to move the item to the desired location.

Note: Moving an item that contains sub-items will result in the

selected item and all of its sub-items to be moved simultaneously.

Deleting Items
To delete an item, select the item by clicking on it and do any of the following
steps:

• Click the Delete Item button .

• Pull down the Feature menu and select Delete Item.

½ 9-11 ¾
SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

• Press the [Delete] key on your keyboard.

Note: Deleting an item that contains sub-items will result in the

selected item and all its sub-items to be deleted.

Expanding and Collapsing Branches

The Survey Attribute Manager displays feature files in a branch format where any Fully Collapsed
item that contains sub-items will show the sub-items branch off from the main Branch
item. The items that are in view from the Survey Attribute Manager depend on
which branches are expanded and which are collapsed. The branches that can be
expanded are shown with a symbol and the branches that can be collapsed are
shown with a .
To expand a particular branch, click on the symbol associated with that branch.
Likewise, you can click on the symbol to collapse a particular branch.
Another way to expand or collapse a branch is right-click on the branch and select
Expand or Collapse.
You can also quickly expand all the branches in a feature file by clicking the Fully Expanded
Expand All button or by pulling the View menu down and selecting Expand Branch
All. Similarly all the branches in a feature file can be collapsed by clicking the
Collapse All button or by pulling the View menu down and selecting
Collapse All.

Moving and Copying Items

You can copy an item to another location by copying and pasting the item from
the Edit menu just like with most Windows’ applications. Likewise, you can
move an item by cutting and pasting.
Below are shortcut methods to copy or move items by dragging them with a
mouse.

½ 9-12 ¾
 SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

To copy an item to another location, right-click on the item and drag it to the new
location. When using this method, the item will be displayed as the icon shown
here while the item is being dragged.
To move an item, left-click on it and drag it to the new location. When moving
an item in this way, the item is displayed as the icon shown here while it is being
dragged.
If you attempt to drag an item to an invalid location, the icon will change to a
symbol.

The Form Editor

The Form Editor is used to change the size and position of the various fields for
any particular feature. This will affect the appearance of the dialog box that is
displayed when describing a feature during data collection.
To edit a form, select the feature whose form you want to edit by clicking on it.
The form is displayed on the right side of the screen, as it would look on a data
collector.

Note: The Form Editor can only be used when a feature is selected –
it is not available if an attribute is selected.

Moving a Field
To move a field in the Form Editor, position the mouse pointer over the field that
you want to move. When the pointer becomes a , click and drag the field to the
desired position.

Resizing a Field
You can resize a field horizontally or vertically with the Form Editor. To resize
horizontally, move the cursor near the desired vertical edge until the cursor
becomes a and then click and drag the edge to the new position. Resizing
vertically is performed the same way, only the cursor is held over the horizontal
edge that needs to be moved until it becomes a .

½ 9-13 ¾
SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

Note: Menu items cannot be resized vertically.

Changing Text Colors

To change the color of the text in any field, double click on the text
in the Form Editor. This will open the Color dialog box. Simply
click on the color that you want to use for the text and click 2. .
If you want more colors to choose from, custom colors can be created
using the 'HILQH &XVWRP &RORUV button.

Resetting Your Form

If a mistake is made in the Form Editor, you can use any of the
following commands to put things back the way they were:
• Click the 8QGR &KDQJHV button to undo all changes that
have been made since the particular feature has been
selected.
• Click the 5HVHW )RUP button to change everything back to the default
layout for the current feature.
• Pull down the Features menu and select Reset All Forms… to change
the layout for every feature back to a default layout

Note: If you do not want changes to inadvertently be made to any

forms, pull down the Features menu and select Lock Form Editor. This
will place a checkmark 9 next to this menu item and disable the
Form Editor. Repeat the process to unlock the Form Editor.

½ 9-14 ¾
 SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

Using a Feature File

Once a feature file is created, it must be selected from the job that you want to use
it with. This will allow you to use the feature codes in the selected feature file
with the current job. The job and feature file must be located in the same
directory.
Once a feature file is used to describe a feature in the current job, that feature file
must not be edited again if you want to continue using it with the same job. If it is
edited, Survey Pro will not allow you to continue using it with the current job.
Although the existing attributes collected will remain in the job, no additional
features can be added until the original, unmodified feature file is put back in the
same directory as the job.
The only way a feature file can be used again with a job after it has been edited is
to first remove all of the old attributes collected from the job, which is described
below. This also holds true if you want to use a new feature file in a job that has
feature information stored to it from an old feature file.

Assigning a Feature File to a Job

Normally a feature file is selected for the current job in the data collector (see the
Survey Pro documentation for more information), but a feature file can also be
selected from a particular job using the Survey Attribute Manager.
1. To assign a feature file to a job using the Survey Attribute Manager, first
open the Open dialog box by pulling down the File menu and selecting
Open, or click the Open button .

½ 9-15 ¾
SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

2. In the Files of type field, change the

file type from the *.fea default to Job
file (*.job).
3. Click on the job file that you want to
open and then click the
2SHQ button.
4. The job data is displayed on the left
side of the screen and a plot of the job
is displayed in the lower right portion
of the screen. Select the feature file
that you want to use with the current
job by pulling down the Job menu
and selecting Feature Code File.
5. Click the %URZVH button to
navigate to the correct feature code file.
6. Select the feature file and click 2SHQ . If the feature file is stored in
location different than the current job, it will be copied to the directory where
the job is stored.
7. Click 2. when you return to the previous dialog. The selected feature file
can now be used with the current job.

Job Files in the Survey Attribute Manager

When a job file is open in the Survey Attribute Manager and a feature file has
been assigned to it, feature information can be defined for the job and attributes
can be edited.
The coordinate and feature data is displayed in the left portion of the screen and a
2-D plot of the job is displayed in the lower-right portion of the screen. The
zoom controls for the plot view are the same as those used in Survey Pro. Points
can be selected by clicking on them from either of these views.
Once a point or polyline with feature information is selected, the corresponding
feature information is displayed in the upper-right portion of the screen. If the
point has no feature information, <None> is displayed and a new feature can be
selected.

½ 9-16 ¾
 SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

If a point from the job is selected, only the point features in the feature file will be
available. Likewise, if a polyline is selected, only the line features in the feature
file will be available.

Organizing Job Data in the Survey Attribute Manager

When a job is open in the Survey Attribute Manager, all of the coordinate and
feature data displayed on the left side of the screen can be sorted by different
categories selected from the View pull-down menu.
To change the order, pull down the View menu and select from one of the
following options
ƒ Sort by Type ƒ Sort by Name
ƒ Sort by Description ƒ Sort by Feature Code
ƒ Sort by Northing ƒ Sort by Easting
ƒ Sort by Elevation

Deleting All Feature Information From a Job

As stated earlier, if a job contains feature information and the feature code file
was later modified, the only way the revised feature code can be used with the job
again is to first delete all the original feature information from the job.
1. To delete all the feature information in a job, open the job in the Survey
Attribute Manager as described above.
2. Pull down the Job menu and select Delete All Attributes…
3. Answer 2. to the next prompt. You can now open a new or revised
feature file, as described above.

½ 9-17 ¾
SURVEY ATTRIBUTE MANAGER

Exporting Feature Information to Other File Formats

When a job is open in the Survey Attribute Manager, the Export pull-down menu
becomes available. The options in this menu are used to export the feature, point
and line data stored in the current job file to the file formats below. The new
file(s) will, by default, be created in the same directory as where the job file is
located.
• ESRI Shape File: The feature, point and line information from the
current job will be exported to several Shape files.
• Autocad DXF File: The feature, point, line and layer information from
the current job will be exported to a DXF file.
• ASCII File: The feature, point and line information from the current job
will be exported to an ASCII TXT file.
• Trimble DC File: The feature and point information from the current
job will be exported to a DC file for use with the Trimble Geomatics
Office software.

½ 9-18 ¾
 APPENDIX A

MGE ETI Reference

This appendix is a list of Intergraph ETI Codes, a description of each and their
fields, for use in converting GRE 3 and SDR raw data files.

Code Code Description Fields

1 Start of Job f1 Job number 1.
f2 Job number 2 / crew number.
2 Starting Point f1 Starting point. Default value is specified in the
and Azimuth eti.par file.
f2 Azimuth
f3 Backsight Point. Default: next available point
number.
3 Coordinate f1 Northing / Southing.
Translations f2 Easting / Westing.
4 Enter Coordinates f1 Point number.
f2 Northing / Southing. Default: 0.
f3 Easting / Westing. Default: O.
f4 Elevation. Default: 0.
5 Height of Prism f1 Height of foresight target prism. Default:
specified in the eti.par file.
f2 Height of Backsight target prism.
6 Add to Next Shot f1 Plus or minus additive distance.
f2 Plus or minus offset distance.
f3 Plus or minus additive target height.
7 Occupy New f1 Occupied point. Default: previous foresight
Point point.
f2 Height of instrument. Default: current height of
instrument.
f3 Traverse measurement mode.
f4 Instrument ID number.

AppendixA-1
8 Foresight to Side f1 Side traverse number.
Traverse Point f2 Side traverse foresight point. Default: next
available point number.
f3 Height of target. Default: current target height.
f4 Backsight point. Default: previously occupied
point number.
9 Foresight to Main f1 Point sighting. Default: next available point
Traverse Point number.
f2 Height of target. Default: current height of
target.
f3 Backsight point. Default: previously occupied
point number.
10 Foresight to f1 Foresight turn point. Default: next available
Turn point point number.
f2 Height of target. Default current target height.
11 Backsight to f1 Backsight turn point.
Turn joint f2 Elevation at Backsight turn point.
f3 Height of target.
f4 Backsight point when at closing point
12 Start Radial f1 Backsight point. Default: test direction of last
Points measurement set.
f2 Backsight azimuth
13 Point Feature f1 Feature name or number.
f2 Starting point. Default: next available point
number.
14 Linear Feature f1 Feature name or number.
f2 Figure number.
f3 Starting point.
15 Mid Are Point Use Code 15 to insert an arc at any time while
locating a linear feature.
16 Curve Feature f1 Feature name or number.
f2 Figure number.
f3 Starting point. Default: next available point
number.
17 Recover Shot f1 Point to recover. Default: last side shot (f2, f3,
f3 also).
f2 Second point ID.
f3 Third point ID.
f4 Fourth point ID.

AppendixA-2
18 Closing Point f1 Closing point, Default: starting point number on
and Azimuth the main traverse.
f2 Closing azimuth.
f3 Control point sighted. Default: next available
point number.
f4 Backsight point, Default: last occupied station,

19 Close Side f1 Close point.

Traverse f2 Final point,
f3 Last sighted point.
f4 Side traverse number.
20 User ID and Date f1 Time.
f2 User name.
f3 Weather.
f4 Date.
21 Adjustment f1 Type adjustment.
Method f2 Linear tolerance.
f3 Angular tolerance,
f4 Vertical tolerance.
22 Crosstie Shot f1 Point sighting. Default: next available point
number.
f2 Height of target. Default: current height of
target.
f3 Backsight point. Default: previously occupied
point.
23 Foresight to f1 Network point.
Network Point f2 Target height of f1.
f3 Second network point.
f4 Target height of f3.
24 Profiles by f1 Cross-Section Template ID.
cross-section f2 Cross-Section measurement mode.
f3 Starting figure number.
25 Atmospheric f1 Temperature.
Parameters f2 Barometric pressure.
f3 Relative humidity.
26 Prism f1 Target point ID.
specification f2 Prism ID number.
for Target Points f3 Target point ID.
f4 Prism ID number.
]
AppendixA-3
27 Point Descriptor f1 Point number.
f2 Descriptor.
28 Figure Descriptor f1 Figure number.
f2 Descriptor.
29 Differential f1 Backsight point,
Leveling f2 Rod reading,
Backsight f3 Upper wire.
f4 Lower wire.
30 Differential f1 Foresight point.
Leveling f2 Rod reading.
Foresight f3 Upper wire.
f4 Lower wire.
31 DTM Surface f1 DTM Surface feature.
Feature

AppendixA-4
 APPENDIX B

IMPORTING AN INTERGRAPH ADF FILE INTO INROADS

Survey Link-DC can convert raw data from a TDS, SDR, GRE3 or FC-4 data
collector into an Intergraph ADF (ASCII Data Format) file. An Intergraph ICS
file, with just STORE FIGURE records, is also produced during the conversion.

The ADF files can be loaded into InRoads to produce surfaces and to do
adjustments. The shortened ICS file can be loaded to bring in lines.

To import an ADF file into InRoads for Adjustments:

1. Start InRoads
2. Select the InRoads command from the menu.
3. Select the PROJECT command from the InRoads menu panel and
"Create Project" or "Load Project" from the PROJECT COMMANDS
tutorial. Name your project.
4. Select the ADJUST command from the menu and "Create Adjust.
Project" or "Load Adjust. Project". Name your adjustment project.
5. From the ADJUSTMENT PROJECT COMMANDS tutorial, select
ADJ. This will bring you into the ADJUSTMENT MANIPULATION
COMMANDS tutorial.
6. In the ADJUSTMENT MANIPULATION COMMANDS tutorial,
select "Create Adjust." Give a name for the adjustment.
7. In the ADJUSTMENT MANIPULATION COMMANDS tutorial,
select "Load from ADF". Enter the ADF file name, filename.adf.
8. In the ADJUSTMENT MANIPULATION COMMANDS tutorial,
select "Export to .TDP" and then select <D>. The command line will
say "nnn Points Added to Alignment CoGo".
9. From the InRoads Menu Panel, select the CoGo command to adjust and
display the data.

Appendix B-1
To import an ADF file into InRoads for Surfaces:

1. Start InRoads.
2. Select the InRoads command from the menu.
3. Select the PROJECT command from the InRoads menu panel and
"Create Project" or "Load Project" from the PROJECT COMMANDS
tutorial. Name your project.
4. Select the SURFACE command from the InRoads menu panel.
5. Select the LOAD command from the InRoads menu panel.
6. Select "Load .ADF File" from the tutorial.
7. At the command line prompt, key in the surface number and then the
ADF file name.
8. After the message "Surface Loaded", select "Triangulate" command
and then <D>.
9. The surface can be viewed by selecting the DISPLAY command.

To import an ICS file for lines:

After the points have been loaded into InRoads from the ADF file, you can bring
in the lines by loading the corresponding ICS file. This ICS file was created by
Survey Link when the ADF was created. It has only the line (STORE FIGURE)
information in it.

1. Select the COGO command from the InRoads menu panel.

2. Select the CONTROL command from the InRoads menu panel.
3. From the tutorial, select "Input File".
4. On the command line, key in: 0 filename.ics and then select <D>.

Appendix B-2
 APPENDIX C

AUTO LINEWORK
Auto linework is the ability to gather data in the field and, with limited input
from the field crew, then have a PC generate an accurate drawing. Plotting is
typically a desk top PC function. With auto linework, however the plotting
instructions must be input at the time that the data is collected. This appendix
addresses Tripod Data System's EASY SURVEY linework codes.
EASY SURVEY's auto linework uses surveyor-entered "feature codes" to group
various shots in a survey. Feature codes are user-defined codes that identify the
kind of point you have shot; for example, a fence, edge of pavement, etc. It also
uses "command codes" that are entered while collecting data in the field that
instruct EASY SURVEY how to connect these groups when it generates the
lines or points. Command codes are system-defined and tell the auto map
routine how to join the points to form the linework.

Feature Codes
Feature codes are used to group a series of points or lines. They can be up to 16
alpha/numeric characters or symbols. Feature codes are not case sensitive, so
can use upper or lower case letters. Whether you enter a name as "fence" or
"Fence", the code "FENCE" will be used.
A feature code cannot include a space as part of the code. So, if you want to join
two words as a feature code, use the "-" or "_" keys between the words. For
example, FENCE WIRE and FENCE POST would be interpreted as the same
code : "FENCE". But, FENCE-WIRE or FENCE_POST are valid, two-word
feature codes. If you use a space between two words, the information after the
space can be used as a descriptor, but only the characters up to the space will be
recognized as the feature code.
Feature codes are not job-specific. Any feature code created for one job can be
used on another job.

Appendix C-1
Command Codes
Command codes tell the auto-mapping routine when to pick up the pen, which
points to join and where, where to start and end a line, which points to connect in
a curve, and so on.

The command codes are system defined as described below.

BEG Starts a line segment. Lifts the pen at the previous point
and lowers it at the next observed point.

BC Begins a Spline curved line. All points with the same

feature code, that are shot between the BC and EC
command codes, will have a spline curve drawn through
them. The slope of the curve at its beginning and end, are
defined by the slope of the line leading into and out of the
curve

C2 The next two points are the beginning and end points of a
C2 ###.### curve. When the radius [###.###] is not specified, the two
points are assumed to be tangents (PC and PT of the
curve). C2 does not lift or lower the pen (unless BEG is
also specified).

C3 The next three points are the beginning, middle, and end
points of a curve. C3 does not lift or lower the pen (unless
BEG is also specified).

CP1 The first point of a 3 point curve.

CP2 The second point of a 3 point curve.
CP3 The third point of a 3 point curve. These commands
produce the same kind of curve as a C3 command. The
difference is that the 3 points do not have to be shot one
after another. The points must have the same feature
code and be shot in order.

EC Ends a Spline curved line. (See BC)

END Ends the line segment and lifts the pen.

Appendix C-2
JFS Joins the current point to the first point in the same
feature code. JFS does not lift the pen.

JN Joins the next two observed points, regardless of the

code, without lifting the pen.

JNS Joins the next observed point to the nearest point of same
code, without lifting the pen.

JP #### Joins the next observed point to the specified [####]

point, regardless of the code. It lifts the pen to the
specified point and lowers the pen to draw a line to the
next observed point.

JPS Joins the next observed point to the previous point of the
same code. It lifts the pen to the previous point and
lowers the pen to draw a line to the next observed point .

JT #### Joins the current point to the specified [####] point,

regardless of the code, and does not lift the pen.

R3 The next three points are three consecutive points of a

rectangle. Auto linework will draw the rectangle defined
by these three point. R3 does not lift or lower the pen.

SS Indicates a side shot taken from the last point.

In summary, the feature codes tell how to group the points, and the command
codes tell how to connect the points. With this information, the auto-mapping
routine is able to draw lines automatically.

AppendixC-3
 INDEX
A D
AASHTO Format.....................................6-29
Advanced Communications Settings.........3-9
Append File 2 to File 1 ............................6-50
Archive Raw Data File...............................3-4
attributes......................................................9-2
auto linework............................................30-1
AutoCAD DXF Format .............................6-4
AutoCogo Format ......................................6-6
B digital level file
Backsight ....................................................5-3
Backup Copy..............................................3-4
Baud rate.....................................................3-3
Block of Points...........................................3-6
C opening.......................................... 8-2
C&G Format...............................................6-6
CAiCE (SRV) Format..............................6-30
CLM Format...............................................6-8
Closure Report............................................4-7
Colors folder.............................................2-11
Command Codes......................................30-2
Communications Setup ..............................3-2
Compute Closing Angle.............................4-8
Control File.................................................5-8
Coordinate File Formats ............................6-2
coordinate system.......................................7-8
Create
Coordinate File ..............................4-9
Point List .....................................4-10
Raw Data File ..............................5-12
Text File ......................................4-13
Create a File................................................2-3
Current Directory .....................................2-16
Custom Defined Format...........................6-16
Cut Sheet Reports .................................5-9
Data Communications ............................... 3-1
Datums ....................................................... 7-1
Horizontal Datums ........................ 7-1
Vertical Datums ............................ 7-5
Default Communication Setting................ 3-3
degrees-minutes-seconds........................... 7-2
Delete Point................................................ 4-3
Delete points .............................................. 4-3
Deleting a Record ...............................5-5, 5-6
closure ......................................... 8-13
create new ..................................... 8-2
editor ............................................. 8-3
input file conversion.................... 8-15
least squares adjustment .....8-15, 8-19
record types................................... 8-7
digital terrain model................................. 6-51
DMS ........................................................... 7-2
Drafix 1 Plus Format ............................... 6-10
DTM File ................................................. 6-51
Duplicate Mode Lines ............................... 5-8
E
Edit
Coordinate File.............................. 4-1
Raw Data....................................... 5-1
Edit Window....................................... 2-16
ellipsoid ...................................................... 7-5
equipotential............................................... 7-5
Error Wizard .............................................. 5-8
extract sub-grid from geoid file......2-14, 7-16
F
FC-4............................................................ 1-2
FC-4 to Intergraph's ADF Format........... 6-45
FC-4 to TDS Format................................ 6-45
Index i
INDEX
Feature Codes...........................................30-1
feature file................................................... 9-2
exporting ..................................... 9-18
features ....................................................... 9-2
File Menu ................................................... 2-5
File type....................................................2-16
Find............................................................. 4-4
G map projections ....................................... 2-13
General Preferences.................................2-10
Generate Coordinates ..............................5-11
Geodetic Calculator, The........................... 7-7
Geodetic Functions .............................7-1, 8-1
geoid ........................................................... 7-5
geoid modeling.........................................2-13
Go To.......................................................... 5-7
Go to........................................................... 4-4
GRE 3......................................................... 1-2
GRE 3 to Intergraph's ADF Format........6-36
GRE 3 to TDS Format.............................6-36
H N
HARNs....................................................... 7-4
Help ..........................................................2-15
HI/HR......................................................... 5-4
HPGNs ....................................................... 7-4
husky transfer ...........................................7-18
husky upgrade ..........................................3-10
I Nikon format to TDS format .................. 6-47
INROADS................................................19-1
Insert a Record ........................................... 5-3
Insert Point ................................................. 4-3
Installation.................................................. 1-4
Intergraph ................................................... 9-1
Intergraph ADF Format...........................6-30
K Offset Stake Cut Sheet ...............................5-9
Keyboard folder .................................. 2-11
Index ii
L
least squares adjustment.......................... 8-19
least squares input file ............................. 8-15
editing..........................................8-17
joining..........................................8-17
Lewis & Lewis Format............................ 6-11
M
Maptech Format ...................................... 6-13
Margins .......................................................4-6
Match Whole Word Only ..........................4-4
Maximize Button........................................2-2
Menu Bar ............................................2-2, 2-5
Merge Coordinate File ............................ 6-49
Minimize Button.........................................2-2
Missing Backsight ......................................5-8
Modules ......................................................1-2
Molodensky ................................................7-8
MTI Format ............................................. 6-14
NAD27........................................................7-3
NAD83........................................................7-3
NADCON...................................................7-3
NAVD88.....................................................7-6
New... ...............................2-3, 4-9, 4-10, 4-13
NGS Nadcon...............................................7-8
NGVD29.....................................................7-6
Nikon Import/Export......................6-22, 6-24
Non-Sequential...........................................3-4
Non-TDS Data Collectors..........................1-2
Note.............................................................5-3
O
Occupy Pt....................................................5-4
Open.......................................... 2-3, 2-16, 5-1
Options Menu .............................................2-9
orthometric height.......................................7-5

P SoftDesk (DCA) Format ..................6-9, 6-28
PacSoft Format...............................6-14, 6-35
Page Setup .......................................... 4-6, 5-7
Parity...........................................................3-2
Plus III Format..........................................6-15
PLUS III Format ......................................6-31
Point Overwrite ..........................................5-8
Point Stake Cut Sheet...............................5-10
Precision folder.........................................2-10
Print..................................................... 4-4, 5-7
Print Preview ...............................2-4, 4-5, 5-7
Print.............................................................2-4
Projection Systems.....................................7-3
Prompt for Action ....................................6-49
R Survey Pro CE Import ............................. 6-21
ranger transfer...........................................7-19
Raw Data Conversions.............................6-27
Receive
Non-TDS Data Collector ...............3-5
Receive a File .............................................3-4
Recover Archived File .............................6-48
Redo............................................................5-6
Renumber File ..........................................6-50
Reports........................................................4-7
Running Survey Link .................................1-4
S Tools menu......................................2-14, 3-10
Save.............................................................2-3
SDR.............................................................1-2
SDR to Autodesk-Softdesk format..........6-44
SDR to Intergraph's ADF Format............6-41
SDR to TDS Format ................................6-40
SDRmap Raw Data Format.....................6-32
Send a File ..................................................3-6
Sequential ...................................................3-4
serialize .....................................................3-10
Server Mode ...............................................3-7
Sideshot.......................................................5-4
Size an Area..............................................2-17
SMI to TDS Format .................................6-45
INDEX
Standard ASCII Format............................. 6-3
State Plane 1927 ........................................ 7-8
State Plane 1983 ........................................ 7-8
Statistics...................................................... 4-7
Status Bar ............................................2-2, 2-6
Stop............................................................. 3-5
Store Points ................................................ 5-4
sub-grid............................................2-14, 7-16
Subtitle........................................................ 4-6
SurvCAD Format..................................... 6-16
Survey Attribute Manager ......................... 9-1
Survey Link- DC.................................... 1-2
Survey Link-DC......................................... 3-5
Survey Pro CE Export ............................. 6-22
System Requirements ................................ 1-3
T
template files
sending .......................................... 3-6
Test Wizard................................................ 3-3
TIN ........................................................... 6-51
Title ............................................................ 4-6
Title Bar ..................................................... 2-2
Tool Bar ..................................................... 2-2
Toolbar................................................2-3, 2-6
Topcon DL-100 Series to TDS Format.. 6-47
Transfer ...................................................... 3-1
Transfer Geodetic Files ........................... 2-13
Transfer Menu.....................................2-7, 2-8
transformation method............................... 7-8
Translate
Coordinate File.............................. 6-1
Raw Data File.............................. 6-26
Traverse...................................................... 5-5
triangulated irregular network ................. 6-51
U
Unarchive Raw Data................................ 6-48
Index iii
INDEX

Undo ....................................................2-4, 5-6

upgrade husky ..........................................3-10
UTM........................................................... 7-8

V
Versions...................................................... 1-2
View Menu................................................. 2-6

W
WGS84....................................................... 7-3
WildSoft Format ............................ 6-15, 6-33
Windows................................................. 2-2

Z
Zone File...................................................7-14

Index iv