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Getting more survey information from data collector.

6 REPLIES 6
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Message 1 of 7
muncle56
3480 Views, 6 Replies

Getting more survey information from data collector.

I'm new to this discussion group so forgive me if this topic has come up before.

I just bought a new Ranger (3) Data Collector for our office. I'm doing conventional surveying with a Topcon total station and using Civil 3D 2013 in the office.

I've been exporting text files from it and then importing the points into a CAD drawing. This works OK as far as it goes but I want to see the raw data and make and edit fieldbooks.  I can export .raw and .job files from the Ranger but then I can't open or do anything with them.

I have Trimble Link and Trimble Data Transfer installed but when I tried to use them I only got as far as what COM port I'm using.  We have new computers without COM ports, all the connections are via USB.

Any help would be appreciated.

6 REPLIES 6
Message 2 of 7
AllenJessup
in reply to: muncle56

See if [this] or {this} helps. I don't have any recent knowledge of this. I haven't worked with trimble data in quite a few years. I remember LDD might have been able to convert a .job file to an .fbk file. If you have LDC2009 installed you might want to check that out.

 

Allen

 

Or maybe [this].



Allen Jessup
Engineering Specialist / CAD Manager

Message 3 of 7
ctbailey
in reply to: muncle56

Another method is to use TDS Data Collection Link.

 

Do not Use TDS Data Collection link to connect and transfer stuff.  Use Microsoft Activesync (Win XP) or Windows Mobile Device Center (Win7)   The serial connection will still probably work, but ActiveSync has made that method obsolete. 

 

The \SurveyPRO directory on the ranger will have your JOBXXX.job file, as well as a corresponding JOBXXX.RAW file.

 

Using windows explorer, copy that *.RAW file onto the server/local machine.  Using TDS DataCollection link, you can CONVERT from the .RAW to a .FBK  file.

 

once you have the .FBK file, all the original slope distances, horizontal angles, and vertical angles will be available to you for traditional reduction - Like Least Squares, the most statistically correct method.

 

__________
Craig T. Bailey, PE, LLS
Bailey Engineering
Message 4 of 7
MATRIX3DSURVEYS
in reply to: muncle56

TDS  DATA Processing for AutoCAD LD or C3D

1. Set up a CODE file in the Data Collector If you want to use figure and Line work commands.  The Description Codes need to be consistent or they will not work. Setup the Description Keys in LD / C3D  (Good task for a rainy day, takes a while to get all the formats right so they work) There is a good you-tube video about setting up Leica Data Collectors to work with LD he shows how to format the control Codes for the line work. [As a general rule anything but numbers and letters in the Description will mess things up]

Leica also allows 3 lines of attribute data for each point

TDS allows about 15 characters.

 

2. Set up a CONTROL FILE : Put control points and any Stakeout Coordinates needed in this file.  This prevents problems with multiple points with the same point number in the Field Data File  (RW5, RAW)

 

TDS uses a BIF (Back sight Point, Instrument Point, Foresight Point)   format data base to keep track of surveyed points.

 

The TDS data collectors insert 2 lines of data on setups that cause problems when reprocessing the data. These need to be changed to Notes.  Or the Software Will continue to use these field coordinates every time the data is processed

 

Store:Point: #        Y COORD, X COORD, Z COORD

Occupy: Occ: #     Y COORD, X COORD, Z COORD

 

Example:

--SP,PN55,N 559828.3850,E 1676769.0940,EL5201.7424,--

--OC,OP55,N 559828.3850,E 1676769.0940,EL5201.7424,--

 

I don't remember you may have to remove the Back Sight Az line that it inserts also to process properly.

 

Data can be edited in Survey Link DC (Survey Menu LD / C3D); or Word processing software and saved as a plane Text File.  My personal favorite though is the Corel Quattro Pro Spreadsheet: Angles and distances all come in separate columns and look like field notes. After edit  Save as *.csv Then make sure to change the file extension back to .RW5

 

(Note: MS Excel will not work it messes the file. It does not read the file correctly and messes up the header even when saved back to DOS *.csv format;  Survey Link DC will no longer open the files.)

 

I prefer to use the Generate coordinates option in  Survey Link DC, then convert the CR5 file to a PNEZD.csv file and import this file and apply description keys. 

 

I use Leica Equipment but supervise and process data from crews using just about every type of equipment and survey method. GPS, TPS, Conventional Plate Angle, Solar Leapfrog, Magnetic Traverse.

Preferred Software is Leica Geo Office, Bear Creek and Move3. Data is processed checked and then Adjusted with Move3 then exported to a PENZD.csv file and then imported in to C3D and Description Keys applied to get line work figures and point styles and descriptions.

 

 

Jim

matrix3dsurveys

Message 5 of 7
darianklare
in reply to: ctbailey

Hi Craig,

 

  You mention Windows Mobile Device Center and the TDS Data Collection Link in your post.   I have not been able to get Windows Mobile Device Center/TDS Data Collection Link to work with Windows 7 & Outlook 2010 64bit. 

 

What OS and MS Office versions are you running this on?

Is the TDS Data Collection Link you refer to the one that Windows 7 is supposed to detect and install via Plug and Play driver download via Windows Update or do you have a separate installation .exe? 

Do you know if the TDS Data Collection Link is required for the Windows Mobile Device Center to recognize the device?

 

Kindly,

Darian

Message 6 of 7
_Hathaway
in reply to: muncle56


@muncle56 wrote:

I'm new to this discussion group so forgive me if this topic has come up before.

I just bought a new Ranger (3) Data Collector for our office. I'm doing conventional surveying with a Topcon total station and using Civil 3D 2013 in the office.

I've been exporting text files from it and then importing the points into a CAD drawing. This works OK as far as it goes but I want to see the raw data and make and edit fieldbooks.  I can export .raw and .job files from the Ranger but then I can't open or do anything with them.

I have Trimble Link and Trimble Data Transfer installed but when I tried to use them I only got as far as what COM port I'm using.  We have new computers without COM ports, all the connections are via USB.

Any help would be appreciated.


While we do not use Rangers we do use the Trimble Data Transfer program on our CPU with no com ports.  When we link our collectors to the USB port cable Windows Mobile Device Center pops up, we make the connection, and then we can use the Trimble Data Transfer program.  I seem to recall a few issues in getting this setup....but unfortunately I cannot recall what they were.

Message 7 of 7
darianklare
in reply to: _Hathaway

Yes, it has been a bumpy road so far.  I have gone through the collector and windows settings several times.  I have spoken with Trimble, Autodesk, & Microsoft to try and get support.  I have yet to be able to have anyone confirm that they have used Data Collector USB and TDS Data Collection Link and Windows Mobility Center with Win 7 and Office 2010 on a 64bit system.  Needs to be streamlined a bit more.  Any updates are appreciated.

 

Kindly,

Darian

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