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David Mitchell
Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 19
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Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:26 pm Post subject: Importing survey data from a total station |
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I'm thinking about buying a total station and am trying to figure out the steps necessary to convert from total station data into a PC7 file without entering the Windows world.
Is direct conversion by Powercadd or one of its plug-ins on the horizon? If not, are there suggestions for simple solutions?
FWIW I have read previous threads (mostly dealing with topography generation) on this board, but alas, my feeble mind could not determine if these questions were answered.
Thanks in advance for any help.
David
imac 2.8 ghz core2 Duo
4gig ram
PC7.0.4/WT8.04 |
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IPaRos
Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 29 Location: Italy
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:03 am Post subject: |
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If the total station export directly into a text file the XYZ data you can import that using my external Topography Tools (www.iparos.it)
Otherwise if your total station export data only in "survey" format distance, horizontal angle, and azimut angle you need a program to read this data an convert them to an XYZ file. For this scope you can use the only Mac program that I know: Nonio A (www.interstudio.net).
For import data from total station into the Mac there is many method depending on total station type and format of data.
If the total station have a memory card you can read it directly in Mac using a card reader.
If the total station use serial communication you must need a program to do serial communication and a USB to serial cable.
About the program if the total station send data with an unidirectional communication (the total station send data in one single flux) you can use a program like GoSerial.
If the total station need a special communication protocol (the total station wait from the computer a signal for start to send each data package) you need a specialized program to do that. I write a program (Nonio Tools) that work with many total station to import data and also to convert some not directly supported total station by Nonio A to format that you can import in Nonio A.
I hope I clarify you a little bit, if you need more info you can also contact me at paolo@iparos.it |
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Alfred Scott

Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 633 Location: Richmond, VA
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:02 am Post subject: |
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David,
There is no PowerCADD plug-in on the horizon that will handle this except for Paolo's Topography Tools which handles this very well.
The typical survey instrument that 'imports data into AutoCAD' actually does no such thing. Instead, it produces a text file of XYZ data, which is then imported in AutoCAD. Paolo is doing the same thing and it's all that is required in the PowerCADD world.
Then you are off and running because Paolo and I have been doing a lot of collaborating with TopoTools (in WildTools) and his Topography Tools. Once you get the topo data imported, then you can work on these with either external. I can tell you I have no plans to try to handle this type of importing, so Paolo's Topography Tools are going be a must-have item if you want to deal with topo survey data.
Alfred |
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David Mitchell
Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 19
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the help.
David |
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