Produce XML Files For Roads, DTM's

I am testing a "Tracker" Unit from Microsurvey using their Field
Genius Software.

I am told this unit only works with surfaces and roads in the
Microsurvey formats - .QSB for surfaces and ??? for Roads, or will
also import .XML definitions of roads and dtm's.

I do practically all my work in Terramodel, and usually produce .DC
files for roads, and .TTM's for surfaces for use in Survet Controller
in an ACU.

Terramodel will also output .DWG's & DXF's, as well as many other
formats - but not XML. You can import xml in TM, but not export.

Does anyone know how I can easily/quickly produce some xml files for
roads & surfaces to test the Tracker w/o buying and learning more huge
software during the week I have for evaluation?

Thanks, Tom


Happy Trails To You

 

Since you are (or were) evaluating Field Genius you should probably try
the trial version of MicroSurvey (free 30 day). MicroSurvey is pretty
easy to use and the Field Genius <> MicroSurvey transfer is slick.

Another alternative is AutoCad Civil 3D or LDD.

Hope I'm not too late.

M

 

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions.

Turns out we already have a license for Microsurvey 2002, but I do all
my design/importation/adaptation and volume calc. work in Terramodel.

TM will export a .DWG, so I just found one of the engineers in our
head office that had LDD installed and took a dwg from terramodel,
loaded it into ldd and farted around till I managed to produce some
xml surfaces, some alignments, and a road file.

The real surveyor had the unit with the total station last week, and
I'm playing around with it attached to a Trimble 5800 gps now.

So far things I do not like outweigh the positives - screen too hard
to read, data transfer with Belkin 9-pin serial and PC-LINK on tracker
too flakey, unit locks up sometimes and needs warm boot, and a few
others.

Also, the demo unit has no Bluetooth (maybe they haven't got it
working yet) and was loaned to us with no pole bracket, so I'm
wandering around with a tracker on a string and a serial wire - a pain
in the butt that detracts from the actual test somewhat.

- Tom

Happy Trails To You

 

We tried a Tracker and had the same problem with it crashing. Ours had
Bluetooth which was great for downloading especially into MicroSurvey.

Although, we did find that disabling the Bluetooth and allocating more
system memory to the program stopped the unit from crashing, we ended up
buying Field Genius on an Allegro.

I think that the latest version of MicroSurvey does allow for xml output
but you should check with them if you are interested.

I must admit that Msurvey is a bit clunky for road design, but I have
had a lot of success with the QuickSurf modeling components.

Cheers,
M

 

I'm the GPS guy, and most of the problems were when we tride to use
the Tracker with GPS. I would assume the Msurvey crowd have a whole
lot more experience with surveying with a total station. The unit
also displayed most of its problems trying to do the (new) road
functions.

The real surveyor in our company had tried the Tracker out the
previous week with the total station and said everything worked fine,
so my boss has decided to buy one for him and hope they get the bugs
sorted out on the gps & roads stuff in the near future.

Meantime I guess I'll stick to the Trimble stuff & Survey Controller
SW. At least its sort of dependable. I do a fair bit of leg work for
topos, and I get really pissed when a unit shuts down and loses my
collected data.

- Tom



Happy Trails To You