I am trying to utilize field to finish drafting and I have several questions about the best way to go about doing this.
1. Should I be setting up codes in Magnet Field or Civil 3D? (We are currently using Civil 3D 2017).
2. If the surface is created in Magnet Field can it be converted to Civil 3D to be edited?
3. Can anyone share their code library so we can see an example that works?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Suggest you setup Magnet Field to draw the line work in real time. This is a good check before leaving the field (your canvas). You can create styles so the same codes will work Civil3D to reprocess that data.
Or as you noted you could create the surface in Magnet Field then Export an XML file to work with Civil3D.
leegreen, post: 456908, member: 2332 wrote: Suggest you setup Magnet Field to draw the line work in real time.
My experience with GUI-equipped data collectors is limited to the Allegro CX and the Carlson Surveyor+, but I've found the map screen to be of very limited use. Looking at points only is tedious enough, I can't imagine trying to make sense of linework on that tiny display. Is it just me, or is other hardware better in this regard?
Certainly "other hardware is better in this regard". Using a 7" Windows tablet with i5 CPU, SSD, 8GB RAM & 1280x960 display, the line work is very easy to see.
I held one of Topcon's new FC5000 tablets a few weeks ago, and really liked it. My Topcon Dealer has Survey Pro on it, as well as Magnet. It was pretty easy to read in the sunlight, but I did not do a full demo. I was there getting some total stations serviced on my way to our TAPS meeting.
The screen was pretty nice sizewise.
leegreen, post: 456916, member: 2332 wrote: Certainly "other hardware is better in this regard". Using a 7" Windows tablet with i5 CPU, SSD, 8GB RAM & 1280x960 display, the line work is very easy to see.
I agree, that kind of display would probably render the map screen a lot more usable. But until someone builds one into a rugged device with a hardware keyboard, I'm not likely to find out for sure.
I would also take a look at Getac T800 to run survey pro. 1 year in and so far really like it. Make sure to get the ram upgrade.
Panasonic makes a rugged keyboard. But it adds more weight than I care to carry.
If you insist on a keyboard I suggest using wireless mini like this.
leegreen, post: 456939, member: 2332 wrote: Panasonic makes a rugged keyboard. But it adds more weight than I care to carry.
If you insist on a keyboard I suggest using wireless mini like this.
Duct tape the range-pole to it, add some off road tires & a battery (or solar panels) and you're in business 
Maybe I'm just stuck in my ways, but I'm having a hard time envisioning the practical use of a data collector that doesn't have a hardware keyboard that can be operated with one hand and hugs the pole close enough to allow me to get where I need to go without getting hung up -- or worse yet -- broken. I don't know about the rest of you, but in my work I often need to thread my way through brush, climb walls and fences, jump across ditches and perform other acrobatic maneuvers, so the less weight and clutter in the pole the better. And whatever does hang on the pole has to be able to keep up.
My insistence on a hardware keyboard relates to speed. Having to pick up a stylus and peck out some text on a virtual keyboard every time I enter a description would really slow me down. With the hardware keyboard on my Surveyor+ I can thumb in most common descriptions without even looking at the DC.
But again, maybe I'm just set in my ways and reluctant to change.
Same here. I climb ladders, and scaffolding daily, along with brush. But I have gone to a chest mounted system for the controller. Similar to carrying binoculars.
Tyler Brown, post: 456904, member: 13214 wrote: I am trying to utilize field to finish drafting and I have several questions about the best way to go about doing this.
1. Should I be setting up codes in Magnet Field or Civil 3D? (We are currently using Civil 3D 2017).
2. If the surface is created in Magnet Field can it be converted to Civil 3D to be edited?
3. Can anyone share their code library so we can see an example that works?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Tyler, I have not used Magnet but you can certainly use Civil 3D to process your field work in a ??field to finish? type workflow. It takes a bit to set up a good template from scratch in Civil 3D but it??s worth the time and effort, especially if you are already drafting in Civil 3D. If you want to PM me I can send you a sample code list for the field and a Civil 3D template to get you started. Good luck!
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I rarely type a code in anymore quick codes make topo go a lot faster.
Jim Frame, post: 456943, member: 10 wrote: Maybe I'm just stuck in my ways, but I'm having a hard time envisioning the practical use of a data collector that doesn't have a hardware keyboard that can be operated with one hand and hugs the pole close enough to allow me to get where I need to go without getting hung up -- or worse yet -- broken. I don't know about the rest of you, but in my work I often need to thread my way through brush, climb walls and fences, jump across ditches and perform other acrobatic maneuvers, so the less weight and clutter in the pole the better. And whatever does hang on the pole has to be able to keep up.
My insistence on a hardware keyboard relates to speed. Having to pick up a stylus and peck out some text on a virtual keyboard every time I enter a description would really slow me down. With the hardware keyboard on my Surveyor+ I can thumb in most common descriptions without even looking at the DC.
But again, maybe I'm just set in my ways and reluctant to change.
ditto
Jim Frame, post: 456943, member: 10 wrote: But again, maybe I'm just set in my ways and reluctant to change.
That's just wrong.
There's been a few times where a screen locks up and only needed a dozen or so shots to complete a job, and was able to do it with the Return, Tab, Esc, and Exit keys. How much does a return trip cost for a dozen shots ??
You lose perspective when you constantly have to look down and dick and peck with a stylus, your eyes need refocus, you lose track of trends when you're juggling five or six things in your head, and your equilibrium needs the second or so regain a sense of direction and grade.
You can't wite off the utilitarian value of key functions with some ditzy comment that it is old technology, and you have to buy something new.
