LGO - Google Earth

Dan,

I have not seen this before but I will find some data and try it. Can you let me know what of LGO you are running?

Are you creating a new project in LGO for each download?

I create a new one every time...job number followed by the date. (Only one job in the DC just a new one in LGO for each download) I have never had any trouble getting the points in Google Earth that way. I've never tried adding new points to an existing LGO project.

BTW- I love being able bring points into Google Earth and save a KMZ of the project. It's really handy having all the points along with photo's from the data collector and gun linked in the KMZ. Makes it much easier for the guys doing the drafting when my field notes are less than crystal clear.

I've gotten it to work by creating another job/project. I was just wondering why it wouldn't come in if I used the same job. Even if I clear/delete the data within google earth it still comes back in with only the first day's observations. I'd prefer to use one project if I could, but if your saying I must create a new project for each download I suppose I can. I keep the raw files separated by date, but generally I merge them into the same project.

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

Gents,
Please tell us more about accessing Google Earth from LGO. Never heard it before.
Learn something new every time I log into this forum.:-)
Thanks in advance,
Mike

I've always just created a new project each time I download to LGO. I've never tried adding points to an existing project...seems like you should be able to view all those points in GE though.

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

Mike,

It is a really great feature. My LGO version is about a year old (8.3 maybe???)

I use it on an almost daily basis. Just click on the Google Earth icon and all your points and images pull up in Google Earth. Each point is a balloon that you can click on giving you X,Y,Z 3DCQ, point description, and class of point. Any photo's you take with the DC or Gun also have an icon you click on to pull up the photo. (if you linked the photo to a point in the field)

Like I said I use it almost daily. It's great for reviewing your progress on a large topo especially when you have multiple guys working on the same project. (helps eliminate gaps and overlap)

I can't figure out how to post a KMZ file on here. If you want to see a sample of what you get send me and email and I'll send you one.

Here is a screen shot.

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

That is probably my favorite feature of the software. We use the CS15 field controller, which has a built in camera. (The camera is kind of cheap; I don't understand why they didn't put a better one in, and also the internal memory is ridiculously small.) That said, the ability to shoot an image and tag it to a point and then see it in Google is fantastic.

The field crew can shoot a monument or capped rebar or whatever object it may be, then shoot an image of it which will be tagged to that point. Then I import the data, see where the shot is on Google Earth, click on the shot, and see the image associated with the point. This gives me an idea of the vintage/condition of evidence they shot. As much as I've bashed Leica in the past, they have definitely done a few things right.

Here's one from yesterday where they took a shot on a well marker and tagged it with 2 photos to further explain what it was.

(edited to add image)

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

Dan,

I am running LGO 8.3 right now. I tried several different data sets from different days and a few were different month apart. When I used the Goggle Earth option everything came in fine. I don ot rememebr seeing this in the earlier version of LGO 8 either. I am wondering if this might have something to do with saving data from Temporary PLaces in Google Earth to My PLaces and then trying to bring in extra data. You said you had all of the data in one job and it did not work.

I will ask some of the other users I know if they have seen the same thing. I cannot reporduce it but it may have been an issue in a earlier version. If I can find something out I will email you and/or post back

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

Thanks for looking into it for me! I have been able to get around it by creating a separate project for each day, but it just seems like I shouldn't have to. I have 8.3.0.0 also.

Another question I had is about exporting points to ASC format or TXT or CSV or whatever.....there is an option from SmartWorx to export code & code information as one combined field, but I do not see the same option in LGO. I asked my Leica Rep about it, and he could not figure out how to export the two as one field. If I do it as separate fields then I have too many columns for a CAD import. We are using both fields when we collect data (UP code is for utility pole then #12345 goes in code information as the pole number or CIP code is capped iron pin and code info could be John Smith.)

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

Dan,

There are a couple of ways to do this after you export the file but there is also a way to do it in LGO using a Format File. I am not sure if anyone has shown you how to use or build a format file but essentially you are creating a custom filter for extracting an ASCII file from the database of the job. This can be done on any System1200 or Viva equipment and also in LGO. So in LGO there is an application under the Tools menu called Format Manager. You can create these database filters for equipment or LGO. Once you create the format file you would use the Export ASCII Data option and then selecty the Save as Type: field to Custom ASCII file (*.cst). Under the Settings button in the lower-right you will go in the resulting menu to the Format template: field and select the format file here then OK. When you export now you will have the ASCII file created in your custom format. LGO always exports this with an extension of .CST but you can just rename it to .TXT or whatever extension you are using for text files. If you do this allot you can also right-click on the Settings: field at the bottom of the Export ASCII Data window and save the setting with a name so you can set up some standard output formats and not have to go through the settings each time.

I will try to make some screen captures and an example an email it to you. It is easy but it takes a long typed explanation. If you see the steps it will make sense.

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

Mark,

Could you also email me those screenshots please?

I have an older version of LGO on my laptop that I carry in the field that won't work with VIVA.

I need to export Point ID, Northing, Easting, Elevation, Code, Annotations. I can't do this with the regular ASCII export...it sounds like I could do this with a custom Format File though.

Thanks

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

I did it this way and it worked:

Open LGO >> Tools >> Format Manager

In format manager >> New >> I chose Smart Worx Viva >> on the tree I expanded Data Export >> Export Formatstrings >> Data Blocks >> Points >> Exportstrings

On the Right side double click the items you want to add to the export and separate them with a comma and space or tab or whatever you want. I did point ID, northing, easting, ortho height, code code description..........I did not separate code and code description so now it comes in as one column

Then you have to save this new FRT file in the location with all the other FRT format files so you can choose it as the export type. I had to search for the FRT extension to find the folder, which is c:/.......LGO/sample data/format files on my machine.

Then when you go to export ASCII and choose custom export file CST as the type. Then under settings pick the new format file you just created.

Hope that helps......took me a while to figure it out on my own.

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

Dan,

Exactly... you can do this in LGO with a format file made for LGO or on the collector but you would have to make a SmartWorx Viva format file for the CS controllers. Hopefully this helps with your needed data flow.

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

Beavers,

I can do this no problem... just let me know if you have System1200 or Viva. I will make a format file that will export all four Annotations. If a field is empty nothing will be exported.

Just let me know what system you have.

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

Got it...Thanks Dan!

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

Thanks Mark.

I was able to figure it out using Dan's directions.

LGO - Google Earth -- Tell us more please

The custom file format is pretty cool. Just used it to create a csv file and email back to the office with just the data collector...No laptop or LGO needed! :good:

I Just had a conversation with a Leica Support Rep, and I have the solution.
Every time you click the Google Earth Icon the program first checks the project folder for a .kmz file. if there is not one, it creates one based on what you currently have in the project. If there is a .kmz file already there, it opens it, regardless of any new or deleted points in your project.

For now, the solution is to go into your projects folder and delete the .kmz file that is obsolete.

The path should look like: C:UsersPublicDocumentsLGOProjects[your project name].

I asked the Leica rep to contact their programing department to suggest adding a "purge .kmz" button to the next LGO build.