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We have been using linework in CarlsonCE and FTF in Carlson Survey (embedded) for many years and are very happy with how it works. One of the features we really like is to be able to multi-code a point and have FTF split then. This reduces the number of shots at a point and helps with reducing the drawing clutter.
A typical shot could look like this PP OE1 BEG 0E2 BEG OE3 BEG next point PP OE1 END. This will give us two power poles with the first having 3 overhead lines starting from it and one line ending at the second pole, we also have two more open lines that will need to be continued or ended at another power pole. We can even throw in a horizontal offset to the center of the power pole and overhead lines.
Last year we replaced our Leica 1200 with the GS14's and they only work with the Leica DC and not the Carlson Surveyor Plus. We have worked out how to do the basic linework in the GS14 but have ran into a wall when trying to double code a point. In Leica when you put in a code from the codelist it will only use that code and not let you add to or modify it. I have tried to just manually enter a code without the list but that didn't work either.
It is pretty simple to export a csv file that Carlson can read into a FTF file but it would be really nice to have to able to have multiple codes without taking 4 or 5 shots at some of the points just to get the linework. Any ideas would really be appreciated.
It looks like SurvCE Version 4.0 will work with the GS14 if you run it on the CS15 or CS10 data collector: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AteJXmanuUMmdDJHTjBxZWtiY2c2UGY1bTAyOXV2U1E&gid=3
That's the way I would go.
I may end up going that way, we used the Surveyor Plus with the Leica 1200's, it worked OK but they never played all that well together. We seemed to be constantly going back to the Lieca paddle to get connected to the network.
Leica does a good job of controlling the gps and tracking the robot but the data acquisition is clumsy and not really very intuitive. Plus I think the data management is a nightmare.
There is a setting in the Data collector somewhere. I ran into this when we got our CS15. I wanted to shoot an electric line starting at a transformer then to a meter then to a pole etc. As soon as I coded from the transformer to the electric line my line would shut off. I would have to start a new line. I did get some help and got it to work but I'm having a hard time remembering. I'll grab my DC and see if I can't figure it out, but it is possible.
Found it. Hoping you have VIVA, you didn't say. in VIVA GOTO:
USER-WORK SETTINGS-CODING AND LINEWORK- page over (f6) to the LINEWORK tab and UNCHECK the box for "Automatically create lines and areas when coding"
That should allow you to string together multiple codes within one line or area. Hope that's the fix!
Thanks Aaron I'm giving that a try.