I am a long time Trimble Survey Controller/Access user. I’ve recently started work at a company that uses Spectra Precision Survey Pro.
TSC/Access has a offset shooting function – not present in Survey Pro -called “Shoot a round object” which is very useful. Used in reflectorless mode, typically. 1) You shoot the angle/distance to the face of a pole, tree, sign post, etc. 2) Then you turn the angle to the edge of the object, an record the angle. 3) The radius of the object is calculated (and displayed, for inclusion in a descriptor)), and added to the distance to the face of the object – effectively yielding a shot to the center of the object.
Very useful for getting accurate measurements to objects whose radius in not known in advance, such as trees.
Our sales rep told me today that I should e-mail my suggestion to [email protected]. He also suggested that if they received several requests for such a function they would be likely to act on it.
So I'm appealing to Spectra Precision/TDS Survey Pro users out there. If this sounds like a function you would like to see added to your software please email [email protected] and let them know.
If there is some function you would like me to request let me know.
Mark,
Survey Pro also has, not exactly "Shoot a Round Object" command, but a Distance Offset and Horizontal Angle Offset in its extensive Survey Menu.
I've used both Survey Pro and Survey Controller. Same stuff, just different buttons and words.
Dave
> Survey Pro also has... a Distance Offset and Horizontal Angle Offset in its extensive Survey Menu.
Not the same Dave. Close, but not the same. It should be Duck Soup for them to add.
thanks that would be handy i will email them tommorow. they are very good about that stuff. head sales rep told me that if they get enough requests and it wont take the programmer long to do it will likely get added. he also said if there is not many requests and it will take the programmers along time then not likely to happen.
for these items i use the distance offset and just measure the radius first but this would deffinetly simplify things if you need it very acurate.
I think that would be a great function to have, especially since I've located round objects in the past by taking three reflectorless shots, only to get a call from the office guy saying he can't draw it without more info.
You could just shoot it direct center reflectorless, take a circumference measurement and do the math, either in the field or back at the office. Not the same I know, but would be a work around for the time being.
three shots in the field then get your software to fit a circle - works for me
> .... Not the same I know, but would be a work around for the time being.
Workarounds I have plenty, but they don't give me any permanent satisfaction.
> three shots in the field then get your software to fit a circle - works for me
Playing connect-the-dots in the office used to work for me until I found out that there was a better, faster, way.
No office fiddling required - code it right in the field and our 12D software will draw the circle automagically