Files for Trimble machine control

There is no one method works for all brands. I have built Topcon models over the years for select clients & the only way to learn is the hard way. Everything is typically in a proprietary file format too. I have not yet found anyone that puts on any sort of model building seminars or something akin - this youƒ??ll have to learn by experience. I too use C3D to start my surface grading but then I have to extract objects from the surface such as the 3D Faces (TIN) and the contours (2D polylines). Also, any feature lines will need to be converted to 3D polys and make sure if itƒ??s meant to be a continuous feature in the field then you join the polys together. Nothing will make the grade foreman madder than trying to get the blade to follow a poly that ends in a few feet next to another in sequence haha

From there, I use Topcon specific software to import the 3D Faces (TIN) into a surface model only file that I save as a .TN3 file or a TIN file as we might call it. Then I do the same with all the linework & text (basic text only) where itƒ??s imported then all exported to a .LN3 linework file that is essentially the underlay for the sites layout. This method ?ÿworks for all Topcon equipment from what I have seen thus far but the newer stuff can take everything combined in a simple .TP3 file. But if youƒ??re working with older Topcon equipment theyƒ??ll also need a .GC3 for the sites control to calibrate/localize to the site on the machineƒ??s actual GPS equipment?ÿ

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now Trimble stuff is a whole different animal all together. I wanted to build models for a client that had a fleet of Trimble equipped machinery. But I donƒ??t have TBC nor any other software to convert it to their proprietary file types so in the end I had to let the work go unfortunately. I would eventually like to get TBC for my survey needs but itƒ??s pricey?ÿ

@ncsudirtman?ÿ

Yeap I tried a temporary license for TBC HCE some years ago, but lacked the modules I needed.?ÿ None of the contractors seem to be able to confirm what format they need.?ÿ And too expensive for occasional use.?ÿ

I use XML format for surfaces and dxf for linework.?ÿ We use both Trimble and Topcon systems on all of our projects.

Hi there,

Im guessing there are not many kotuku to be found in the US.

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We have recently migrated from Leica 3d machines to Trimble / Cat next Gen machines.?ÿ?ÿ Both Leica and Trimble have their good and bad points.

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The biggest difference is the fact that Trimble will take dxf and xml file directly.?ÿ?ÿ?ÿ As stated by VA LS 2867, dxf for linework and and xml for the surface.?ÿ?ÿ A couple of other things if you are exporting data to Trimble buisness center is turn all the points of and put all of your lines on one layer that is labelled relevant to the job.?ÿ This will make sense when you import later or revised versions of jobs or new jobs into the same project.

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trimble bus center HCE is free and there is enough functionality in there to set up a project with a site, set a calibration file and a design file.?ÿ

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when we were running all leica gear it was easier to knock out a quick and dirty site transformation file that could be loaded to the machines directly.?ÿ With the trimble set up we need to import the site obs in lat/long format into trimble bus center to do a site calibration.?ÿ Once done this?ÿ stays in the project. The project can be added to or ammended and only the updated files get exported to the machine.?ÿ It is a bit trickier on the trimble machines to swap and change transformation files if you are swapping between say a site base or a smartfix type location.?ÿ One project we are working on now has two jobs with the same design data but each one has a specific calibration file depending on the data source.

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I am not sure if you can provide just a tidied up design and linework without a calibration file from trimble bus center.

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you will need to run through a few projects to get a good handle on it.

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Trimble and Sitech have gone through great efforts in keeping information like this away from their clients. If they are not trying to hide this,?ÿ then they are doing a great job of acting stupid. I have pissed off my local reps many times, and likely to do it again right here.

For some reason Trimble techs also want you to avoid State Plane projections with GEOIDS, forcing every project to use a calibration. Which I adamantly refuse to do.

To answer your question. As far as I know there are atleast three programs that can build the Trimble Machine control formats.

TBC, File Flipper and Trimble SiteWorks. One real big PITA about Trimble. There are completely different data files between Trimble Machines and data controllers. Also their older machines and controllers will not read new file formats. So you must ask your client to provide specific models of their Trimble hardware and software. Trimble will use DC format for Calibration or Projects, CSV files for points, DWG and DXF for linework, and TTM files for surfaces. Carlson software can create these formats. The Trimble controller requires these files to be in very specific folders. Then Machine files are converted from the above formats in files such as SVL, SVD, DSZ, VCL and RXL formats.

Topcon on the other hand makes it simple with one single file a TP3 that works in all of its controllers and machines. There are three Topcon apps: 3dOffice, Pocket3D and Magnet Office.?ÿ

Most Topcon and Trimble software will import XML surfaces, DWG linework and CSV points.

For more information on how to use these programs with no or minimal cost, contact me directly.?ÿ

@va-ls-2867 We'll provide surface XML files and Civil3d files on our projects.?ÿ Haven't had any complaints yet.

I'm with @leegreen on the calibration scenario too. I really hate how the machine grading requires calibration, even on a state plane coordinate project, which all of our are!

@wa-id-surveyor I do all my calibrations in the data collector with Survey Controller or Access and never leave the office. Even the TxDot SPC with a surface adjustment factor applied. The only ones I cannot calibrate are the ones someone sends me that are based on N10,000 E10,000 with no other explanation.

AND, I take out the geoid at the same time!

@leegreen just a heads up, the TP3 file is only useable by the newer Topcon equipment. Any of the really old System V setups require the individual files to be exported out from Pocket 3D or 3DOffice like the GC3, TN3 & LN3 files I mentioned earlier. those older units, while very finicky at time, can be swapped from any number of machines, unlike the newer ones which are locked to the machine I believe. Hence, it can be on a scraper one day, a dozer the next and a grader the day after all with individual machine & mast setups. A lot to be said for that sort of flexibility

@ncsudirtman?ÿ

Those setups that can't use tp3 files are many years old. I've been building Topcon models for 20 years. At this point I have only one client using a dozer with an old mag box. He has a controller to swap out files into a Compact Flash card. You're looking at the days of an FC100 data controller that did not have USB or Wifi.

@leegreen trust me I agree they're ancient units haha but I do know a couple contractors that are still using FC100's, the old mag boxes with giant dash displays and old square Hiper Lite+ receivers as bases or rovers. I've encouraged them before to at least get better base receivers but some are just cheap on machine control setups when they predominantly do utility work most of the time and will let the surveyor stake it all with cut sheets. the newer Topcon stuff is pretty nice though - got to play with a Hiper VR base/rover setup in the woods w/ an FC5000 & was fairly impressed at the pairs' ability under canopy when checking on traverse nails set conventionally. I think it was tracking GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO

Yeah, can of worms opened.

@rmxboy?ÿ

The ktuku (White Heron) is common in Australia, the South Pacific and Asia.

Although I think it's quite is quite a rare sight in New Zealand, with only one breading colony.?ÿ Is related to Great Egret that you will see in North America.?ÿ

Hey mate,

?ÿ ?ÿ ?ÿ ?ÿ ?ÿ ?ÿYou need to try and get your hands on Trimble Business Centre HCE, it's free software which you need to create your machine files. I find the best procedure that has worked for me is to export from your design software the points as a csv file, lines as a dxf file in 2D to keep the file size down, and xml file for the design model. These are then imported into TBC and exported in the correct machine readable files, which generally include svl/svd/cal. It's not as scary as it seems, you should be able to find tutorials on Youtube.

You can also manually do the site calibration with TBC HCE, it's a bit convoluted but once you've done it a couple times you'll get the gist, alternatively if the site calibration has been done with a Trimble controller you can import this into TBC and export it as a cal file when you export the project files.

The key is to have the data ready in your design software before you even export it for TBC, this should mean that there's little chance of error, realistically you should only be checking data in TBC and using it for the sole purpose of creating your machine files.

If you want to create machine files for Topcon systems you'll need to get a copy of 3D Office, I can't offer much insight into that as I use Magnet Office for everything so I've only just barely dabbled in it. Give me a hoy if you can't find a copy TBC HCE, I might be able to help you out.

@zammo?ÿ

Hi yes had HCE before and it expired.?ÿ When I search to download it's a 30 day trial version.?ÿ