> I use Geolab, and it has worked for many years for me. Very powerful.
We also use Geolab (from BitWise Ideas), and (although i don't use it myself) i think we have similar comments to make about it.
Also, Copan (the free CoGo program from UGL) can output field files to Geolab's IOB format.
Free Least Squares Adjustment Program
You cannot in good faith satisfy ALTA, most state board, and high-accuracy stakeout requirements without LS data for the control and observations.
What is the name of that super-expensive metrology adjustment software that Falk uses?
> You can download a free version of survce for your desk top from Carlson. But I don't know if you can do LSA with it.
The desktop emulator version of Carlson SurvCE does not have a LSA engine in it. Carlson does offer, however, a Least Squares Adjustment program called SurvNET. A 30-day evaluation version of the product can also be requested.
--
Ladd Nelson
Thanks Ladd, I knew it was something like that;-)
Cheers,
Radar
>I find it hard to believe that every surveyor does not have a good least squares adjustment program (and is not proficient in its use).
Well, don't mind me. I am learning! 😀
>To me it is an absolutely indispensable tool.
Am sure it is; the reason why I want to learn it.
>I would no more think of looking for a free LS program than I would try to get some free knives if I were a surgeon.
I am considering new CAD software since what I have is antiquated, and I have heard a lot of good things about Star*NET. However, I come from a generation that feels knowledge should be free and accessible for the most part. I understand that software engineers work hard on code; I at first went to college for Computer Engineering and know how tedious it can be to parse through code. I will gladly pay for a full professionally made software package when I decide on it, and only when the funds allow it. Work has picked up some, but not enough to drop a few thousand down.
>Maybe this is indicative of the state of our profession.
Not really. It is, however, more indicative of the emptiness of my wallet! 🙂
Darrell: The problem with a lot of demos is that they are very limited in what they can adjust. If I don't have the software lock installed for Geolab, it works in demo mode, which I think is 10 stations. Most stuff I do is larger than that. I transfer the Geolab software key back and forth between my laptop and my desktop, and every once in a while I forget..., so it won't let me go any further.
Like I said, it wasn't a personal attack on you, I was just surprised that no one else said it was a critical tool. I admit that I probably use least squares more than most because of GPS, deformations, etc, but I still consider it a very important tool.
I remember attending a presentation at an ACSM many years ago by a surveyor from California (last name Frank, maybe?) who used least squares (Star*Net I think it was) for boundary analysis. I like to think of LS as a "measurement cruncher". Even if I have non-redundant measurements (i.e. a radial total station shot or a radial GPS vector), I like to run it through the LS program along with the redundant measurements so that all of the data is computed together.
Good luck in your search.
John, that was probably Roger Frank from Johnson-Frank Associates.
They did a large boundary job where Los Angleles, Orange and San Bernardino counties come together, Sleepy Hollow I think it's called. It was writen up in one of the survey magazines.
I like SurvNet which I own a copy. The conventional data entry is really easy if you own Carlson SurvCE.
I like that it doesn't need provisional coordinates or bearings to get started like Star*Net does although the Star*Net dot DAT file format is easier to use.
Have you looked at New Mexico State's software?
That sounds like a great deal at $725 to be able to do conventional and GPS together.
CMM, written for BLM by Ray Hintz at the University of Maine, includes Least Squares Adjustment. To my knowledge, because the taxpayers paid for it, there are no additional charges. Input is not too difficult, nearly as easy as Star*Net. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles Star*Net has but, it covers the basics very well. There's both a horizontal network adjustment and a vertical adjustment package. It takes a little effort in the instructions to find the least squares discussion. Once found, you should not have too much difficulty and you'll get reliable results.
See post:
by William D., Friday, February 04, 2011, 16:50 (4 hours, 21 minutes ago) @ Adam3000i
Have you looked at New Mexico State's software?
Darrell,
I feel your pain, wallet wise. Have you looked at Carlson's Simplicty "Sight" Survey ? It includes SurvNET, plus handles all your CAD needs for under $1000.
Just a thought,
Bruce
I looked at the Star*Net demo. The first thing I noticed was the order of points in their angles. Geometry classes have given angles from-at-to for decades if not centuries. Why would Star*Net use at-from-to ?? Is that typical of many surveying software packages?
I think you can use a different order, at-from-to is just the default. I think it is more in line with how Surveyor's think vs mathematicians. I use the default because the converter makes the file that way.
If you are mostly wanting to learn then Ghilani's program is probably about the easiest to get install and learn. It is for educational purposes only, and I am not sure what other limits it has as far as size of networks etc. My recollection is that it is not severely limited. It can be downloaded here:
http://surveying.wb.psu.edu/psu-surv/free.htm
CMM is available in a number of forms. CMM is mostly a DOS era program that will run on machines up through XP. It may be considered slightly more cryptic in its use but has been used on literally 1000's of jobs in BLM. It could be useful as a learning tool also.
It does NOT have a pretty windows interface but if one is learning or willing to dig a little to learn, it can be a workhorse. It is also not just a plane survey adjustment package, as it can deal with geodetics fairly well using the SPC systems fairly rigorously applied. It was also not primarily designed as a least squares package so there are a lot of other aspects of it beyond that scope dealing with PLSS applications. It was also not designed to compete with commercial programs.
Email me if you want more info. A google search should find me fairly easily.
- jerry wahl
PS. Initial experiments with Ghilani's program for traverses seems to indicate a limited number of options for how the traverse is set up, and it does not immediately appear to me to do networks, but basic loops. It has a ton of other functions and utilities in it and is probably all related to his text books.
I stumbled and fumbled and grumbled at the free form data entry format with Star*Net at first, but after the learning curve I found it very intuitive and powerful. Extremely versatile.
I sincerely hope it is properly maintained under new ownership, maybe I could even dream of a linux version too.;-)
Some 11-12 years ago, one of my Ph.D. students used "ADJUST" to do an adjustment of all 20th century surveys of the Island Nation of Niue in the South Pacific. The (young) staff at NGS at the time did not know what a "traverse" was, and after he educated them over the telephone, they were able to fix a number of bugs in the source code.
He did have to write a number of his own routines to help with the formatting and processing, but he's now a Senior Scientist at the Naval Research Lab.
GeoLab is alive and well
LSU has a "freebie" license from Canada for the current version.
I currently use CMM and now have a 64 bit computer. CMM does not work with this set up. Has anyone found a fix for this.
