Leica DNA10 level raw data and reports

We don't use LGO, just export the Level file into Excel format (from the machine) and do our reductions there.

I am just a field guy so some of the nuances are lost on me as in general this stuff has been set up by somebody else.

But here is what I do know, when using Leica gear the road for information to travel from the gun, either total station or level is through a "Format" known as a FRT. These formats are supplied by Leica and can also be written and customized by sophisticated end users in LGO I believe, end user written FRT's are shared somewhere and the my world site.

You need to load the FRT on the instrument yourself, in total stations I think it is under the transfer objects heading somewhere, in the level I am not sure, I do not have one in front of me but there are really only a handful of places to look, just be sure to look with open eyes as with Leica they hide in plain sight, to me.

Back to levels, the two formats I have used are "adjusted heights" which exports a point list with the elevations, post adjustment of loops run in the line leveling program and "DNA_only_BF" which exports a plus, minus, sideshot format but does not show HI. I do not know why it does not show HI but it does not.

To get the data on the card you go to export, name the file which will be a ".DAT" which is just a text file you can open with wordpad or whatever.

To get FRT's you go to the Leica website, register and follow your nose, it's in downloads.

Leica Geosystems Support - Service Downloads Levels DNA digital levels

DefineFormats
2006-11-02

Here is a link but it may not work cause I had to sign in and stuff.

http://www.leica-geosystems.com/en/page_catalog.htm?cid=6498

Hope this helps

Cheyenne10,

When you bring in the level data into LGO you will be using the old standard GSI format or there should be a format file loaded on you DNA called DNAXml5.frt that will produce a .LEV file which keeps more details in the file. I can email you the information on the .LEV if you would like to read it.

The level data file keeps allot of information and you can view it under the Level-Proc window in LGO in a spreadsheet format. Once you import the data and view a level line you can turn on and turn off columns as you would like to see them. You can also move clumns left and right by dragging the column header (this is just like MS Excel).

Just like in this image... right mouse click on a clumn heading to get the options menu where you can view and hide different information.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Need Level License in LGO to process

Mark,

Good advice on using the LEV format.

We should mention that you need the LEVEL license activated in LGO in order to process the digital level data. Otherwise, you can view the data but if the Process tab is greyed out, you don't have the necessary LGO license activated. $$$

Been there, done that. 🙂

Regards,
Mike Moran

Need Level License in LGO to process

Thank you all so far for your experiences and advise. Mike & Mark, I have LGO level license to process. My problem is mostly the reports.

The points tab shows Point ID, unadjusted height and code with column headings selectable for my taste. Following processing loop we have a Level Summary report that does not allow me to show Code. It has ID, Epoch, height, delta height and point class (some of this is setup I'm sure for Leica GPS and conventional surveying data). I don't see option to customize these headings. I need a report that shows loop closure, raw BS,HI,FS,ELEV and description info(regular surveuying?) plus adjusted list of Points with ID,CODE, and adjusted elevations. I prefer all this for papaer trail on my raw measurements and adjustments for my records. My assumption is everyone would like this. My best temporary solution so far is to take raw file into my old LEVLEPAC software and process as I did with my NA2002 level.

I am convinced I am missing something but I have spend too much time trying to get familiar with LGO for new DNA10 with poor results.

Not sure I have access to any manufacturers software for levels or conventional in Trimble and Leica that provides easy user friendly raw data reports. We still attempt to store raw data and report and coversheets that explain waht we did but a very common downfall with the latest equipment in our experience. Shopping for new total station and RTK rover next week and reports and raw data will be on evaluation list.

Bob

Need Level License in LGO to process

Bob,

There are a few ways in LGO to capture unadjusted vs. adjusted measurements but I agree that having just a preset report that has everything you want may be lacking. This is because everyone wants to do things a different way and Leica supplies some tools to do it in the back ground.

One way is to simply do a "Save As.." command to save to say a CSV file that will open in MS Excel and then have this as part of combined documents for your records. The other way is to compile what is called a format file to be used in LGO and do a Custom ASCII export and again have a document that can be compiled with other documents for record keeping.

Leica is moving forward with the use of .XSL files which will take data and format it in many nice ways. The thing is you need to know how to write the .XSL files and I have not had any time to start looking inot this myself. I am not sure if Leica will provide a user interface to create the .XSL files or if the end user will need to know how to customize these.

On another note... LGO is going away and is being replaced by Leica Infinity which will be more modern and have more options. Right now Leica Infinity is being developed in stages to include all of the capabilities of LGO and I am not sure when the Leveling part will be released. If I can find anything out about the Infinity side of what is coming I will post it.