Leica VIVA Sets of Angles vs Traverse

> the dealer provided a program named "Sets of Angles"...Should I instead obtain the program "Traverse".

I've never understood the practice of selling individual data collection routines, versus bundling them all into a single package the way TDS and Carlson do. I can see it if you're talking about a discrete module (e.g. robotic or GPS) that requires a substantial development effort and that a significant segment of the end-user population doesn't need, but to my way of thinking a total station data collection application should include all the options that the user base is likely to need. Charging extra to collect sets of angles seems utterly ridiculous to me.

Personally I think the traverse program is excellent and well recommended.

What you can do is run the traverse, then during the traverse switch to side shot mode and shoot features or topo. Then switch back to the traverse and it will continue on, bringing your instrument and target heights as you go.

All the standard stuff like shooting two faces to a point work during the sideshot mode.

Mike,

I agree whole heartedly with Jim.

I used a Lieca system 1200 Smart Station betweem 2004 and 2007. It was a great instrument, however I had to use the traverse routine to turn any double angles. That was my biggest complaint, followed second by the fact that the Lieca software would randomly switch between the circular prism and the 360 prism, almost always messing up my next traverse point.

The sets of angles routine is what I would have preferred to use to turn multiple sets to important sideshots. I always had to "start a traverse" to turn any multiple angles of any kind, turn the angles, and then cancel the routine after the shot was stored.

I liked the hardware, but disliked the Lieca Software. I would have preferred to use Carlson with it, but that was not an option.

Definitely use the sets of angles for multiple angles to important sideshots, and the traverse routine for actually traversing.

Good luck!

Or don't. The traverse routine allows you to shoot important side shots. Attempting to run the two routines side by side is just going to result in a complete cluster.

CSS,

I will defer to your expertise on this. It has been over 5 1/2 years since I ran that instrument.

It is funny though, the guys at our dealer did not seem to offer that as a suggestion, or even mention that that was an option. I wish I would have liked to have know that when I was running the instrument. It probably would have saved some headaches. Like I said I loved the hardware, just disliked the software. We could have used more training when we got the equipment.

I would normally agree with you. However in this case you're talking a ton of different programs. I find it nice to be able to use whatever piece of equipment I want to do the things I do the most without worrying what module I have.

That being said when you buy software you buy software. These guys out there not allowing software to be transferred between hardware are absolutely crazy.

mjmoran,

The Sets of Angles is NOT the preferred program for what you are trying to do. The Traverse application is what you need. The traverse program is of course for collecting data, analyzing angle sets before the are stored to the job, looking at raw positional closure, looking at raw angular closure. and also adjusting the traverse onboard if desired. You can also collect side shots with sets such as turning to property corners or side control points. You can generate reports about the Traverse if needed. The databse can then transfer this to the Leica office software as a traverse. If you do not use LGO you can export the traverse data in a defined traverss in the following formats TDS RW5, TDS RAW, Carlson RW5, MicroSUrvey RW5, Autodesk FBK, or Bentely RWD. Your choice

The sets of angle;es program has a purpose. It was designed for collecting data on multiple targets at one time such as a monitoring job where there are say 4 or 5 or more targets that are to be measured at the same time. The program only provides coordinates in the job. You will have to traverse in your data if you use this application.

The main issue with the Leica software is that dealers never take the time to explain the way Leica handles data in its database. Sometimes users only want a "I push the green button" then "I press the blue button" and the software gives me an answer.

I am going to work on a guide for the Traverse application and post it to our website soon. Can you tell me who sold you the gear?

In the regular survey program there is also a "Face I&II ALL" function which is handy for a quick critical sideshot.

I never really used sets of angles but always envisioned it as a application for turning out a massive amount of critical sideshots along the lines of monitoring the face of a building or something.

I've been using SmartWorks, in some incarnation or another, since its inception in the min 90's. 'Sets of Angles' is the program you are looking for. It allows you to take any number of shots to multiple targets at once. If you have a robotic instrument all you need to do is enter the point point identifier, target height and target type the first time you tie each point and then the program takes over from there. I'm not sure I would say it is set up for monitoring as much as it is set up for networking. You can tie a single point from multiple setups in any order you choose.

The 'Traverse' program is tailored to running a traverse. If I recall, once you start, you have to run it in the correct order. It will adjust the traverse in the field if you follow its rigorous order.

Since we use a network approach to our control and process the raw field data in the office I really like the flexibility of 'Sets of Angles' and would highly recommend it to any Leica user. I actually have it loaded on all three of my instruments plus our to SmartWorks data collectors. It is more than worth the price.

Traverse is an add-on for Leica because they don't generally traverse in Europe.
Same as they don't use Angle Right.

You can do all those things robotically without Sets of Angles or Traverse.

I never had much luck with Leica's exports to FBK or RW5. Neither one supported using resections/freestations. Had slightly better luck with an FRT created in LGO and uploaded onto the instrument: using that the 1203 would export the raw data to an ASCII file that I could enter into starnet.

Lately, meaning, since about 2006, I get the same data by using the basic LGO install, going into "adjustments", and though we don't have the dongle option to adjust anything, from this menu you can export the raw measurements in whatever format you like. I make a tab-separated file of the fields I will need for the starnet file, AT-FROM-TO, direction,slope, zenith, descriptions, etc.

If you use just the Survey program, and start out using a known backsight, traverse around and
close and shoot a closing angle, etc., the least squares that is always running in Survey will tell you how well you closed. It will be in terms of an error ellipse on each point. If you like how it closes on the final point, export the ASCII coordinates and go put them in CAD. It will be angels-dancing-on-the-head-of-a-pin equivalent to running an angle balance and a compass rule.

If you want sets of angles, use the robotics to flip the face, use the keyboard to go back one point number, and shoot. Takes seconds. The only advantage to Sets or Traverse programs is that they do this part automatically.

The Traverse program disables all that lovely least squares and does an angle balance and a compass rule adjust just like if you did it on paper.

"If you do not use LGO you can export the traverse data in a defined traverss in the following formats TDS RW5, TDS RAW, Carlson RW5, MicroSUrvey RW5, Autodesk FBK, or Bentely RWD."

How is this done? I have not found any of these options under my IMPORT/EXPORT menu.

Do you have to buy a separte module to obtain these functions?

Sincerely, Stephen Zitkovich

Export FBK -- Leica VIVA Se

ZLS,

I'm sure Mark will reply.

Select Main Menu: Jobs & DataExport & copy dataExport FBK/RW5/RAW data (choose this selection instead of ASCII data). Then name file extension for format you want. See page 219 reference manual.

Caution: This on-board converter may have some bugs, which I noticed when using Sets of Angles, where shots without a renewed backsite were not converted to FBK.

Regards,
Mike