n4ce Survey allows you to import, process and export your survey data to third-party CAD and Modelling packages. Survey can also be used to extract points from architect’s design drawings and upload to total station for setting out.

n4ce Survey

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Applications in CADD

n4ce Survey Fact Sheet

Project Tree showing Survey Instrument Set-up

and CAD folders

Spreadsheet type Editor

Dual Spreadsheet and Graphics Views with

Ripple Through Effects

CAD

The n4ce Survey module includes the following:

• Download and Upload to field recorders including PDAs, Total Stations and GPS• Leica DBX Formatting and Trimble Link downloading• Support for 3rd party survey processes and auto stringing of data• Code Table with Exports to Leica, Topcon & Trimble etc• Comprehensive Default Settings• Processing of Survey Data• Observation Corrections and Reductions• Intersection Calculations• Free Station Calculations• Traverse Wizard• LS Variation of Coordinates Adjustments• Helmert Coordinate Transformations• Building Elevation Surveys• Spread Sheet Editing including Cut and Paste• Dynamic Updates from a Feature Code Table• Fully Layered Multiple Graphics Views• Multi-Step Undo/Redo & Auto Saves• Roller Ball Zoom and Query/Edit functions• Hot Key Interaction• CAD Backcloths with Extraction of XYZ coords• Multiple Graphics Views• Windows Printer and Plotter Driver support• I/O to AutoCADTM (DXF), MX(GENIO), AiC(DOT)• OS Landline and MastermapTM Imports• Star*Net and user defined XYZ filters

Least Squares Network Adjustment - Error Ellipses

AiC Ltd. reserve the right to change the specifications without notice. 1

Applications in CADD

n4ce Survey Factsheet

nLogger Download/UploadA data logger option is provided that allows users to interact with externally connected data capture units used in surveys with Total Stations and GPS.

These devices could be remote, hand held or onboard such as PCMCIA cards.

Connections are made through the RS232 Serial port or Parallel ports with speeds up to 57600 bps. Data appears in a Rich Text Editor, as shown, and can be edited, printed or just archived on your hard disk in its native format as a LOG file.

These LOG files are read directly into the Survey module, where they are formatted automatically.Data created in n4ce can then be uploaded into equipment that supports this facility, and could come from station or Coordinates extracted from CAD Backcloths, for on-board processing and setting out.

nLogger Program – Settings and Rich Text Editor

n4ce Project Databasen4ce stores data from a number of different sources, including Survey Observations, Co-ordinates and CAD these can be viewed graphically or in a spreadsheet form.

Data is held on a Windows Explorer like Project Tree allowing selection and editing of individual or groups of items in the spreadsheet form, changing heights, switching columns, renumbering etc. Undo, Redo, Cut and Paste functions are provided.

Each Project is held in a single SDB file which is self contained holding its own data and defaults.

AiC Ltd. reserve the right to change the specifications without notice . 2

HTML Help Messaging (F1)Context sensitive help messaging is provided in the form of hypertext files. These are linked to the program so that when you press theF1 help button you jump straight to information that relates to your enquiry. Searches on key words are also possible.

A Windows-type tree allows you to navigate around the Help Messages. Hot links are attached to graphics so that the pictures become interactive. Keyword searches and a glossary of terms are provided. A storyboard feature takes you on a guided tour of the main aspects of the package.

For new users of n4ce the feature called How Do I? should be visited. Separate training materials are also provided with HTML Training Notes and data. For users who are in tune with other Windows packages this will enable them to pick up n4ce very quickly.

Tree and Spread Sheet Displays

F1 Help Messages

Feature CodingSimple but effective describes the core principle of feature coding and plotting in n4ce. We do recommend that you code in the field but have built in flexibility for Free Coding and/or Walking objects, where users use graphics editing tools (only available in Lite, Pro & Des) to make up objects.

Feature codes are made up from a Code Prefix (eg HE) and String Numbers, supplemented by Comma Codes and Dimensions . Comma Codes control point and line feature attributes, like inclusion into a DTM and curving. Typically, HE12,1XC could be a hedge with a dot point style, curve fitted but not included into the DTM. The Width of the hedge would be controlled by the Dimension W=2.5. Objects are attached to Points, with ripple through effects as you edit.

If you are a Leica user, we provide sample Format (FRT) files and an Idex export from our stand alone Code Table Reporter program so that you may import this into Leica GeoOffice, to create a Code List on your instrument.

Applications in CADD

n4ce Survey Factsheet

Graphics DisplaysOnce XYZ coordinates are available the camera icon is used to view this data graphically. Changes made in the spreadsheet views ripple through into graphics views. Detail for surveys appears via n4ce’s comprehensive Code Table.

Hot Key interaction, for Zoom functions are provided. These are identified in menus, where appropriate.

The graphics database is fully feature layered with an override toalso turn objects on/off by type irrespective of layer.

Fully Layered Graphics Views

The Code Table - Default Settingsn4ce provides for total flexibility in setting up defaults for Survey Codes, Line Styles, Symbols, Layers, Pen Colours,Text and Point attributes. The Code Table provides structure to drawings, not only in terms of what you see, but how it is passed on in other data formats.

AiC Ltd. reserve the right to change the specifications without notice. 3

Feature Code Table

Tree Details Displayed using Text

Zoom Icon Bar

Query Edit OptionsA number of Query options are available in graphics including distance and area calculations. The Query Point option can be used as a powerful editor.

In the example shown below, you may add or change Attributes of a point to reflect changes graphically.

A very useful feature of this dialog box is to go straight to the Code Table , for this point.

Survey Codes are supplemented by Comma Codes which control additional attributes like curve fitting and closing boundaries. Dimensions allow the addition of further attributes like object sizing.

A list of Comma Codes is provided in the Attributes tab, shown above, and can be changed here.Reduction and Reporting

n4ce has a series of tools that handle survey reduction and adjustments. These use Settings and Corrections for Scale , MSL and C&R, shown earlier.

Helmert transformations, Resection/Intersection calculations are also provided. Exports to Star*Net are also possible.

Tables and/or reports provide an indication of the validity of your data, for checking purposes.

Multiple sightings with FL/FR readings are meaned prior to being used in calculations. The table shown opposite provides RO tolerance checks on individual readings as compared to adjusted values.

Query Point Edit with Comma Codes and Dimensions

Reduction with Warnings

Applications in CADD

n4ce Survey Factsheet

The Taverse WizardOne of n4ce’s powerful tools is the Traverse Wizard which relieves the tedium of survey adjustments. Both Transit and Bowditch methods of adjustment are available.

Traverse Wizard

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Building SurveysElevation Surveys, when viewed graphically in plan, initially appear as a line drawing.

A special feature in n4ce allows the projection and flipping of coordinate axis to show the elevation in plan as shown opposite.

A pair of points are selected which represent the base line. The survey is then rotated to this line. This becomes X axis and the heights are flipped to become the Y axis.

The Traverse Wizard has five parts namely Extraction, Misclosures, Adjustment, RO Review & Reduction and Reporting, allowing you to see and control each stage. A final report presents a comprehensive summary of the calculations that have taken place and highlights gross blunders.

CAD Models and XYZ ExtractionWith n4ce’s flexible approach to handling data, there comes a time when these different data forms need to be brought together. This is done using a concept called Backcloths.

OS Land Line data or Architects drawings can form the backdrop for your survey. n4ce has tools that allow you to extract CAD detail and create co-ordinated points for setting out.

Since the CAD Backcloth is fully layered, simply turn on/ off the layers you are interested in and use the select options to pick out the detail you are interested in, as shown opposite.

t: +44 (0) 1509 504501 f: +44 (0) 1509 600079

e: enquiries@appsincadd.co.uk www.appsincadd.co.ukApplications in CADD

Applications in CADD Ltd. 21 Britannia Street, Shepshed

Leicestershire LE12 9AE United Kingdom

Export and Plotting using Windows DriversHard copy plots and prints can be created at any time from either the Spreadsheet or Graphics displays using normal Windows devices such as printers and plotters. n4ce also provides a comprehensive list of output formats to other packages including Bentley MXTM GENIO , AutoCADTM DXF and STAR*NET.

A general user configured XYZ file format also allows you to create your own filters to communicate with other popular packages, like Excel. A DTM creation facility is provided, with straight line contours. This is an ideal front end to other third party products.

Flipped Building Elevation SurveyLine Drawing Survey

Co-ordinate Extraction from CAD Backcloths