5
Using Feature and Attribute
Libraries
In this chapter:
■
■
■
■
■
■
Introduction
Transferring a feature and attribute library
Creating a feature and attribute library
Adding, deleting, and editing feature codes
Adding, deleting, and undeleting a feature and attribute library
Collecting feature and attribute information
5 Using Feature and Attribute Libraries
5.1
Introduction
Feature coding is a method of describing each point using an alphanumeric code. These codes are later processed by the office software to generate plans.
Some feature codes also have attributes. An attribute is an extra piece of descriptive information about a point.
Note – You can use attribute information in the Trimble Geomatics
Office software. You do not need to process the feature codes.
Attributes and feature codes are combined in a feature and attribute library that can be transferred to the TSCe data collector. During a survey, you can extract feature codes from this library quickly and easily. Feature codes that have associated attributes prompt you to enter the necessary attribute information, so that the appropriate data is always collected.
To use an existing feature and attribute library, transfer it to the TSCe data collector. You can then use the Trimble Survey Controller software to add, modify, or delete feature codes from that library or you can create a new library.
As you work, assign a feature code to each point and enter any corresponding attribute data. Later, use the office software to:
• transfer the points
• process the feature codes and attribute data
• automatically generate a plan
• export the attributes in a range of GIS export formats
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5.2
Transferring a Feature and Attribute Library
To transfer a feature and attribute library file from the office computer to the TSCe data collector, use a package such as the Trimble
Geomatics Office software or Data Transfer utility.
The file transfer is controlled by the office software. For more
information, see Data Transfer between the TSCe Data Collector and the Office Computer, page 68.
5.3
Creating a Feature and Attribute Library
Create a feature and attribute library, using the Trimble Geomatics
Office Feature and Attribute Editor, or GPS Pathfinder
®
Office Data
Dictionary Editor. Alternatively, use the Trimble Survey Controller software. Libraries created using software such as these can contain feature codes with attributes that automatically prompt you for attribute entry. Features codes created using the Trimble Survey
Controller software, however, do not have attributes associated with them.
To create a feature and attribute library in the Trimble Survey
Controller software:
1.
Select Configuration / Feature & attribute libraries. Tap
2.
E
. Tap
E
again to accept the screen.
n
Note – To copy or delete a feature an attribute library, use Windows
.
Explorer. For more information, see File Management, page 19.
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5 Using Feature and Attribute Libraries
5.4
Adding, Deleting, and Editing Feature Codes
If a feature and attribute library is transferred to the Trimble Survey
Controller software, some of the feature codes can contain attribute subrecords. Feature codes with attributes have an attribute icon ( ) next to the code in the library.
Note – If the library being used contains attributes, but no attributes have been stored, the checkmark icon ( ) replaces the attribute icon
( ).
Once a feature code has attributes, that feature code cannot be added, deleted, or edited using the Trimble Survey Controller software. To change it, use the office software.
To add a feature code to a feature and attribute library:
1.
From the main menu, select Configuration / Feature & attribute
libraries.
2.
Highlight the library name and tap f . If the library has no features, the following message appears:
3.
Tap n
and enter the new feature code. Tap
E
.
The Trimble Survey Controller software limits the name of each feature code to 20 characters.
4.
To set the display properties for the feature code, tap
Ö
. If the Display coded features options is selected in the map options, the Trimble Survey Controller software draws lines
5.
Tap s
to accept the new feature code.
6.
To add another feature code to the library, tap n
.
To delete a feature code from a feature and attribute library:
1.
From the main menu, select Configuration / Feature & attribute
libraries.
2.
Highlight the library name and tap f .
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3.
Highlight the feature code to be removed and tap d
.
4.
Repeat Step 3 for each feature code to be deleted.
To edit a feature code in a feature and attribute library:
1.
From the main menu, select Configuration / Feature & attribute
libraries.
2.
Highlight the library name and tap f .
3.
Tap f and edit the feature code.
The Trimble Survey Controller software limits each feature
4.
Tap s
to accept the edits to the feature code.
5.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each feature code to be edited.
5.5
Collecting Feature and Attribute Information
You can enter one or more feature codes in any Code field in the
Trimble Survey Controller software. The maximum number of characters in these fields is 42. To enter a code, key it in or select it from a predefined library.
To select a feature code from a feature and attribute library:
1.
name and tap
E
. The current library has a check mark next to it.)
Ì
. Highlight the required library
2.
To select a feature code from the library, do one of the following:
– Type the first letter(s) of the feature code required. This letters you typed. Tap
E
to insert it in the Code field.
– Press
?. When the library of codes appears, tap the required code to insert it in the Code field.
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5 Using Feature and Attribute Libraries
3.
4.
When all codes are entered, tap
E
again.
Note – You cannot select a different feature and attribute library for the current job once a point with attributes is stored.
5.5.1
5.5.2
Names and Symbols
Feature code names that contain spaces appear in the Trimble Survey
Controller software with a small dot between the words, for example,
Fire•Hydrant. These dots do not appear in the office software.
Some symbols are not supported in feature and attribute libraries, for example ! and [ ]. If you use unsupported symbols when creating a library in the office software, the Trimble Survey Controller software converts them to the underscore symbol “_” when they are transferred.
Using Feature Codes with Predefined Attributes
You can use feature and attribute libraries that were created using the
Trimble Geomatics Office or Trimble Survey Office software, the
Feature and Attribute Editor or Data Dictionary Editor utilities, to store additional attribute information for feature codes. In the Trimble
Survey Controller software, these feature codes have an attribute icon
( ) next to the feature code in the library.
When entering attribute information, key in values or select them from a list, depending on the library you created in the office software.
Note – Feature classifications defined in feature and attribute libraries as Point, Line, or Area in the office software all appear as Point features in the Trimble Survey Controller software.
measuring it. The
X
softkey appears when feature codes with attributes are used.
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B
Tip – To capture attribute data more efficiently, use the office software to predefine default values, minimum and maximum ranges, auto-generated times and dates, and well-structured menu options. If you use autogenerated times, make sure that the time is set correctly on your TSCe data collector. For information on setting the TSCe time and data, see
Setting the Clock, page 415.
Note – If you specify in the office software that field entry is not permitted for an attribute, you cannot use the Trimble Survey
Controller software to enter that attribute data.
1.
Enter the feature code and tap
X
. A screen with the feature code and attribute fields appears.
2.
Enter values in the attribute fields.
The maximum number of characters in text attribute fields is usually 100. Your definition of a feature and attribute library
B
The can specify fewer.
Tip – Use the q the current feature.
softkey to repeat the last stored set of attributes for v
and n softkeys appear when there are multiple feature codes with attributes in the Code field. Use them to swap between attributes.
1.
2.
Tap m
X
softkey appears.
to start measuring the point.
to accept the 3.
Enter values in the attribute fields. Tap
4.
Tap s
to store the point and the associated attributes.
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5 Using Feature and Attribute Libraries
Attributes are stored after the point is stored.
B
Tip – The Trimble Survey Controller software can automatically store the point while you are still entering attribute data. To enable this, select the
Auto store point check box in the survey style.
5.5.3
Resurveying Points that Already Have Attributes
To stake out and re-measure points for which you already have attribute data:
1.
If the job is not yet in the Trimble Survey Controller software, transfer it from the Trimble Geomatics Office software.
Note – Transfer relevant features and attributes as well as the points.
2.
From the Survey Style / Survey menu, choose Stakeout.
3.
Set the as-staked point details:
– Set the As-staked name field to Design name
– Set the As-staked code field to Design code
4.
Stake out the points.
5.
Measure the as-staked point.
The attribute data displayed for the point is the attribute data that you entered previously. The defaults in the feature and attribute library are not used. Update the values as required.
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5.5.4
Entering Attributes for a Point Using Feature Codes
Without Predefined Attributes
Another way to enter attributes is through note, records using the : key.
You can enter several attributes for one point. For a point that has a feature code of Tree, for example, you can enter its type, height, girth, and spread as attributes.
To enter attributes for a point using the : key:
1.
Measure, key in, or compute the point.
2.
Tap G and select Key in note.
3.
Enter the first attribute and press : . Enter the data and press
: again.
If a feature code and attribute library is selected for the job, it appears when you type the first letter of a code that is in the library.
4.
Enter the next attribute and press : . The attributes for a tree, for example, could be:
Type:Oak:Girth:1.0:Height:15:Spread:12
5.
Repeat step 4 until all attributes are entered, then tap E .
B
Tip – Use
Q
to return to the screen where you stored the point without closing this window.
Note – Attributes collected using note records with “:” separators are processed as note records in the Trimble Geomatics Office software.
For more flexibility in the office software, collect attributes using attribute subrecords or features from the feature and attribute libraries created in the office software.
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5 Using Feature and Attribute Libraries
5.5.5
Control Commands
With feature codes, points that have the same code can be joined by lines or represented by symbols on a plan. In a topographical survey, for example, survey the center line of a road and give it the code CL.
Then set up the office software that processes the feature codes so that all points with the code CL are joined together.
However, if you survey the centerline of two different roads, and the points all use the code CL, the two centerlines will be joined together.
To prevent this, use the code CL START for the first point on the first center line. Observe a succession of points with the code CL, then use the code CL END for the final point on the first center line.
Set up the feature code library for the office software to recognize these start and end codes as control commands.
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