This tab allows you to select settings and preferences that apply to observations taken in the field. These options remain set from job to job. If an option is not applicable, it is grayed out. Configure is accessible from within any routine where the C or Configure Icon is present. These options can also be accessed by pressing ALT-C on the keyboard.


- Store Fixed Only: When enabled, only data gathered in the fixed (locked) status will be stored to the point file. If you attempt to store data when the receiver is not fixed, a message will appear stating, "Position is not fixed! Continue storing?" The program will prompt to store the point anyway. This allows for overwriting the Store Fixed Only option without having to go back to the Configure menu.
- Prompt for Total Station Setup: This option determines whether or not the software will display the current setup and orientation values each time the user enters a survey routine.
- Prompt for Height and Description: When this option is enabled, you will be prompted after each shot to enter the target height and description. Though this adds an extra prompt screen to each shot, it can reduce errors, as you no longer have to anticipate the shot and get the correct information entered ahead of time. This prompt screen is shown in the figure below. When it appears, you will have the option to enter a point description and change the point number and the target height. Note that all the field codes identified in the Feature Code List under File are available for touch or arrow key selection, provided this option is activated in Job Settings (Use Code Table for Descriptions). Also, if you enter the first character of a code (for example, "I" for IP), the first field code starting with that character will be highlighted, allowing you to arrow key to the one you want, or accept the highlighted option. This entry is not case-sensitive. Disable the Prompt For Height and Description option to save time while taking points, or if you are certain that your height and description will not change from shot to shot. If the option is disabled, you must be sure that the correct target height and description have already been entered.

Note: In the Height/Description Prompt screen, you will see pre-defined Feature Code points indicated with a large dot. 2D polylines will show as a simple line, 3D polylines will show as a line with a "Z" indicator, and descriptions entered that are not found in the feature code list will appear with the "fieldbook" symbol above.
- Prompt for Point Notes: Point Notes are additional descriptions that can be stored with a point. A regular point consists of a point ID (number or alphanumeric), northing, easting, elevation, and description (up to 32 characters). Point Notes are a way to add an unlimited number of lines of text to a point. With this toggle enabled, you will be prompted for notes after collecting a point. The notes are stored in a file with the same name as the coordinate file, but with a .NOT extension. For example, a job called TOPO.CRD would have a note file called TOPO.NOT.
- 3D Mode: This option allows you to toggle between 2D or 3D data. In 2D mode, all elevations will be stored as 0.0
- Use Virtual Keyboard: This option provides a software keyboard for data collectors without keyboards.
- Use Graphic Icon: This option toggles between the traditional letter icons (in versions prior to SurvCE 2.0) and the new graphic icons.
- Use Audible Alerts: Turn on or off data collector sound alarms.
- Use Alphanumeric Format: When this option is enabled, SurvCE will allow alphanumeric point numbers such as 2A or T1105. When this option is disabled, SurvCE will only allow numeric point number entry. Note: this setting only affects new jobs, not existing ones. Using purely numeric files can increase operation speed in very large files, however, this option limits points to just over 32,000. An alphanumeric format will be necessary for files larger than 32,000 points. A comment will be added in the Rw5 file “—CRD: Alphanumeric” or “—CRD:Numeric”, based on the format used.
- Show Continuous Total Station Angles: This allows you to display angles continuously within SurvCE. This option is especially useful when using On-board versions of SurvCE.
- No. of Readings to Avg (TS & GPS): Specifies the number of readings that will be taken and averaged on each observation. Values between 1 and 9 are accepted for Total Stations and 1-999 for GPS. If the tolerance is exceeded between readings, a warning screen will appear.
Note: The Num Dist Readings setting does not apply to Manual Total Station mode. In this mode, you can use the Calculator to average distances. When prompted for Slope Distance, enter “?” to bring up the calculator. Choose the Scientific Tab. Follow the tutorial below to average three values:
141.213 Enter
141.211 Enter
141.220 Enter
Now press + on the keyboard twice and with the first +, 141.220 is added to 141.211 to get 282.431, then with the second + you get 423.6440.
Then enter 3 and type “/”(backslash) for divide. This gives the result: 141.2147.
Choose the Copy button at the bottom of the screen, then Paste at the top.
- Enter/Store Icon (TS & RTS/GPS): Since the Enter key is a convenient and popular way to take shots in the Store Points command, SurvCE allows you to specify the effects of this key. These different functions of Enterkey apply not only to Store Points but also to Elevation Difference. The function of the Enter key is set seperately for Total Stations and GPS. The different options are described below. Note: Most users choose Read then Store.
Store Then Read: This option similar to the effects of the Read key on the original SDR data collectors. After a backsight, the first time Enter is used, it will take the shot and display the results. Then when you foresight the next point, Enter will “Store Last, Read Next”. This procedure is best used with the above Hgt/Desc Prompt on Save disabled. If that option is on, then when you turn to the new shot and press Enter, the new shot doesn’t take right away, but instead, you are prompted for the target height and description of the previous shot. That could cause some confusion. But with Hgt/Desc Prompt turned off, this method can be very efficient. You press Enter and take your first shot. You see the results displayed, and can alter descriptions or target heights or point numbers for that shot. You sight your next foresight, and press Enter and the previous shot is correctly stored and the next is taken. The information is displayed. You can review and alter it. You sight your next foresight, press Enter and store the last shot and shoot the next, etc.
Read then Store: With this option, the Enter key takes the shot and stores the point. This option works very well with the Hgt/Desc Prompt on Save turned on, in which case Enter key takes the shot, then displays the results and provides an opportunity for editing as in the Store Point dialog shown above.
Read or Store: The first Enter key takes the reading and the second Enter key stores the reading.