This command is designed for total stations and manual entry. It is the principle data collection routine with total stations. Store Points interacts with numerous settings, including the feature codes that will draw line work. All settings in Configure Reading will impact Store Points, including the Number of Distance Readings, Average Direct & Reverse, Hgt/Desc Prompt on Save, Angle Only in Reverse Face and Function of Enter Key.
Foresights
The Foresight screen is entered automatically after exiting the Backsight screen. In the backsight screen, if the green checkmark ("OK") is active, you can go directly to the Foresight screen by pressing Enter or clicking the icon itself. And if you turn off "Prompt for Total Station Setup" within Configure, you go directly to the foresight screen if there is already a valid backsight. There are two major types of Foresight Screens: (1) Standard Total Station, (2) Robotic Total Station. See the Store Points (GPS) section of this manual for more information on GPS. Only total station screens will be discussed here.
Standard Total Station Foresight Screen
Store Points (standard sideshots and traverses) can be run in either full graphics mode or full text mode. The Text screen is accessed by tapping the helmet in the upper left and selectin Text. To go back to graphics, click the helmet and select Graph. Graphic backgrounds can include linework that you create yourself using commands such as PL and 2DP and O2 (offset) in the Map view. Graphics can also include drawings that you import from DXF using the command IDXF (“in” DXF) found in the Map view of SurvCE. When you exit SurvCE, this linework can be configured to “save on exit” and stay associated with your point file. Note that linework drawn by feature codes or IDXF is on layers which can be “frozen” (hidden) or “thawed” (shown) by the Layer command under View in the Map screen. The Text and Graphic screens are shown below.
Enter saves the measurement immediately. If you do a Read, you can review the data within the Text view. If you re-enter the rod height, it re-calculates the Z elevation of the measured point. As you enter the description, a pulldown appears of your Feature Code List or previously entered descriptions. As each letter is entered, such as "e" for edge of pavement, every description beginning with "e" or "E" appears, enabling quick selections. Some users prefer the text screen to take readings because of the larger buttons and text size. The program remains in the Text mode until Graphic mode is chosen again.
Unless the rod hgt/description prompt is enabled, the Store Points screen is designed to “quick-store” points, where the user is expected to enter, ahead of time, the correct description and rod heights in the edit boxes shown at the bottom of the dialog.
Note: SurvCE is designed to produce a 1 keystroke point store, by pressing Enter. If you experience more prompts storing a point, it is because you have certain settings active that cause additional prompts. These settings include 2 options within Configure (Prompt for Height and Description, Prompt for Point Notes), Store FCL Only within Feature Codes, Special Codes, Settings (will prompt if description does not match a feature code), the use of GIS attributes as set in Feature Codes, or the use of "Read or Store" rather than "Read and Store" within Configure. "Read or Store" will turn the first Enter into Read (to review the shot) and the second Enter into Store. Set to "Read and Store" with no Prompt for Height/Description, points are typically stored as fast as you press Enter.
Height/Description Prompt
When this option is turned on within Configure (EQUIP menu), you obtain the full list of Feature Codes plus any descriptions you have entered that are not included in the Feature Code list. Shown below is a reflectorless shot (rod height=0) with Height/Description Prompt on.
Symbols are shown as circles, and polyline features as lines. Polylines that are 3D include the "Z". As a short-cut to entering the special codes to start and stop lines, you can use the icons that appear at right. Of the 8 icons shown, going left to right starting at the top, they represent start polyline, start curve, end polyline, end curve, close polyline, close rectangle,, designate specific "unfinished" active line, and "more options", leading to icons for Offset Horizontal and Offset Vertical.
Robotic Features
The status of the robot is displayed in the upper left-center, next to TEXT and above the Map. Status modes include:
The search/standby and lock icons let you initiate a Search after a lost lock condition, or go to Standby if currently locked (to drive a hub and stop the gun from moving), or go back to Lock, from Standby (after driving the hub). In the graphic shown above, you are in Prism Mode (as opposed to reflectorless, which would show a line through the prism). You are locked and "tracking" real-time, meaning distance measurements are being taken.
The tracking icon, takes the EDM signal on and off. With the signal on, more power is used, but you gain a lot by seeing continuous, real-time distance readings and by seeing your position on the screen, in the form of a triangle. Shots are nearly instantaneous, but respond to the “fast-tracking” mode of the EDM (typically 10mm). If taken out of EDM Tracking, you lose your real-time movement on the screen, but measurements will respond to the accuracy of your Equipment Settings, which may call for standard or fine mode.
Note: The response to losing lock when taking foresights with robotic total stations is for the instrument to stop where it is. If you have enabled Search when Lost Lock in instrument settings, the instrument will start searching immediately on loss of lock. Alternately, when running remotely, you can use the joystick-arrow controls to move the instrument towards you and obtain lock again.