On occasion, we all run into a situation where we need to modify our raw files to either fix a bust or correct a setup. Whether intentional or unintentional, modifying an already completed survey can become somewhat of a “dicey” proposition.

In this blog, I will go through some features in Carlson’s Edit Process Raw Data Editor that some of you may be unaware of as well as some upgrades for the Carlson Survey 2023, which has just been released.

 From the Edit pulldown menu in the Raw Data Editor, there is an option to Modify Measurements. Within this dialog box, there are several options for modifying measurements, all of which have a specific purpose.

Once a modification has been entered, you have a choice to apply the modification to All points, a Point Number or Numbers, or by the Line Number (the record number in the raw file seen at the far left of the editor). This gives you complete control over which points to modify.

Distance Delta

Distance Delta Option allows the modification of measurements to points using a consistent change of distance. This is particularly useful in cases where an incorrect prism constant was noted. You can add or subtract this distance from all or a portion of the measurements in the raw file.

The Setup option simply allows an easy-to-use dialog box to calculate the distance delta.

Distance Factor

 The Distance Factor option allows you to apply a scale factor to measurements. This could be used in situations where an incorrect setting was noted on the total station and discovered later in the survey.

The Setup option simply allows an easy-to-use dialog box to calculate this scale factor.

Note: There is a separate Scale option in cases where units were set incorrectly such as meters to US Feet

Horizontal Angle

Much like the Distance Delta, the Horizontal Angle option allows the distribution of a specific horizontal angle to all selected measurements. This could be handy if an erroneous backsight was made and all foresight angles needed to be adjusted.

The Setup option simply allows an easy-to-use dialog box to calculate this angle.

Vertical Angle
 

Identical to the Horizontal Angle, the Vertical Angle option allows the modification of vertical or Zenith angles.

Lat/Lon/Z Delta
 

The Lat/Lon/Z/Delta option shifts a point or group of points in a specified direction and/or elevation. It is designed in such a way that the user specifies a change in latitude, longitude and elevation for the selected points. An example of using this option: a survey was completed using a temporary or autonomous base point. The entire survey was based on this temporary position. Afterwards, a corrected location was established for the base point and the entire survey needs to be shifted to that location.

This command has existed in Carlson for quite some time, but in Carlson Survey 2023, it has been upgraded to allow the entry of locations based on Northing, Easting, and an orthometric height (elevation), making it much more user-friendly in my view. It is specific to GNSS located positions.

Base Point

Editing a GPS Base Point is new to Carlson Survey 2023. The purpose of this new feature is to allow users to shift the location of GNSS RTK measured points with specific reference to a particular base point. It is similar to the Lat/Lon shift described above, but the command sorts through all points located from a specific base point.

In the Setup dialog box, you can enter a base point number and the routine will find all points contained in the raw file that were measured from that base point. If multiple observations were taken with different setups, the routine will filter through those and display each individual setup. (That is the value of the “Recall Last Values Used option). The starting and ending record lines are automatically populated in the Apply to… section for the points to be considered.

This command is useful in situations where a temporary or autonomous base point was used to locate a specific group of points. Another example would be if a base point was simply entered incorrectly. Setup on point number 2 when it should have been point number 3. Enter in the correct coordinates and click <OK>…..Done!

Thanks for reading,
Doug

Let’s Grow Together.

Douglas L. Aaberg, PLS
Survey/Civil Product Manager
P)617-393-2300×419
daaberg@carlsonsw.com