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Conventional
This section describes how to create an optical configuration for a Conventional type instrument. The scenario is as follows:
- Select the Conventional configuration type.
- Select the instrument.
- Select connection mode.
- Configure survey settings.
- Select prism configurations; customize or create your own, if necessary.
- Configure stake settings.
- Specify stake marking.
- Choose staked point icon.
- Configure point naming.
- Configure miscellaneous parameters.
Configuration
- Enter the Name for the configuration. The name you set will be displayed in the Configurations Library dialog.
- Select the Conventional configuration type in the Type field.
Instrument
Select the total station that will be used in the survey:
- Select the Manufacturer of the instrument.
- Select the Model of the instrument. Note that the models shown in the list correspond to the chosen type of survey.
Specify default values for prism rod height and instrument height:
- Foresight HR - rod height for the foresight prism.
- Backsight HR - rod height for the backsight prism.
- HI - the instrument height (measured from the instrument height mark to the ground point).
Note that height parameters you defined here can be changed later from any Survey or Stake dialog by clicking
in the title bar.
Connection Mode
Specify how the instrument is connected to the field controller:
- Initial TS Connection: Select Cable or Bluetooth TS.
Cable
Configure the settings necessary for your instrument to communicate with an external device connected via Cable:
- Baud rate.
- Data frame parameters: Parity, Stop and Data bits.
Click Default to reset communication port parameters to default ones.
Survey Settings - 1
Configuring the default settings for an optical survey:
- Select the Measurement Method of side-shot measurements: Direct or Direct/Reverse.
-
In the Tolerances panel, set the acceptable deviation values for the horizontal and vertical angles and the distance in the current units:
- Hz - horizontal angle;
- Dist. - distance;
- VA - vertical angle.
-
If required, select the Measure Reverse Dist check box to enable the reverse distance measurements in conventional and reflectorless surveys. These are used for the reduction of the distance measurement errors.
The option is available when the Direct/Reverse measurement method is selected.
Survey Settings - 2
To continue configuring settings for an optical survey:
Note: Every survey parameter you defined here can be changed later from any Survey dialog in Optical mode by clicking
.
Select Targets
To view and manage target configurations available for selection and usage and to add and delete custom targets.
- To review target configurations and to select a new target configuration to use in measurements:
- The list displays available target configurations based on available types of targets: Prism, reflective Sheet, reflectorless Non-Prism, long reflectorless Long Non-Prism (supported target types depend on the configured instrument model):
- predefined prisms configurations of specific prism models (ATP1 360, (ATP2 360, A6 360, A7 360, Builder Series 360), generic prisms configurations (0 Offset, -30 Offset);
- predefined sheet configuration with 0 Offset;
- predefined non-prism configuration with 0 Offset;
- predefined long non-prism configuration with 0 Offset (available for IS / QS / GPT / GTS Series total stations);
- user-created (custom) configurations of any target type.
- Every target configuration stores the target specific parameters:
- Name - the model name for predefined specific prism configurations, the target type for predefined sheet and reflectorless configurations, or the user entered name for custom target configurations.
- Constant (prism constant, or P.C.) - the parameter of the Prism characterizing the difference between the reflection plane and the center of the prism. Prism constant is a given property of the particular prism model; the value is specified on the prism body or in prism's instruction manual. For Sheet, Non-Prism, and Long Non-Prism targets, the added offset distance in mm along the observation line from the physical surface of the target to the actual target point.
- Hybrid Positioning™ antenna offset - is the offset between horizontal optical axis of the prism and antenna reference point (ARP).
- Height Type - the method how the height of the prism is measured in MAGNET Field.
- Center Offset - the distance from bottom of prism to its center.
- 360 Prism - indicates if a 360-degree prism is used in this configuration (Yes or No status).
- Aperture - the value for the Prism or Sheet reflector's aperture size in mm.
- The currently used target configuration is marked with
near its name.
- Click on a target configuration to highlight it and select it to use in measurements.
- Click
or
to change the position of selected target configuration in the list.
- To view, add, edit, or delete specific target configuration:
Note: Predefined target configurations are non-editable and can't be deleted; you can only view target details.
- Highlight a target configuration and click the View / Edit button to open the Edit Target dialog and view the details of predefined target configuration or view and edit the target parameters for custom target configuration.
- Click the Add button to open the New Target dialog, enter parameters of a new user-defined target and create a custom target configuration.
- Click the Delete button to delete a highlighted custom target configuration from the list.
Click
to save the current target configuration choice and return to the previous dialog. Click
to close the dialog without saving changes.
Edit Target Configuration
To review detailed information about the selected target; to create a new custom target, or to modify parameters of an existing custom target.
- Review detailed information about the selected target:
- Name - the name of the target configuration.
- Target Type - the type of target used in this configuration, either Prism, reflective Sheet, reflectorless Non-Prism, long reflectorless Long Non-Prism (supported target types depend on the configured instrument model).
- Constant (prism constant, or P.C.) - the parameter of the Prism characterizing the difference between the reflection plane and the center of the prism. Prism constant is a given property of the particular prism model; the value is specified on the prism body or in prism's instruction manual. For Sheet, Non-Prism, and Long Non-Prism targets, the added offset distance in mm along the observation line from the physical surface of the target to the actual target point.
-
Hybrid Positioning™ antenna offset - the offset between horizontal optical axis of the prism and antenna reference point (ARP). See the figure:
Note: Review the detailed information on how to set the antenna height in a single equipment setup ready for both, Hybrid Positioning™ and standard GNSS surveys.
- Height Type - the option specifies the method how you will measure the height of the prism for your routines:
- Center of Prism - in a survey, you will enter the direct height from the pole tip to the center of the prism (measured manually, e.g. by a tape). If the Center of Prism method is used, the Center Offset field is disabled.
- Top of Pole - in a survey, you will enter only the pole's height. The fixed value of prism's center offset (the distance from bottom of prism to its center) will be automatically added to this height. If the Top of Pole method is used, you must specify this offset value in the Center Offset field.
- 360 Prism - if this check box is selected, it indicates that a 360-degree prism is used in the configuration.
- Aperture - the value for the Prism or Sheet reflector's aperture size in mm. Make sure the correct value is entered in this field. If incorrect aperture size is specified the tracking algorithms may produce errors.
- Create or edit a custom target configuration:
- Specify the Name for a new target configuration.
- Select the Target type for this target configuration.
- Enter or modify the selected target type related parameters (described above) as necessary.
- Click
to save the target configuration and return to the Targets dialog. Click
to close the dialog without saving changes.
Stake Settings - 1
To configure settings for stakeout performed with the total station:
- Horizontal Distance Tolerance and Vertical Distance Tolerance: enter the distance tolerance values when the graph switches to a bull's eye in stakeout.
- Compass Orientation: to be used during the stakeout:
- Instrument Reference - the reference set in the instrument will be used;
- North - the top of the screen is oriented to the north during the stakeout session;
- Moving Direction - the top of the screen is oriented to the direction of moving during the stakeout session;
- Moving Dir + North - is similar to the Moving Direction option, but the screen will be oriented to the North direction when you are within three meters of the design point;
- Point / Azimuth (Bearing) - if you select this orientation type, the Orient Pt / Orient Az (Orient Brg) toggle button will be displayed in the Stake Point dialog or the Reference Info dialog will be opened before stakeout. Here you can define a point or a direction to orient the screen top.
- Display Reference: select an object from the drop-down list, and the direction to this object will be indicated with the icon
in compass as a reference orientation during the stakeout.
- Include previous staked design points: if the check box is selected, you can select in stakeout not only a design point which was not staked yet, but also a design point for which a stakeout was already made.
Stake Settings - 2
To continue configuring settings for stakeout performed with the total station:
- Turn to Design Point: select the method for turning toward the design point.
Display options:
- Display HA only or Display HA/VA: the total station will display the computed values of angles to design points, and you will turn the instrument by these angles.
Grade Stake Marking
This dialog allows you to mark the grade stake with the skyward rounding of the cut/fill decimal values to an even number of feet (or meters).
To configure the marking settings:
- In the Working stake length field, enter the working length of the stake.
- In Top spacing field, enter a value of top reserve part of the stake for marking.
- In Bottom spacing field, enter a value of bottom reserve part of the stake for marking.
- In Cut/Fill interval field, enter an even number you want the cut/fill to round to.
Example:
If the cut is 0.8 and the bottom spacing is 0.5, we will round up to a cut of 2.0 (assuming the 1.0 interval) and place the mark at 1.2 above the ground; see below:

Staked Point Icon
Define how staked points will be displayed on the map.
Check the Use icon for staked point box to enable a special icon for staked points to display them on maps. Clear the box to disable the use of special icon for staked points.
If the use of special icon for staked points on maps is enabled, select an icon symbol and color:
- Click the Icon button to open the Select Symbol dialog and choose a special icon for staked points on maps.
- Check the Use tolerance colors box to select different icon colors for staked points that are inside and outside of the distance tolerance threshold defined in the Stake Settings dialog for GNSS configuration or in the Stake Settings dialog for Optical configuration. Clear the box to use a single color for all the staked points.
- Click the respective
button(s) to open the Select Color dialog and choose either the desired Color for all staked points or different colors for staked points In Tolerance and for staked points Out of Tolerance.
- Displayed icon and color(s) for staked points on maps reflect entered settings.
Point Naming
Specify the parameters for naming a new point. When adding a new point, its name can be formed by using an increment or decrement to its sequential number, and adding prefixes or suffixes. You can form the names for all points in such a way, except for stacked points.
To configure point naming and other parameters, use the Point panel:
- Increment Point Number: the increment / decrement value. If you select "0" in the field, the next point number will remain unchanged. The Point Check dialog will be opened for saving such point. You can save this point as a check point
- Prefix/Suffix: a prefix or suffix to form the name of a point. If your job does not have predefined values of the prefix or suffix, you can create these values in the List of Suffixes / Prefixes dialog and use in other projects. To open this dialog, click
in the Prefix/Suffix field.
Example:
The number in the Point field of the Topo dialog is 200. You specified "-1" in the Increment Point Number field and use "_MGN" Suffix. The number of the next point will be "199_MGN".
- Measure nearest point: if this check box is selected, then the following will occur during a survey:
- When measuring a point within the specified range, the Objects near selected point dialog will be displayed listing all the points within the range.
- On attempt to measure a point out of specified range, a respective warning will be shown. A user will be asked to choose whether he wants:
- to measure and store such a point or
- to cancel the measurement at current position.
The desired range is specified in the Range field.
To set parameters for storing staked points, use the Staked Point panel:
- In the Name As field, select a method to set the number for
the first staked point. The initial point name can be set to:
- Design Point name.
- Next Point name.
- Design Pt Prefix (for example, "stk_01", where "stk_" is the prefix). The choice of the default prefix appears only when the corresponding item is chosen from the drop-down menu.
- Design Pt Suffix (for example, "01_stk", where "_stk" is the suffix). The choice of the default suffix appears only when the corresponding item is chosen from the drop-down menu.
- Design Pt+Constant. A specified numerical constant can be added to automatically generate the staked point name. For example, if the constant specified is "1000", and the design point number is "100", the staked point would be named "1100" (that is, 100+1000). If the design point number is alphanumeric, the constant is appended to the name. For example, for a design point named "ALPHA", the corresponding staked out point will be named "ALPHA1000".
- Range Start. Any start value of a range can be selected.
-
The Note can be set to either Design Point name, Design Pt Prefix, Design Pt Suffix, Station & Offset or None. If the Station & Offset option is selected, an edit box for entering an alphanumeric prefix is displayed, pre-filled with the default value:
- for the United States, this prefix is "Sta.";
- for the international markets the prefix is "SP.";
- for the Korean/Japanese markets the prefix is "NO."
With the Station & Offset option selected, depending on the choice of the prefix, MAGNET Field automatically generates one note for each stakeout point: "Sta.5+5.5R5.0", "SP.505.5R5.0", or "NO.5+5.5R5.0", respectively.
Miscellaneous
Customize the user interface configuration and program behavior during a survey:
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