Share Projects and Data Using Connected Workspace

The Connected Workspace command provides seamless round-trip data synchronization between TBC and field systems like Trimble Access and Trimble Perspective (or other project team members running TBC using their Trimble ID login credentials) via the Trimble Connect cloud platform. With the Connected Workspace, you can:

• generate and set up jobs with project data for Trimble Access directly within TBC. This enables you to prepare field work with linked data and configured project settings before the operators are in the field.
• import scanned data from Trimble Perspective, software, which allows you access to your 3D laser scanning data from a system like Trimble X9 or X12.

ensuring a smooth, safe, and efficient workflow when exchanging all types of project data. For example, Connected Workspace enables you to create Workspace projects into which Job data can be uploaded from Trimble Access, stored in the project, and imported into your TBCproject at any time. In addition, multiple project-related file types can be uploaded and stored in your Connected Workspace project. Then, as necessary, either import the data into your TBCproject or downloaded it to a file folder. See Connected Workspace Supported File Types for some types of project data you might store or exchange using Connected Workspace.

In addition to project data, Connected Workspace also supports the sharing and synchronization of full TBC projects using the Trimble Connect cloud platform. You can upload your entire project, including the VCE project file and all related data and image files, to Workspace on the cloud, after which you or other team members can work on it directly in the cloud or check it out and download it to their local drive to work on it. When they are done, they can simply check it back in, synchronizing their changes with the version stored in the cloud in Connected Workspace.

Prerequisites:

• See the Subscription Plans page. For a license matrix by command, see the License page in the TBC Community. Also see View and manage licensed features.
• You must have a Trimble Connect account with a Trimble ID login to use Connected Workspace. Visit connect.trimble.com to create a free or upgraded account.

To exchange data using Connected Workspace:

1. Select Connected Workspace in Home > Data Exchange to display the Connected Workspacewindow.

   You can also display the Connected Workspacewindow by clicking Remote Save in the Export command pane.

   If you have a Trimble Connect account and you are signed in with your Trimble ID, the Connected Workspace window displays immediately. Otherwise, you will be prompted to log in with your Trimble ID.

   If you do not have a Trimble Connect account, visit connect.trimble.com to create one.

   Notes:
   - The dataset Workspace tab is only available if you have a TBC subscription license. If you are using a Perpetual license, the functionality of the tab is disabled.

   - While the Connected Workspace window is open, you can still view data and perform tasks in TBC.

   - When using the Export command in TBC, select data to export and then click Remote Save. The Connected Workspace window opens automatically. This is the only way to export data when using Connected Workspace.

   In the Connected Workspace window, select the Connected Workspace project containing data you want to exchange with Trimble Access or other TBC users.

   Or click the Add New button to create a new Connected Workspace project.

   With a file selected, toggle the Show/Hide Details icon to see metadata like the file size, creation date, creator, last edited date, and last editor.

   If necessary, use the Search field to locate the project.

   The project opens in the Connected Workspace window. Every project includes three work areas:

   • Workspace - Share TBC projects stored in a Connected Workspace project. You can upload existing TBC projects into a Connected Workspace project or create new ones. One or more users are then able to check out (open) the project VCE file (one at a time) to work on it and save any changes back to the Connected Workspace project.
   • Field Data - Upload, view, download, and import data from a field system, e.g., Trimble Access or Trimble Perspective into your current TBC project related data files.

     - Filter your field data by source application, priority, completion status, assigned person, or tag.

     - Sort field data by modification date or name.

     - Open the Create Field Data Assignment command. See Create a Field Data Assignment in Trimble Connect.

     - Download the selected file to pull the field data into your TBC project.

     See To share an XML data file below.

   • Explorer - View and import files from the Connected Workspace project into your currently open TBC project.

     See To share other types of project files below.

   • Settings
     • Feature Code Library - Depending on whether you have a feature code library (.fxl) in TBC or Trimble Connect, use these icons to push it to your Trimble Connect project, pull it into your TBC project, download it locally, or delete it. If there is no FXL file present, some of the icons are hidden.

       See To configure a feature code library (.fxl) below.

     • Enable Trimble Access project files - Check this box to enable the Access Project File checkbox in the Explorer view, which alerts Trimble Connect users to download project files.
     • Compare your TBC coordinate system's projection, datum, and geoid with Trimble Connect's when exporting design data (e.g., surfaces and alignments) to a Trimble Connect project.

       Click Details to see additional information on TBC and Trimble Connect's zone, such as the global reference datum, site calibration status, local site coordinates and scale factor, datum method, and shift grid.

       

       Local geodetic coordinates are positions on a local datum.

       Push your TBC coordinate system to Trimble Connect to synchronize them.

       Pull to the coordinate system from Trimble Connect into your TBC project to synchronize them.

       Note: You cannot push your TBC coordinate system to Trimble Connect unless you are an Administrator of the Trimble Connect project. You do not need to be an Admin of the Trimble Connect project to pull it's coordinate system into TBC.
       Note: If the coordinate systems in TBC and Trimble Connect are identical, these buttons are disabled.

Note: At any time while using Connected Workspace with a project open, you can click the Refresh icon in the upper-right corner of the window to refresh the displayed data to include the latest uploads.

- Click the Profile button to view or edit your Trimble Connect profile.

See the appropriate section below for more information.

To share an XML data file:

The file can include points, lines, surfaces, and alignments.

1. Click the Field Data option in the left pane of the Connected Workspace Project window.

   Optionally, use the Filters controls to locate the files in the project that you want to import.

2. Click any Field Data listed to view its read-only details in the right pane.
3. Click to open the Create Field Data Assignment command. See Create a Field Data Assignment in Trimble Connect.

To share other types of project files:

1. Click the Explorer option in the left pane of the Connected Workspace Project window.
2. Do any of the following:
   • To upload a new file into the Connected Workspace project, select the folder into which you want to upload it. If you don't select a folder, the file is uploaded directly to the Files list.

     To create a new folder, click the arrow to the right of the Upload button and select Create Folder. In the Create Folder popup, enter the Folder name and click Create.

     Click the Upload File button and select the file you want to upload.

     Note: When using the Export command in TBC, select data to export and then click the Remote Save button. The Connected Workspace window opens automatically, allowing you to select a project (and, optionally, a project folder) and click the Save button to upload the exported file to the project. This is the only way to export data when using Connected Workspace.

     Some types of project data you might store or exchange using Connected Workspace

     • Points - Point data may be embedded in the JobXML (.jxl) file or, optionally, contained in a separate DXF (.dxf) drawing file or CSV (.csv) text file.
     • Point clouds - Point cloud data is contained in various file formats, including LAS (.las) and LAZ (.laz).
     • Linework - CAD linework data is contained in a DXF (.dxf) drawing file.
     • Surfaces - Surface data is contained in a TTM (.ttm) triangulated terrain model file.
     • Text - Text data is contained in a DXF (.dxf) drawing file.
     • Corridor surfaces - Corridor surface data, along with the associated corridor alignment data, is contained in a LandXML (.xml) file.
     • Tunnel designs - Tunnel design data, along with the associated tunnel alignment data, is contained in a TXL (.txl) tunnel file.
   • To import a stored file from your Connected Workspace project into your current TBC project, click Import.
   • To download a stored file from your Connected Workspace project into a file folder, click the arrow to the right of the Import button, select Download, and select a folder.

To configure a feature code library (.fxl)

1. Click the Settings option in the left pane of the Connected Workspace Project window.
2. Click Upload FXL.
3. Use the browser window to find and select your feature code library (.fxl) file.
4. Click Open. Trimble Connected Workspace uploads the FXL file, which becomes the configured feature code library for the project.
   • To download the .fxl file, click the Download button.
   • To remove the .fxl from this project, click the Delete button.

     Note: Upload a new .fxl file by repeating steps 1-4. Doing so replaces the previous .fxl file.

5. Optionally, check the Enable Trimble Access Project Files checkbox.

   This enables the Access Project File checkbox in the Explorer view. Checking this box alerts Trimble Connect users to download project files.

Related topics

Create a Field Data Assignment in Trimble Connect