Export GCS Machine Job Site Design Files (.svd/.svl)

Export job site design files that contain surface data (.svd) and guidance alignments (.svl) to GCS machines. Using this command, data for machines can be exported to compact flash data cards for use on the machine. Alternately, you can use the Compress/E-mail Field Data command to save and e-mail files to the job site as an attachment.

Note: Only GCS900 and AccuGrade version 11.1 and later are supported. For older machine software versions, you can export surface files (.ttm) and CAD files (.dxf and .dwg).

To export a job site design file for a GCS machine:

Note: For general instructions on exporting data files, see Export Data.

Select Export in Home > Data Exchange. The Export command pane displays.
Click the Construction tab. The available exporters appear.
Select Machine Job Site Design exporter in the File Format list.
Select the kind of model you want to export in the Model type list. The pane updates, indicating the types of data you need (see export details in the table below).
- Surface - Select this to export a surface, an optional clipping boundary, and design map objects.
- Road surface - Select this to export a surface, boundary, alignment, and design map objects.
- 3D linework - Select this to export 3D CAD lines and linestrings, and design map objects.
- Material layer - Select this to export a specific subgrade (as a surface) from an area-based site improvement, boundary, and design map objects.
  Note: If the surface used in your design model contains a boundary, all breaklines in the surface will appear as unnamed features when the surface is viewed in GCS. If the surface in your design model does not contain a boundary, the breakline names will appear in GCS.
To pick objects for 3D Linework and Design Map boxes, click in the Objects to add or remove box for each. Then, in a graphic view, pick the objects you want to include in the export, or click Options and choose a selection option in the list.
- 3D Linework - Select 3D CAD lines and linestrings that you want to use for machine guidance.
- Design Map - Select CAD points and surveyed points, alignments, CAD text, and CAD lines, linestrings, and boundaries.
  Note: You can export named sub-alignments to GCS machines, enabling you to see a corridor's named cross-section nodes in GCS900.
Click the Add or Remove button to add or remove the selected objects from your data to export.
Type a path and file name for the exported file in the File Name box, or click the Browse button to browse for a location and specify a file name.
If you want to export another file after this one, uncheck the Close command after export box.
In the Settings group, set export properties.
Click Export. The selected data is exported to the file you specified.


Exportable Data
Data in your project	How the data is handled when exported
Surface model type
Surface	The selected surface exports as an .svd file, and is clipped by the boundary specified (below). Note: You can also export a sloping or level surface (planar surfaces) as a .tsd file.
Surface clipping boundary	The boundary clips the surface to include only the triangles encompassed or crossed by the boundary.
Design map	The design map exports as an .svl file. Points - Points (measured or office-entered) and CAD points (lightweight points) export as 2D points; all z/elevation values are ignored. Lines and alignments - 2D and 3D CAD lines, linestrings, boundaries, and alignments are exported as 2D lines. All elevations and vertical alignments are ignored. Arcs and spirals are "linearized", they are replaced by chords. Surfaces - Surfaces are ignored. CAD text - CAD text exports intact.
(Coordinate system)	For versions from 11.00 to 12.50: The current coordinate system exports, but geoids are replaced by incline planes representing the trend of the local geoid. The coordinate system in your current project is also automatically exported into the same folder as a configuration (.cfg) file. If no site calibration (.dc) or coordinate system (.csd) has been specified, no configuration file is created. Enable extended coordinate system support - Select Yes to configure machines to support additional projections, extended coordinate range, South Azimuth coordinate systems with South and West positive coordinate directions, and additional coordinate systems, such as Icelandic. Enable support for embedded geoid sub-grid - Select Yes to support exporting a <1 KB sub-grid of a geoid embedded in the coordinate system file (.cfg) to machine controllers. This option is available if the extended coordinate system support (above) is enabled. Use it to embed a subset of a geoid for vertical adjustment (instead of the inclined plane approximation method) when the project coordinate system contains a geoid. Note: If a geoid is present in the project and this option is not enabled, an inclined plane approximating the geoid is exported to GCS machines. For version 12.60 on an MS990 Smart Antenna/Receiver: Enable MS990 compatibility - Select Yes to stay compatible with coordinate systems used on MS990 receivers (which use only embedded geoid subgrids). Note: Do not select Yes if you are using an MS992 receiver; leaving it unchecked enables support for full grid geoids (in the .cal file), shift grids, and datum grids. For versions 12.60 and above on an MS992 Smart Antenna/Receiver: You can use shift grids, datum grids, and full size geoid models (no need to create a geoid sub-grid) Coordinate systems are written to a .cal file, instead of the previous .cfg file (unless there is no geoid, in which case a .cfg file is written in addition to the .cal file). The .cal file is stored in the Design folder, and files for the geoid (.ggf), shift grid, and datum grids, are now stored in the GeoData folder.
Road surface model type
Surface	The surface exports as an .svd file. See Surface above. Note: Two settings control how surface cross-sections are generated and displayed in this software. These settings are not available in GCS900. Therefore, when a road surface is exported to GCS900, the cross-sections in the field software may be different than those in this office software. For a detailed explanation of the difference and its ramifications on grading a road, please visit the Business Center - HCE Support web page at: http://www.trimble.com/bc-hce_ts.asp?Nav=Collection-51339
Surface clipping boundary	See Surface clipping boundary above.
Alignment	One horizontal alignment (with an optional vertical alignment) can be exported as an .svl file. Arcs and spirals are "linearized", they are replaced by chords.
Design map	See Design map above.
3D Linework model type
3D linework	Points - Points and CAD points are ignored. Lines - 3D CAD lines and linestrings are exported as 3D lines in an .svl file. Boundaries are ignored. Arcs are "linearized"; they are replaced by chords. Alignments - Alignments are ignored. Surfaces - Surfaces are ignored. All other objects types are ignored.
Design map	See Design map above.
Material Layer
Surface	This is the reference surface from which the material layer surface is derived/offset. This surface is not exported.
Surface clipping boundary	See Surface clipping boundary above.
Non-exportable data
Projection grids In version 12.50 and below: (see Coordinate system above) Shift grids Geoid files Datum grids