Adding background maps

Add background information to your map to provide context for the other data in the map. While background maps may not provide survey accuracy, they are useful for providing general geographical information relevant to the job.

To configure any of the supported map background sources, tap in the Map toolbar and select Layer manager. In the Layer manager, select the Map files tab and then tap the appropriate softkey.

Supported sources of map background information are:

  • Trimble Maps

    Trimble Maps is the simplest option for providing map backgrounds if the controller is typically connected to the internet.

    Trimble Maps requires no configuration and is available with any Trimble Access controller that has a current Trimble Access Software Maintenance Agreement or to any user who has a valid Trimble Access subscription.

    See Trimble Maps.

  • Web map service (WMS) 

    Create a web map in Trimble Access by providing the URL to a web map service (WMS) and view data provided by the service in the Trimble Access map.

    To view the data provided by the WMS, the controller must be connected to the internet.

    See Web maps.

  • Web map tile service (WMTS) 

    Create a web map in Trimble Access by providing the URL to a web map tile service (WMTS) and view data provided by the service in the Trimble Access map.

    When working offline, you can use map data from the WMTS in the Trimble Access map for up to 7 days, but you will be able to zoom or pan only to the same data as when the controller was connected to the internet.

    See Web maps.

  • Web feature service (WFS)

    Create a web map in Trimble Access by providing the URL to a web feature service (WFS) and view georeferenced vector data from the WFS in the Trimble Access map. See Web maps.

    In Trimble Access, save the data as a .wfs file so that you can use the data in the field without an internet connection.

    You can select features from a WFS and view attribute information about them. You can also copy them to the job, if required. For more information, see Creating points, polylines and polygons from items in KML files or a WFS below.

  • Google Earth KML or KMZ files (.kml, .kmz)

    KML and KMZ files are linked files created from Google Earth. While KML and KMZ files may not provide survey accuracy, they are useful for providing general geographical information relevant to the job, such as a polygon showing the limits of the job site or a nearby wetland sketched onto the local area in Google Earth, which is accurate to within a few meters.

    You can select features in a KML or KMZ file in the map in Trimble Access and view attribute information about them. Use the Snap-to toolbar to more easily select the point you are interested in or the end of a line. You can also copy them to the job, if required. For more information, see Creating points, polylines and polygons from items in KML files or a WFS below.

    Because KML and KMZ files are always in the WGS 1984 coordinate system they can be linked to any job that uses a projected coordinate system. They will not display in a job that uses a Scale factor only or No projection / no datum coordinate system, as the WGS 1984 coordinates cannot be transformed to job coordinates.

  • Image

    Link to your own background image file stored on the controller. This option does not require an internet connection.

    See Background image files.

To create points, polylines, and polygons in the Trimble Access job from selected points, lines, polylines and polygons in a KML or KMZ file or from a Web Feature Service (WFS), select the items in the map to include and then from the tap and hold menu select Create from selection. Attributes for the selected items are also copied into the job.

Once the points, polylines, and polygons are created in the job you can use them for stakeout and Cogo functions as usual.

If required, you can also edit polylines or polygons you have copied into the job, for example to insert a new measured point:

  • To insert one point into a polyline, select the point and the polyline in the map. Tap and hold on the polyline near the segment where you want to insert the point, and then select Insert point. Use the same process to insert a point into a polygon.

  • To remove a point from a polyline, select the point in the map, and then from the tap and hold menu select Remove point. Use the same process to remove a point from a polygon.