Trimble Business Center feature libraries

You can create your own feature library using the Feature Definition Manager in the Trimble Business Center software and then transfer the file to the System Files folder on the controller.

Feature code names that contain spaces are shown in Trimble Access with a small dot between the words, for example, Fire·Hydrant. These dots do not appear in the office software.

Attributes for feature codes created in the Feature Definition Manager can be edited in Trimble Access, with the following exceptions:

  • Read only attributes are shown but cannot be edited in Trimble Access.

  • Office use only attributes are not shown in Trimble Access.

If you are using an old FXL file, then the control codes supported depend on the FXL file version.

  • Smooth curve control codes need FXL file version 4 or later.
  • Rectangle and circle control codes need FXL file version 5 or later.
  • Horizontal and vertical offset control codes need FXL file version 6 or later.
  • Block control codes need FXL file version 8 or later.

To upgrade older version files select File / Save As in the Feature Definition Manager and select the latest Save As format.

Blocks must be created or edited using the Feature Definition Manager in Trimble Business Center. If required, you can change the feature code and feature code description for a block using Trimble Access.

Block control codes have a Control code action field that controls the behavior of the block:

Control code action Enter this control code to...
Rotation Rotate the block by the specified value about the current point in a clockwise direction.
Scale X Scale the block along the X axis.
Scale Y Scale the block along the Y axis.
Scale Z Scale a 3D block along the Z axis.
From 1 point Specify the construction of a block using the current point as the insertion point.
From 2 points Specify the construction of a block using the current and next point as insertion points.
From 3 points Specify the construction of a block using the current and next two points as insertion points.

Trimble Access supports both point symbols and block symbols, including 1 point, 2 point, and 3 point blocks. To view symbols in the map, tap and select Settings, and then from the Point symbols field select Feature symbols. See Map settings.

The colors defined in the FXL file created using the Feature Definition Manager software may not be identical to the colors used by the Trimble Access software.

Colors can be defined in the Feature Definition Manager as By layer or Custom.

  • When By layer has been defined, Trimble Access uses the color defined in the FXL file. If a layer color is not found then Trimble Access uses black.

  • When Custom has been defined, by default Trimble Access uses the closest color match to the Trimble Access palette.

    Where By layer or Custom has been defined, you can change the default Trimble Access color to a different color but if you do this you cannot change it again.

The Trimble Access software does not fill feature coded polygons.