Measuring with feature codes

Assign codes to points or lines to identify the entity as a specific feature type. If the feature type for the code is a line or polygon, the line or polygon can be drawn on the map as you measure points that use that feature code.

Creating linework for features

The Measure codes feature supports two different workflows for the way linework is created and codes are stored. When creating a feature code library in Trimble Access or in the Feature Definition Manager, the Lines and codes field enables you to select from the following options:

• Create feature coded linework with codes on points

• Store polylines with codes on lines

Create feature coded linework with codes on points

The Create feature coded linework with codes on points method enables you to create rich point symbols and linework defined in the FXL file based on the code that is stored with the point. Linework is not stored in the job, rather it is created from the codes stored with the points and can be recreated in the office using Trimble Business Center to process the feature codes. When you export DXF files from Trimble Access they can include rich symbols and linework.

You can create feature coded linework in the Measure points and Measure topo screens as well as in the Measure codes screen. You can start lines with a control code and the line is then defined primarily by the order in which the points are created. This means that feature coded linework works great when measuring points along a line neatly in order, but it becomes difficult to modify linework to insert other points.

Store polylines with codes on lines

The Store polylines with codes on lines method creates polylines and polygons in the current job with the code stored with the line or polygon. You can easily create polylines or polygons using both existing points and newly measured points. If needed you can insert points or remove points from polylines or polygons. To create a polygon when using a polyline code you can simply select the start point again. You can import polylines and polygons into Trimble Business Center.

Storing polylines with codes on lines works really well when you need to measure points out of order, for example cadastral workflows. In cadastral surveys you are often measuring points along the front of all the boundaries first, then measuring points along the back of the boundaries. Once you have measured the front boundaries, you can select the front boundary points and then the parcel polygons are created as you measure the rear boundary points. Sometimes a boundary point is missed, and you can now easily insert the point into the polyline or polygon as needed.

When using the Store polylines with codes on lines method you must create feature coded linework in the Measure codes screen.

Attributes

If the feature code has attributes then you can then fill out attribute information for the point. You can configure the Trimble Access software to prompt you to enter the attribute data. See Entering attribute values when measuring a point.

To measure and code entities using Measure codes

1. In the Job properties screen, select the Feature Library file to use with the job. See Feature library.

   If you are using a feature library file that has groups defined, the groups and the codes within the group are automatically shown in the Measure codes form.

   The Measure codes form provides a grid of large buttons, with each button set to a specific code.

2. If you need to assign codes to buttons or to change the code on a button, tap and hold the button on the Measure codes form and select a different code. To edit multiple buttons, or to create or manage groups of code buttons tap in the Measure codes form. See Setting up code buttons for Measure codes

3. Measure points using codes. To measure a point with that code, simply tap the large button for that code. To measure the next point using the same code, tap Enter or press the Enter key. See Measuring points in Measure codes.

4. To create linework, you can use the following methods:

   • When assigning codes to points on the line, you can add a control code to start a new line, or you can use string numbers to start a new line.

     In either case the linework is not stored in the job but is created by Trimble Access from the codes on the points.

     To use these methods the Lines and codes field for the Feature Library file must be set to Create feature coded linework with codes on points.

   • When assigning codes to lines rather than points on the line, the linework is stored as polylines in the job.

     To use this method the Lines and codes field for the Feature Library file must be set to Store polylines with codes on the lines.