Managing project data

When you open a project, the Project data page in the Project screen lists the project data files added to the project.

Project data files are typically design files that give context to the job data and can include BIM models, drawings, control points, surfaces and road or alignment files. You can view and use data from the file without having to import it directly into the job. For a detailed list of supported file formats, see Supported project data file types.

Project data can be used with any job in the project. Link project data files to the job by setting them to selectable or visible in the Layer manager. When files are selectable you can select items in the map or video screen and then review attributes or properties or use the item in various software functions, including navigating to a point, staking out, and Cogo functions. Items that you use in Trimble Access software functions are copied into the job.

Adding data to the project

You are prompted to add project data files when you create the project in Trimble Connect or in Trimble Access. You can also add or remove project data at any time using the Project data page in the Project screen.

  1. To add project data:

    • At any time, open the project in Trimble Access and then select the Project data page.

    • When creating a project, configure the project settings and then tap Create. The Project data page appears.

  2. Tap Add and then select the files to add from Trimble Connect, a local folder or another location on the controller such as a USB device.

    If the file you want to add is not shown, make sure it is a supported file type and that the file name does not contain invalid characters (such as a dollar sign or parentheses). For more information on available locations, see Selecting files and folders.

  3. Tap Accept.

  4. If you added a project data file to a cloud project from a local folder or another location on the controller such as a USB device and want to add that file to the cloud project, you must tap the upload icon next to the file name in the Project data page. The new file is not automatically added to the cloud when the rest of the project automatically sends updates to the cloud.

NOTE – Make sure project data files use the same coordinate system as the project or job that they are used with.

  • For CSV or TXT files, the coordinate order (northing and easting ordinates) in the comma delimited file must be the same as the setting in the Coordinate order field in the Units screen. Make sure the data in the file is in the format: Point name, First ordinate (Northing or Easting), Second ordinate (Northing or Easting), Elevation, Point code.

  • KML and KMZ files are always in the WGS 1984 coordinate system and so they can be used with any job that uses a projected coordinate system. KML and KMZ files 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.

Using project data in a job

Open the job and then use the Project data tab in the Layer manager to select which project data layers are selectable or visible in the map. See Managing project data layers.

Hiding project data from the project data list

If you have many items in the Project data page, you can tap to hide files when you no longer need them.

If you hide a file and then want to see it again in the Project data list, in the Project data page tap Add. Files you have hidden are listed in the project folder but do not have a checkmark next to them. Select the file and tap Accept.

Removing project data

To permanently remove a project data file, for example a file you have added by mistake, you must delete the file using Trimble Connect. If the project is not a cloud project you can delete the project data file from the project folder using File Explorer.