Chapter 9 Tools Menu
9.4 Code List Tool
[Code List] - This button activates the Code List tool:
Figure 9-9 – Code List Tool
The code list tool is used to create and modify code lists, and to control the placement of line work and symbols in automated mapping. Code lists consist of codes and
Create a new code list.
Open an existing code list.
Exports the code list to the target specified in the Target Type selection box. If the Target is DTM-500/330/350, then this will initiate cable transfer of the code list to the instrument. For the other types, the code list is exported to a file, which the user can install on the specified target.
Cut the selected code, or folder (including all of its contents) from the code list and places it on a clipboard. The clipboard contents can then be pasted to another location (see [Paste] button below).
Copy the selected code, or folder (including all of its contents) from the code list and places it on a clipboard. The clipboard contents can then be pasted to another location (see [Paste] button below).
Paste the clipboard contents to the current folder location in the code list.
Delete the currently selected code or folder (including all of its contents).
Add a new code to the current folder location.
Add a new folder to the current folder location.
Add a new sub-folder to the currently selected folder.
Move the selected code or folder up in the code list order. This option is not available if the Sorted checkbox is checked.
Move the selected code or folder down in the code list order. This option is not available if the Sorted checkbox is checked.
Figure 9-10 – Code List Tool – selecting Target Type
Target Type - Select the instrument or data collector for which the current code list is intended (see Figure 9-10). There are different restrictions and formats for code lists on the different platforms. When this button is selected, the code list tool checks the Target Type to determine the format for the exported code list file (in the case of DTM-500/330/350, the export function performs a cable transfer of the list to the instrument). Prior to export, the list will be checked to make sure that the current list does not violate any restrictions that may apply to the selected Target Type. If errors are found (see Figure 9-11, for the Compatibility Error Message), they will be reported and indicated in red on the code list.
Figure 9-11 – Compatibility Error Message
The [Prev] and [Next] buttons can be used to quickly jump the error location in the list and correct the problem. The [Re-Check] button will re-check the list for compatibility with the selected Target Type.
Sorted - Check this checkbox to automatically sort the code list in alphabetical order. When this option is selected, the and functions are not available. Please note that the DTM-500/330/350 target type requires a sorted list, therefore the checkbox is automatically checked when this target type is selected.
Properties - The properties section shows the properties for the currently selected code or folder.
Note: It is advisable to select the Target Type before building or editing the code list. Certain properties are available in some Target Types, but not in others. Selecting the appropriate Target Type will automatically hide property fields, which are not applicable. The following figures use
9.4.1 Folder Properties
• Heading refers to the name of the folder.
• In AP700/800, the Code Prefix can optionally prefix the final selected code. For example, folder named “Manholes” could have a Code Prefix “MH”. The folder may then contain a Code
“SEWER”. When the user selects the folder, and then the code, the final value in the code field would be “MH SEWER”.
• List Label refers to the label shown in the upper right corner of the selection box on the instrument screen in AP700/800 (see AP700 or AP800 reference manual appendix for more information).
• The contents of the Description field will be shown as a help line at the bottom of the instrument screen when the folder name is highlighted800 (see AP700 or AP800 reference manual appendix for more information).
Note that there are three tabs of properties information:
9.4.2 General Properties
• Code (Displayed) refers to the code value, which will be displayed in the code list on the instrument or data collector.
• Code (Stored) is the value that is entered into the code field when the Code (Displayed) is selected. For example, “Manhole” may be entered as the Code (Displayed) and “MH” may be the Code (Stored). If this field is left blank, then the Code (Displayed) is stored.
• Description is a long description of the code for informational purposes. Some data collectors and instruments will show this help line on the screen when the code is selected on the code list.
Figure 9-13 –General Properties
Figure 9-13 shows the General Properties tab.
Attribute Properties
AP700/800 allow for an attribute to be entered for a code whenever it is selected. An example of this would be for the code “TREE”, the user can be prompted for the diameter as an attribute.
• Prompt refers to the text attribute prompt that the user will see after selecting the code.
• Length refers to the length in characters of the input field for the attribute.
• Type refers to the keyboard mode that will be in effect when the user is prompted for the attribute. Generally, attribute information is expected to be either alpha or numeric. In Figure 9-14, it is convenient to have the keyboard in numeric mode for entering in a diameter value.
Figure 9-14 –Attribute Properties
COGO is an acronym for Coordinate Geometry. The COGO commands simply calculate coordinates for new points from other points, angles and distances, or calculate angle and distance information from points.
Figure 9-15 - Tools | COGO Menu
9.5.1 Point Direction Distance
This command will calculate coordinates for a point given an existing point, direction and distance.
Figure 9-16 - COGO - Point Direction Distance
The Base Point can be specified in one of three different ways:
• A point name can be typed into the Name field.
• Pressing the [Name] button allows the user to pick a TransIt point in the browser.
• Coordinates can be directly typed into the N, E and Z fields.
The Angle can be specified in one of two different ways:
• The angle can be typed directly into the Angle field.
• Clicking the [Angle] button allows the rotation to be specified by selecting two TransIt points. The point names can be entered into the Pt 1 and Pt 2 fields, or the points can be selected from the browser by clicking the [Pt 1] and/or [Pt 2] buttons.
Figure 9-17 - Select 2 Points dialog box
The Horizontal Distance [HD] can be specified in one of two different ways:
• The distance can be typed directly into the HD field.
• Clicking the [HD] button allows the distance to be specified by selecting two TransIt points (with the Select 2 Points dialog box, Figure 9-17). The point names can be entered into the Pt 1 and Pt 2 fields, or the points can be selected from the browser by clicking the [Pt 1] and/or [Pt 2] buttons.
If the Base Point has a Z value, then the Vertical Distance (VD) can be optionally entered to calculate a Z coordinate for the New Point.
The North and East coordinates of the calculated point are displayed to the right in the New Point portion of the dialog. If the Z value was not calculated, the new point Z value can be manually entered for the new
command. When Radial mode is selected, the base point remains the same by default. When Continuous mode is selected, the new point becomes the base point as soon as the [Create] button is clicked. This makes it easy for the user to traverse from point, to point, to point, etc.
The [Previous] button makes it easy to go back to the previous base point if necessary.
9.5.2 Point to Point Inverse
This command calculates the direction and distance between two points.
Note: The user can also conduct a Point to Point Inverse by selecting the
"Point to Point Inverse" icon.
Figure 9-18 - COGO - Point to Point Inverse
Both the Base Point and the 2nd Point can be specified in one of three different ways:
• A point name can be typed into the Name field.
• Pressing the [Name] button allows the user to pick a TransIt point
The calculated result is shown in the right side of the dialog box, under Inverse Result (see Figure 9-18).
The Base Point Mode makes it easy to perform multiple calculations.
When Radial mode is selected, the base point remains unchanged after each calculation. With Radial mode, it is convenient to calculate inverses from one base point to many 2nd points by typing in point names, coordinates, or by selecting the points on the screen.
When Continuous mode is selected, the second point automatically becomes the base point for the next calculation. With Continuous mode, it is convenient to inverse from point, to point, to point, etc.
9.5.3 Intersection
The Intersection command calculates the coordinates of a point by intersecting two lines, two distances, or one line and one distance.
Intersection can also be accessed by selecting the "Intersection" icon from the TransIt toolbar.
The Line Object is defined by specifying a Base Point, an Angle direction, and an optional Offset.
The Base Point can be specified in one of three different ways:
• A point name can be typed into the Name field.
• Pressing the [Name] button allows the user to pick a TransIt point in the browser.
• Coordinates can be directly typed into the N, E and Z fields.
The Angle can be specified in one of two different ways:
• The angle can be typed directly into the Angle field.
• Clicking the [Angle] button allows the rotation to be specified by selecting two TransIt points (with the Select 2 Points dialog box, Figure 9-17). The point names can be entered into the Pt 1 and Pt 2 fields, or the points can be selected from the browser by clicking the [Pt 1] and/or [Pt 2] buttons.
The Offset Distance can be specified in one of two different ways:
• The distance can be typed directly into the Offset field.
• Clicking the [Offset] button allows the distance to be specified by selecting two TransIt points (with the Select 2 Points dialog box, Figure 9-17). The point names can be entered into the Pt 1 and Pt 2 fields, or the points can be selected from the browser by clicking the [Pt 1] and/or [Pt 2] buttons.
Select R for an offset right and L for an offset left.
The Distance Object is essentially a circle around a point. It is defined by a center Base Point, Radius and optional Offset.
The Center Base Point can be specified in one of three different ways:
• A point name can be typed into the Name field.
The Radius Distance can be specified in one of two different ways:
• The distance can be typed directly into the Radius field.
• Clicking the [Radius] button allows the distance to be specified by selecting two TransIt points (with the Select 2 Points dialog box, Figure 9-17). The point names can be entered into the Pt 1 and Pt 2 fields, or the points can be selected from the browser by clicking the [Pt 1] and/or [Pt 2] buttons.
The Offset Distance can be specified in one of two different ways:
• The distance can be typed directly into the Offset field.
• Clicking the [Offset] button allows the distance to be specified by selecting two TransIt points, (with the Select 2 Points dialog box, Figure 9-17). The point names can be entered into the Pt 1 and Pt 2 fields, or the points can be selected from the browser by clicking the [Pt 1] and/or [Pt 2] buttons.
Select + if the Offset is to increase the Radius and – if the Offset is to decrease the Radius.
Figure 9-20 - COGO Intersection construction lines (Graphic Example)
When two lines are intersected, there is only one unique solution. In all other cases, there are two possible solutions.
TransIt labels two tentative points as solutions A and B. The desired solution can be selected in the Intersection dialog. The calculated coordinates are shown under New Point in the right side of the dialog. A Z value and Code can optionally be entered. The next incremented point name will appear as the default Name for the new point. The Name can also be edited.