As-built Survey Work using Linework

A while back I wrote a post showing a preview of the new Survey functionality in 2010.  I believe that using automated linework is a great way of increasing productivity, decreasing costs, and reducing potential errors.  However, sometimes there can be a conflict between what field crews want to do and what the draftsman wishes they would do.  If the office chooses to avoid using linework, then the draftsman is forced to draw things manually based on crew’s notes.  Often, this is very unnecessary and means duplicate work is being done.  I want to show you a quick example of how using automated linework in the fieldcrew’s codes will take them the same amount of time, but will much quicker once the information is brought into the office.

So take a look at this house.  The foundation is poured, and your field crew is at the site and ready to locate it.  They have a few choices:

• Shoot every corner.  Of course, there is a excavator in the way – blocking half of the corners
• Shoot what they can see.  Tape everything else, and then draw it all in the field book, leaving the draftsman to put it in the computer.
• Shoot 2 points.  Tape everything else, but put the information in the code description. 

So, let’s move forward with the 3rd option.  After shooting the first two points, the only thing the field crew needs to do is code the description with the dimensions they measured.  You will add a RT meaning Right Turn after the description, and then list the measurements.  Any left-hand turn will mean a negative value.  You will finish with a CLS for Close.  Here is how it should look.

No in the office, you will need to have two things set up ahead of time. 

1. Set up your Figure Prefix Database so that it includes a “BC”.  You can assign Styles, as desired.
2. Make sure that your Linework Code Set is consistent with what your field crew is using.  This is a new feature in 2010, and allows you much more flexibility when deciding what values perform what command.  Prefer to use “B” rather an “BEG” to denote the beginning of linework?  No problem!

When you insert this point file, make sure you specify to use the above mentioned Figure Prefix Database, as well as Linework Code Set.  Without these set, the linework won’t come in.

You may notice that I used “BC” for my building corner.  Here is a good example of why it is important to make sure that your office and field crews are on the same page.  Take a look at your Sample Linework Code Set.  Notice that “BC” is being used as a code for Begin Curve.  So you will need to change this if you want to continue to use that description for Building Corner.

After you make that correction, go ahead and bring in your Point file.  Voila!  You now have a Survey Figure that came in automatically and is displayed according to your Style preferences. 

This is just one quick example of how using automated linework can make your office more productive.  Once everything is setup, and all parties are on the same page, I am sure that you will love this functionality!