Vault and Survey Database

 

I recently got asked few questions about Survey Database and Vault and how the two communicate. Questions like “How do I replace Survey Database in the Vault?” and “I got corrupted Survey.SDBX file and would like to restore it?” or “Can I delete the old Survey database and import FBK file into new Survey Database and replace the  corrupted one?” then “What will happen if the file is replaced, will it be able to find project association?”

Well, short answer for all these question is “yes, you can” and “easily”. It’s no secret, that there are some people out there that use Vault for storage of Survey database files for all versions of them. You also know that Vault can sore other types of files, not just drawings or points, you can even add Field book file (FBK) if you wish. In the following paragraphs I will describe what happens in the background during this workflow. This will most likely answer some of those questions above. You will also notice that Vault treats Survey.SDBX file pretty much like regular drawing (DWG) file.

As you know, when creating new Vault project program creates several files which store project information, point information and also creates blank Survey Database file (SDB in Civil 3D 2010 and SDBX in Civil 3D 2011). There are also SDX and SDXX.INFO files, but we’ll concentrate on SDBX file only.  

When working with vaulted Survey Database the same principles apply as you would work with any vaulted drawings. You need to check out the Survey Database before you can start working with it. In Prospector tab you would see  a node that allows you to Check out the Survey database. At the same time if we look at the Survey tab we’ll notice that our Survey Database can only be opened as read-only (note an icon showing crossed pencil).

   

So let’s go ahead and Check the Survey Database Out. Now we can open our Database for edit, too. To better demonstrate what is happening in the background I opened my Working Folder and Vault 2011 (a.k.a. Vault Explorer) so that we can track those changes. In here, note the file size of Survey.SDBX file.

Our next step is to add some data to our Survey Database. I am going to open our Survey Database for Edit and add FBK file to it by Importing Events in Survey tab.

Now look at the Survey.SDBX file. It got little bigger.

Now we need to Check in our Survey Database (from Prospector) in Vault. Let’s take a look in Vault Explorer and note that Survey.SDBX and Survey.SDXX version numbers have changed. If you are familiar with Vault workflow, you will find it very similar… right?

If we wanted to go back to our older version of the Survey.SDBX file all you need to do is to go ahead and Check it out from Vault Explorer. This will replace a copy in Working Folder. This is especially useful in case our new version of Survey database is corrupted or not relevant anymore.

 

In case we don’t have any good copies of your Survey Database file but still have our points or FBK file, we may easily create new Survey. Once we  have our Survey.SDBX file with imported linework from FBK, we may just copy it over the corrupted one in the Working Folder and check it back into Vault. In that case, it would be a good idea to remove old versions of Survey.SDBX file from Vault Explorer. When the file is replaced it will find the project association.

I hope this helped!