Surface Sets

Surfaces

FieldGenius allows you to display a 3D surface representation of the points and lines in your project. This is done by turning on the Point Database surface.

Supported DTM Files

You can import surface information into FieldGenius. Currently you can import a surface from an XML or QSB file.

LandXML Surface

FieldGenius can import surface definitions from XML data sets. These surfaces can be used to display a TIN, shaded surface or contours on the screen. The surface can also be used to perform real-time DTM staking.

To import a LandXML file, go to Map Data Layers and use the Add File command. Please see the LandXML Import topic for more information.

QSB Surface

Surfaces created and saved in MicroSurvey CAD or inCAD desktop products will have a QSB extension. These QSB files can be imported into FieldGenius and used to display a TIN, shaded surface or contours on the screen. The surface can also be used to perform real-time DTM staking.

To import a QSB file, use the Load button at the bottom of the Surface Manager screen. Please see the DTM Surface File Import (QSB) topic for more information.

DTM Surface Manager

The surface called Point Database represents the real-time DTM Surface made up from points and lines that are in your project. If you have imported any other surfaces from a QSB or LandXML file they will also appear in this list.

To use a surface you first need to load it into memory by checking inside the box before the name of the surface in the list. A surface is loaded if there is a checkmark shown before it. If you expand the surface you can control whether it is drawn as Contour Lines, a wireframe TIN, a solid TIN, or any combination of these.

Settings

Surface settings allow you to specify settings that affect the surfaces or contours that are drawn. Please see the Surface Settings topic for more information.

Volumes

Use this button to calculate a volume. Please see the Volume Calculation topic for more information.

Load

Use this button to load a .QSB surface file into your project. Please see the Import DTM Surface File topic for more information.

Save

Use this button to save the selected surface as a .QSB file which can be imported into your MicroSurvey CAD or inCAD desktop software or into another FieldGenius project.

Close

If you close the surfaces screen and return back to the map screen you will see the loaded surface drawn as a wireframe, solid, and/or with contours depending on what is set in the Settings screen.

Surface Information

You can see additional statistics about the surface by double clicking on its name in the list. This will show the minimum and maximum bounding coordinates, the number of points, breaklines, and triangles in the surface, the minimum and maximum slopes in the surface, the plan and surface area, the positive and negative volumes calculated from a datum elevation of 0, and the amount of memory that the surface is using.

Point Database Surface

This can be used at any time and doesn't require a surface to be imported. When this is turned on, all the points and lines in your project will be used to create a real-time DTM surface. This can be used while you're taking shots.

Please refer the Real-time DTM Surface topic for more information on FieldGenius DTM surfaces.