Spectra Precision Survey Pro CE v3.6 User Manual - Manual (Page 34)

User’s Manual
28
Required Files
Every job that is used with TDS Survey Pro actually consists of at
least two separate files; a job file and a raw data file. Each file
performs a different role within the software.
A job file can be created in the data collector, or on a PC using TDS
Survey Link and then transferred to the data collector. A raw data
file is automatically generated once the job file is open in the data
collector. A raw data file cannot be created using any other method.
There are two other optional types of files that can be used with
Survey Pro called control files and description files. Job files and raw
data files are explained below. Control files and description files are
explained, starting on Page 28 and 32, respectively and include
examples to illustrate their use.
Job Files
A job file is a binary file that has a file name that is the same as the
job name, followed by a *.JOB extension. A job file is similar to the
older TDS-format coordinate file, except in addition to storing point
names and their associated coordinates, a job file also contains all of
the line work as well.
When you specify points to use for any reason within Survey Pro, the
software will read the coordinates for the specified points from the job
file. Whenever you store a new point within Survey Pro, the point is
added to this file.
A job file can be edited on the data collector when using the Edit
Points screen. Since a job file is binary, it requires special software
for editing on a PC, such as TDS Survey Link. It can also be
converted to or from an ASCII file using Survey Link. (Refer to the
Survey Link documentation for this procedure.)
When a job file is converted to an ASCII file, the resulting file is
simply a list of points and coordinates. Each line consists of a point
name, northing or latitude, easting or longitude, elevation or elliptical
height, and a note where each value is separated by a comma.