Today marks the release of Carlson SurvCE 2.0 – so my initial review is a bit out of date now. It’s a bit more visually appealing (they made things less monochromatic than it used to be) and things are easier to get to in general. I’ve played with it for about 5 minutes earlier today with an existing CRD file created from a PNEZD file with codes, and it seems to have a more intuitive layout than the older versions.

If you’d like information on upgrading your SurvCE to the newest version, email me. If you’d like to download a fully functioining demo, a link can be found at the bottom of the website linked above. If you have any trouble, email me – I’ll be glad to help.

So what’s new? Click more to find out….

New Look

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SurvCE Versio2 has a new colorful look. Icons have been standardized to create continuity throughout the product, while modernizing the user experience.

Hot List

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The new Hot List lets users jump to the SurvCE 2 routines that previously had shortcuts without having to memorize key strokes. It also provides shortcut functionality to devices without keyboards.

Volumes

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SurvCE 2 can compute volumes between two surfaces, one surface and an elevation or simple stockpile volumes. Surfaces can be defined by graphical entities and points or by Carlson TIN files

Help

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The software has optional on-board help files. These files are the entire user manual and can be installed separately. Click on the SurvCE icon and select Help to get the help document that pertains to the current routine.

Leveling

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SurvCE 2 can be used to collect trigonometric level loops and digital level loops. Loops can be processed and adjusted on the device and all existing project coordinate points can be updated.

GPS Networks

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SurvCE 2 supports several GPS network protocols, such as NTRIP, TCP and UDP.

Localization

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The software supports an unlimited number of localization points. All project scale settings and coordinate system options have been centrally located in the localization dialog.

Angle Sets in Store Points

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SurvCE 2 allows users to “Configure” how each reading is measured with regard to direct and reverse options (Formerly know as SS/Trav). If direct and reverse readings are taken at the backsight, then any direct and reverse foresight will be considered an angle set and will be reduced accordingly. This eliminates the need to use a separate routine for angle sets.

Station Equations

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SurvCE 2 supports station equations.

Reference Alignments

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SurvCE 2 supports associating a reference alignment for station reporting. This allows the user stake a 3’ offset to a curb line that is not parallel to the CL of the road, stop at all critical curb stake locations and have the station be reported based on the CL alignment.

Job Settings

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SurvCE 2 has the option to use a template DXF file for new jobs so that all layers and colors are automatically created per your company standard.

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It has the option to auto-load cutsheets and control files from the previous job for those users that work on one site continuously

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SurvCE 2 has the ability to turn off the auto-descriptions in stakeout and completely customize how all stakeout routines behave

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Point Number by Interval –SurvCE 2 can interval the point ID by using the “Add to Next Pt ID” option. To number all points on the odd numbers, start at 1 and use 2 in this field.

Feature Coding

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SurvCE 2 can collect parallel lines using the offset horizontal and offset vertical line drawing commands and close a rectangle by three points using the rectangle command. In the settings section of Special Codes, the user can even auto compute and store the additional points at the line vertices that were created by the software.

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SurvCE 2 allows the user to code in numerous coding styles that may be defined by their office package.
Instrument Switching

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SurvCE 2 keeps track of every instrument completely separate. This includes all base stations, rovers and total stations, so that mixing equipment is easy. Simply configure your gear once and forget it. The instrument icon has been enhanced to allow you to switch between your current equipment.

Skew Angle Staking

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SurvCE 2 supports staking offsets on a skew angle and provides the option to stake offset intersections and bisectors at angle points and the radius or PI point of an arc without leaving the Stake Line/Arc routine.

SurvCE 2 Has More:

Supported Instruments;
Supported File Formats;
Supported Handheld Devices.

CarlSync file transfer,
file backup, and synchronization.

Utilizing internet connections, your data collector files can be synchronized with the CarlSync Server. This server is a central depository for updated data collector files and for deposited files from an office connection. Both the field crews and the office staff can deposit files onto the server. Therefore files can be uploaded to the server as well as downloaded from the server. Connection to the internet can be made via cellular, WiFi, or ActiveSync.

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Transfer your data collector files back to a secure web server while in the field. Save the drive time back to the office.

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Backup your data files on a secure web server.

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Receive data sets or work-orders from the office, while in the field.

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Send a file from one data collector in the field to another designated data collector.