Surveying a virtual stage or location isn’t complicated, but it is a repetitive process that does require some perseverance. The time required for this process depends on the size of the stage and skill level.

Once the targets are mounted and installed, make sure they aren’t being obscured by too many cables, pipes or lights.  Targets don’t need to be mounted evenly spaced or perfectly aligned, but after they are mounted they cannot move.

  • Time: 2-3 Hrs
  • People Recommend: 2 people
  • Skill Type: 3D & Survey

Hardware Required:

  • Total Station
  • Charged Total Station Batteries
  • Handheld Data Collector
  • Total-Station-to-Data-Collector Cable (for non-Bluetooth enabled devices)
  • Cross Marker Stickers
  • Metric Measuring Tape
  • Total Station Tripod
  • Tripod Spreaders
  • Laptop
  • Mini-5-Pin-to-A USB cable
  • USB Flash drive

Software Required:

  • Generate Intersense File Script
  • Portable Target Survey Converter Script (when applicable)
  • Portable Target Survey Files (when applicable)
  • Python 2.7.1 (Newer Versions May Not Work)
  • Carlson SurvCE
  • Windows Mobile Device Center

Setting up the Total Station

  1. Locate optimal surveying position(s)
  2. Setup Tripod with Spreaders at comfortable height
  3. Mount Total Station
  4. Level Total Station
  5. Measure instrument height
  6. Connect Data Collector to Total Station
  7. Start “New Job” in Data Collector and set “Single Setup”
  8. Set Instrument Height and Backsight
  9. Begin Survey

Surveying Cycle

  1. Aim Total Station with laser or sight
  2. Use cross hair knobs for precision aiming
  3. Tap “S” on Data Collector to read and store
  4. Name point and store
  5. Repeat for all points

“Traverse” to New Vantage Point

  1. Place a cross marker sticker in your current location
  2. Place a cross marker sticker in the new desired position with supplementary vantage point
  3. Point and aim the total station to the new cross marked position
  4. Tap “T” on Data Collector to read and store a traverse point
  5. Name the traverse point and store it
  6. When queried, confirm to “Move Now”
  7. Physically pickup and move Total Station
  8. Setup total station at optimal height
  9. Level Total Station
  10. Measure instrument height
  11. Input new instrument height
  12. Verify that new occupy point is the measured traverse point
  13. Set you backsight to the original location
  14. Verify new settings
  15. Resume survey

“Resection” into Exiting Job

  1. Locate optimal position for total station with at least 3 previously survey points within sight
  2. Setup total station at optimal height
  3. Level Total Station
  4. Measure instrument height
  5. Start SurvCE in Data Collector and load desired job to continue
  6. Select the “Resection” mode   Main Menu>Survey>Resection
  7. Input instrument height
  8. Point and aim total station to a previously surveyed point
  9. Consult “point details” to locate the sighted point and input point ID
  10. Tap “Read” to read and store point
  11. Do NOT zero instrument
  12. Confirm measurements
  13. Repeat steps 8 through 12 for second and third resection readings
  14. Tap “Calculate” to calculate Total Station location
  15. Review and confirm calculated resection
  16. Name and save new occupy point
  17. Proceed to “Store Points”
  18. Do NOT enter new instrument height
  19. Do NOT read new backsight point
  20. Verify occupy point and confirm settings
  21. Resume survey

Saving and Converting Survey Job

  1. Export job as txt from Carlson SurvCE
  2. Connect Data Collector to Laptop
  3. Copy .txt file to Laptop
  4. Use “Generate Intersense File Script” to generate .cfg
  5. Use USB flash drive to move .cfg file to Previzion System
  6. Save .cfg to “Constellations” in your Previzion system
  7. Verify tracking