Raw Data Graphic Viewer

One of the most overlooked yet very useful C&G functions is the Raw Data Viewer. This function is available in CG 7, 8 and 9 as well as the corresponding versions for AutoCAD.

The Raw Data Viewer allows the user to take a raw data file and "graphically view" the data. This viewing happens before any data reduction. The program doesn't do anything except show you a graphic representation of what the data will look like after it is reduced.


This is an extremely useful tool in finding blunders.

Here is an example of the Graphic Data Viewer file associated with some data from my office.

Figure 1.

My traverse points are drawn with a square. My traverse lines are drawn with red lines

My side shot points are drawn with a circle. My side shot lines are drawn with green lines.

Point numbers are shown. Traverse numbers are slightly larger than the side shot numbers.


So, how does it work? I'm glad you asked.

Start your CG program and open the CG Editor.

Open the raw data file you wish to view.

You can go to either the pull down menu under View>Graphic View (Figure 2.).

Figure 2.

Or you can choose the graphic view button from the toolbar (Figure 3.).

Figure 3.

Your data should be shown in a graphic form similar to what I show in Figure 1 above.

Next, pay attention to your Graphic View tool bar (Figure 4.). This tool bar will help you control the look of your graphic screen.

Figure 4.

The "Pan" button (Figure 5.) looks like a hand.

Figure 5.

Here is the "Zoom In" button (Figure 6.).

Figure 6.

Here is the "Zoom Out" button (Figure 7.).

Figure 7.

Here is the "Zoom Extents" button (Figure 8.).

Figure 8.

Here is the "Zoom Window" button (Figure 9.).

Figure 9.

Here is the "Zoom to Point" button (Figure 10.).

Figure 10.

This button allows the user to change settings (Figure 11.).

Figure 11.

This button refreshes the screen (Figure 12.).

Figure 12.

Using these functions the user can navigate around the screen enough to see if there are major problems with the data. If you have a significant blunder in your data it should be obvious.

As for changing the Graphics Options. The user can change most of the settings to suit your own tastes.

Here we see the Points Setting Tab in the Graphics Setting Dialog box (Figure 13).

Figure 13.

You see you can control many options including the symbol, color, size and label size for various types of points. Choosing options that fit your style may take some tinkering.


Next you can set various options for lines associated with types of data (Figure 14.) using the Trav/SSs Tab.

Figure 14.

When the user gets the settings adjusted to taste, I think they will find this routine most helpful.

When the user is finished looking at the data graphically, simply close the graphic data window and proceed with data editing or reduction.

Larry P