Good morning Rockpile Community,
I have hit a bit of a road block-I built a model and finished before we had received a control sheet/.csv file. I now have the control and I’m trying to add it on to where my guys can just take my model and go out and start working. So far It does not seam to like to line up.
Gary,
good morning. What exactly is the problem? Are your design coordinates not matching up with the Plan coordinates? When you drop in your control CSV, how far off are you from your design?
How does it fit the topo? Is that what you are now seeing discrepancies, to? I assume by control you are talking about survey monuments, not the topo itself.
I’d definitely check the coordinate system and foot unit settings. There are too many possibilities to offer any real suggestions. Always be specific and detailed to get the most useful help in solving a problem.
I guess I should have clarified more, sorry:
I dropped the csv and my control points pop up where they should, but typically after that I am able toggle my map view (to just reference where the project site is at) and now I am not able to do that for some reason and I was just worried because I want to make sure everything lines up in the field after I send it off to my gradesetter.
I hope this clarifies a bit and thank you guys very much for your willingness to talk things over and help!
Gary
Heres a screenshot of what I see, this project is in CA Zone 2 and I get the same message when I am on that coordinate system.
Hey Gary,
Though you the project location falls in that coordinate system, I expect the design/survey was not actually performed in State Plane coordinate system. Im not familiar with California, I’m in Michigan, but a easy tell for me in Michigan (North) is the coordinates will be in the N 600k and E 26000k range. If the coordinates are outside of this range, I can quickly tell the project is not in State Plane Coord System. Based on your grid labels (+/-5000,5000) I expect this design was performed on a local datum. You are likely receiving that error as those coordinates do not exist in the mentioned datum. Before everyone had GPS, it was common to go out to a new project, set a spike, give it coordinates of 5000,5000,1000 and call it your primary control. Then you would establish a second point with a bearing and that would be the basis of your control on “local” datum.
The process of sending this information out to the field to calibrate is very similar. A calibration will be necessary as the local site does not have Lat/Longs associated with the control coordinates (you should not internally set a coordinate system, and go setup on control and start working). I would avoid using a preset template with coordinate system selected. The most difficult part to working on a local site is that you will not have the assistance of background mapping, etc. to help locate control or confirm possible issues with the design. When working in local it is always a good idea to get your hands on the original topo as well and do some ties to verify your calibration is adequate. (Check into property corners, structure rims, tie in locations, etc.)
If you hired a surveyor to set the project control, often you can request that they provide you State Plane coords as well to help you find if the locations are not obvious. You can also use that comparison to move the design to do your own checks. I would be hesitant to move the actual site for layout though, as it leaves you open to translating incorrectly, and if project changes come along, each move is open to more possible errors. Hope this helps…
You are unable to toggle the background map because your project is uncalibrated. You need to get the DC file from the field and drop it into your project. Simply adding the control file to the project does not align it in the real world.
I would echo what Joe said… If his recommendation don’t work please share you file so we can take a closer look. It is always easier when we can see the same data.
Everyone here is correct, but the simplest answer was offered by @TFoster TFoster. You more than likely had no points in your design until you dropped in your control points. When you dropped the CSV, the program may have prompted you that you now had a false northing and easting in your project. Before this, you were probably able to set the coordinate system internally and check the location of the project with the background maps. Like @Joe_Melchiori Joe said, I would avoid doing that, and if absolutely necessary to have control points in your file, you now need a DC file or CAL file to have the job calibrated and be able to see everything in regard to your state coordinate system, provided the calibration is done correctly in field.
I typically just create all designs on whatever coordinates the original CAD work comes in and then calibrate my sites to able to have the equivalent of my applicable state plane position without shifting the project from its original position. This way I am able to drop in any subsequent linework from the designers through the duration of the project without having to shift it or anything. I think if you remove your points, and export our your design into a clean TBC file where you set up your state plane coordinate system like you had originally, you will be able to see your background again. But, obtaining the DC file is the best way so that all survey data and designer data can remain equivalent.
Hope this helps!
