User Manual: Cube-Link
User Manual: Cube-Link
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Contents
The first operation can be performed from ASCII files, these must contain in
each record at least the point identifier and its Cartesian coordinates (2D
coordinates); creating points, otherwise, can be made through specific CAD
operations provided in the application, which will be explained in more detail
below.
The most significant topographic points imports are those surveyed in field
with data-recorder devices. In this case, each set of topographic points
imported from a job done in field creates a fieldbook.
For example, topographic points, as a result of importing a job done with GPS,
will be represented by symbols and with different graphic properties. However,
these must be considered as a data structure that contains all the information
gained during topographical relief, regarding the position such as coordinates
(east, north, height, latitude, longitude, elevation), but also regarding accuracy
and control (epoch numbers) as well as information on working modes (e.g.
RTK differential correction).
Figure 1.1
Figure 1.2
Projects are saved in the recent projects list (Open recent projects button) in
the File menu. Selecting a project from this list and hovering it over with the
mouse will display a preview of the graphic works (figure 2.1).
Figure 2.1
RW5 files and GeoGis files use mobile devices while Cube-a files use Android
devices. In the case of mobile devices, you can use the USB connection, which
means that devices must always be first connected to the Windows Mobile
Device Center.
Figure 2.2
Figure 2.3
To export click on the relevant format in Export menu window (figure 2.4), set
and enter the correct information, e.g. name and path of the file.
In the export for the Cube-a format you need to declare the name and path
of the file, after that, choose whether to export any content or just topographic
points and then click Proceed (figure 2.5).
For exporting the RW5 file after defining its name and path, if you are going
to do a post-processing you can also enter a name and path of the Raw Data
file (EzSurv by Effigis). You can also create a CDR file from the project (figure
2.6).
The GeoGis file export window looks the same as the Cube-file export window
and also has the same functionality. After setting the name and path to follow,
you can choose whether to import the entire file or just the topographic points
(figure 2.7).
Figure 2.6
Figure 2.8
Figure 2.9
Figure 2.10
Figure 2.11
Figure 2.12
Figure 2.13
Figure 2.14
In this section, there is also the printing function and a button for
importing/exporting Dxf/Dwg files.
Figure 3.1
Figure 3.2
Figure 3.3
Figure 3.4
Figure 3.5
Figure 3.6
Figure 3.8
Figure 3.9
Figure 3.10
Figure 3.11
Figure 3.12
Figure 3.13
Figure 3.14
Figure 3.15
Figure 3.16
Figure 3.17
Figure 3.18
3.1.6 DXF/DWG In
This function allows the system to import graphic elements as they are and
since there are no topographic point entities in these type of files, you can
force this choice, so that entities with attributes become points with
dimension.
Figure 3.19
Figure 3.20
Figure 3.21
Figure 3.23
Figure 3.24
Figure 3.25
Clicking on the CAD tab (figure 4.1), it is possible to enter the area dedicated
to CAD design and processing which is intended to support and complement
the topographic features.
Figure 4.1
These functions are almost identical to those of AutoCAD® and the numerous
CAD clones. These functions can be used in combination with osnap (object
snap) modes (such as osnap on ends or on mid points). Note that by default
the program starts with an active osnap on ends. This setting can be switched
at any time by clicking on the Osnap button (on / off), shown in figure 4.2 in
dark gray, that means to be active.
Figure 4.2
All the osnap modes are represented by the icons in the figure 4.3, hover over
with the mouse and you will see a tooltip that suggests the functionality of the
command.
Figure 4.4
Often with the suggestions in the command line at bottom-left of the main
screen, some other subcommands are available, they have a very intuitive use,
however, there is a command that is worth analyzing, the pro command from
properties (figure 4.6).
Figure 4.6
This command takes you to the Quick entities selection window, which
consists of two tabs. The first, CAD entities (figure 4.7), allows you to select
entities by referring to a characteristic or another, e.g. color and line type.
The second tab is called Topographic points and allows a selection of these
according to the selected characteristic, as you can see in the figure 4.8, there
is a wide range of characteristics to select, from points with a given symbol to
points on the same fieldbook.
Two commands in this CAD area also have subcommands, these are: Circle
and Arc (figure 4.6). Subcommands are intended to provide alternative choices
for drawing these two elements, for the circle for example, you can decide
whether to draw it using 3 points, 2 points, or tangents and radius.
The Properties button opens a window that summarizes the properties of the
selected entity, the system recognizes what kind of entity it is and down the
window returns the entity type (figure 4.7, in this case it is the properties of a
line).
Figure 4.8
Figure 4.9
These functions (figure 5.1) are used to calculate and to have a set of
information about survey data recorded.
Figure 5.1
Figure 5.2
Figure 5.3
The Angle button when clicked will give you the option to select 3 points, the
starting point, the midpoint, and the end point. This function will calculate a
clockwise angle and a counterclockwise angle and these measurements will
then be displayed on screen as shown in figure 5.4.
Figure 5.4
Figure 5.5
The Entity list button provides a list with the elements in the project, the list is
presented as an editable text file. You can also select only few entities to be
displayed in the list (figure 5.6).
6. Topography
In this section (figure 6.1), you can draw a new topographic point, change the
features of an existing one, select the CAD entities to use for the new points
and see all the points of the project grouped into a table. You can also create
a printable file with a list of points.
Figure 6.1
The properties are completely customizable (note that you can also create a
point with the properties that the application sets by default, such as the cross
as a symbol) and you can select the layer that you want the point to belong
to. The Select layer window (figure 6.3) displays a list of available layers, all can
be turned on or off, locked, and selected. You can also add new layers by
clicking on the Add Layer button at the bottom left.
You can change the name of the point and the font used. You can also change
the color of the text by selecting the choices in the window (figure 6.4, Select
color window) that opens when you click the search button beside the Text
color label. This window allows you to select a color from one of the available
clusters, such as the grayscale or the work area background, or from the layer.
Figure 6.2
Figure 6.4
When all the graphic properties are set according to your needs, you can enter
the point by locating the position with the mouse or entering the coordinates
manually from the command line.
Figure 6.5
By clicking the Characteristic points button, you can select one or more CAD
entities to create topographic points. In the Characteristic points window
(figure 6.6), you can select a layer (having access to the Select layer window,
as previously explained). You can enter the starting point name and delete the
overlapping points. Within this feature you can filter even more thoroughly
the CAD entities to use, you can do this by flagging the available choices.
Particularly convenient is the Properties button (figure 6.7), once you select
one or more topographic points you can use this feature to find out all their
properties and also to modify them. The graphic aspect of this window is
similar to that we encountered in creating a new point, but this also represents
all the point coordinates and it will provide the possibility to change all the
characteristics. You also have the opportunity to see if and what images are
linked to a particular point (Linked image function).
By clicking Point table, you can create a table with all the points in the project
that will be grouped together along with their coordinates, names,
descriptions, codes, as shown in figure 6.8 (an example of a table with 5 points
in memory).
You can print the table with the Print button. This button will give you access
to a text file editor where you will find the table with all the points (figure 6.9),
at this stage the table can be changed in its fields, contents and graphic
appearance.
Command Description
OPEN Opens projects (Cube-link files with extension .cubelnk)
SAVE Saves the project ( with extension .cubelnk for a normal file,
with extension .cubetpl for a template file)
NEW New project
DXFIN Imports dxf/dwg files
ASCIIIN Imports generic ASCII files
SHAPEIN Imports Esri Shape files
RW5IN Imports RW5 files
CUBEAIN Imports Cube-a files
GEOGISIN Imports GeoGis files
DXFOUT Creates dxf/dwg files
KMLOUT Creates a KML file for Google Earth
SENDCAD Sends selected entities to AutoCAD®
PRINT Prints the drawing
COPYNOTES Copies CAD entities to notes
PASTENOTES Pastes the CAD entities from notes
SETTINGS General program settings
QUIT Closes the program
2DVIEW Enables 2D view
3DVIEW Enables 3D view
TABLETMODE Enables or disables Tablet mode
ZOOMLI Zoom limits
ZOOMIN Zoom in
ZOOMOUT Zoom out
ZOOMWI Zoom window
ZOOMPT Zoom on topographic point
DYNPAN Activates dynamic pan
ZOOMMA Enables/disables zoom window
AERIALVIEW Enables/disables the panoramic view
Figure 7.1
The project manager panel (figure 7.3, middle-left part of the main screen), is
a tree structure that contains all the topographic and raster entities present in
the project. You can select topographic entities and use them as an alternative
to graphic selection.
Figure 7.3
Figure 7.4
At the bottom of the screen, you can see the coordinates of the elements in
the project, enable or disable the osnap mode, the ortho view and the polar
view. Also thicknesses and grids can be activated or deactivated. By clicking
the Tools bar button (figure 7.5), you can customize the layout and display of
available shortcuts (figure 7.6, available shortcuts, to reposition them click on
the 4 lateral points to drag and drop the commands).
Figure 7.5
Whenever you try to insert a new file with an existing project already open, a
window will open (figure 7.7) and you can choose what to do, whether to add
the file to the present or to proceed differently.
Figure 7.7
Figure 7.8