Topcon Pocket-3D User manual

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POSITIONING SYSTEMS
Pocket-3D
Reference Guide
Part Number 7010-0628
Rev J
©Copyright Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
February 2012
All contents in this manual are copyrighted by Topcon. All rights reserved.
The information contained herein may not be used, accessed, copied, stored,
displayed, sold, modified, published, or distributed, or otherwise reproduced
without express written consent from Topcon.

ECO#000061

P/N 7010-0628
TOC
i
Table of Contents
Preface .................................................................. iii
What’s New with Pocket-3D ................................ ix
Chapter 1
Installing Pocket-3D ............................................. 1-1
Guide to Installing Pocket-3D ......................................... 1-2
Starting Pocket-3D ........................................................... 1-5
Main Screen ..................................................................... 1-6
Context (Pop-Up) Menu Options ....................... 1-9
Toolbar ............................................................................. 1-12
Menu Bar ......................................................................... 1-13
Pocket-3D Technical Information ................................... 1-16
GPS Status Information ................................................... 1-17
GPS Status ................................................................. 1-17
Monitor GPS Status Information ........................ 1-18
View the Receiver’s Current Position ................ 1-18
Monitor Satellites and Enter the Mask ............... 1-19
View Receiver Information or Reset Receiver ... 1-19
View PDOP Values ............................................ 1-20
Apply GPS Receiver Settings ............................. 1-20
Total Station Status ................................................... 1-21
Monitor Prism Position Information ................... 1-22
Set Total Station Search Parameters ................... 1-22
Set Total Station Tracking Sensitivity and Speed 1-23
Chapter 2
Setup Menu ........................................................... 2-1
GPS Applications ............................................................. 2-1
Equipment ................................................................. 2-2
Radios ........................................................................ 2-6
Antenna ..................................................................... 2-7

Table of Contents
Pocket-3D Reference Guide
ii
Base Station ............................................................... 2-8
Units ........................................................................... 2-11
Exit ............................................................................. 2-12
Equipment Configuration Files ........................................ 2-13
Sample Configuration 1: Range-pole with 
HiPer Lite Receiver ................................................ 2-13
mmGPS Applications ....................................................... 2-18
Equipment .................................................................. 2-19
mmGPS Transmitters ................................................. 2-19
TX Calibration .................................................... 2-21
Edit Channel ........................................................ 2-23
Benchmark Check ............................................... 2-24
Resection ............................................................. 2-25
mmGPS Receiver ....................................................... 2-27
Total Station Applications ................................................ 2-29
Equipment .................................................................. 2-29
Range-pole ................................................................. 2-31
Sample Configuration 4: Prism and Total Station ..... 2-32
Robotic Applications ........................................................ 2-35
Equipment ........................................................................ 2-36
Station Setup .................................................................... 2-38
SiteLink® 3D for Pocket-3D ........................................... 2-44
The Site-Link Network Connection ........................... 2-45
Connecting to SiteLink-3D .............................................. 2-46
Selecting the Current Operator .................................. 2-47
Managing Activities/Delays ...................................... 2-47
Sending, Viewing, and Deleting Messages ............... 2-48
Send Any File to the Jobsite ...................................... 2-50
Exporting a Project File Via Site-Link ...................... 2-51
Importing/Exporting Control Points Via Site-Link .......... 2-54
Importing/Exporting Surface Files Via Site-Link ............ 2-57
Importing/Exporting Alignment Files Via Site-Link ....... 2-59
Importing/Exporting Linework Files Via Site-Link ......... 2-61
Importing/Exporting Points Via Site-Link ....................... 2-63
Chapter 3
Data Menu ............................................................. 3-1
Project ............................................................................... 3-2

Table of Contents
P/N 7010-0628 iii
Import/Export ............................................................ 3-4
Control ............................................................................. 3-13
Control Points ............................................................ 3-13
Import/Export ............................................................ 3-16
From Text File .................................................... 3-17
Conversion Formats ............................................ 3-18
Control Point Options ............................................... 3-21
Surface ............................................................................. 3-24
Current File or <none> .............................................. 3-25
TIN Surface File ................................................. 3-26
Road Surface File ............................................... 3-28
Plane Surface File ............................................... 3-39
Best-fit Plane Surface File .................................. 3-40
Compare Surface ....................................................... 3-42
Surface Options ......................................................... 3-45
Alignment ........................................................................ 3-47
Current File or <none> .............................................. 3-49
New ..................................................................... 3-49
Edit ...................................................................... 3-56
Delete .................................................................. 3-56
Import/Export ............................................................ 3-56
From RD3 File .................................................... 3-56
From LandXML File .......................................... 3-58
To RD3 File ........................................................ 3-58
Options ...................................................................... 3-59
Layers ........................................................................ 3-60
Linework .......................................................................... 3-62
Current File or <none> .............................................. 3-62
Import/Export ............................................................ 3-66
Points ............................................................................... 3-72
Listing ....................................................................... 3-72
Conversion Formats ............................................ 3-74
Export Point Files ............................................... 3-80
Conversion Formats ............................................ 3-82
Calculation Wizard .......................................................... 3-84
Inverse Between Two Points ..................................... 3-85
Inverse Between Three Points ................................... 3-86
Distance/Offset .......................................................... 3-87

Table of Contents
Pocket-3D Reference Guide
iv
Distance From Two End Pts ...................................... 3-89
Convert Polyline to Points ......................................... 3-93
Convert Alignment to Points ..................................... 3-95
Polyline From Points ................................................. 3-98
TIN Surface from Points/Lines .................................. 3-100
Convert TIN Surface to Points .................................. 3-104
Convert Polyline to Alignment .................................. 3-105
Best-fit Plane from Points .......................................... 3-107
Compare Two Surfaces .............................................. 3-108
Move Selected Objects ..................................................... 3-111
Copy Selected Objects ..................................................... 3-113
Clear Selection ................................................................. 3-115
Chapter 4
Survey Menu ........................................................ 4-1
GPS Survey Applications ................................................. 4-1
Connect to GPS/Disconnect from GPS ..................... 4-2
Measure Points ................................................................. 4-2
Topo-shot ................................................................... 4-3
Topo-shot With Offset ............................................... 4-4
Control Point .............................................................. 4-5
Reference Line ........................................................... 4-6
Start Polyline ............................................................. 4-8
Next Polyline Pt ......................................................... 4-9
End Polyline ............................................................... 4-9
Start Tape Dimension ................................................ 4-10
Tape Dimension ......................................................... 4-11
Stop Tape Dimension ................................................ 4-13
Options ....................................................................... 4-13
Auto-topo/Stop Auto-topo ................................................ 4-16
By Distance ................................................................ 4-17
By Time ..................................................................... 4-18
By Elevation .............................................................. 4-19
Polyline ...................................................................... 4-21
Stake-out ........................................................................... 4-22
Surface Check ............................................................ 4-23
Cut/Fill “Real-Time” Updates ............................. 4-24
Match Grade ........................................................ 4-27

Table of Contents
P/N 7010-0628 v
Point List ............................................................. 4-27
Alignment ........................................................... 4-29
Polyline ............................................................... 4-34
Coordinate .......................................................... 4-35
Control Point ....................................................... 4-37
Create/Edit Custom Point List ............................ 4-39
Side Slopes ......................................................... 4-41
Measure Stake ..................................................... 4-44
Stake-out Previous Point .................................... 4-47
Stake-out Next Point ........................................... 4-48
Measure Stake 1 .................................................. 4-49
Stake-out Previous Point ........................................... 4-52
Stake-out Next Point ................................................. 4-53
Sideslope Options ............................................... 4-53
V. Surface Offset ................................................ 4-54
Options ................................................................ 4-55
Total Station Survey Applications ................................... 4-58
Connect/Disconnect Total Station ............................. 4-59
Measure Points .......................................................... 4-59
Topo-shot With Offset ........................................ 4-59
Options ................................................................ 4-60
Stake-out ................................................................... 4-61
Options ................................................................ 4-61
Robotic Survey Applications ........................................... 4-63
Start/Stop Tracking ................................................... 4-66
Turn Face .................................................................. 4-66
Turn Instrument ......................................................... 4-67
Reflectorless Application ................................................. 4-68
Chapter 5
Display Menu ........................................................ 5-1
Zoom ................................................................................ 5-2
Cursor .............................................................................. 5-3
Show ................................................................................ 5-4
Orientation ....................................................................... 5-5
Grid Lines ........................................................................ 5-6
Show Section View .......................................................... 5-7
Cut/fill History ................................................................. 5-8

Table of Contents
Pocket-3D Reference Guide
vi
Grade Indicator ................................................................. 5-9
Color Selection ................................................................. 5-9
Language Selection .......................................................... 5-11
About Pocket-3D .............................................................. 5-12
Options ....................................................................... 5-12
Modify ....................................................................... 5-13
Index

P/N 7010-0628
Preface
iii
Preface
Thank you for purchasing your Topcon receiver, survey product,
software product, or accessory (the “Product”). The materials
available in this manual (the “Manual”) have been prepared by
Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. (“TPS”) for owners of Topcon
products. This Manual is designed to assist owners with the use of the
Product and/or software (the “Software”) used with the Product and
its use is subject to these terms and conditions (the “Terms and
Conditions”).
Terms and Conditions
USE This product is designed to be used by a professional. The user
should have a good knowledge of the safe use of the product and
implement the types of safety procedures recommended by the local
government protection agency for both private use and commercial
job sites.
COPYRIGHT All information contained in this Manual is the
intellectual property of, and copyrighted material of TPS. All rights
are reserved. You may not use, access, copy, store, display, create
derivative works of, sell, modify, publish, distribute, or allow any
third party access to, any graphics, content, information or data in this
Manual without TPS’ express written consent and may only use such
information for the care and operation of your Product. The
information and data in this Manual are a valuable asset of TPS and
are developed by the expenditure of considerable work, time and
NOTICE
Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully.

Preface
Pocket-3D Reference Guide
iv
money, and are the result of original selection, coordination and
arrangement by TPS.
TRADEMARKS Pocket-3D™, 3D-Office™, FC-236™, mmGPS™,
Millimeter GPS™, HiPer®, Topcon®, and Topcon Positioning
Systems™ are trademarks of TPS. iPAQ™ is a trademark of Hewlett
Packard. Recon™ is a trademark of TDS. AutoCAD® is a registered
trademark of Autodesk, Inc. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos
are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by
Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. is used under license. Other product
and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their
respective owners.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY EXCEPT FOR ANY
WARRANTIES IN AN APPENDIX OR A WARRANTY CARD
ACCOMPANYING THE PRODUCT, THIS MANUAL, THE
PRODUCT, AND ANY ACCOMPANYING SOFTWARE ARE
PROVIDED “AS-IS.” THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES.
TPS DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR
USE OR PURPOSE. TPS AND ITS DISTRIBUTORS SHALL NOT
BE LIABLE FOR TECHNICAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS OR
OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN; NOR FOR INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE
FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE OR USE OF THIS MATERIAL,
THE SOFTWARE, OR THE PRODUCT. SUCH DISCLAIMED
DAMAGES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF
TIME, LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF DATA, LOSS OF PROFIT,
SAVINGS OR REVENUE, OR LOSS OF THE PRODUCT’S USE.
IN ADDITION, TPS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR
DAMAGES OR COSTS INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH
OBTAINING SUBSTITUTE PRODUCTS OR SOFTWARE,
CLAIMS BY OTHERS, INCONVENIENCE, OR ANY OTHER
COSTS. IN ANY EVENT, TPS SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY
FOR DAMAGES OR OTHERWISE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER
PERSON OR ENTITY IN EXCESS OF THE PURCHASE PRICE
FOR THE PORDUCT.

Terms and Conditions
P/N 7010-0628 v
LICENSE AGREEMENT Use of the Software and any other computer
programs or software supplied by TPS or downloaded from a TPS
website (the “Software”) to be used with a Topcon Product constitutes
acceptance of these Terms and Conditions in this Manual and an
agreement to abide by these Terms and Conditions. The user is
granted a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use
such Software under the terms stated herein and in any case only with
a single Product or single computer. You may make one (1) backup
copy of the Software. Otherwise, the Software may not be copied or
reproduced. You may not assign or transfer the Software or this
license without the express written consent of TPS. This license is
effective until terminated. You may terminate the license at any time
by destroying the Software and Manual. TPS may terminate the
license if you fail to comply with any of the Terms or Conditions. You
agree to destroy the Software and manual upon termination of your
use of the Product. All ownership, copyright and other intellectual
property rights in and to the Software belong to TPS. If these license
terms are not acceptable, return any unused Software and the Manual.
CONFIDENTIALITY This Manual, its contents and the Software
(collectively, the “Confidential Information”) are the confidential and
proprietary information of TPS. You agree to treat TPS’ Confidential
Information with a degree of care no less stringent than the degree of
care you would use in safeguarding your own most valuable trade
secrets. Nothing in this paragraph shall restrict you from disclosing
Confidential Information to your employees as may be necessary or
appropriate to operate or care for the Product. Such employees must
also keep the Confidentiality Information confidential. In the event you
become legally compelled to disclose any of the Confidential
Information, you shall give TPS immediate notice so that it may seek a
protective order or other appropriate remedy.
WEBSITE; OTHER STATEMENTS No statement contained at the
TPS website (or any other website) or in any other advertisements or
TPS literature or made by an employee or independent contractor of
TPS modifies these Terms and Conditions (including the Software
License Agreement, Disclaimer of Warranty and limitation of
liability).

Preface
Pocket-3D Reference Guide
vi
SAFETY Improper use of a Topcon Product can lead to injury to
persons or property and/or malfunction of the Product. The Product
should only be repaired by authorized TPS warranty service centers.
Users should review and heed the safety warnings in the manual
accompanying the Product.
MISCELLANEOUS The above Terms and Conditions may be
amended, modified, superseded, or canceled, at any time by TPS. The
above Terms and Conditions will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without reference
to conflict of laws.
Manual Conventions
This manual uses the following conventions:
Example Explanation
FileExit Tap/press the File menu and tap/press Exit.
Enter Tap or press the button or key labeled Enter.
Topo Indicates the name of a dialog box or screen.
Notes Indicates a field on a dialog box or screen, or a tab
within a dialog box or screen.
TIP
Supplementary information that can help you
configure, maintain, or set up a system.
NOTICE
Supplementary information that can have an affect
on system operation, system performance,
measurements, or personal safety.
CAUTION
Notification that an action has the potential to
adversely affect system operation, system
performance, data integrity, or personal health.

Manual Conventions
P/N 7010-0628 vii
WARNING
Notification that an action will result in system
damage, loss of data, loss of warranty, or personal
injury.
DANGER
Under no circumstances should this action be
performed.

Preface
Pocket-3D Reference Guide
Notes:
viii

P/N 7010-0628
What’s New
ix
What’s New with
Pocket-3D
The following list briefly describes new features and functions for the
latest version (v.10.0) of Pocket-3D.
Stake-out Options
• You can now display customized information for the
following, including content and size and color of text.
– surface check
– point staking
– road staking
Internal GPS – on the FC-25 and FC-236 hand-helds
(controllers) you can use the device’s internal GPS for rough GPS
guidance and measurement (low accuracy less than 5m).
DGPS Support features
• There is now a DGPS (low accuracy <1m) option receiver
type for dozers and compactors. (Designed to be used in
conjunction with DGPS network corrections).
MAC/VRS option for Network RTK – you can now
choose between VRS and (Leica) MAC network types.
The password protection mechanism has been changed to allow a
larger number of options and to provide a better security. Because
the new codes are much longer, you now have the ability to
import them directly from an option file on a USB dongle, etc.
Existing installs of Pocket-3D will automatically be upgraded to
the new protection mechanism 
See “Starting Pocket-3D” on page 1-5 for more information

What’s New with Pocket-3D
Pocket-3D Reference Guide
x
Base station manufacturer – On the Advanced tab of
the “GPS info” screen, you can now select which GPS reference
station manufacturer to use. This helps with correct RTK
operation where GLONASS is used at the Base and Rover when
the base is not a Topcon base. See “Apply GPS Receiver
Settings” on page 1-20 for more information.
NTRIP virtual ports – It is no longer necessary to manually
specify a “virtual port” for NTRIP corrections because it is
handled automatically handled by the software.
The following list briefly describes the features and functions for
version 9.2 of Pocket-3D, which was an incremental release version
of the Pocket-3D 9.x series for Windows Mobile, Windows CE, and
Windows XP/Vista/7 platforms.
Platforms – In addition to the FC-120, FC-200, and the GRS-
1 controller platforms and Windows platforms, Pocket-3D now
runs on the FC-25 and FC-2500 controllers.
Site-Link 3D – Pocket-3D now supports Site-Link
connectivity, allowing users to transfer files, project data, and
messages to other 3DMC, 3D-Office, and Pocket-3D users on the
jobsite.
•NOTE: This is an Optional feature controlled by OAF. You
must be connected to a Site-Link service (provided directly
by Topcon or by a Site-Link server hosted on the job).
DGPS – You can now select a “GPS (Augmented)” sensor type
for the equipment configuration, which allows you to run without
RTK corrections (or without RTK options in the receiver). See
“Sample Configuration 4: Prism and Total Station” on page 2-32
for details.
RC-4 – Pocket-3D 9.2 supports the new RC-4 modem for
communicating with robotic total stations. See “Sample
Configuration 4: Prism and Total Station” on page 2-32 for
details.

What’s New with Pocket-3D
P/N 7010-0628 xi
Other – Pocket-3D 9.2 now handles significantly larger project
files (up to 10 times larger than before). Also, on-screen panning/
zooming selection with large data files is greatly improved.
The following list briefly describes the features and functions for
version 9.1 of Pocket-3D:
TP3 Project Files:
• All project/design data is now contained within a single
Topcon TP3 file, via 3D-Office, which is the standard project
configuration for all 9.1 series releases.
• Existing TIN/Road/Linework/Point/Control files can be
imported/exported for TP3 files.
• A brief summary of the TP3 project file contents can be
viewed from the Project file(s) listing (“Info”).
MX3 Machine Files – all machine configurations are now
stored with MX3 file extensions and are in human-readable XML
format. Older (*.MB3) machine configurations are not supported.
Authorization Codes – the password protection
mechanism has been changed to allow a larger number of options
and to provide a better security. Because the new codes are much
longer, you now have the ability to import them directly from an
option file on a USB dongle, etc. Existing installs of Pocket-3D
will automatically be upgraded to the new protection mechanism 
See “Starting Pocket-3D” on page 1-5 for more information.
Grade Indicator – A grade-indicator bar, similar to
3DMC, can be displayed when doing a surface check. In
Surface Check mode the user can now select to see a tri-color
grade-indicator similar to the one seen in the 3DMC software
that gives real-time cut/fill updates to the design surface. The
grade-indicator option is located in the display menu and
only shows up when there is an active surface or alignment.
To adjust the grade indicator settings, press and hold on the
grade-indicator strip to access a sub-menu containing options
for tolerances and range.

See “Cut/Fill “Real-Time” Updates” on page 4-24 for more
information on how to access and use the grade indicator.
Cosmetic Changes:
• Buttons now have 3D edges.
• Menu items, surface, and equipment lists now have
descriptive bitmaps.
Miscellaneous Changes:
• File and point lists are now sorted alphabetically. Point lists
can also be sorted by clicking the column header.
• Point description fields are now drop-down lists where
previously set descriptions can be retrieved.
• Multiple selections have been added for Points, Lines,
Layers, and Surfaces.
• New layers can now be created inside the layer selection
drop-down list.
• Updated projections list, now also includes support for table
projection and multiple datums.
• Polyline segments can be viewed and edited within a list.
• The direction of a polyline can now be reversed by using the
pop-up menu. Click Linework>Reverse from the context
pop-up menu, which is activated by holding the stylus down
for one second or alternatively pressing the ALT button.
See “Main Screen” on page 1-6 for more information.
• Also, in the context menu, the length of the selected polyline
and single or multiple polyline segments can be shown. Click
Calcs ><Station>.
• Polylines can now be joined together.
• Added support for NAD83_NO_Trans. This is an added
datum option to support the use of a non-Topcon base station.
There is a difference between NAD83 and WGS84
parameters. When using a non-Topcon base station, a shift
would appear. A third-party base receiver use to be the only
option. 
See “Support for non-Topcon Base Station” on page 3-22 for