Traversing

Entering a Foresight

TPC defines a foresight as a point that is measured, then occupied before any other points are measured. A foresight record contains both the measured data used to compute a position for the foresight and the occupied point information like instrument height. Traverse PC uses the Occupied option from the Traverse View Type menu when designating either an occupied or foresight point type.

Note: The Type field will be blank for occupied/foresight points.

Reading the prompt line

The bottom line of the Traverse View always reminds you where you are. Notice that it displays BS= for the backsight, OP= for the occupied point and FS= for the foresight.

Occupying the Foresight

Point Type Data Northing Easting
1 2000 2000
99 BS 1000 1000
2 data 2100 1900
3 data 2200 1920
4 data 2250 1970

Combining Foresight Points and Occupied Points

To reduce the number of records required to traverse, TPC combines foresight data and occupied point data into one record type. Notice that when the point type is blank, the point is an occupied and/or foresight point. A typical traverse looks like:

Point Type Data Northing Easting
1 2000 2000
99 BS 1000 1000
2 data 2100 1900
3 data 2200 1920
4 data 2250 1970

This traverse starts at point 1 (the first occupied point) using point 99 as a backsight.

Without combining foresight and occupied points, this same traverse would look like this:

Point Type Data Northing Easting
1 OP 2000 2000
99 BS 1000 1000
2 FS data 2100 1900
2 OP 2100 1900
1 BS 2000 2000
3 FS data 2200 1920
3 OP 2200 1920
2 BS 2100 1900
4 FS data 2250 1970

Notice that without combining foresights and occupied points, you use three records to record what TPC records in a single foresight record.

For the times when you want to explicitly define the occupied point and backsight as shown here, TPC provides a traverse command. You’ll learn more about the traverse command later.

Changing Backsights

Unless you specify a backsight point, TPC assumes that the previous occupied/foresight point is the backsight

Although this is probably the most common way to traverse, you can still specify a backsight other than the previous occupied point or foresight.

Point Type Northing Easting
3 2000 2000
99 BS 1000 1000

Using the Traverse Command

The Traverse command adds two points to the traverse - an Occupied/Foresight Point and Backsight Point. Once the points have been added, you can enter coordinates for the added points or recall existing points. The Traverse command saves your key strokes by adding the points and presetting their types.

Point Type Data Northing Easting
1 2000 2000
99 BS 1000 1000
2 SS data
3 SS data
4 SS data
2 2100 1900
99 BS 1000 1000

In the example shown here, point 2 was recorded as a side shot along with points 3 and 4.

Then the traverse command was executed, adding the OP and BS records to the traverse.

Point 2 was recalled as the OP and point 99 was recalled as the backsight.

Without the Traverse command, point 2 would have to be shot after points 3 and 4 and its type changed to an Occupied/Foresight so that it could be occupied. Then a BS record would have to be added for point 99.

Editions

Personal, Premium, Professional

Related Topics

Traverse View
Entering Traverse Data
Entering Point Labels and Descriptions
Carrying Elevations in a Traverse
Entering Side Shots
Resection
Using Data Sets
Recomputing a Traverse
Inserting Traverse Points