Depending on the Edition you have, TPC can use different Distance and Direction types.
Each survey has a default Distance and Direction types, along with default factors that affect certain types. Once set, these defaults determine the initial types used by COTO dialogs, drawings and traverses. You can always override the defaults to change the way TPC computes or displays the data you are working with at the time.
The Survey Factors dialog lets you set the default distance and direction types, plus specify project factors like elevation and mapping angle.
The Advanced Format dialog lets you select the types to use for any particular traverse. If you have entered raw data like slope distance and zenith angle, TPC converts them to the appropriate grid, ground or geodetic distance when it computes the foresight or sideshot. When displaying distances and directions, TPC starts with the coordinates and factors the inversed distance and direction to display the types you have selected for the traverse.
Any drawing can display any combination of grid, ground or geodetic distances and either grid or true directions. TPC even includes drawing variables that automatilly annotate your drawing with the distance and direction types being displayed.
Each drawing starts with the survey default types. You can then change them in the Miscellaneous drawing settings dialog.
Many COGO dialogs let you select which distance and direction types to use in the computations or display in the dialog and reports. These COGO dialogs display the abbreviated types in the caption bar. You will see something like 'Random Inverse (Geo Dist, True Bearing)'. This will help you identify which types the dialog is currently using.
Some dialogs also include a 'Show Options' button. Left click this button to show the Distance and Direction pulldowns. Some dialogs also include a Units pulldown so you can change units on the fly.
Grid distances and directions rely soley on cartesian coordinates and do not account for elevation, grid factors or convergence. For small surveys, these are generally adquate and simple to use. See Coordinate Distances Types.
TPC provides several types of ground distances that factor the grid distances using elevation and grid factors. See Coordinate Distances Types.
TPC provides a number of geodetic distance types to choose from. These use geodetic positions and equations to compute points (geodetic direct) and inverses (geodetic inverse).
The Survey Factors dialog provides access to distance and direction options like project mapping angle.
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