Pathfinder Office Software Project is the main way in which data is organized in PFO. A directory where Pathfinder Office looks for data. There are three.

Pathfinder Office SoftwarePathfinder Office Software► ‘‘Project’ is the main way in which data is organized in PFO. A Project’ is the main way in which data is organized in PFO. A

directory where Pathfinder Office looks for data. There are directory where Pathfinder Office looks for data. There are three subdirectories in a project for organizing other kinds of three subdirectories in a project for organizing other kinds of files: base, export and backup.files: base, export and backup.

► The The backupbackup subdirectory contains backup copies of field subdirectory contains backup copies of field collected files. When data is downloaded from the datalogger, collected files. When data is downloaded from the datalogger, an extra copy of each file is placed in this subdirectory.an extra copy of each file is placed in this subdirectory.

► The The basebase subdirectory is where you should store base station subdirectory is where you should store base station files for differential correction.files for differential correction.

► The The exportexport subdirectory is the default target location when subdirectory is the default target location when GPS files are exported for use in another program. GPS files are exported for use in another program.

► NOTE: Do not rename or delete any of the default folders in the project folder NOTE: Do not rename or delete any of the default folders in the project folder or Pathfinder Office will not open the project.or Pathfinder Office will not open the project.

Pathfinder Office SoftwarePathfinder Office SoftwareInterfaceInterface ►Mouse and menu driven, like any Windows program. Mouse and menu driven, like any Windows program. ►File:File: open/close/save data files, select projects, control open/close/save data files, select projects, control background map display.background map display.►Edit:Edit: edit data files. edit data files.►View:View: chose map or timeline view of data files, zoom, pan, set chose map or timeline view of data files, zoom, pan, set graphics display.graphics display.►Data:Data: view the details of each feature/position in data files. view the details of each feature/position in data files.►Utilities:Utilities: data transfer, differential correction, export, create data transfer, differential correction, export, create data dictionary, and more.data dictionary, and more.►Options:Options: set units, coordinate system and time zone. set units, coordinate system and time zone.►WindowWindow►HelpHelp

Pathfinder Office SoftwarePathfinder Office Software

Directory StructureDirectory Structure►C:\Users\username\Documents\GNSS Projects\project_name\roverfiles C:\Users\username\Documents\GNSS Projects\project_name\roverfiles (corrected and uncorrected)(corrected and uncorrected) \base (basefiles)\base (basefiles)

\export \export (shapefiles)(shapefiles)

\backup\backup

►C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Trimble\PlanningC:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Trimble\Planning

Almanacs (ephemeris data), by default, are saved in this location Almanacs (ephemeris data), by default, are saved in this location and are named almanac.alm. Whenever you download a new and are named almanac.alm. Whenever you download a new almanac it will overwrite the old almanac, and that is fine. You almanac it will overwrite the old almanac, and that is fine. You do not need to save old almanacs.do not need to save old almanacs.

Pathfinder Office SoftwarePathfinder Office SoftwareFile NamesFile Names

Rover Files (Field data): N 0326 17 a

Month&

Date

Userselecte

dprefix

Hour(GMT)

FileIndicator(a-z)

Base Files: R 20326 17

Prefix selected by base station

Year, Month & Date

Hour (GMT)

Extensions:.ssf: uncorrected (raw) rover file OR a base file.cor: differentially corrected rover file.ddf: data dictionary

Pathfinder Office SoftwarePathfinder Office SoftwareFile ManagementFile Management

►Implement a project file management system, including Implement a project file management system, including directory structure and file naming convention, before you go out directory structure and file naming convention, before you go out in the field for the many files that may be generated.in the field for the many files that may be generated.

►Keep all data on one machine that is regularly backed-up.Keep all data on one machine that is regularly backed-up.

►Create one folder for each project or particular field season.Create one folder for each project or particular field season.

►Keep GPS data separate from GIS data.Keep GPS data separate from GIS data.

►Keep separate folds for raw GPS data, interim GPS data, and Keep separate folds for raw GPS data, interim GPS data, and final GPS data.final GPS data.

►Keep separate folders for interim GIS data and final GIS data.Keep separate folders for interim GIS data and final GIS data.

Pathfinder Office SoftwarePathfinder Office SoftwareFile ManagementFile Management (example) (example)

PFO Data Dictionary EditorPFO Data Dictionary Editor

Feature Name….BearAttribute Name….TextureAttribute Value….Soft

Feature Name….BearAttribute Name….TextureAttribute Value….Soft

Data Dictionary - The power of a Data Dictionary - The power of a GIS Data Capture ToolGIS Data Capture Tool

► Controls how location information is stored (e.g., how Controls how location information is stored (e.g., how many positions are averaged for a point, logging interval)many positions are averaged for a point, logging interval)

► Allows us to collect information efficiently (as opposed to Allows us to collect information efficiently (as opposed to writing in a notebook or using field-sheets)writing in a notebook or using field-sheets)

► Organizes information for GIS / geodatabase (essentially Organizes information for GIS / geodatabase (essentially pre-constructs your attribute table)pre-constructs your attribute table)

► Enforces consistency (e.g., providing drop-down menus, Enforces consistency (e.g., providing drop-down menus, radio buttons, etc.)radio buttons, etc.)

Data Dictionary - Design ConsiderationsData Dictionary - Design Considerations Consider how to address the stated research questions List the target features

– points, lines or polygons  List the attributes for each feature class and identify their type

– menu (fewer errors, easily queried)– free text (flexible, handles the unexpected)– numeric (enumerated, range, derived)– automatic value (e.g. increment, date)

Consider including common data fields – e.g. a linking ID number

Design to accommodate the unexpected or uncertain

Setting Up Your FeaturesSetting Up Your Features

Feature LevelFeature Level

PropertiesProperties

Default SettingsDefault Settings

SymbolSymbol

Labeling – Cause and EffectLabeling – Cause and Effectin TerraSyncin TerraSyncin Map Sectionin Map Section

ID#, Feature NameLabel 1 (Attribute Value)Label 2 (Attribute Value)NorthingEastingElevation

ID#, Feature NameLabel 1 (Attribute Value)Label 2 (Attribute Value)NorthingEastingElevation

……View Labels (Attribute View Labels (Attribute Values)Values)

in TerraSyncin TerraSyncin Updatein Update

ID#Feature NameLabel 1 (Attribute Value)Label 2 (Attribute Value)

ID#Feature NameLabel 1 (Attribute Value)Label 2 (Attribute Value)

► 8 Character limit for Shapefile Export8 Character limit for Shapefile Export

► If you must use more, ensure first 8 char are diff.If you must use more, ensure first 8 char are diff.

► Generally use 1 sec. log interval (exception is walking)Generally use 1 sec. log interval (exception is walking)

► Use same color for like features Use same color for like features

► Symbols are not transferred to GISSymbols are not transferred to GIS

At the Feature LevelAt the Feature Level

Standards for AttributesStandards for Attributes

Attribute TypesAttribute Types

Standards for AttributesStandards for Attributes

Menu TypeMenu Type

Name/AliasName/Alias

User Codes vs ValueUser Codes vs Value

Display differencesDisplay differences

Repeat or NotRepeat or Not

Field EntryField Entry

ConditionsConditions

Not Seen by Field Not Seen by Field UserUser

Populates into GISPopulates into GIS

Use for Attributes Use for Attributes that wont that wont change for a change for a summersummer

Eg. Park NameEg. Park Name

Invisible Field EntryInvisible Field Entry

Not passed into GISNot passed into GIS

Use succinct alias to Use succinct alias to tell user what is tell user what is here “DON’T EDIT!”here “DON’T EDIT!”

Breaks up Attributes Breaks up Attributes in logical stagesin logical stages

When collapsed, hides When collapsed, hides complexitycomplexity

Separators AttributesSeparators Attributes

Passed into GIS as Text 230 Passed into GIS as Text 230

characterscharacters

Useful for hyperlinking of Useful for hyperlinking of

photosphotos

Can launch any windows Can launch any windows

file (eg. Excel)file (eg. Excel)

File Name AttributesFile Name Attributes

Controls how TS can auto-Controls how TS can auto-

populate a dependent populate a dependent

attributeattribute

Set conditions to an Set conditions to an

attribute aboveattribute above

Can auto assign an Can auto assign an

attribute overriding an attribute overriding an

attribute default valueattribute default value

Extremely powerfulExtremely powerful

Conditional AttributesConditional Attributes

Attributes: Number of Attributes: Number of Characters - Limitations Characters - Limitations

Attribute Names - 10Attribute Names - 10

Alias – 40 Alias – 40

Menu Attribute Values - 40Menu Attribute Values - 40

Text Attributes - 230Text Attributes - 230

► 10 Character limit for Shapefile Export10 Character limit for Shapefile Export► If you must use more, ensure first 10 char are diff.If you must use more, ensure first 10 char are diff.► Use Default values sparingly. If user enables repeat, Use Default values sparingly. If user enables repeat,

and alters default value, next feature will use last and alters default value, next feature will use last

valuevalue► Use Field Entry – Required for critical settingsUse Field Entry – Required for critical settings► Place menus higher up in attribute list for maximum Place menus higher up in attribute list for maximum

conditional use.conditional use.► Group attributes and place most important at topGroup attributes and place most important at top► Conditional Attributes do not carry over when Conditional Attributes do not carry over when

copying and pasting among DDF’scopying and pasting among DDF’s

At the Attribute LevelAt the Attribute Level

Test, test, testTest, test, test

Ensure co-workers Ensure co-workers understand data understand data dictionarydictionary

Use same data Use same data dictionary for all dictionary for all data collection data collection within a projectwithin a project

GuidelinesGuidelines

Print, Print, Import, Import, ExportExport

Pathfinder OfficePathfinder Office ExampleExample ArcGISArcGIS

Feature NameFeature Name VegVeg Shapefile NameShapefile Name

Feature ClassificationFeature Classification PointPoint Geometry TypeGeometry Type

Attribute NameAttribute Name VegClassVegClass Field NameField Name

Attribute TypeAttribute Type MenuMenu

Attribute ValueAttribute Value ShrubShrub

TreeTree

OtherOther

ValueValue

Pathfinder OfficePathfinder Office ExampleExample ESRIESRI

Feature NameFeature Name VegVeg Feature Class NameFeature Class Name

Feature ClassificationFeature Classification PointPoint GeometryGeometry

Attribute NameAttribute Name VegClassVegClass Field NameField Name

Attribute TypeAttribute Type MenuMenu Data Type (Text)Data Type (Text)

Attribute ValueAttribute Value ShrubShrub

TreeTree

OtherOther

Coded ValuesCoded Values