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 subdirectories in a project for organizing other kinds of files: base, export and backup. Project is the main way in which data is organized in PFO. A directory where Pathfinder Office looks for data. There are three subdirectories in a project for organizing other kinds of files: base, export and backup. The backup subdirectory contains backup copies of field collected files. When data is downloaded from the datalogger, an extra copy of each file is placed in this subdirectory. The backup subdirectory contains backup copies of field collected files. When data is downloaded from the datalogger, an extra copy of each file is placed in this subdirectory. The base subdirectory is where you should store base station files for differential correction. The base subdirectory is where you should store base station files for differential correction. The export subdirectory is the default target location when GPS files are exported for use in another program. The export subdirectory is the default target location when GPS files are exported for use in another program. NOTE: Do not rename or delete any of the default folders in the project folder or Pathfinder Office will not open the project. NOTE: Do not rename or delete any of the default folders in the project folder or Pathfinder Office will not open the project.

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

Pathfinder Office Software Directory Structure C:\Users\username\Documents\GNSS Projects\project_name\roverfiles (corrected and uncorrected)\base (basefiles) C:\Users\username\Documents\GNSS Projects\project_name\roverfiles (corrected and uncorrected)\base (basefiles) \export (shapefiles) \export (shapefiles) \backup \backup C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Trimble\Planning C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Trimble\Planning Almanacs (ephemeris data), by default, are saved in this location and are named almanac.alm. Whenever you download a new almanac it will overwrite the old almanac, and that is fine. You do not need to save old almanacs.

Pathfinder Office Software File Names Rover Files (Field data): N a Month & Date User selected prefix Hour (GMT) File Indicator (a-z) Base Files: R 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 Software File Management Implement a project file management system, including directory structure and file naming convention, before you go out in the field for the many files that may be generated. Implement a project file management system, including directory structure and file naming convention, before you go out 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 final GPS data. Keep separate folds for raw GPS data, interim GPS data, and 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 Software File Management (example)

PFO Data Dictionary Editor Feature Name….Bear Attribute Name….Texture Attribute Value….Soft Feature Name….Bear Attribute Name….Texture Attribute Value….Soft

Data Dictionary - The power of a GIS Data Capture Tool Controls how location information is stored (e.g., how many positions are averaged for a point, logging interval) Controls how location information is stored (e.g., how many positions are averaged for a point, logging interval) Allows us to collect information efficiently (as opposed to writing in a notebook or using field-sheets) Allows us to collect information efficiently (as opposed to writing in a notebook or using field-sheets) Organizes information for GIS / geodatabase (essentially pre-constructs your attribute table) Organizes information for GIS / geodatabase (essentially pre-constructs your attribute table) Enforces consistency (e.g., providing drop-down menus, radio buttons, etc.) Enforces consistency (e.g., providing drop-down menus, radio buttons, etc.)

Data 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 Features Feature Level Feature Level Properties Properties Default Settings Default Settings Symbol Symbol

Labeling – Cause and Effect in TerraSync in Map Section ID#, Feature Name Label 1 (Attribute Value) Label 2 (Attribute Value) Northing Easting Elevation ID#, Feature Name Label 1 (Attribute Value) Label 2 (Attribute Value) Northing Easting Elevation

…View Labels (Attribute Values) in TerraSync in Update ID# Feature Name Label 1 (Attribute Value) Label 2 (Attribute Value) ID# Feature Name Label 1 (Attribute Value) Label 2 (Attribute Value)

8 Character limit for Shapefile Export 8 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 GIS Symbols are not transferred to GIS At the Feature Level

Standards for Attributes Attribute Types Attribute Types

Standards for Attributes Menu Type Menu Type Name/Alias Name/Alias User Codes vs Value User Codes vs Value Display differences Display differences Repeat or Not Repeat or Not Field Entry Field Entry Conditions Conditions

Not Seen by Field User Populates into GIS Use for Attributes that wont change for a summer Eg. Park Name Invisible Field Entry

Not passed into GIS Use succinct alias to tell user what is here DONT EDIT! Breaks up Attributes in logical stages When collapsed, hides complexity Separators Attributes

Passed into GIS as Text 230 characters Useful for hyperlinking of photos Can launch any windows file (eg. Excel) File Name Attributes

Controls how TS can auto- populate a dependent attribute Set conditions to an attribute above Can auto assign an attribute overriding an attribute default value Extremely powerful Conditional Attributes

Attributes: Number of Characters - Limitations Attribute Names - 10 Alias – 40 Menu Attribute Values - 40 Text Attributes - 230

10 Character limit for Shapefile Export 10 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, and alters default value, next feature will use last value Use Default values sparingly. If user enables repeat, and alters default value, next feature will use last value Use Field Entry – Required for critical settings Use Field Entry – Required for critical settings Place menus higher up in attribute list for maximum conditional use. Place menus higher up in attribute list for maximum conditional use. Group attributes and place most important at top Group attributes and place most important at top Conditional Attributes do not carry over when copying and pasting among DDFs Conditional Attributes do not carry over when copying and pasting among DDFs At the Attribute Level

Test, test, test Ensure co-workers understand data dictionary Use same data dictionary for all data collection within a project Guidelines

Print, Import, Export

Pathfinder Office ExampleArcGIS Feature Name Veg Shapefile Name Feature Classification Point Geometry Type Attribute Name VegClass Field Name Attribute Type Menu Attribute Value ShrubTreeOtherValue

Pathfinder Office ExampleESRI Feature Name Veg Feature Class Name Feature Classification PointGeometry Attribute Name VegClass Field Name Attribute Type Menu Data Type (Text) Attribute Value ShrubTreeOther Coded Values