1. 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.
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 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.

2. Pathfinder Office Software
Interface
Mouse and menu driven, like any Windows program.
File: open/close/save data files, select projects, control background map display.
Edit: edit data files.
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.
Utilities: data transfer, differential correction, export, create data dictionary, and more.
Options: set units, coordinate system and time zone.
Window
Help

3. Pathfinder Office Software
Directory Structure
C:\Users\username\Documents\GNSS Projects\project_name\roverfiles (corrected and uncorrected) \base (basefiles)
\export (shapefiles)
\backup
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.

4. Pathfinder Office Software
File Names
Rover Files (Field data): N a
User
selected
prefix
Month
&
Date
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

5. 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.
Keep all data on one machine that is regularly backed-up.
Create one folder for each project or particular field season.
Keep GPS data separate from GIS 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.

6. Pathfinder Office Software
File Management (example)

7. PFO Data Dictionary Editor
Feb. 24, 2000
Feature Name….Bear
Attribute Name….Texture
Attribute Value….Soft
Survey & Mapping Conf

8. Data Dictionary - The power of a GIS Data Capture Tool
Feb. 24, 2000
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)
Organizes information for GIS / geodatabase (essentially pre-constructs your attribute table)
Enforces consistency (e.g., providing drop-down menus, radio buttons, etc.)
Controls how location information is stored – points are averaged positions, areas close
Collect efficiently – instead of writing in a notebook, it is recorded electronically and will be transferred directly into GIS
Enforces consistency – either by providing menus
This is the way Trimble does it.
Trimble calls them Mapping GPS receivers – Data Dictionary
Magellan calls them Mobile Mapping Solutions – Feature Library Editor
CMT calls them GPS/GIS Products Data Bank
Survey & Mapping Conf

9. Data Dictionary - Design Considerations
Feb. 24, 2000
Data Dictionary - Design Considerations
Consider how to address the stated research questions
List the target features and determine whether to map them as points, lines or polygons. Consider providing the option of using point or polygon if you haven’t scouted the field site ahead of time. 
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)
Link your data? Consider including common data fields, such as an ID number
You don’t know what’s out there! Design to accommodate the unexpected or uncertain
Big or complicated ddf are unfriendly to field crews! Use as few feature types & attributes as possible to collect the data you need.
Survey & Mapping Conf

10. Terminology for Shapefiles Feature Classification
Pathfinder Office
Example
ArcGIS
Feature Name
Veg
Shapefile Name
Feature Classification
Point
Geometry Type
Attribute Name
VegClass
Field Name
Attribute Type
Menu
Attribute Value
Shrub
Tree
Other
Value
Here is a handy guide you can refer to throughout this class for the relationship between PFO and GIS (shape file export).

11. Terminology for Geodatabases Feature Classification
Pathfinder Office
Example
ESRI
Feature Name
Veg
Feature Class Name
Feature Classification
Point
Geometry
Attribute Name
VegClass
Field Name
Attribute Type
Menu
Data Type (Text)
Attribute Value
Shrub
Tree
Other
Coded Values
Here is a handy guide you can refer to throughout this class for the relationship between PFO and GeoDatabases (shape file export).