12da files

The displayed layers in a 12da file are based on the model names in the 12da file. In addition, any surfaces and alignments read in from a 12da file are placed in their own layer. If there are any duplicate layer names, suffixes consisting of an underscore character plus an incrementing number are used to ensure unique layer names.

Point strings are read in as point entities and assigned to the appropriate layer. The points are given the names specified in the 12da file, but if no names have been specified they are given names based on the string name plus a suffix consisting of an underscore character plus an incrementing number.

Line, arc and circle strings are read in as standard line and arc entities and assigned to the appropriate layer using the color specified in the 12da file, when standard colors have been used.

Polyline strings are read in as polyline or polygon (for closed polylines) entities and assigned to the appropriate layer using the color specified in the 12da file, when standard colors have been used.

Super alignments and alignments are read in as alignments and each alignment is assigned to its own layer. Alignments are displayed as a red line.

Triangulated surfaces are read in and each surface is assigned to its own layer.

To display 12da files in the map, tap in the map toolbar to open the Layer manager and select the Map files tab. Tap the file once to make it visible (), and tap it again to make items in the file selectable (). To add files from a different location to the project folder, tap Add. For more information, see To manage map files.

These types of files typically contain layers. To make only some layers visible or selectable, in the Map files tab, tap the arrow next to the file name and then tap each layer once to hide it, or twice to make it visible but not selectable. Tap the layer again to make it visible and selectable.

The Trimble Access software provides settings for controlling the display of the data in 12da files. To configure these settings, tap in the map toolbar, select Settings and configure the setting in the Map data controls group.

To create nodes

To create points at the ends of lines and arcs and at all points along a polyline, select the Create nodes (DXF, Shape & LandXML) check box. The created points can then be selected for stakeout or Cogo calculations.

To display labels

To show or hide names, codes, and elevations for items in 12da files, tap the appropriate Display check box(es) in the Map data controls group.

The software shows these extra labels only when the file is set to selectable in the Layer manager. If the file is only set to visible, the extra labels are not shown. See To manage map files.

To display station values

Station values are displayed in the map for any lines, polylines or alignments selected from the 12da file. To show or hide station values for all entities, select the Display station values check box.

From the map, you can select items in 12da files and then use them in other software functions, for example to perform a Cogo calculation, create a surface, or stakeout.

To select items from the 12da file, make the items in the file selectable () using the Layer manager and then select them from the map using the map Select tool .

To rotate the data in the map, tap and then tap the map and drag to rotate the view. The icon in the center of the map indicates the point of orbit.

To review attribute information for entities in a 12da file that have feature types associated with them, select the entities in the map and then tap Review. If you selected more than one entity, select it from the list and tap Details.

You can select items (points, lines and polylines) in 12da files and stake them out.

1. Tap in the map toolbar and select the Map files tab. Make sure the layers containing the items to stake are visible and selectable.
2. In the map, tap the item to select it. For lines, tap near the end of the line to select the start of the line.
3. Tap Stakeout or press Enter on the controller to start stakeout.
4. To save the 12da file attributes for the selected item with the as-staked point, tap Options in the Stake out screen and set the As-staked code to Design file attributes. See As‑staked point details.

If you are using the Trimble Access Roads software you can stake out an alignment from a 12da file. See Staking out a 12da road.