To complete an object oriented station setup

Select Object oriented setup to set up the total station in the coordinate system of an object of interest, where the Z axis of the object is not aligned with the vertical axis of the instrument. This setup can be used in a variety of situations, for example:

  • In a manufacturing environment where the object of interest, such as a beam or concrete slab, is not sitting flat.

  • On a moving platform such as a barge or an oil rig where the instrument cannot be leveled.

The object oriented station setup is available only when the Object Oriented Setup Trimble Access software option is licensed to the controller. To purchase a license for the Object Oriented Setup option, contact your Trimble Distributor.

You can complete an object oriented station setup using one of these methods:

  • Known points: There must be at least three points in the job that are in the same coordinate system as the object. These points may be points in a design file such as a BIM model, DXF file, or a linked CSV file. You will select and measure to these points during the station setup. The Known points method supports F1/F2 measurements.

  • Point, edge, plane: The job must contain design files that contain an object model that has a point, edge, and plane. You will select and measure to these items during the station setup. The Point, edge, plane method does not support F1/F2 measurements.

The measurements to the known points or items (point, edge, plane) are used to orient the instrument to the object during the station setup. Subsequent measurements will then be correctly oriented to the object. The software calculates a least-squares algorithm to determine coordinates for unknown points.

To complete the object oriented station setup:

  1. Tap and select Measure / <survey style> / Object oriented setup.
    1. If required, use the electronic level to level the instrument. Tap Accept.

      You are not required to level the instrument when performing an Object oriented setup. If you are working on a moving platform, then you can disable the electronic level by tapping Options and clearing the Show level on startup checkbox.

    2. If required, set the corrections associated with the instrument.

      The Corrections screen is not shown by default for an Object oriented setup. If you wish to show the Corrections screen on startup, tap Options and select the Show corrections on startup checkbox.

  2. Enter the instrument point name. The instrument height is automatically set to zero when performing an Object oriented setup.
  3. Select the measurement method in the Method field. Select:

    • Known points to select at least three points in the job or in a linked CSV file and measure to each of these points during the station setup.

    • Point, edge, plane to select and measure to a point, the edge of the plane, and a point on the plane. The point must be at one end of the plane edge, and the plane must be flat, not curved.

  4. Tap Accept.

  5. If you are using the Known points method:
    1. Select the first point from the map, or enter the Point name and the Code, if required.

    2. Choose an option in the Method field.

    3. Aim the instrument at the point and then tap Measure.

    4. Repeat the steps above for the second and third known points. The points can be in the same plane but must not form a straight line.

      After the third point has been measured, the Object oriented setup residuals screen appears.

    5. To observe more points, tap +Point. Repeat steps a. through d. to add more points to the station setup.

    6. When you have completed all the observations, tap Results to display the Object oriented setup results screen.

  6. If you are using the Point, edge, plane method:
    1. In the map, select a point at one end of the plane.

    2. Choose an option in the Method field.

    3. Often you will use Direct reflex to perform an Object oriented setup. It is also possible to use a prism and enter a target height. If you use a non-zero target height then the prism must be positioned vertically above the point to be measured (not perpendicular to the plane of the object).

    4. Aim the instrument at the point and then tap Measure.

    5. Select the plane edge.

    6. Aim the instrument at any convenient position along the line from the first point measured and then tap Measure. Try not to pick a position too close to the first point measured.

    7. Select the plane.

    8. Aim the instrument at any convenient position on the plane and then tap Measure. Try not to pick a position too close to the first two points measured.

      After measuring the point on the plane, the Object oriented setup results screen appears.

  7. Tap Store.

    The object oriented setup is saved for the current survey. The instrument is now in the coordinate system of the object and can be used to measure or stake out points or perform cogo calculations, as required.