SURPAC Software User Manual Book 3 (Google Earth Functions) PDF

SURPAC Surveying Software
Users Manual - Book #3

Covering the SURPAC Google Earth Functions
By K. W. Young
SURPAC Surveying Software : Copyright Keith W. Young 1982 - 2014
SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

Users Manual
Book #3
SURPAC - Google Earth Functions
Contents
SURPAC Google Earth Linear and Graphic Functions ..... Page 1
Requirements for SURPAC Google Earth interfacing ......... Page 2
Setting Google Earth for SURPAC Data and Overlays.... Page 2
Locate and Add Nearest Trig/TSM Beacons Programme . Page 4
Running the Programme .... Page 6
Displaying the Trig/TSM Beacons on Google Earth .... Page 8
Displaying Points from a Co-ordinate File on Google Earth .. Page 9
Interfacing SURPAC CAD programmes with Google Earth ...
Page 11
Viewing SURPAC CAD Lines and Points on Google Earth . Page 11

Viewing a SURPAC CAD Sheet on Google Earth.....
Page 12
File types used for Interfacing SURPAC with Google Earth .... Page 15
Compressed (zipped) KMZ files for third party use ......
Page 17
Hints when using SURPAC CAD & Google Earth interfacing.
Page 17
Import a Google Earth Placemark into a Co-ordinate File .
Page 18
Creating a Placemark in Google Earth.... Page 18

Importing a Placemark into a SURPAC Co-ordinate File .. Page 18
Transfer a Path/Line/Polygon to a General CAD Sheet ...... Page 19
Creating a Path or Polygon in Google Earth ..
Page 19
Importing a Path or Polygon into the General CAD .. Page 20

Contents (Continued)
Transfer a Google Earth Image to a General CAD Sheet Page 20
Creating an Image Bounding diagonal Line (Path) and defining
an Image in Google Earth .... Page 20
Importing a Google Earth Image to a General CAD Sheet .. Page 21
Adjusting the Imported Sheet Image ........ Page 22
Setting the Image to the Background ....... Page 22
Shifting the Image ... Page 22
Adjusting the Image Brightness and/or Contrast ... Page 22
SURPAC Google Earth Elevation Functions... Page 23
Summary Page 23
Applications.. Page 23
Co-ordinate File Editing Programme .... Page 23
Import Points from a KML file .... Page 23
Importing interpolated Google Earth DTM Heights.... Page 23
Compare Existing Heights with Google Earth Heights . Page 24
Tacheometric File Editing Programme .. Page 26
Import Points with interpolated Google Earth Heights Page 26
Compare Existing Heights with Google Earth Heights .. Page 28
Contour Generating CAD Programme ...... Page 29
Compare Existing Heights with Google Earth Heights . Page 29
Comparing a Single Point . Page 29
Comparing the entire File .. Page 29
View 3D Contours & DTM on Google Earth ..... Page 29
Summary on displaying 3D Models in Google Earth.... Page 32
Longitudinal Sectioning Programme .. Page 33

Contents (Continued)
Create KML Placemarks/Polygons with linked Images/Files.. Page 37
Creating KML Image Placemarks in SURPAC .. Page 38
Entering Image File, Link file and Headings for an Image
Placemark or Image Polygon... Page 39
Sending Placemark or Polygon KML files to a third party .... Page 42
Displaying an Image Placemark KML on Google Earth ... Page 42
Creating KML Image Polygons in SURPAC ..... Page 43
Displaying an Image Polygon KML on Google Earth Page 43
Creating Hatched Polygons for Exporting to Google Earth . Page 45
Locating and Adding the Nearest Bench Marks (RSA only).. Page 46
Bench Marks in RSA and their use in SURPAC Software . Page 46
The Locate and Add Nearest Bench Marks programme. Page 48
Creating Arcs and Circles on a Google Earth display.... Page 51
Locating and Adding My Nearest Stations ...... Page 52
The My Stations files ........ Page 52
The Locate and Add My Nearest Stations display ... Page 53
Adding Stations to the My Stations files ....... Page 54
Using the Locate and Add My Nearest Stations programme. Page 54
The SURPAC Google Earth Icon set........ Page 56
Display of Stations on Google Earth ........... Page 57
No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or

transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise without the prior written
permission of the Copyright holder.
Copyright K. W. Young 2014
1005 Hartebeeshoek Road
P. O. Box 275
Broederstroom
North West Province
South Africa 0240
+27 (0)72 999 2700

+27 (0)86 627 0356
[email protected]
www.surpac.co.za
SURPAC Google Earth Linear and Graphic Functions

Google Earth allows for the viewing of 2D or 3D colour satellite imagery
for any point on the Earth, as well as being able to view galaxies and the
ocean floors.
The surface terrain imagery can usually be viewed at a scale in the region
of 1:2500 without any loss of detail quality. This figure can vary from
region to region, but it is generally true for built up areas.
Google Earth, therefore, makes a very useful visual display tool for
SURPAC Users when it is interfaced, or linked, with survey co-ordinate
and/or image data.
This interfacing can be in the form of :
Displaying the locations of Trig. Beacons and/or Town Survey

Marks for a selected area on Google Earth.
Displaying Beacons and Stations from a previous survey on

Google Earth to help locate these points.
Displaying User selected Points in a Co-ordinate file on Google

Earth to help locate these points.
Displaying User selected Precise Level Bench Marks (RSA only)

on Google Earth to help locate these points.
Displaying Points and/or Lines from a survey plan, or sheet, to view

their positions on Google Earth.
Displaying a survey Plan, or Sheet as an overlay on Google Earth.
Displaying SURPAC 3D Contours and DTMs on Google Earth.
Displaying General CAD Polygons on Google Earth. Displaying

Image Placemarks and Image Polygons on Google Earth.
Importing a Placemark created in Google Earth into SURPAC.
Importing a Line, Path or Polygon created in Google Earth into the

SURPAC General CAD.
Importing a Google Earth Image into the SURPAC General CAD.
Adding Google Earth DTM interpolated Heights for existing Coordinate File Points.
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Comparing Google Earth DTM interpolated Heights with existing

Co-ordinate File Point Heights.
Importing and Adding Google Earth DTM interpolated Heights for a

User defined set of grid mesh Points in a Tacheometric File.
Comparing Google Earth DTM interpolated Heights with existing

Tacheometric File Points.
Requirements for SURPAC interfacing with Google Earth

1. Google Earth must be installed on the computer. If you do not
already have Google Earth installed, visit http://earth.google.com/
and follow the on-screen instructions for installing this software. The
basic version of Google Earth is free and is quite suitable for the
SURPAC interface functions discussed below. There is the option of
the Google Earth Pro version, but at a cost of US$400 (about
R2,500).
2. The currently loaded Co-ordinate file in SURPAC must use either
the WGS 84 ellipsoid, the GRS80 ellipsoid or any other ellipsoid
having the same parameters as the WGS 84 ellipsoid.
3. A reasonably fast ADSL or 3G wireless internet connection.
Setting Google Earth Display for SURPAC Data and Overlays

1. The SURPAC data displayed on Google Earth does not always
provide an exact visual fit on to the satellite imagery. In order to force
the displayed data to fit as close as possible to the imagery, you can
use the Google Earth Ruler tool to determine the Y, X (or E, N) shifts
to be applied to the SURPAC data, or image, so that it best fits the
imagery.
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2. A plan, or sheet, that is displayed on Google Earth as an overlay
can have varying levels of transparency applied to it. Increasing an
overlays transparency allows more of the imagery lying under the
overlay to become visible. Setting a zero transparency will allow the
overlay to completely hide the underlying imagery. Note that on
Google Earth itself there is a slide option (on the Sidebar
information display) that allows for further refinement of the overlays
transparency level.
3. An overlay of a plan, or sheet, may also be viewed whereby the

sheet background is completely transparent, i.e. only the detail on
the sheet, such as the lines, text, hatching etc. will be displayed. For
this option to apply, the sheet background colour has to be white,
which is the case for all SURPAC CAD sheets.
4. Line information sent from SURPAC to Google Earth can have the
following options :
Users can set the Lines to be sent using their defined Line
Thickness values.
Users can set the Lines/Arcs/Circles to be sent using their CAD

defined Line Colour values.
If Lines/Arcs/Circles are to be sent using a Single Colour, then

this colour can be User defined.
All SURPAC CAD programmes which use the Google Earth display
function have a menu item whereby the Google Earth display options
may be set or viewed.
The options may also be set by clicking the [File options] button when
in the Co-ordinate File Editing programme.
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The Locate and Add Nearest Trig/TSM Beacons Programme

This programme provides the facility of locating a set of the nearest
Trigonometrical Beacons and/or Town Survey Marks (TSMs) to a User
defined geographical position.
If required, the located Points may be added to the current Co-ordinate
File and/or displayed on Google Earth .
Currently, this programme is limited to the geographical area of :1. The Republic of South Africa, and to surveys defined as using
either the Lo (Clarke 1880 (Modified) Ellipsoid) System or the WG
(WGS 84 Ellipsoid) System (also referred to as the Cape Datum
and the Hartebeesthoek94 Datum respectively.
2. The Republic of Zimbabwe, and to surveys defined as using either
the Lo (Clarke 1880 (Modified) Ellipsoid) System or the WG
(WGS 84 Ellipsoid) System using the Universal Transverse Mercator
(UTM) Zone 35 System.
3. The Republic of Zambia, and to surveys defined as using either the
Lo (Clarke 1880 (Modified) Ellipsoid) System or the WG (WGS 84
Ellipsoid) System using the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
Zone 35 System.
It is not necessary for the User to define any source file for the location
of the Trig. Beacons, or TSMs. SURPAC has built in Source Files which
must exist in the folder in which SURPAC Software is installed (usually
the folder C:\Surpac Software). These are the same files used by the
SURPAC Lo to/from WG transformation programme.
Each of the above Source Files contains the double precision
geographical positions (about 48,000 Points throughout the Republic of
South Africa), in the Lo (Clarke 1880 (Modified) Ellipsoid) and WG
(WGS 84 Ellipsoid) respectively. Should you not have these Source
Files already loaded on your PC, or Laptop, you may download them
from the Upgrade section of the Internet site www. surpac.co.za .
This programme will automatically search and extract the Lo or WG
Point information from the appropriate Source File.
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Important notes :
The above mentioned SURPAC Source Files are random binary files
and, as such, the data they contain are not printable, or accessible to
Users. Further, the data contained in these files have had variable,
false origin shifts applied to them making the data meaningless even
to someone who is able to hack their way into the files.
Anyone attempting to use data extracted from either of the two files is
warned that highly inaccurate results will occur!!
Keith W. Young and SURPAC Surveying Software are not
responsible, nor are they liable for any damages or misinformation
resulting from the unauthorized use of these data.
Since these Source File Points are stored in shifted [Lat, Long] format,
any Degree Square boundaries become irrelevant to the programme.
Surveys can be located close to any Degree Square boundary, and the
programme will still generate its own Degree Square of Points, centred
about the Survey, or any defined Point in the Survey. Data may be
drawn from different Degree Squares for any given Survey.
The programme offers User options for both the selection of Points, and
the display mode, namely :
The Search Centre position may be User selected,
The located Points may be either Trig. Beacons, TSMs, or both,
The number of locate Points displayed may be set according to a

required maximum number, or a required maximum search
radius,
The display of located Points may be in order of Distance,

Direction or Point Name,
Any of the located Points in the displayed list may be tagged as not
required, to prevent them from being added to the Co-ordinate File,
Any located Point in the displayed list may have its Degree Square,
Latitude and Longitude shown on a sub-display, for identification
purposes,
An output of the displayed list of located Points may be made to the

Printer, an ASCII file or the Clipboard,
The located Points in the displayed list, marked as required (i.e.

the ticked Points) may be added to the current Co-ordinate File, and
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The located Points in the displayed list, marked as required (i.e.

the ticked Points) may be displayed on Google Earth.
Running the Programme

The programme may be loaded in any of three different ways, namely :1. Using the Locate and Add the Nearest Trig/TSM Beacons Menu
Item under the Conversions Menu, or
2. In the Co-ordinate Editing Programme, click the Mouse RHB and
from the displayed Menu, select the Locate and Add Nearest
Trig/TSM Beacons Item, or
3. In the Co-ordinate Editing Programme, click the [Options] Button,
select the Locate and Add Nearest Trig/TSM Beacons option and
then From the Conversions Menu, select the Locate and Add
Nearest click the [OK] Button.
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If the current Co-ordinate File is empty, the programme will display a
warning message and abort. The Co-ordinate File must contain at least
one Point in order for this programme to work.
The Co-ordinate File should have appropriate constants set. If no
constants are used, then both the Y an X ordinates must have full
values.
As a starting default, the programme will assume the [Y, X] search
position as being the centre of gravity of all existing Points in the current
Co-ordinate File. The programme will use the further defaults of a
Search Radius of 15Km and the number of Points to display as 10.
The results of this default search will be displayed. You may now change
any of the search parameters required including : The search centre position,
The number of located Points to display,
The maximum search radius,
The type of Points to locate and display (Trig. Beacons, TSMs,

or both),
The display order of located Points (by Distance, Direction or

Name).
Each displayed Point will initially have a green tick displayed next to it.
This implies that the Point is a required Point which would be added to
the current Co-ordinate File when the [Store and Exit] Button is clicked.
If any Point is not required, then click on that Points green tick. The
Points symbol will be changed to a red cross, and the Points coordinate display will be changed to a grey, italic font. This Point will now
be flagged as not required, and will not be added to the current Coordinate File. Clicking a Points red cross will reverse the above
process.
Click the [Print List] Button to send all those located Points in the list
that have green tick symbol next to them, to the SURPAC Printing
form. From this form display, this list may be sent to the current Printer,
to a User defined ASCII file or to the Windows Clipboard.
When the [Store and Exit] Button is clicked, all located Points displayed
in the list, and having the green tick symbol next to them, will be added
to the current Co-ordinate File.
By clicking on the Google Earth icon on the form, it is possible to send
the list of selected Trig Beacons and/or Town Survey Marks (TSMs) to
Google Earth for a spatial view of the set of Trig beacons.
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By clicking on a Trig Beacon/TSM symbol on the Google Earth display,

the Trig's co-ordinate and height information is displayed (see below).
Displaying the Nearest Trig/TSM Beacons on Google Earth

1. In SURPAC run the Locate and Add Nearest Trig/TSM Beacons
programme from the Conversions main menu heading (if your
SURPAC License has this Module).
2. Set the search options at the bottom of the form so as to display the
required number and type of beacons.
3. From the displayed list of beacons, remove any unwanted beacons
by clicking on the green tic shown at the end of each display line.
The green tic will change to a red cross. This point will remain
dormant and will not be displayed until clicked again.
4. Click on the [View List on Google Earth] button at the bottom right
of the form.
SURPAC will open and run Google Earth and the selected beacons will
be displayed at their surface positions on the satellite imagery. Either a
Trig. Beacon or a TSM symbol (icon) will be used to mark the displayed
beacons. To obtain a beacons information, click on the beacon required.
A balloon text display will then appear showing :The Beacon/TSM Name
The Degree Square (Trig Beacons only)
The Co-ordinate System (e.g. WG29)
The Beacon Y, X and Z values (or E, N and H values)
The Beacon Latitude and Longitude
The Google Earth icons used by SURPAC for Trigs and TSMs are :- Trigonometrical Beacons
- Town Survey Marks
Page 8
Example of a 3D View of Trig Beacons displayed on Google Earth
Displaying Points from a Co-ordinate File on Google Earth

1. In SURPAC, run the Co-ordinate File Editing programme from the
General main menu heading.
2. Mark (i.e. highlight) the Points required for viewing on Google
Earth.
2.1 You can mark a block of Points by either clicking on the first
Point in the block and then dragging the cursor onto the last
Point, or by clicking on the first Point in the block then holding
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down the Shift key and simultaneously clicking on the last Point
in the block.
2.2 You can mark individual Points by clicking on the first
required Point and then, whilst holding down the Ctrl key, click
on any other required Points.
2.3 You can mark Points by Description by clicking on the [File
Options] button and then selecting the Select Points to be
Highlighted (by Description) option. Then select the required
Descriptions from the displayed list.
3. After selection, Click the [Export GE KML] button on the Actions

Bar menu.
The Points selected will be displayed at their surface positions on the
satellite imagery by Google Earth. Either a Point, a Trig. Beacon or a
TSM symbol (icon) will be used to mark the displayed Points, as is
appropriate. To obtain a Points information, click on the Point required.
A balloon text display will appear showing :The Point Name
The Point Description
The Co-ordinate System (e.g. WG29)
The Beacon Y, X and Z values (or E, N and H values)
The Beacon Latitude and Longitude
The Google Earth icons used for Co-ordinate file Points are :- Trigonometrical Beacons
- Town Survey Marks
- Survey Beacons/Points
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Interfacing SURPAC CAD programmes with Google Earth

These functions apply to the General CAD, Contour CAD, General
Plan CAD, Sectional Title CAD and Working Plan CAD programmes.
Note that the Contour CAD programme only has the Viewing a
SURPAC CAD Sheet on Google Earth option available.
Viewing a SURPAC CAD Sheets Lines and Points on Google Earth
Note :If the Point Display option is On, then only the Points that have
been Named (by using the [PN] Command) will be displayed on the
Google Earth overlay.
If only Lines, Arcs and Circles are required for the Google Earth
display, then Click the Text menu heading in the CAD programme,
and turn the display of Points OFF.
All Lines will be shown in the User selected style, width and colour.
(Refer to the options discussed on Page 2).
SURPAC will display dotted and/or dashed Lines as such on
Google Earth. SURPAC will also display Circles and Arcs correctly
on Google Earth.
All Points will be marked by either the SURPAC Point marker or, in
the case of Trig. Beacons and TSMs, the appropriate control point
symbol.
1. In the CAD programme, click on the File main menu heading and
then select the View Lines and Points on Google Earth menu
item. (Note :- If the Point Display has been turned Off, then this
menu item will read View Lines on Google Earth).
2. Once the CAD sheet Line and Point data have been transferred,
Google Earth will shift its location to the centre of the imagery
covered by the data and will display the data viewed from an
appropriate height. The Orientation is set to North and there is no
Tilt applied. All viewing settings can be User modified from within
Google Earth. Clicking on a displayed Point will show a text balloon
containing the Points values and information.
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A proposed layout, showing Lines and Points on Google Earth

Viewing a SURPAC CAD Sheet on Google Earth
Notes :One problem associated with using a CAD Sheet as an overlay is
that of the Meridian Convergence. Since a CAD Sheet is always
oriented to Grid North (the True North at the Central Meridian of the
projection) and not to True North at the Sheet position, SURPAC
has to swing the CAD Sheet display so as to re-orient it to True
North for the Google Earth display.
Before the image of a CAD Sheet is sent to Google Earth as an
overlay, you will notice it being re-drawn in SURPAC. This is to both
re-orient the Sheet for Meridian Convergence, as explained above,
and to set the Sheet scale to the defined plotting scale. This latter
action is to ensure a clearer Sheet image on Google Earth. For the
Windows Vista/7/8 operating systems (which have better graphic
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memory handling then the Windows XP OS), the scale is set to half
the defined plotting scale to provide an even clearer overlay image.
1. In the CAD programme, click on the File main menu heading and
then select the View Sheet on Google Earth menu item.
2. Once the CAD sheet has been transferred, Google Earth will shift
its location to the centre of the imagery covered by the Sheet and will
display the Sheet viewed from an appropriate height.
Notes :The Sheet Orientation is always set to True North (regardless of
the Sheet Swing used) and there is no Tilt applied. All view settings
can be User modified from within Google Earth.
The Sheet overlay will be locked to the terrain covered by the
Sheet. Hence, when viewed in 3D, the Sheet will drape itself over the
terrain. If the Sheet background has been set as fully transparent
then only the Sheet data, such as Lines, Text, Hatching etc. will be
shown. Otherwise, the Slide on the Google Earth Sidebar can be
used to change the Sheet overlay transparency.
Example of a SURPAC Township layout Sheet, with partial

transparency, on Google Earth
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A layout with full background transparency, on Google Earth
Page 14
A 3D semi-transparent CAD Sheet Overlay, plus Trigs on Google Earth
File types used for Interfacing SURPAC with Google Earth

Interfacing with Google Earth is done via KML files (Keyhole Markup
Language). KML files employ HTML/XML type grammar and may be
used for modelling and storing geographic features such as points, lines,
images, polygons and models for display in Google Earth, Google
Maps, ESRI ArcGIS Explorer, AutoCAD etc.
Once you have defined which elements (points, lines, map sheets etc.)
you want displayed on Google Earth, SURPAC will transform the Y, X
(or E, N) positional information into Latitudes and Longitudes.
SURPAC will also convert dotted or dashed lines into small line
segments for sending to Google Earth, as the KML format can normally
only handle solid lines.
If a SURPAC CAD sheet is to be sent to Google Earth, SURPAC will
first set the sheet transparency, or set the background to fully
transparent (as User set) and then create a PNG image of the sheet.
(PNG (Portable Network Graphics) files are lossless, highly compressed
image files, normally having the extension of .png.)
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All SURPAC generated KML and PNG files are stored in the folder
C:\Surpac_GE. The names of the generated KML files (and of the
associated PNG files, where applicable) are :KML files saved from the Locate and Add Nearest Trig/TSM
Beacons programme are called FileName_Trigs.kml, where
FileName is the name of the current Co-ordinate file.
KML files saved from the Co-ordinate File Editing programme
are called PointName_Point_Group.kml, where PointName is the
name of the first Point selected (marked) in the current Co-ordinate
file.
KML files saved for Lines and Points from the General CAD
programme are called FileName_CAD_Lines.kml, where FileName
is the name of the current Co-ordinate file.
KML and PNG files saved for Sheet overlays from the General
CAD programme are called FileName_CAD_Sheet.kml and
FileName_CAD_Sheet.png, where FileName is the name of the
current Co-ordinate file.
KML files saved for Lines and Points from the General Plan
programme are called FileName_GP_SheetX_Lines.kml, where
FileName is the name of the current Co-ordinate file and X is the
current GP Sheet number.
KML and PNG files saved for Sheet overlays from the General
Plan programme are called FileName_GP_SheetX.kml and
FileName_GP_SheetX.png, where FileName is the name of the
current Co-ordinate file and X is the current GP Sheet number.
KML files saved for Lines and Points from the Working Plan
programme are called FileName_WP_SheetX_Lines.kml, where
FileName is the name of the current Co-ordinate file and X is the
current WP Sheet number.
KML and PNG files saved for Sheet overlays from the Working
Plan programme are called FileName_WP_SheetX.kml and
FileName_WP_SheetX.png, where FileName is the name of the
current Co-ordinate file and X is the current WP Sheet number.
KML and PNG files saved for Sheet overlays from the Contour
CAD programme are called FileName_Contour_Sheet.kml and
FileName_Contour_Sheet.png, where FileName is the name of the
current Contour file.
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Compressed (zipped) KMZ files for third party use

Another file format that can be used for sending data and overlays to
Google Earth is the KMZ format. This is a zipped format of a KML file
and is a handy format when sending overlay information to another
person who does not have SURPAC Software.
To create a KMZ file from a SURPAC generated KML file, use any zip
application, such as Winzip, or WinRAR to create a zipped file that
contains all the required elements for the data and or overlay. The
created zip file must be given the extension .kmz
Notes :1. For files that contain Points, you must include the three small
PNG image files called RedBlackTrig.png, RedBlackTSM.png
and RedBlackPoint.png.These images are the SURPAC mark
icons for Trigs, TSMs and Points respectively.
2. For overlays that consist of a CAD Sheet, the PNG image of the
CAD Sheet must be included. The PNG image file will have the
same name as the KML file.
3. All the above files, including the KML file, are located in the
C:\Surpac_GE folder.
The KMZ file can then be sent to a third party user, with the instruction
that the contents of the KMZ file must be extracted to a folder called
C:\Surpac_GE. Unzipping (extracting) the KMZ file will produce the
parent file with a KML extension, plus the mark icons, and other
information linked to the KML file. Double clicking on the extracted KML
file will then open Google Earth and produce the same data and/or
overlay view as produced by SURPAC.
Hints when using SURPAC CAD and Google Earth interfacing
1. If you intend to view multiple SURPAC data and/or overlays in
Google Earth, then do not close Google Earth after each viewing.
Leave Google Earth in the background, or minimize it, whilst you
generate the next view.
2. If you have multiple views displayed, any of these may be
temporarily removed by un-checking their display names in the
Temporary Places section.
3. When you do close Google Earth, you will be queried as to whether
you want to save the temporary view in the My Places section. If you
want the views to be permanent, then reply Yes, otherwise they will
be deleted.
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Importing a Google Earth Placemark into a Co-ordinate File

Creating a Placemark in Google Earth
In Google Earth, ensure that either the Toolbar or the Sidebar are
displayed. Move the Google Earth display to show the required area at
the required scale.
To create a Placemark, click the appropriate toolbar icon, or select the
"Placemark" menu item found under the "Add" menu heading. The new
Placemark Dialog Box appears and the cursor changes to a flashing,
square drawing tool. Enter the properties for the Placemark and give it
an appropriate Name. Since SURPAC will use the Placemark Name as
the name for the imported Point, use a SURPAC friendly name, i.e. up to
8 characters in length.
Move the cursor onto the flashing drawing tool, and then drag the tool to
the required screen position, by holding down the Mouse LHB as the
cursor is moved. Once the drawing tool is correctly positioned, click the
[OK] button on the dialog box. The newly created Placemark will be
added to My Places. (Warning, if you have a Temporary Place
currently open at the time of the construction, then the Placemark may
be added to that Temporary Place).
The created Placemark now needs to be saved as a KML file in order for
SURPAC to be able to import it. To do this, locate the Placemark under
either My Places or Temporary Places and right click on it. A pop up
menu will appear and on this menu click the Save Place as menu
item.
On the displayed Save file form, ensure that the Save as Type item is
set to KML (*.kml). The KML file may be saved to any folder, but
SURPAC KML files are generally kept in the C:\Surpac_GE folder.
Finally, click on the [Save] button.
Importing the Placemark into a SURPAC Co-ordinate File as a Point
Before attempting to import the Placemark data into a Co-ordinate file,
first ensure that the file System is set to either the WGS 84 or GRS80
ellipsoids and that the Central Meridian of the WG System, or Zone, is
correct for the Point data to be imported.
In the SURPAC Co-ordinate File Editing programme, click on the
[Import GE KML] button on the Actions bar menu.
From the displayed File Selection form, select the KML file that contains
the required Placemark information. The Placemark position(s) will then
be converted to its(their) equivalent Y, X (or E, N) co-ordinate values and
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saved into the current Co-ordinate file, using the Placemark name(s) as
the new Point name(s). If the Placemark does not contain a recognizable
Name, SURPAC will use the default Names of KML1, KML2, .. etc.
Transferring a Google Earth Path, Line or Polygon to a SURPAC

General CAD Sheet
Creating a Path or Polygon in Google Earth
In Google Earth, ensure that either the Toolbar or Sidebar are
displayed. Move the Google Earth display to show the required area at
the required scale.
A Path may be a single Line, or a series of connected Lines. To create a
Polygon, click the appropriate toolbar icon, or select either the Path or
the Polygon menu item found under the Add menu heading. The new
Path or new Polygon Dialog Box appears and the cursor changes to a
square drawing tool. Enter the properties for your drawing and give the
Path or Polygon an appropriate Name. You can change the style and/or
colour for the Path Lines or Polygon from the default white to better
visualize the shape you are about to draw. You can also enter an
appropriate Name for the Path or Polygon to be created.
Click in the viewer to start the drawing creation and use the following
method to achieve the desired shape :Regular shape - Click and release method. Move the Mouse to a new
point and click to add additional points. In this mode, the cursor remains
a square drawing tool whilst the Path or Polygon being drawn is
displayed up to the last clicked position. Polygons will automatically be
closed back onto the defined starting position. Whilst drawing, the last
clicked position can be deleted by clicking the Mouse RHB.
Once construction of the Path or Polygon is complete, click the [OK]
button on the dialogue box. The Path or Polygon created will be added
to My Places. (Warning, if you have a Temporary Place currently open
at the time of the construction, then the Path or Polygon will be added to
that Temporary Place).
The created Path or Polygon information now needs to be saved as a
KML file in order for SURPAC to be able to import it. To do this, locate
the Path or Polygon under either My Places or Temporary Places and
right click on it. A pop up menu will appear and on this menu click the
Save Places as menu item.
On the displayed Save file form, ensure that the Save as Type item is
set to KML (*.kml). The KML file may be saved to any folder, but
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SURPAC KML files are generally kept in the C:\Surpac_GE folder.
Finally, click on the [Save] button.
Importing the Path or Polygon into a SURPAC General CAD Sheet
In the SURPAC General CAD programme first set the required Layer.
Pen Style, and Thickness to be used for the imported Lines. Click on
the File menu heading and then select the Import Lines from Google
Earth KML File menu item . From the displayed File Selection form,
select the required KML file. The Lines contained in the selected KML
file will be imported and displayed on the current Sheet, using the defined
Layer, Style and Thickness.
NB : The same importation method can be used to import Line
information from a SURPAC (and compatible) generated KML file
containing Lines from sources such as other General CAD Sheets,
General Plans, Working Plans and Sectional Title Plans.
Transferring a Google Earth Image to the SURPAC General CAD

Creating an Image Bounding diagonal Line (Path) and defining an
Image in Google Earth
In Google Earth, ensure that the Toolbar and Sidebar (found in the
Layers Panel) are displayed. Move the Google Earth display to show
the required area at the required scale.
Click the Google Earth Tools menu heading and select Options.
Select the 3D View tag and then set the Elevation Exaggeration to
0.01. (This is important. If Google Earth is viewed using Elevations,
images become distorted due to terrain height variations.)
Use the Navigation Control (displayed at the top right corner of the
Google Earth display) to set the orientation to True North (click the N
symbol at the top of the Navigation Control). (This is also important. If
Google Earth is not viewed in True North orientation, the image will be
distorted when sent to SURPAC.)
Tips
In order to be able to select the full image displayed, click on the
Google Earth View menu and ensure that the Status Bar is not
displayed.
To maximise the image area, click on the Google Earth View menu
and ensure that the Sidebar is not displayed.
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With the Google Earth image oriented to True North and the Elevation
Exaggeration to 0.01, create a Path (as described above) consisting of
a single line, by carefully clicking on the top left and then the bottom right
corners of the Google Earth display area.
Save this Path as a KML file (as described above), normally into the
C:\Surpac_GE folder.
NB : After creating and saving this Path, it is important that the Google
Earth display is not changed in any way until the current image has
been saved.
Click on Google Earths File menu heading, then select the Save menu
item and then the Save Image sub-menu item. In the Save As dialogue
box, enter an appropriate file Name. The file type is automatically set to
the Jpeg format. Save the file in the same folder as the associated
Polygon (normally the C:\Surpac_GE folder).
NB : The Google Earth Pro application is able to create image files at a
higher resolution than the standard Google Earth. However, the
Pro version is not free and costs about US$400.
Importing the Google Earth Image to a SURPAC General CAD Sheet
In the SURPAC General CAD programme ensure that the sheet size
and scale are correct for the Image to be imported. Then import the
Image bounding diagonal line via the Path KML file created above
(which defines the Image size and position - see above) by using the
Import Lines from Google Earth KML File menu item.
On the CAD Sheet, locate the cursor at the approximate centre of the
Polygon, then click the Mouse RHB. Click the Image menu heading and
then select the Add (Import) a Sheet Image menu item. On the Image
Selection form, set the required path and then click on the required
Image file. On the right hand side of the form deselect the Maintain the
Image Width and Height Ratio option and select the Apply Meridian
Convergence to Image option.
NB : This last setting is important as it is necessary for SURPAC to apply
a small rotation to the incoming Image to compensate for Meridian
Convergence. This due to the Google Earth Image being oriented
to True North and the SURPAC Image being oriented to the Grid
North (i.e. the True North at the central meridian).
The Sheet will then be automatically re-oriented by the amount of the
Meridian Convergence. On the SURPAC General CAD Sheet, move the
cursor to the top left terminal of the imported Path (or Line) and then click
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the Mouse LHB. Now move the cursor to the bottom right terminal of the
imported Path and then click the Mouse RHB.
SURPAC will now apply a swing to the Image to correct for the Meridian
Convergence, as described above. The Sheet will again re-orientate
back to 0 and display the adjusted imported Image.
NB : The Image may not fit exactly onto the Path terminals, due to the
former having been swung to compensate for the Meridian
Convergence
Adjusting the Imported Sheet Image

Setting the Image to the Background If the Image lies on top of
existing Line and Text items then set the Image as the background, i.e.
the Lines, Text, Points etc. will be displayed on top of the Image. To do
this, right Click on the Image, click the Image menu heading and then
select the menu item Send Images to the Back.
Shifting the Image - The imported Image may need to be shifted in the
Y and/or X directions to get a good fit with any existing Sheet data. If this
is required, right Click on the Image, click the Image menu heading and
then select the Shift a Sheet Image menu option. On the displayed form,
enter the Y and/or X movement required for the Image. This option can
be repeated to ensure a good fit.
Adjusting the Image Brightness and/or Contrast Images required
for background information may need their brightness and/or contrast
adjusted to avoid the Images interfering with the display of Lines and
Text. To do this, right Click on the Image, click the Image menu heading
and then select either of the Adjust Image Brightness or the Adjust
Image Contrast menu options. On the displayed form, use the slide bars
to set the required brightness and contrast values.
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SURPAC Google Earth Elevation Functions

These SURPAC Google Earth functions make use of the importation of
height data interpolated via the Google Earth Elevation API. This function
allows for the interpolation of heights of locations anywhere on the Google
Earth DTM.
Summary
Based on tests carried out on data samples in areas in South Africa, it would
appear that the interpolated Google Earth heights are, in general, accurate to
about 3 - 4 metres. This figure can be improved to below the 2m level,
however, by carrying out a comparison between surveyed ground heights and
Google Earth derived heights for selected points in an area, and then
adjusting the interpolated Google Earth heights for the mean area height
difference. These results must be seen as estimates and might not be
applicable in your area. This can best be tested by using ground control
points for comparison. Nearby standard Trigonometrical Beacons can also be
used for ground control (bear in mind that the Beacon height is the top of the
pillar, which is usually 1.4m above ground level).
Applications
Generating Contour and DTM files via downloaded Google Earth data
provides rapid and useful data that have various small scale applications.
When displayed in conjunction with an imported Google Earth image, these
become even more useful. The generated Contour and DTM files can also be
exported as KML files for client viewing directly on Google Earth itself.
Examples of useful applications are for : Township planning approval
Sub-divisional planning approval
Preliminary water/gas/fuel pipe alignment over long distances
Preliminary road/rail alignment over long distances
Cross section data for preliminary mass haul calculations
Preliminary dam site investigations (water volume versus wall height
etc.)
1. Co-ordinate File Editing Programme

1.1 Import Points from a KML file This existing function has been
extended so as to allow the import of multiple Points contained in a
KML file, and not just a single Point as was the case previously.
1.2 Importing interpolated Google Earth DTM Heights This function
allows you to import interpolated heights from Google Earth for any,
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or all Points existing in the current Co-ordinate file. You may define
the entire file, or mark (highlight) selected points in the file. Heights
will only be imported for points whose current heights do not exist.
Existing heights will not be overwritten.
Using this Option :
If you want to restrict the import of heights to selected Points, then first
highlight these Points in the Co-ordinate file listing. You can highlight
Points by :I. Highlight a block of Points by clicking on the first Point and
then dragging the mouse cursor to the last required Point, or
II. Highlight a block of Points by clicking on the first Point and
then, holding down the [Shift] keyboard key, click on last
required Point.
III. Highlight selected Points by clicking on the first Point then,
holding down the keyboard [Ctrl] key, click on any other Points
required.
Then, in the Actions Menu, click on the [File Options] menu item to
display the File Options form. The Google Earth options are at the
bottom of this list of options. Click on Import interpolated Google
Earth Heights and then click on the [OK] button. If you have
highlighted a set of Points, you will be prompted if you want to restrict
the height importation to these Points. Reply as appropriate.
Heights for the selected Points, or for the entire file will now be
imported via interpolation from the Google Earth DTM and displayed
on the Co-ordinate file listing. These height importations are relatively
slow and are imported at a rate of approximately 50-80 Point heights
per minute, depending on your internet connection. speed. The
maximum Point heights that may be imported are restricted by
Google Earth to 2,500 per 24 hour period.
1.3 Compare Existing heights with interpolated Google Earth Heights
This function allows you to compare existing Co-ordinate file heights
with interpolated heights from the Google Earth DTM. You can define
the entire file, or mark selected points in the file. This function is useful
when needing to evaluate the accuracy of imported Google Earth
Heights against surveyed values.
Using this Option :
If you want to restrict the comparison of Google Earth heights to
selected Points, then first highlight these Points in the Co-ordinate file
listing as explained above. Then, in the Actions Menu, click on the
[File Options] menu item to display the File Options form. Click on
Compare File and Google Earth Heights and then click on the [OK]
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button. If you have highlighted a set of Points, you will be prompted if
you want to restrict the height importation to these Points. Reply as
appropriate.
A form will be displayed in which the selected Points, their co-ordinates,

description, surveyed heights and interpolated Google Earth heights will
be shown. These height comparisons are imported at a rate of
approximately 350-500 Point heights per minute, depending on your
internet connection. Statistical data relating to the comparison of heights
are shown at the bottom of the form.
There is also an option whereby you can compare Google Earth heights
for a single, User selected Point, i.e. :In the Co-ordinate File display, right click on the Point whose height
you want to compare. On the pop up menu that will now be
displayed, select the menu item Compare Height with Google Earth.
A form will then be displayed showing the Point selected, its coordinates and height, the Google Earth height and the difference.
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Moving the cursor away from this form will cause it to be removed.
2. Tacheometric File Editing Programme

The main and most important function regarding the importation of
Google Earth DTM data is the generation of Tacheometric files, using
data solely imported via Google Earth interpolation, as explained below.
2.1 Import Points with interpolated Google Earth DTM Heights This
routine allows you to import Point co-ordinates, along with their
interpolated heights, from the Google Earth DTM. Points are
imported over a User defined quadrilateral figure covering the
required area, plus a User defined Grid interval.
Using this Option :
In the Actions Menu, click on the [Import GE Data] menu item. The
form below will be displayed, allowing you to enter the four points
used to define the required quadrilateral. The named Points should
exist in the current Coordinate file, otherwise their co-ordinates must
be entered manually.
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To ensure that the quadrilateral covers the correct area, these 4
Points are best determined by using Google Earth to create
Placemarks at the appropriate positions. The quadrilateral does not
have to be square, nor does it need to be oriented NS or EW. Any four
Points that enclose the required area are sufficient. One restriction is
that, when entering the 4 Points into the above form, they must be
entered in a clockwise sequence, normally starting at the Point that is
approximately the NW corner.
SURPAC will then proceed to calculate Tacheometric file points along
the perimeter lines of the quadrilateral, as well as on all Grid
intersections lying within the quadrilateral, using the defined Grid
interval. Once all points are calculated, their heights are interpolated
from Google Earth and all point data are added to the file. These
Tacheometric points are imported at a rate of approximately 350-500
Points per minute, depending on your internet connection.
SURPAC Contour CAD, with imported Google Earth data on a 50m Grid
This generated Tacheometric file can then be used in the SURPAC
Contouring CAD programme to construct and edit contour lines
(using the Triangulation method) over the quadrilateral area, in the
usual way.
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The two preceding images and the following one show the stages of
generating a contour display from imported Google Earth points, i.e.
defining an area, importing the data, creating the Contours and then
displaying these contours on Google Earth via a KML file.
SURPAC generated 5m Contours of Hartebeespoort dam wall area using

Google Earth DTM heights
2.2 Compare Existing heights with interpolated Google Earth Heights
This function allows you to compare existing Tacheometric file heights
with interpolated heights from the Google Earth DTM. .
This function is useful when needing to evaluate the accuracy of
imported Google Earth Heights against surveyed values.
Using this Option :
In the Actions Menu, click on the [Compare GE Hts]. A form will be
displayed in which the file Points, their co-ordinates, description
surveyed heights and interpolated Google Earth heights will be
shown. These height importations are imported at a rate of
internet connection. Statistical data relating to the comparison of
heights are shown at the bottom of the form.
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3. Contour Generating CAD Programme

3.1 Compare existing heights with interpolated Google Earth Heights
This function is the same as that described Tacheometric File
Editing Programme, above.
Using this Option :
3.1.1 Comparing a Single Point
Right click on the Spot Height that is to be compared and then, from
the Spot Heights menu heading, select Compare Spot Height with
Google Earth Height (for a single Point). A form will then be
displayed showing the Point selected, its co-ordinates and height,
the Google Earth height and the difference. Moving the cursor away
from this form will cause it to be removed.
3.1.2 Comparing the entire file

Click on the Spot Heights menu heading and select Compare
Entire File with Google Earth Heights. A form will be displayed in
which the Tacheometric file Points, their co-ordinates, description,
surveyed heights and interpolated Google Earth heights will be
shown. These height comparisons are imported at a rate of
internet connection. Statistical data relating to the comparison of
heights are shown at the bottom of the form.
3.2 View 3D Contours & DTM on Google Earth
Once all the contours have been generated and edited, using the
Surface Triangulation method, you can view the contours alone, or
the contours and the solid 3D model created from the surface
triangulation in situ on the Google Earth surface.
Using this Option :
Click on the File main menu heading and then select View Contours
& DTM on Google Earth menu option.
On the displayed form, first read the help information by clicking on
the [?] icons, to see the implications and use of the available options,
especially with regard to the two Surface Options. These options
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allow for the display to be clamped to the Google Earth surface, or
to have it shown as a free standing 3D model. The former method
would be used for Contours that represent the natural earth surface
and the latter for both Contours and DTMs of manmade features such
as stockpiles, dumps and earthworks.
NB : Google Earth will not display any imported KML data that lie
below its own surface. Trying to display an excavation, for
example, is not possible if the excavation Contours and DTM lie
below the natural surface.
Options for displaying Contours and/or DTMs on Google Earth
Page 30
SURPAC 3D Triangulation Model and Contours displayed in situ on

Google Earth
SURPAC 3DTriangulation Model and Contours of a slimes dam survey
Page 31

In the first example on the previous page, the Show Display in 3D over the
Google Earth Surface was used. This mode is necessary for physical
manmade features, such as dumps or stockpiles, that overlay the pre-existing
natural surface.
Summary on displaying 3D Models on Google Earth
In Google Earth it is possible to view imported and superimposed KML
data from various view ports. This can be done dynamically using the
Mouse, as follows : Panning Hold down the Mouse Left Hand button and move the
cursor in the desired direction.
Scaling Scroll the mouse scroll wheel forwards or backwards.
3D Object Viewing Move the cursor to the centre of the object,
then hold down the Mouse Middle button. Moving the cursor
forwards or backwards will change the Tilt (vertical) view point.
Moving the cursor left or right will change the Orientation
(horizontal) view point. The amount of vertical height exaggeration
can be set in Google Earth by clicking on the Tools menu and
selecting the Options menu item.
The following image of Table Mountain shows superimposed 20m

contours, generated in SURPAC from data imported from the Google
Earth DTM. The KML display uses the Clamp to Google Earth
Surface option. As this covers a large area and a large number of
points (a 50m grid was used), the data had to be imported in two
sessions.
Google Earth will only allow the downloading of 2,500 locations per
user per day. As SURPAC collects data at a rate of 4 points per
location, this maximum daily limit is increased to 10,000 points.
For areas that require more than this limit, separate the area into two
or more sections and download the data on consecutive days (or just
use a different e-mail addresses if you have them!)
Page 32
SURPAC 20m Contours of Table Mountain using imported Google Earth

DTM heights
4. Longitudinal Sectioning Programme

This function allows for the generation of Longitudinal Sections by the
direct importation of interpolated Google Earth DTM Heights.
Using this Option :
Click on the [Set File Type] menu item in the Actions Bar menu. On
the displayed form, select the Section Plotting Using a LONGSECTION File only option and Click the [OK] button.
Click on the [Select a File] menu item in the Actions Bar menu. From
the displayed form, enter the new File Name and Click on the [Open]
button.
Once the Long Section Creation/Editing form is displayed, Click
on the [Options] button. From the displayed list, select the Generate
Sections from defined Bend Points and Google Earth Heights
option and then Click the [OK] button.
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Page 34

A form will then be displayed that allows you to enter the Bend Points
that define the Required Long. Section. These Points must exist in
the current Co-ordinate File.
NB : An easy way to import a series of Bend Points is to define a
Path in Google Earth that follows the required route. This Path
can then be imported into the SURPAC General CAD
programme. After this, use the option that Converts Line
terminals into Points.
The [Y, X] values of these Points will then be stored in the Coordinate File. Finally, use the Co-ordinate Files Import
interpolated Google Earth Heights option to height these
Bend Points.
Once all Bend Points have been entered, select the required
Interpolation Interval for the section and then Click the [Proceed]
button.
Page 35
A SURPAC Long Section through Lions Head, Table Mountain and

Devils Peak, using a Path and Heights imported from Google Earth
Page 36
Creating KML Placemarks & Polygons with linked Images/Files

SURPAC is able to create Google Earth KML files for both Placemarks and
Polygons that have attached Images or, Files, or both. When the Placemark
or Polygon is displayed on Google Earth, clicking on its icon will display
locality information, hypertext Links to files and the Images included for the
Placemark, or Polygon.
The Image Placemarks (this wording is used to differentiate form standard
Placemarks) are created via the Co-ordinate File Editing programme, and
the Image Polygons (again to differentiate from standard Polygons) are
created via the General CAD programme. Both programmes are found under
the SURPAC General main menu heading.
Image Placemarks can be useful for : Defining the Points position on the earths surface.
Using an image or a sketch plan to clearly show the physical location
of a Beacon, Reference Mark, Trig. Beacon or Town Survey Mark.
Using an image to display a surveyed point of interest, such as a
monument, grave stone, sewer or geographical feature.
Using a Link file to describe an important surveyed feature or point of
interest.
Image Polygons can be useful for : Defining the position, shape and size of the Polygon on the earths
surface.
Showing images of site itself from various viewing positions.
Showing images of important geographical features on the site.
Showing images of existing infrastructure or development on the site.
Using Link files defining the Polygon/site dimensions and legal
documents pertaining to the site, such as a Diagram or Deed of
Transfer etc.
Although the KML files for both Image Placemarks and Image Polygons are
created individually, all such files in a folder can be combined into a single
KML file. Sending the information to a third party, then requires just sending
the sub-folder (see below) created by SURPAC, as this sub-folder will contain
all the necessary KML files (including the combined KML file), as well as the
image and link files used in each of the KML files.
Page 37
Creating KML Image Placemarks in SURPAC

When in the Co-ordinate File Editing programme, right click on the display
line for the Point for which an Image Placemark is to be created. This will
cause the normal pop up menu to be displayed, which now includes the new
menu item Create a Google Earth Image Placemark.
Set up form for a Google Earth Image Placemark or Image Polygon

The above form will be displayed, with its heading showing the folder Path
that will be used to store the Image Placemark/Polygon information and the
Point or Polygon Name.
NB : SURPAC will create a sub-folder under the main SURPAC - Google
Earth folder (called C:\Surpac_GE). This sub-folder is created from
the name of the current Co-ordinate file. All blanks in the file name will
be replaced by underscores. In the above example, the folder used to
store the information is C:\Surpac_GE\8140bgpwg84, and the
Polygon name is 7188.
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Entering Image File, Link file and Headings for an Image

Placemark or Image Polygon
Image Files : The top, left hand drop down box, under the heading Click to
Change Current Image, selects the current Image holder. You are able
to select up to 8 Images for an Image Placemark or Image Polygon. The
File selection box, on the right hand side of the form, will display all
acceptable Images in the current folder path. The folder path can be
changed by selecting the required path, using the Drive and Directory
selection boxes above the file display. The Image type displayed can be
selected using the file Type selection box below the file display.
NB : The only Image file types that may be used are JPEG (*.jpg),
Bitmap (*.bmp) or GIF (*.gif) files.
Clicking on a file Name in the File selection box will display the image in
the image holder at the top centre of the form. To select this file as the
Image for the Current Image, double click on the file Name.
Image File Headings : Each Image used for an Image Placemark or Image
Polygon can have its own Heading. For example, for Image #1, position
the cursor in the input box, directly below the heading Image #1
Heading, enter the heading required for that Image. Repeat this for all
Images that are used.
Image Sizes : You can set the size of each Image included in the Placemark,
or Polygon KML file. Image width values may be selected from 75 pixels
up to 600 pixels. The default value is 300 pixels. These are the sizes of
the Images that will be shown when you click on a Placemark, or Polygon
in Google Earth. The actual size of the Image itself is not changed.
Once in Google Earth, you can right Click on a displayed Image in order
to display it full size.
Placemark or Polygon General Headings : At the bottom left of the form are
input boxes for up to 9 General Headings. These headings may be used
for any descriptive purpose to help describe the purpose, locality etc. of
the Image Placemark or Image Polygon. These headings may be
entered, edited or removed in the usual way.
Placemark or Polygon Link Files : A Link File is a file that the Image
Placemark or Image Polygon can load up and display within Google
Earth via a hyperlink text item.
NB : Link Files have to be Printer Document files (**.pdf) or standard
ASCII files (*.txt).
Page 39

The input boxes directly below the heading Placemark Link Files, or
Polygon Link Files, at the bottom centre of the form allow for the
selection of up to 5 Link Files.
NB : For Image Polygons, SURPAC automatically generates and adds
a text file that contains the Polygon Points system co-ordinates,
geographical co-ordinates, the distances and directions, between
Points and the Polygon Area. This file will automatically be included
in the KML files list of hyperlink Link Files. The file will not be
shown on the above form, but the hyperlink will be visible as a part
of the KML file information in Google Earth.
On clicking on any of the available 5 input boxes for Link Files, The file
selection box, on the right hand side of the form, will display all **.pdf
and **.txt files in the current folder path. The folder path can be changed
by selecting the required path, using the Drive and Directory selection
boxes above the file display. The Link File type displayed can be
selected using the file Type selection box below the file display.
Double Click on a file Name in the File selection box to select this file as
a Link File. The files name will appear in the selected Link File input
box.
[Clear the Current Image] Button : This button will clear the currently
displayed Image. Only use this option if you want the current Image to
remain blank (unused). If you just want to change the existing Image for
another Image, simply re-select a new Image as described above.
[Clear All Shown Information] Button : This button will clear all the currently
displayed Images, Link Files and Headings. Use with caution. A
warning message will be displayed in case you Click this button in error.
[Save above Data to a **.kim Info File] Button : This button allows for the
intermediate saving of the information to a **.kim file. A **.kim file is a
SURPAC file that holds all data for an Image Placemark or Image
Polygon. The **.kim file saved will be in the sub-folder of the
C:\Surpac_GE (as explained above) and will have a name associated
with current Placemark or Polygon. In the above example, the path and
file name will be :C:\Surpac_GE\L5952_(Youngsville_Township)_(Wg_27)\ 13B - KML
Image Placemark.kim
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[Load data from another **.kim Info File] Button : When running this
programme, it will check to see if the current Placemark, or Polygon has an
existing **.kim file. If so, it will automatically load data for this Placemark, or
Polygon. However, it can be useful to load, or Import data from another *.kim
file. For example, if you have a large number of Placemarks to create and all
Placemarks have the same, or similar Headings, then you can import these
Heading and any other common information into a new Placemark, or
Polygon. These data can then be edited as required.
[Create a Combined KML file for all KML files in the folder] Button : After
the completion of all required Image Placemarks, or Image Polygons, the
KML files for these items can be combined into a single KML file. This file will
contain all the KML information for the Image Placemarks, or Image
Polygons, in the current sub-folder.
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This is a convenient way of displaying all Placemarks, or Polygons, on
Google Earth by using a single command, especially if you intend sending
the information to a third party. These files will have the name This is a
convenient way of displaying all Placemarks, or Polygons, on Google Earth
by using a single command, especially if you intend sending the information to
a third party. These files will have the name Combined_Image_PlaceMarks,
or Combined_Image_Polygons.
Sending Placemark or Polygon KML files to a third party

When sending a KML file to a third party, you must include all the Image
Files and Link Files with the KML file. If you have created a Combined
KML file, then safest way to do this is to include all files in the sub-folder.
If you are sending Placemarks you must include the small file called
Camera5.gif in order to get the correct symbol shown on Google
Earth.
Displaying an Image Placemark KML on Google Earth

Once a Placemark has been created, SURPAC will transfer the KML file
Google Earth (assuming that Google Earth has been installed). You
should see the Placemark represented by a camera location (to
differentiate it from a standard Placemark that has no Image
attachments). To display the Placemarks Name, co-ordinates, headings,
Link Files and Image Files, Click on the icon.
To display the contents of a hyperlink Link Files, right Click on the
hyperlink. Google Earth will then switch to its display page and display
the contents of the file. If the file does not display and the loading bar
stays on the form, then just click the refresh button at the top of the
screen.
To display the Images in full size, right Click on the Image. Google Earth
will then switch to its display page and display the Image.
The Google Earth icon used by SURPAC Software for Image Placemarks
and Image Polygons is :- Image Placemarks or Polygons
Page 42
Creating KML Image Polygons in SURPAC

Image polygons are created using the General CAD programme (found
under the General Menu heading).
When in the General CAD programme, move the mouse cursor inside the
figure/stand/polygon for which you want to create an Image Polygon on
Google Earth. Then right Click the mouse. The cursor will move up into the
Menu area. Now Click the Figure menu heading and then, from the drop
down menu, select the option Create a Google Earth Image Polygon. NB :
The keyboard equivalent command is [FG]. With the cursor inside the
required figure/stand/polygon, type in FG
You will now be prompted to enter the Number or Name for the
figure/stand/polygon. The programme will then for search and locate the Lines
that form the figure/stand/polygon. These Lines will be displayed in purple. If
the incorrect Lines are selected, then cancel the routine
The form for selecting Image Files, Headings, Link Files etc. will be
displayed If the incorrect Lines figure/stand/polygon have been selected, then
cancel the routine and retry.
Refer to the above explanations on how to select information for the Image
Polygon KML and how to create a Combined_Image_Polygon KML.
Displaying an Image Polygon KML on Google Earth : Once an Image
Polygon has been created, SURPAC will transfer the KML file Google
Earth (assuming that Google Earth has been installed). You should see
the figure/stand/polygon shown on Google Earth as a half-transparent
cyan polygon. To display the Polygons Name/Number, headings, Link
Files and Image Files, Click anywhere inside this displayed polygon.
NB : The hyperlink Link File called *****_-_Data_File.txt (where ***** is
the given Name/Number for the Image Polygon) will automatically
be included in the list of Link Files. This Link File consists of
System and Geographical co-ordinates for all the polygon points,
plus the polygon area.
To display the contents of a hyperlink Link Files, right Click on the
hyperlink. Google Earth will then switch to its display page and display
the contents of the file. If the file does not display and the loading bar
stays on the form, then just click the refresh button at the top of the
screen.
Page 43

To display an Image in full size, right Click on the Image. Google Earth
will then switch to its display page and display the full size Image.
Page 44
Creating Hatched (filled) Polygons for Exporting to Google Earth

The previous section explains how it is possible to set up a Hatched Image
Polygon in the General CAD programme, used for creating a KML file and
exporting this to Google Earth. This same routine may be used for creating
standard Hatched Polygons (without any image or document attachments)
as follows :In the SURPAC General CAD programme, Click the Hatch/Flood menu
heading and then select the menu items to set the required Hatch Colour
and Hatch Type and then Hatch the selected Polygon.
From the File menu heading, select the item Create a KML Google Earth
Image Polygon. Enter the required Name for the Polygon and, when the
Image and Link file option form is displayed, just Click on the [Proceed]
button without entering any link information.
Google Earth display of a Hatched (filled) Polygon from the SURPAC

General CAD programme
Page 45
Locating and Adding the Nearest Bench Marks (RSA only)

Bench Marks in South Africa and their use in SURPAC Software
The office of National Geo-spatial Information (within the Department of
Rural Development and Land Reform) has issued a list of Bench Marks
covering the Republic of South Africa. The Bench Mark heights (Orthometric
heights) were determined using precise levelling and they represent the most
accurate height reference system for relating surveys to the South African
reference geoid.
It is long been common practise for Surveyors to determine a height reference
for a survey by means of Trigonometrical levelling from national Trig beacons.
Whilst, in general, there is nothing wrong with this technique, Surveyors
should be aware that in some areas of the country there are height deviations
between the Trig heights and the Bench Mark heights of up to several
metres.
For Surveyors who want to connect their surveys to the national Bench Mark
system, SURPAC now provides a programme that locates and displays the
nearest Bench Marks to the survey area and allows the loading of User
selected Bench Marks into the current Co-ordinate file.
Currently, this programme is limited to the geographical area of the Republic
of South Africa, and to surveys whose co-ordinate system is defined as
being in the WG (WGS 84 Ellipsoid) System (in South Africa, the
Hartebeesthoek94 Datum").
It is not necessary for the User to define any source file for the location of the
Bench Marks as SURPAC has a built in Source file called
BenchMarksRSA.sbm. This file must exist in the folder in which SURPAC
Software is installed (usually the folder C:\Surpac Software).
The above Source file contains the double precision geographical positions
(Latitude and Longitude) of about 18,000 Bench Marks throughout the
Republic of South Africa, approximately co-ordinated in the
Hartebeesthoek94 Datum" system.
This programme will automatically search and extract the required Bench
Mark information from the above Source file.
Since the Source file Bench Marks are stored in [Lat, Long] format, any
Degree Square boundaries become irrelevant to the programme. Surveys can
be located close to any Degree Square boundary, and the programme will still
generate its own, temporary Degree Square of Points, centered about the
Page 46

Survey, or any defined Point in the Survey. Data may be drawn from different
Degree Squares for any given Survey.
The programme offers User options for both the selection of Bench Marks,
and the display mode used, namely :

The number of located Bench Marks displayed may be set according
to a required maximum number, or a required maximum search
radius,
The display of located Bench Marks may be in order of Distance,
Direction or Point Name or Height Difference (If the Google Earth
DTM height values are displayed).
Any of the located Bench Marks in the displayed list may be tagged as
not required, to prevent them from being added to the Co-ordinate
file, or displayed on Google Earth.
Located Bench Marks in the displayed list will have their Degree
Square values shown.
An output of the displayed list of located Bench Marks may be made to
the Printer, an ASCII file, an Excel file or the Clipboard.
The located Bench Marks in the displayed list, marked as required
(i.e. the selected Bench Marks) may be added to the current Coordinate File.
The list of Bench Marks may also be displayed on Google Earth.
The Google Earth DTM may also be used to import and display the
Google Earth heights of the located Bench Marks. In this case, the
differences between the actual Bench Mark heights and their Google
Earth DTM values will be displayed. These height differences may be used
to adjust (raise or lower) a set of imported grid heights from the Google
Earth DTM, for contouring purposes.
The Bench Mark Y, X co-ordinates are those supplied by the NGI and,
unfortunately, their positions are only approximate, having an accuracy in the
order of only 15 metres. We have requested from the NGI images of the
locality sketches that could then be attached to a KML display of a set of
Bench Marks. This would make the location of the Bench Marks in the field
a lot simpler. As yet, we have had no response to this request from the NGI.
Hopefully, we will be able to add this feature at a later date.
Apart from using the Bench Marks to control the heighting of surveys, such
as control surveys for road, rail or pipe line construction, the Bench Marks
around an area of proposed development can be used to adjust a set of
imported Google Earth DTM grid heights, used for example, for the purpose
of a preliminary contour display/model of a proposed development site. In
general, there is a height shift between Google Earth DTM interpolated
Page 47

heights and the actual ground heights represented by the Bench Marks. A
comparison between the two sets of heights can be used to determine the
local height shift to be applied to the Google Earth DTM values.
When comparing Google Earth DTM heights with the Bench Mark heights, it
is important to bear in mind the following limitations :1.
2.
Due to the approximate positioning of the Bench Marks, avoid points that
lie on steep ground.
Some Bench Marks are studs placed on the plinths of Trig beacons. In
these cases, the heights of the Trig pillars (normally 1,4m) need be taken
into account.
Using the Locate and Add Nearest Bench Marks programme

NB : This programme forms a part of the Conversions Module and this
Module must be an active part of the SURPAC License in order to be
able to access the programme.
The programme is loaded from the Conversions Menu, when selecting the
Locate and Add Nearest Bench Mark Menu Item.
If the current Co-ordinate file is empty, the programme will display a warning
message and abort as the Co-ordinate file must contain at least one Point in
order for this programme to work.
The Co-ordinate file should have appropriate constants set. If no constants
are used, then both the Y an X ordinates must have their full values.
As a starting default, the programme will assume the [Y, X] search position as
being the centre of gravity of all existing Points in the current Co-ordinate file.
The programme will use the further defaults of a Search Radius of 50Km and
the number of Points to display as 10.
The results of this default search will be displayed. You may now change any
of the search parameters required, as mentioned on the previous page
Each displayed Bench Mark will initially have a green tick displayed next to
it. This implies that the Bench Mark is a required Bench Mark and which
would be added to the current Co-ordinate file when the [Store and Exit]
Button is clicked.
If any Bench Mark is not required, then click on that Bench Marks green
tick. The symbol will be changed to a red cross, and the Bench Marks coordinate display will be changed to an italic font. This Bench Mark will now be
flagged as not required, and will not be added to the current Co-ordinate file.
Clicking a Points red cross will reverse the above process.
Page 48

Click the [Print List] Button to send all those located and selected Bench
Marks to the SURPAC Printing form. From this form display, this list may then
be sent to the current Printer, to a User defined ASCII file, to an Excel file, or
to the Windows Clipboard.
When the [Store and Exit] Button is clicked, all located Bench Marks
displayed in the list, and having the green tick symbol next to them, will be
added to the current Co-ordinate File.
In the form area designated Google Earth options, it is possible to either
import interpolated heights for the Bench Mark positions by interrogating the
Google Earth DTM, or to send the list of selected Bench Marks to Google
Earth for a spatial view of the set of Bench Marks. By clicking on a Bench
Marks symbol on the Google Earth display, the Bench Marks co-ordinate
and height information is displayed, along with the Height Difference (if
applicable) and any information related to the Bench Mark.
If the Google Earth DTM heights are displayed, the programme form will
display the Mean Google Earth Height Shift and its Standard Deviation, for
all selected (ticked) Bench Marks.
The Locate and Add Nearest Bench Marks programme display
Page 49
Display of Bench Marks on Google Earth, showing information for a

selected Bench Mark
The Google Earth icon used by SURPAC Software for Bench Marks is :- Bench Marks
Page 50
Creating Arcs and Circles on a Google Earth display

Drawing Arcs, Circles and Dashed/Dotted Lines on Google Earth
The KML language used to generate KML files on Google Earth only
provides for limited line drawing options. Available options are line width and
line colour and apply to straight lines only.
However, SURPAC provides routines for line styling (dotted lines, dashed
lines etc.) by means of adding extended functions to handle such lines.
Functions also exist in the SURPAC General CAD programme to enable the
plotting of Arcs and Circles on Google Earth via a KML file. Arcs may be
solid, dotted or dashed.
Example of a SURPAC KML file displayed on Google Earth, including

Arcs and Circles
Page 51
Locating and Adding My Nearest Stations Programme

The My Stations files
SURPAC allows you to create and store two My Stations files, one for the
Clarke 1880 (Modified) ellipsoid (e.g. the RSA Lo datum, Arc 1950,
Arc1960, UTM etc.), and the WGS 1984 ellipsoid (e.g. RSA Hartebeeshoek94
datum, UK National GPS Network, New Zealand Geodetic Datum
(NZGD2000), UTM etc.).
These files are called My Stations (Lo) and My Stations (WG)
respectively, and are stored in the same folder as the SURPAC application,
usually the C:\Surpac Software folder.
The purpose of these files is to allow Surveyors to store their own Stations
(or any other required points) in the above files and to have the ability to
locate and import the nearest of these Stations into any Co-ordinate file.
Each Station stored in either of the two My Stations files consists of the
following data :
Name
Latitude
Longitude
Y Co-ordinate (or Easting)
X Co-ordinate (or Northing)
System (e.g. WG 27, Lo 19, Zone 35 etc.)
Height
Aux. Height
Field #1 (as set in the Source file)
Field #2 (as set in the Source file
Description
Source File Path/Name
When displaying the nearest Stations, the following are also shown :
Direction
Distance
Which are determined from the currently chosen Search Centre position.
Since the two My Stations files are stored in [Lat, Long] format, any
Degree Square boundaries become irrelevant to the programme. Surveys can
be located close to any Degree Square boundary, and the programme will still
Page 52

generate its own, temporary Degree Square of Points, centered about the
Survey, or any defined Point in the Survey. Data may be drawn from different
Degree Squares for any given Survey.
The programme offers User options for both the selection of Stations, and
the display mode used, namely :

The number of located Stations displayed may be set according to a
required maximum number, or a required maximum search radius,
The display of located Stations may be in order of Distance,
Direction, Point Name or Source File.
Any of the located Stations in the displayed list may be tagged as not
required, to prevent them from being added to the Co-ordinate file, or
displayed on Google Earth.
An Output of the displayed list of located and selected Stations may be
made to the Printer, an ASCII file, an Excel file or the Clipboard.
The located Stations in the displayed list, marked as required (i.e.
the selected Stations) may be added to the current Co-ordinate File.
The list of Stations may also be displayed on Google Earth.
The Locate and Add My Nearest Stations programme display
Page 53
Adding Stations to the My Stations (Lo) or My Stations (WG) files

Load the Co-ordinate File that contains the required Stations that are to be
added to the My Stations file, making it the current Co-ordinate File.
SURPAC will note the System of the current Co-ordinate File and will open
the appropriate My Stations file (i.e. Lo or WG).
Mark (highlight) a Station, or Stations, that are to be added to the My
Stations file :To Highlight a block of Stations : Use the Click and drag method or the
[Shift] + Click method.
To Highlight Separate Stations : Use the [Ctrl] + Click method.
Once all required Stations have been highlighted, the cursor should be over
either the last Station selected, or over the green tick box near the top right of
the display. In either case Click the mouse Right hand button to display the
Co-ordinate displays pop-up menu.
On this menu, select the Add Station(s) to My Stations (WG) file or Add
Station(s) to My Stations (Lo) file, as the case may be.
If a Station of the same Name and originating from the same Co-ordinate
File already exists in the My Stations file, the programme will prompt you
to either accept the existing Station values, or to overwrite the values.
NB : Stations having duplicate Names can be stored in the My Stations
files, as long as they originate from different Source files.
The term Station is used throughout this discussion, however any
Point, such as a Reference Mark, Outside Figure Point etc. may be
stored in either of the My Station files.
Using the Locate and Add My Nearest Stations programme
NB : This programme forms a part of the Conversions Module and this
Module must be an active part of the SURPAC License in order to be
able to access the programme.
The programme is loaded from the Conversions Menu, when selecting the
Locate and Add My Nearest Stations Menu Item.
Page 54

If the current Co-ordinate File is empty, the programme will display a warning
message and abort as the Co-ordinate File must contain at least one Point in
order for this programme to work.
The Co-ordinate File should have appropriate constants set. If no constants
are used, then both the Y an X ordinates must have their full values.
As a starting default, the programme will assume the [Y, X] search position as
being the centre of gravity of all existing Points in the current Co-ordinate
File. The programme will use the further defaults of a Search Radius of 20Km
and the Number of Points to display as 25.
The results of this default search will be displayed. You may now change any
of the search parameters required, as mentioned on the previous page.
NB : The information line displayed for each Station is too long to be
displayed in total on a standard display page. To view the full Station
information, use the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the data
display.
Each displayed Station will initially have a green tick displayed next to it (at
the right hand side of the display). This implies that the Station is a required
Station which would be added to the current Co-ordinate File when the
[Store and Exit] Button is clicked, or displayed on Google Earth when the
[View List on Google Earth] Button is clicked.
If any Station is not required, then either click on that Stations green tick,
or Double Click on any one of the displayed Station data items. The symbol
will be changed to a red cross, and the Bench Marks co-ordinate display
will be changed to a grey italic font. This Station will now be flagged as not
required, and will not be added to the current Co-ordinate File, or displayed
on Google Earth. Clicking a Points red cross, or Double Clicking on any
one of the displayed Station data items will reverse the above process.
NB : The [Select All] and [De-Select All] Buttons can be used to designate
all Stations as Selected (Required), or De-Selected (Not Required),
respectively.
A Station may be Deleted from the My Stations file by highlighting the
required Station line (by Clicking on it) and then Clicking the [Delete Point]
Button. Once a Station has been Deleted, it can only be replaced by Adding
it from the appropriate Co-ordinate File, as described above.
Click the [Print List] Button to send all those located and selected Stations
to the SURPAC printing form. From this form, this list may then be sent to the
Page 55

current Printer, to a User defined ASCII file, to an Excel file, or to the
Windows Clipboard.
NB : Due to the width of the information data lines for the Stations, it is best
to send the display to an Excel, where the full display information data is
included
When the [Store and Exit] Button is clicked, all located Stations displayed in
the list, and having the green tick symbol next to them, will be added to the
current Co-ordinate File.
As long as Google Earth is installed on the computer, the selected list of
Stations may be sent to Google Earth (via a KML file) to provide a spatial
view of the set of Stations. This is only applicable if the current Co-ordinate
File uses a System based on the WGS 1984 ellipsoid
By clicking on the [View List on Google Earth] Button (if active) all the
selected (required) Stations will be displayed on Google Earth. Clicking on
any of these displayed Stations in Google Earth will display the Stations
system, co-ordinate and height information, Latitude, Longitude and point
description.
The SURPAC Google Earth Icon set

The full set of Google Earth icons used by SURPAC Software is :- Trigonometrical Beacons
- Town Survey Marks
- Bench Marks
- Survey Beacons/Points
- Image Placemarks or Polygons
- My Stations
Please note that the hot Spot that identifies the position of the item is the
bottom centre of the icon.
Page 56
Display of Stations on Google Earth, showing information for a selected

Station
Page 57

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SURPAC Surveying Software

Users Manual - Book #3

SURPAC Surveying Software : Copyright Keith W. Young 1982 - 2014

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

SURPAC Surveying Software

Viewing SURPAC CAD Lines and Points on Google Earth . Page 11

Hints when using SURPAC CAD & Google Earth interfacing.

Import a Google Earth Placemark into a Co-ordinate File .

Creating a Placemark in Google Earth.... Page 18

Importing a Path or Polygon into the General CAD .. Page 20

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

SURPAC - Google Earth Functions

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

SURPAC - Google Earth Functions

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or

+27 (0)72 999 2700

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

SURPAC Google Earth Linear and Graphic Functions

Displaying the locations of Trig. Beacons and/or Town Survey

Displaying Beacons and Stations from a previous survey on

Displaying User selected Points in a Co-ordinate file on Google

Displaying User selected Precise Level Bench Marks (RSA only)

Displaying Points and/or Lines from a survey plan, or sheet, to view

Displaying a survey Plan, or Sheet as an overlay on Google Earth.

Displaying SURPAC 3D Contours and DTMs on Google Earth.

Displaying General CAD Polygons on Google Earth. Displaying

Importing a Placemark created in Google Earth into SURPAC.

Importing a Line, Path or Polygon created in Google Earth into the

Importing a Google Earth Image into the SURPAC General CAD.

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

Comparing Google Earth DTM interpolated Heights with existing

Importing and Adding Google Earth DTM interpolated Heights for a

Comparing Google Earth DTM interpolated Heights with existing

Requirements for SURPAC interfacing with Google Earth

Setting Google Earth Display for SURPAC Data and Overlays

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

3. An overlay of a plan, or sheet, may also be viewed whereby the

Users can set the Lines/Arcs/Circles to be sent using their CAD

If Lines/Arcs/Circles are to be sent using a Single Colour, then

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

The Locate and Add Nearest Trig/TSM Beacons Programme

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

The Search Centre position may be User selected,

The located Points may be either Trig. Beacons, TSMs, or both,

The number of locate Points displayed may be set according to a

The display of located Points may be in order of Distance,

An output of the displayed list of located Points may be made to the

The located Points in the displayed list, marked as required (i.e.

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

The located Points in the displayed list, marked as required (i.e.

Running the Programme

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

The number of located Points to display,

The maximum search radius,

The type of Points to locate and display (Trig. Beacons, TSMs,

The display order of located Points (by Distance, Direction or

SURPAC Software Users Manual Book #3

By clicking on a Trig Beacon/TSM symbol on the Google Earth display,