Survey Office feature libraries

You can create your own feature library using the Feature Definition Manager in the Spectra Geospatial Survey Office software and then transfer the file to the System Files folder on the controller.

Feature code names that contain spaces are shown in Origin with a small dot between the words, for example, Fire·Hydrant. These dots do not appear in the office software.

Attributes for feature codes created in the Feature Definition Manager can be edited in Origin, with the following exceptions:

  • Read only attributes are shown but cannot be edited in Origin.

  • Office use only attributes are not shown in Origin.

If you are using an old FXL file, then the control codes supported depend on the FXL file version.

  • Smooth curve control codes need FXL file version 4 or later.
  • Rectangle and circle control codes need FXL file version 5 or later.
  • Horizontal and vertical offset control codes need FXL file version 6 or later.
  • Block control codes need FXL file version 8 or later.

To upgrade older version files select File / Save As in the Feature Definition Manager and select the latest Save As format.

Blocks must be created or edited using the Feature Definition Manager in Survey Office. If required, you can change the feature code and feature code description for a block using Origin.

Block control codes have a Control code action field that controls the behavior of the block:

Control code action Enter this control code to...
Rotation Rotate the block by the specified value about the current point in a clockwise direction.
Scale X Scale the block along the X axis.
Scale Y Scale the block along the Y axis.
Scale Z Scale a 3D block along the Z axis.
From 1 point Specify the construction of a block using the current point as the insertion point.
From 2 points Specify the construction of a block using the current and next point as insertion points.
From 3 points Specify the construction of a block using the current and next two points as insertion points.

Origin supports both point symbols and block symbols, including 1 point, 2 point, and 3 point blocks. To view symbols in the map, tap and select Settings, and then from the Point symbols field select Feature symbols. See Map settings.

The colors defined in the FXL file created using the Feature Definition Manager software may not be identical to the colors used by the Origin software.

Colors can be defined in the Feature Definition Manager as By layer or Custom.

  • When By layer has been defined, Origin uses the color defined in the FXL file. If a layer color is not found then Origin uses black.

  • When Custom has been defined, by default Origin uses the closest color match to the Origin palette.

    Where By layer or Custom has been defined, you can change the default Origin color to a different color but if you do this you cannot change it again.

The Origin software does not fill feature coded polygons.