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Stakeout with total station

The information contained in this chapter covers the standard first steps for using the software. For detailed descriptions of all features, advanced workflows, configuration options, and reference information, refer to the complete User Manual. The full manual provides comprehensive documentation for all functions and capabilities available in the software.

  • This page explains the basic steps on how stakeout using a total station.

To visualize in CAD the measured points and lines, a GNSS localization has to be defined. If a localization is not defined, when the first point is measured, X-PAD asks to create a single point localization based on measured point.

  • The stakeout functionalities are listed in the Stakeout page. The software offers different stakeout functions, from stakeout single points, to stakeout polylines and complex elements.

    image-20260722-131255.png

  • The stakeout interface is consistent across all stakeout functions, providing a similar workflow regardless of the selected stakeout method.

    • Points: stakes out individual topographic points by selecting them from a point list, choosing a point graphically, or entering its coordinates manually.

    • Distance: stakes out a point at a specified distance from a reference point.

    • Objects: stakes out graphical entities such as polylines, arcs, and other drawing elements.

    • Chainage & offset: stakes out a position along a polyline, arc, or drawing element by specifying a chainage and offset value.

    • Sideslopes: stakes out a side slope from a selected polyline, arc, or drawing element using a specified slope value.

    • Sideslopes automatic: automatically stakes out excavation or embankment side slopes.

    • Angle: stakes out a direction based on a specified angle from a reference direction.

    • Pipes: assists in pipe installation by providing guidance based on the specified alignment direction and pipe slope.

    • Surfaces: stakes out a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) surface.

Stakeout procedure

  • Depending on the stakeout method, enter the required parameters.

  • For example when selecting Points enter how to select the point to stakeout

    image-20260722-130250.png

  • Or when selecting Objects select the reference element to stakeout.

    image-20261012-094801.png

  • It is also possible to stakeout an entity from CAD. In this case select the element and press Stakeout button.

    image-20261012-094907.png

  • And select the Stakeout mode.

    image-20261012-094929.png

  • After the point to stakeout has been defined, the GNSS Point stakeout page is opened.

Stakeout interface

  • Whether staking out a point, an element or a position by offset, the software provides indications to reach the position to stakeout using a common scheme.

    image-20260715-144713.png

    1. Angles: the current instrument angles and measured slope distance.

    2. Station: the current station name and height of the instrument.

    3. Status of locking of the prism (robotic station): shows the status of the locking of the prism when working with a robotic total station. Press to open the Robotic total station control panel. If the total station is not robotic press to access the Mechanical total station control panel that allows managing the parameters for the functioning of the mechanic total station.

      1. image-20250714-153339.png Prism is unlocked. Tap to search and lock the prism.

      2. image-20250714-153358.png Prism is locked. Tap to unlock the prism.

      3. image-20260518-100250.png Automatic aiming of prism is activated.

    4. Elevation of the target: elevation of the target. Click to modify the elevation.

    5. Current target: The type of current target. Click on the panel to Set the target type.

    6. Graphic area: graphic view with visualization of the current position and of the position to reach. Blue: all parameters of operation satisfy the preset level of accuracy. Red: the accuracy parameters are not met. The blue line indicates the direction to the point to stakeout. See CAD view in survey and stakeout functions.

    7. Stakeout direction: graphical visualization of the direction to the point to stakeout from the latest measured position.

    8. Info: press to open the information of the point to stakeout and enter a code.

    9. Change ID: press to change point ID to stakeout.

    10. Point ID: ID of the point to stakeout.

    11. Compass: the compass visualizes the direction to stakeout the position.

    12. Numeric indications to reach position: indications to reach the point to stakeout. First value refers to distance forward or backward. Second value refers to distance right or left. Third value specifies the elevation difference. It is possible to change the reference.

    13. Audio indications: the software guides by vocal information allowing, most of all when you are far from the point, to arrive near the point without having to look always on the controller. A tone tells when the desired position is reached considering the defined tolerance limits. Click to turn off/on the audio indications.

    14. Stakeout reference: changes the Stakeout reference for TPS.

    15. View mode: changes the Stakeout view mode for TPS.

    16. EDM mode: the current EDM mode.

    17. Electronic level status: the instrument electronic level status. Press to open the Electronic level page.

      1. Green image-20260515-141114.png : compensator is enabled and instrument is leveled.

      2. Red image-20260515-141257.png : compensator is enabled and instrument is not leveled.

      3. Grey image-20260515-141220.png : compensator is disabled.

Stakeout points with robotic total station

  • If Turn to stakeout point in TPS Settings is activated, the instrument automatically rotate to the point to stakeout.

    image-20260715-145208.png

  • Change the EDM mode to work in Tracking mode.

    image-20260716-085715.png

  • Using the compass you can adjust the horizontal angle to be aligned with the point to stakeout.

  • Press Measure to measure the distance and start to obtain indications on the stakeout direction.

    image-20260716-085801.png

  • The left panel shows the indications to the coordinate to stakeout referred to the selected Stakeout reference for TPS.

  • Press the corresponding icon to change the reference.

    image-20260723-124453.png

  • Available stakeout references are:

    • Target: if Remote control is activated, the direction to the point to stakeout is looking the total station from the pole. If Remote control is deactivated, the point of view is from total station looking at the pole.

    • Total station: available if Remote control is deactivated. The direction to the point to stakeout is looking the target from total station point of view.

    • North: the direction to the point to stakeout is the north. Turn to north to read the distance values correctly.

    • Current direction: the direction to the point to stakeout is defined by the current walking direction when measuring in tracking mode.

    • Reference point: allows to select from CAD or from the point list a point to be used as reference point for stakeout directions. Turn to reference to read the distance values correctly.

    • Previous: allows to use the latest stakeout point for stakeout directions. Turn to previous stakeout point to read the distance values correctly.

    • Reference line: allows to select from CAD a line to be used as reference point for stakeout directions.

  • Depending on the View mode selected, the interface shows the compass with the direction or the CAD view or both.

  • Press the corresponding icon to change view mode.

    image-20260723-124536.png

  • Approaching the point, the compass view changes to offer a better view to precisely stakeout the point and the CAD view automatically increase the zoom level.

    image-20260716-085834.png

  • If the stakeout distance is within the defined tolerance the compass view is in green.

    image-20260716-090731.png

  • Press Accept to save the reading.

Stakeout procedure with manual total station

  • Follow the indications until the stakeout page is opened.

  • Use the compass indication align with the point to stakeout.

    image-20260716-091242.png

  • Press Measure to measure the distance and start to obtain indications on the stakeout direction.

    image-20260716-091348.png

  • The left panel shows the indications to the coordinate to stakeout referred to the selected Stakeout reference for TPS.

  • Press the corresponding icon to change the reference.

    image-20260723-124453.png

  • Available stakeout references are:

    • Target: the point of view is from total station looking at the pole.

    • North: the direction to the point to stakeout is the north. Turn to north to read the distance values correctly.

    • Current direction: the direction to the point to stakeout is defined by the current walking direction when measuring in tracking mode.

    • Reference point: allows to select from CAD or from the point list a point to be used as reference point for stakeout directions. Turn to reference to read the distance values correctly.

    • Previous: allows to use the latest stakeout point for stakeout directions. Turn to previous stakeout point to read the distance values correctly.

    • Reference line: allows to select from CAD a line to be used as reference point for stakeout directions.

  • Depending on the View mode selected, the interface shows the compass with the direction or the CAD view or both.

  • Press the corresponding icon to change view mode.

  • Approaching the point, the compass view changes to offer a better view to precisely stakeout the point and the CAD view automatically increase the zoom level.

    image-20260716-091541.png

  • If the stakeout distance is within the defined tolerance the compass view is in green.

    image-20260716-091619.png

  • Press Measure to save the stakeout measurement.