Topic: Open Source Survey Package?

[MP]

And of the graphical interface?

Forgive me, I've not surveyed in some twenty years. How complicated do "we" imagine the interface(s) might be? iow, someone please name of the typical things a library such as this hopes to address.

[MP]

General statement -- I've seen a lot of ideas get floated for communal effort like this and the number one cause of failure remains the same -- the lack of a document laying all aspects of what the effort actually is. It's like attempting to build a bridge without a set of blueprints. You can't build the bridge no matter the talent of all the workers who are ready to put their muscle into it and all the ideas like 'yeah, gotta be modern truss system' et al.

/evangelism for the day.

[Mark]

I'm trying to think of an instance were I'd like to have a graphical interface but none come to mind. Please explain.

[Chuck Gabriel]

And of the graphical interface?

wxWidgets?

AutoCAD supports Python?

Sorry.  C++ on the brain (there is a C++ port isn't there?).

[Swift]

And of the graphical interface?

wxWidgets?

c++

AutoCAD supports Python?

[JohnK]

I agree with MP; we need documentation. Mark already has the CVS(subversion) up and running, so we can start developing, but we need to get our ideas down on paper first and foremost.

On the topic of Graphical. What were you thinking about using grafix for? ...I was thinking that if we develop in this type of manner:

Task: import a set of ''points'' (comma delimited) into autocad and have those points be marked and labled.
 
1. call app.
2. app asks where file to import is.
3. app does all ''mapping'' of points.

There wouldnt be a need for graphical at all.

[Swift]

There are options on how the points are plotted

• the type of symbol(block) used to represent the points
• is the point to be drawn in 3d
• layer of point symbol     
• plot pt#, description, elevation? number of decimal places to use     
• plot all points of a numeric range     
• plot by point description   
• plot by elevation range[/i]
  [li]plot within radius
• plot by numeric range

[Swift]

Even to support the simplest of adjustment routines (compass rule) you'll need somekind of grid to really have a nice appearance.

Same way with Triangulations there are a lot of options involved before any of the math happens

[Chuck Gabriel]

MP makes a really good point, and I'll go one further.  I think somebody has to take on the role of coordinator, one person who knows what is already done, what needs to be done, and who is working on what.

I nominate Swift.

[Swift]

I've never coordinated any software project development but as we've got fond of saying around here ... "He!! we've built a dam, don't sweat the small stuff"

That being said we need ideals. I think we need to be able to read/write some already existing packages files. I'm familiar with Carlsons stuff and have more time than I care to admit working with SMI up to version 6 (not sure how much it has changed recently).

So just what do we want this thing to do in the first release?

[MP]

So just what do we want this thing to do in the first release?

Assuming one were working from an adequate software blueprint, prove that the first scaled down, throw away prototype works in AutoCAD and IntelliCAD using typical data produced by the more popular total station units etc.

[Dinosaur]

Wow, you'd be surprised by the interest in this thread from all the non logged in lurkers -- 6 as we speak.

Folks like T__ G__ G__ out of __ __.

Hi guys!

<waving.gif>

The RSS feed is giving this thread quite a spotlight far away from the swamp.

[MP]

The RSS feed is giving this thread quite a spotlight far away from the swamp.

True that, but they weren't reading via RSS (they may have initially snagged the post that way).

[Dinosaur]

I just mentioned it in consideration if the thread should be moved at some point.

[MickD]

I know nothing of surveying really but I have vs2002 pro and vc6 if required for any arx development (if required). I'd also be happy to work on any geometry/math lib's if needed. I've also played with ODBC a bit if your import/export data has this interface.
Cheers,
Mick.