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Import ASCII File

This option will read points from an ASCII file and will insert the points into the current job. The user can specify the start record and the end record to be read from the input file.

Note: See blottom of page for info on importing Non-ASCII Files

Template File
A template file is specified using the ‘Create Template’ button.

This option allows the template to be saved in a file (.TEM) for future use. To Edit a template, select it in the ‘Read ASCII File’ screen and press the ‘Edit Template’ button and you can edit the template definition. Press ‘Save button to save the file.

Input ASCII File
Enter the name of the raw data file to be read into the job. This file will contain X,Y,Z points data in ASCII format.

Start at Record
When reading the raw data file, you may wish to skip over some data at the front of the file. Enter the line number in the file at which to start reading data. This will allow you to skip headings and other unwanted data.

End At Record
When reading the raw data file, you may wish to ignore some data at the end of the file. Enter the line number in the file at which to STOP READING data.



Dash For Code-Remark
When the Code field is read, it will be checked for the presence of a dash, if found the field will be split into two parts. The part before the dash is placed into the code field, the part after the dash will be placed into the remark field.

Use Code Library
Check this box to enable code translation and string formation.
See Form Strings by Code Library for details

Check Pt Codes
Check this box to force all codes to be checked against the library.
An error message will be displayed for any code found which is not in the library.

Form Strings/Pts - and Point Symbolisation
Check this box to automatically form strings according to the rules in the code library.
It will also check points against the Points symbol library and assign symbols, layer, colour etc to those that match.

This section describes how the Code Processing is done.

Library Code File
Enter the library code filename, usually a .CSV file.
If this is left blank, the XML config file will be used for the Code definitions.

Viewport Filter
When selected, only points within the viewport will be inserted into the job.
This option allows you to read VERY large ASCII data files and only read in the part of the file that is of interest.

Overwrite Existing Points
Tick this box to allow imported points to overwrite existing points with the same number.
If unticked, the clashing imported point will be given a new (currently unused) point number

Insert Layer
You can select the layer for the imported points. Note that this layer will not be used if Point Symbolisation requires a different layer.

Set Insert Point Number
Allows you to set the first point number for the new points, using the Point Settings Menu.

Use Header Names - Point Attributes
Tick to use column header names for the names for attributes
There are three ways to set the Attributes Names:
  1. Tick 'Use Header Names' to uses fields in row 1 as attribute names for each column
  2. Enter the Attribute Name in the Template file
  3. Have data field in the format 'name=value' or 'name:value'
  4. If no name can be found it will set the name to 'Att5' where 5 is the column number

See ASCII Template File format for more details.

Non ASCII Files

The Import ASCII File option can import non-ASCII files.
See UTF Files for more details.