Contents Index

ACS File Format

The .acs file is an ASCII file which can be opened, displayed and edited by any common text editor such as Ultraedit or Notepad.
Warning: Do not use Microsoft Word to open or edit a .acs file as it will corrupt the file.

The file consists of a number of sections, each containing a certain data type such as:

The sections can appear in any order

General Data Format

Each line will contain one data object (e.g. one point).
The data parameters for the object are separated by commas and are in the format:
    NAME = VALUE
    (e.g. X=123.456)
A line ending with a \ means that it is continued onto the next line.

Text values are enclosed using double quotation marks.
    Code="PIT"
If the text actually contains a double quotation mark, it is preceded by a backslash.

Data parameters are separted by a comma and can appear in ANY order.

Default Values

Each data object will have default values.
Default values are not written to the ACS file.
When reading an AS file you must assume the default values and then change them as you read the file contents.


[POINTS]
PT=3,X=468.133025,Y=534.735394

Z - there is no default. The point has no height value
Code - there is no default. The point has no code value
..
Type - default is 0 - normal point.
Contourable - default is 1 - the point is contourable
Symbol - default is BYLAYER - it will use the layer symbol
SymbolColour - default is BYLAYER - it will use the layer symbol colour
SymbolSize - default is BYLAYER - it will use the layer symbol size
SymbolAngle - default is BYLAYER - it will use the layer symbol angle
etc.

Parameter Usage

Some parameters are only used by GeoSurvey, some are only used by GeoCadastre.
Most parameters are used by both applications.

GeoSurvey only parameters will be highlighted in Red
GeoCadastre only parameters will be highlighted in Green
Parameters that apply for all Applications are in Black