SierraSoft Topko 2009

Topko is a software for the management of topographic works which offers sophisticated tools for topographic and cadastral surveys and for tridimensional terrain modelling. Topko offers solution to complicated topographic calculations and provides the restitution of surveys; it is possible to generate profiles and sections, create digital terrain models and perform earthwork calculations.

Acquisition of data from field data recorders

The tool allows acquisition of data from the most widespread total stations and GPS; Topko T possesses both procedures of direct interfacement and procedures for file conversion in the recorder original format of the instruments.

Survey calculation

Topko T processes every kind of survey, also by different methods: calculation of traverses with empiric adjustment and least square adjustment; calculation of free stations by inverse intersection with two or more points; solution of isolated stations and automatic rototranslation on reference points; auto-recognition of new orientation; calculation of points by trilateration and intersection angle-angle. From GPS measures or GPS coordinates (lat-long or geocentric) Topko T calculates plane coordinates by projection on a local system or on a defined coordinate system; the projection can use also national grids. For the calculation of elevations it is possible to use national grids or other geoid models.

Survey drawing

The whole drawing is completely under the user control; texts and symbols can be moved manually or through the table settings. An automatic procedure allows to eliminate the overlapping of texts of close points. Specific commands allow to complete the drawing with elements the topographic instruments have not surveyed completely.

Creation of drawing from codes

The survey drawing can be generated by the survey codes assigned to points; the same codes allow the generation of drawing lines and/or digital model break lines. To any code it is possible to set different parameters to represent the point: symbol, size, layer.

COGO

By COGO commands it is possible to create quickly and with precision new survey points by intersection, offset, tangent points, alignment, projection, slope, etc., thus speeding up the functions of drawing and data insertion.

Transformation of coordinates between systems

Topko T performs every kind of coordinate transformation between different systems: from geodetic coordinates to geodetic coordinates, from plane coordinates to geodetic coordinates and vice versa, from plane coordinates to plane coordinates.

Transformation of coordinates by control points

Transformations of coordinates can be performed by indicating some control points. It is also possible to set the weight, which can also be calculated automatically by the tool.

Subdivisions

Topko T includes functions for both the automatic and manual calculation of subdivisions.

Mathematical modelling and contour lines

The generation of a triangle terrain digital model (DTM) can be obtained manually, semi-automatically, or automatically. Automatic triangulation recognizes inclusion and exclusion lines and break lines in the survey. Contour lines are generated automatically and can be customized by the user.

Volume calculation

It is possible to carry out volume calculation by levelling (with or without adjustment plane), by difference of models and obtain detailed calculation reports. All the methods of volume calculation can be applied either to the whole model or to portions of it; cut/fill lines are calculated and for any point the tool determines the elevation from levelling.

Cross sections

Topko automatically extracts terrain sections from triangles, contour lines, break lines, survey points. Annotation and dimensioning are automatic and customizable. Volume calculation is carried out both through average end area method and equalized area method.

Topographic profiles

Topographic profiles can be inserted from planimetry graphic window as polylines on which cross sections can be positioned either automatically, with a fixed step, or manually. Profile graphic window allows to display the profile from a longitudinal point of view; calculation can be performed from triangle digital model or directly from survey points. However, a table allows to insert and modify profile data: station, terrain elevation, project elevation, description.

Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

Topko is the solution to all situations concerning the management, the visualization, the analysis and, in general, the use of DEM.

Tridimensional planning (Pits and dumps)

Topko M Premium extends Topko M Standard with a tool of commands for the 3D planning of pits, dumps, parking areas, terracing, embanking, ramps, tracks and all what is concerned with the planning of models. By Topko M Premium the traditional method of planning by sections is surpassed, since it is possible to work completely on a planimetric-3D point of view, creating sideslopes, grade lines, terracing, roads, etc. Topko M Premium allows to obtain quickly extremely precise project models as far as the creation of sideslopes and intersections with the existing terrain model. It is possible to create different project models and generate automatically a final model of the project merged with the existing situation. From the models created it is possible to extract cross sections and calculate very precise cut and fill volumes, thanks to the precision of the models designed.

Below the list is reported, of Topko 2009 new main functions.

Topography - Managing a topographic survey

All data concerning the topographic survey have been put together in a single dialog box, grouping all the data tables arranged in a tree structure; by a single click you can gain access to GPS point tables, baselines, measures, chains and offsets, traverse stations, datum points and coordinates. It is possible to filter data according to the station selected, while specific options allow to highlight data by different colours, according to survey code or station name.

Topography - Save settings and calculation options

The procedure performing the calculation of survey data has been made easier and faster, both in the number of steps and of possible options. The system can save all the settings performed during the calculation: the selection of the measures to be used in orientation and in the calculation of coordinates as well as the points to be used in the automatic rototranslation are information now saved and automatically displayed when the following calculation is performed, granting in this way the repetition of the results obtained.

Topography - Use of IGM grids

As far as the calculation of GPS measures, it is possible to set Gauss-Boaga system as coordinate system and use IGM grids to calculate plane coordinates from geographic coordinates; as far as the transformation of elevations is concerned, it is possible to use a IGM grid or other geoid models.

Topography - Table of topographic points on graphic window

From the table of topographic points it is possible to create in the graphic window a drawing table containing data; it is possible to choose the data to report in the table as well as the display order. The table can contain all the table data or only the ones selected.

Topography - Compare topographic points

By this command it is possible to compare, according to their names, topographic points belonging to two survey subprojects. The user can choose the subprojects to be compared and the tool will display the data referred only to the points in common; it is possible to display the coordinates of the points and their differences.

Topography - Rotate topographic point labels

Topographic point labels can have their own direction angle; labels rotation can be set manually, by the corresponding grip in the graphic window, by point properties window or by topographic points table.

Topography - Reduce close points

In order to reduce the number of topographic points contained in a survey subproject a command is available, which will delete, or move to another subproject, the topographic points which are too close to each other. The algorithm will delete automatically all the points below the minimum distance set by the user.

Topography - Information concerning the topographic point inside the commands

This new function consists in displaying a window when the snap to object identifies a topographic point as a snap object; such window reports the data of the topographic point identified by the snap. In this way, when topographic points are overlapped, it is possible to understand whether the point selected is the desired one.

Topography - Coordinate transformation

The transformation of coordinates between different systems has been completely redefined and now allows to transform single points, GPS points or coordinate tables as well as whole drawings from any start system to any destination system. The transformation can use either the usual coordinate systems or IGM grids; the tool identifies automatically the grid to use for any single point to be transformed. Transformation in elevation can be performed by using predefined geoid models as well as the geoid model contained in IGM grids.

COGO - Create points by slopes

New COGO commands allow the creation of 3D topographic points according to the slope to be kept from some points of reference.

Cadastre - Parcel styles

It is possible to define one's own style for the drawing of cadastral parcels; the style allows to choose the kind of information to be displayed in parcels (name, owner, area, perimeter, length of sides), its size and a possible prefix.

Cadastre - Updating proposal

The procedure allowing to draft an updating proposal now allows to reopen the previous updating proposal and continue it or modify it.

3D Modelling - Modelling Utilities

Different utilities have been introduced, allowing to complete survey and project models with such supplementary elements as buildings, guard rails, new-jersey, road signs; other utilities allow to position blocks on the model as well as to extrude and position blocks along lines and polylines.

Sections - Height difference between section polylines

A specific option allows to obtain a colum reporting the height difference between any section lines.

Sections - Title and dimensioning colour in section dimensioning

A specific page allows to set titles and dimensioning colour in sections dimensioning; in this way, it is possible to manage different colours for the single dimensioning rows.

Sections - Create topographic point from sections

A new command is available as staking utility, allowing to create a topographic point by indicating its position in the cross sections graphic window; the X axis, indicated in the section Cartesian system, allows to determine the point planimetric position, while the Y axis represents its elevation.

Topographic profiles

Topko M module includes now the complete management of topographic profiles, allowing to insert a profile from a planimetric point of view and then to insert, either manually or automatically, the sections along the axis defined. It is therefore possible first to calculate the terrain longitudinal profile and then to obtain the final drawing complete with customized dimensioning.

Topko 2009 is available in different configurations. Below a list is reported, of the different configurations and modules available. Click here to display a detailed comparative table of features and functions.

T Standard: Topography and cadastre

Topko T is a software for the management of topographic and cadastral surveys. Field data can be imported directly by topographic instruments (total stations and GPS) and then processed to obtain the coordinates of the points surveyed. Powerful functions are available for data editing, management of survey points and solution of every kind of topographic issue.

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Modulo N: Networks adjustment

Supplementary module of Topko T, completing it with the least squares adjustment of horizontal and vertical networks. The module offers a sophisticated interface of data insertion, a powerful calculation engine as well as an extremely detailed report of calculated data.

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M Standard: Terrain 3D modelling

Topko M Standard is the solution to all situations concerning the management of digital terrain models, volume calculation, levelling, management of profiles and cross sections. Powerful and fast procedures allow to create and manage 3D models, calculate contour lines and extract profiles and sections; different methods of volume calculation from 3D models and cross sections are included. Topko M includes management, visualization and analysis of DEM.

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M Premium: Tridimensional planning (Pits and dumps)

Topko M Premium extends Topko M Standard with a tool of commands for the 3D planning of pits, dumps, parking areas, terracing, embanking, ramps, tracks and all what is concerned with the planning of models. Topko M Premium allows to design interactively, with estreme precision and speed, 3D models from which to extract sections or calculate volumes.

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Modulo H: Hydrography and hydrology

Topko H is a supplementary module of Topko M and it is the ideal solution for the hydrographic and hydrologic analysis of a territory; by this module it is possible to analyse the hydrologic problems concerning territory and simplify the decision making process related to new projects (roads, dams, lakes, artificial lakes, etc.).

Below a list is reported, of the Topko 2009 documentation available. All the documents are PDF documents and can be downloaded.

• Topko 2009 News
  (English/526 KB)
• Depliant Topko 2009 T Standard
  Topography and cadastre (English/918 KB)
• Depliant Topko 2009 Module N
  Networks adjustment (English/669 KB)
• Depliant Topko 2009 M Standard
  Terrain 3D modelling (English/938 KB)
• Depliant Topko 2009 M Premium
  Tridimensional planning (Pits and dumps) (English/1.04 MB)
• Depliant Topko 2009 Module H
  Hydrography and hydrology (English/767 KB)
• Comparative table between Topko 2009 versions
  (English/461 KB)