Supported files

Files listed in the Create a Job screen will be downloaded to the controller:

  • Files with an orange link icon will be downloaded to the controller with the project.

  • Files with a green link icon will be downloaded to the controller with the job.

Data files can be attached as job files or project files. When deciding when to attach a data file as a job file or a project file, note that:

  • Project files are available to all jobs in the project. Changes you make to the list of attached project files are applied to the current job and all subsequent jobs created in the project. Adding new files does not affect jobs that have been downloaded to the controller.

  • Job files are attached only to the current job. You can add or remove job files until the job has been downloaded to the controller.

Sync Manager checks that the file names of all files attached to the project or to jobs in the project are unique. If duplicate file names are detected you are prompted to rename the file, share the existing file in the project, or share the new file you are attaching as a project file.

Attached files can be any data files or system files supported by the Origin software.

By default, attached files in file formats supported by the Origin software are always added as linked files. See Linked files.

System files are copied to the System Files folder on the controller.

The location of the folder depends on the controller operating system:

  • On a Windows device: C:\ProgramData\Spectra Geospatial Data\System Files
  • On an Android device: <Device name>\Spectra Geospatial Data\System Files

To view the Spectra Geospatial Data folder from the Origin software, tap and select Job data / File Explorer.

If required, you can also add files to the project that are in file formats not supported by Origin, for example site safety information or other project documents that are Word or PDF files.

The data file types that can be attached to a job or a project are:

File type File extension
Job files .job
JobXML files .jxl
Comma Delimited (CSV) files .csv
Comma Delimited (TXT) files .txt
Digital Terrain Model files .dtm
Triangulated Terrain Model files .ttm
DWG (Drawing) files .dwg
IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) files .ifc
TrimBIM (Trimble BIM files) .trb
DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) .dxf
ESRI Shapefiles .shp
Georeferenced image files* .tif, .bmp, .jpg, .png
Surpac files .str
Trimble road or alignment files .rxl
GENIO road files .crd .inp .mos
LandXML road files or XML Documents .xml

Rotated georeferenced image files are not supported. JPG files must be in 24-bit color; pure grayscale JPG files are not supported. To be shown in the map in Origin, georeferenced image files must have an associated world file with the same name. Supported file extensions for world files include .wld, .tifw, .bpw, .jgw and .pgw. GeoTIFF files do not require a world file. For more information, visit the Origin Help and search for the topic Supported map files.

All system type files are automatically moved to the Spectra Geospatial DataSystem Files folder on the controller. System files are files that can be used by any project or job, such as survey styles, coordinate system files, and feature library files.

System files cannot be accessed if they reside in another folder.

The following files are stored in the System Files folder:

File type File extension
Feature Library files (TBC) .fxl
Survey Style files .sty
Geoid Grid files .ggf
Combined Datum Grid files .cdg
Configuration .cfg
Projection grid files .pjg
Shift grid files .sgf
UK National Grid files .pgf
Broadcast RTCM transformation files .rtd
Antenna files .dat
GNSS Contacts file .xml
Custom ASCII Import file definitions .ixl
XSLT Custom ASCII Export Stylesheet files .xsl
XLST Custom Stakeout Stylesheet files .sss
Measure Codes Database files .mcd
Coordinate System Database files .csd
Web map service configuration file .wms

Web map service (.wms) files are created when a WMS is added in the New web map service screen. They can be copied between projects and controllers.

To add files to the Job files or Project files list in the Create a Job screen, you can:

  • Select the files in File Explorer and drag them onto the appropriate file list in Sync Manager.
  • Click to browse to the location of the files and select them.

To remove attached files, click the Delete icon next to the file name.

Alternatively you can manage attached project files in the Reference or Reporting tabs of the Project properties screen. Coordinate system files such as geoid models or datum grid files are automatically added to the project when you create the job in Survey Office or when you edit the coordinate system settings in Sync Manager.

If a file you have added to the project is incorrect or incomplete (for example, a list of points in a CSV file), you can delete the file from the Reference files tab of the Project properties screen and then add it back. As long as the file has the same file name as the file you deleted, the cloud icon on the controller will indicate there are changes to the job to be downloaded.

By default, attached files are linked to the job or project, which means that data in the files is visible and selectable in the map in Origin. To retain attached files but unlink them from the job or project, click the link icon next to the file name.

By default, DXF files are visible but not selectable. To make data in DXF files selectable, the field user must edit the Map settings in Origin.

Unlinking a file is useful when you want to have data available that is not included in the job, for example control points contained in a CSV file or when you need to attach multiple feature library files to a job or project. Because the Origin software supports using only one feature library file at a time, you can link the file to use as the default feature library but attach other files as unlinked files so that the user can switch to another feature library file when required.