# LandXML files

A LandXML file is an XML file format for civil engineering design and survey measurement data such as points, surfaces, parcels, pipe network data and alignments.

Supported items in LandXML files

LandXML files can contain different XML elements and what they contain will depend on the application that created the LandXML file, the items selected and options chosen at the time of export. Only points, lines, surfaces, and alignments that are contained in elements directly under the primary LandXML element are supported.

The following lists the element types and how they can be used in Trimble Access:

- Alignments only

  Stake as an alignment, using Trimble Access General Survey or Trimble Access Roads.

- Alignments with templates

  Save and then stake as an RXL road, using Trimble Access Roads.

- Parcels and feature lines

  Stake as a polyline, using Trimble Access General Survey or Trimble Access Roads.

- Alignments and feature elements defined as per the Inframodel specification

  Alignments are grouped to form a road surface, you can have multiple roads in a single file. Stake using Trimble Access Roads.

- Alignments and breakline elements in a surface element

  Alignments and breaklines from the surface element are grouped to form a road surface, you can have multiple roads in a single file. Stake using Trimble Access Roads. The Trimble Business Center LandXML exporter creates files using this format, Points, surfaces, parcels and feature lines can also be included in this file export. For more information, see Export LandXML string roads from your office software.

The layers created for LandXML files are based on the following:

- Point items (from <CgPoint> elements) are placed in a layer called Points.

- Line items (from <Parcel> and <PlanFeature> elements) are placed in a layer called Lines.

- Alignment and surface items are placed in layers named according to the alignment and surface names.

A code can be generated for every selectable feature within the file. This is derived from the attributes stored in the file – often, it is the name, code, and attributes of features in the original file. You can review a selectable feature in the map to find the file and layer name.

If there are overlapping surfaces on the map, the interpolated elevation will be that of the first surface returning a non‑null elevation (the surface with the first name alphabetically).

Viewing LandXML files in the map

To display LandXML files in the map, tap in the map toolbar to open the Layer manager and select the Map files tab. Tap the file once to make it visible (), and tap it again to make items in the file selectable (). To add files from a different location to the project folder, tap Add. For more information, see Managing map file layers.

These types of files typically contain layers. To make only some layers visible or selectable, in the Map files tab, tap the arrow next to the file name and then tap each layer once to hide it, or twice to make it visible but not selectable. Tap the layer again to make it visible and selectable.

Triangulated DTMs in a LandXML file can be used as surfaces in Trimble Access. See Digital terrain models (DTMs).

Map settings for LandXML files

The Trimble Access software provides settings for controlling the display of the data in LandXML files. To configure these settings, tap in the map toolbar, select Settings and configure the setting in the Map data controls group.

#### To explode polylines

To explode polylines contained in the file into individual line and arc segments, select the Explode polylines (DXF, Shape, 12da & LandXML) check box. Each segment in an exploded polyline is given a unique name, based on the polyline name and a segment number.

#### To create nodes

To create points at the ends of lines and arcs and at all points LandXML parcels (polylines), select the Create nodes (DXF, Shape, 12da & LandXML) check box. The created points can then be selected for stakeout or Cogo calculations.

#### To display labels

To show or hide names, codes, and elevations for items in LandXML files, tap the appropriate Display check boxes in the Map data controls group.

The software shows these extra labels only when the file is set to selectable in the Layer manager. If the file is only set to visible, the extra labels are not shown. See Managing map file layers.

#### To display station values

Station values are displayed for any LandXML roads that are selected in the map. To show or hide station values, select the Display station values check box. This check box also applies to RXL alignments, RXL roads, LandXML roads, GENIO roads, or 12da files.

Working with LandXML files

From the map, you can select items in LandXML files and then use them in other software functions, for example to perform a Cogo calculation, create a surface, or stakeout.

To select items from the LandXML file, make the items in the file selectable () using the Layer manager and then select them from the map using the map Select tool . To select multiple items, press the Ctrl key and tap them using the Select tool , or use the Rectangle selection or Polygon selection tools.

To rotate the data in the map, tap and then tap the map and drag to rotate the view. The icon in the center of the map indicates the point of orbit.

When you use an item in a LandXML file in a Cogo calculation, during stakeout, or to create a point in the job, Trimble Access copies the attributes of the item from the LandXML file and stores them with the point or polyline in the Trimble Access job.

To review attribute information for items in a LandXML file that have feature types associated with them, select the items in the map and then tap Review. If you selected more than one item, select it from the list and tap Details.

Staking

You can select items in LandXML files and stake them out.

1. Tap in the map toolbar and select the Map files tab. Make sure the layers containing the items to stake are visible and selectable.
2. In the map, tap the item to select it:
   - For a parcel or feature line, stake as a polyline. Tap near the end of the line to select the start of the line. Tap Stakeout or press Enter on the controller to start stakeout.
   - For an alignment, select the alignment in the map and tap Stakeout. The alignment can be staked from Trimble Access General Survey or Roads.
   - Where the alignment has associated:
     - strings that define a road, these can be staked using Trimble Access Roads.
     - cross sections, these can be saved as an RXL road and then staked using Trimble Access Roads.
     - For more information, see Road design files.

You can also stake pipe network data from a LandXML file. Pipe network LandXML files contain pipes and structure (manhole) data. When reviewing a pipe or structure (manhole), the LandXML data can include data such as multiple inverts, pipe length, slope and diameter. When staking a manhole with multiple inverts set the Staked deltas format to Stake manhole inverts to have Trimble Access read the multiple inverts from the LandXML file and provide extra design elevations with their associated vertical offsets and updated cut/fill values on the Confirm staked deltas screen.