Traverse Recoverer
A browser-based tool for assigning backsights and foresights to existing coordinate lists, then exporting a ready-to-import .rw5 data collector file.
Overview
Traverse Recoverer takes a list of known survey points (coordinates you already have) and lets you interactively reconstruct the traverse — defining which point was the instrument setup, which was the backsight, and which were foresights at each station. The result is exported as a Carlson/Sokkia-compatible RW5 raw data file.
No measurements are taken in the field. The tool computes angles-right and slope distances mathematically from the coordinates you provide.
Loading Points
Points can be entered in two ways: pasting text directly, or loading a file.
Paste Coordinates
Type or paste your point list into the Coordinates text area on the left panel. Each line is one point. Supported formats:
| Field | Column | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Name | 1 | Required | Any alphanumeric label |
| Northing | 2 | Required | Decimal feet or meters |
| Easting | 3 | Required | Decimal feet or meters |
| Elevation | 4 | Optional | Ignored in current version |
| Description | 5 | Optional | Exported as -- comment in RW5 |
Columns may be separated by commas or tabs. Example:
1,5000.0000,5000.0000,,CP 2,5100.2300,5020.4400,,IP 3,5080.1100,5150.0000 4,5200.0000,5190.7700,,MON
Load from File
Click the 📁 Load Points button in the left panel to browse for a .csv, .txt, or .rw5 file. The file contents are read into the text area. Click Load Points in the action bar to parse them.
Traverse Workflow
After points are loaded, the Mode Indicator (top-left of the map) guides you through three repeating steps for each instrument station.
Undo
The Undo Last button steps backwards through the current station:
- In foresight mode — removes the most recently added foresight. If no foresights remain, backs up to backsight mode.
- In backsight mode — clears the backsight and returns to setup selection.
Undo does not affect completed (closed) stations from previous Next Setup steps. Use Edit Mode to modify those.
Background Image
A georeferenced image (aerial, topo, or plat scan) can be loaded and aligned to the survey coordinate system as a visual reference layer.
Loading an Image
Click 📁 Load Image in the left panel. Supported formats: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .pdf, .tif, .tiff. PDF and TIFF files are rasterized automatically.
Aligning the Image
After loading, the Align Image dialogue appears at the top of the left panel. The process uses two control points:
Click Skip at any time to dismiss the dialogue without aligning. The ✕ Clear Image button removes the image and resets all alignment data. The ⚙ Align Image action bar button re-opens the alignment dialogue at any time.
Edit Mode
Edit mode allows you to modify foresights on completed stations. It becomes available once at least one station has been closed (via Next Setup or End Traverse) with foresights recorded.
Entering Edit Mode
Click the ✎ Edit button in the action bar. The button turns orange. Midpoint handles (small circles) appear on all foresight lines.
Selecting a Foresight
Click either the midpoint handle on a foresight line on the canvas, or click the corresponding entry in the Traverse Log. The selected foresight line turns red, and the Delete and Revise buttons appear.
Delete
Removes the selected foresight from its station entirely.
Revise
Replaces the foresight point. After clicking Revise, click any point on the map that is not the current setup or backsight. The old foresight is removed and the new one added in its place.
Editing Descriptions
While in Edit Mode, clicking any point in the point list or on the map canvas opens the Point Description dialogue, allowing you to add or change the description for that point.
Exiting Edit Mode
Click ✎ Edit again to toggle edit mode off and return to normal view.
Point Descriptions
Descriptions are short text labels attached to individual points. They are displayed in green beneath the point name on the map canvas, shown in the point list panel, and written to the exported RW5 file as a -- comment field.
Descriptions can be included in the original coordinate data (column 5) or added/edited at any time via the Description popup in Edit Mode. Maximum 40 characters.
Export RW5
Once the traverse is ended (or at any point with completed stations), click Export RW5 in the action bar. A prompt asks for a job name; this becomes the JB record and is used as the filename.
The file downloads automatically as <jobname>-MM-DD-YYYY.rw5.
SP Record Logic
The exporter automatically determines which points get SP (stored point) records:
- All setup (OC) points and backsight (BS) points are always written as SP records.
- Foresight-only points are written as SP records unless they do not appear as a setup or backsight anywhere in the traverse.
- This mirrors typical data collector behavior — instrument stations and control points are stored; sideshots are not.
Computed Values
All measurement values in the RW5 are computed from the coordinates:
- Backsight azimuth (BS record) — true bearing from setup to backsight, in DDD.MMSS.
- Angle Right (AR field) — horizontal angle right from backsight direction to foresight, in DDD.MMSS.
- Slope Distance (SD field) — horizontal distance in the coordinate units of the input file.
- Zenith Angle (ZE field) — always written as
90.0000(flat earth / no vertical component).
RW5 Record Reference
The exported file contains the following record types, in order:
-- comment.-- field.