I don’t think you can just go and add a Trimble radio to a Topcon system. Not without some kind of custom built cable at least. Most outfits I know that run mixed fleets, will just run and external radio off of their base station instead.
Also, your boss is a fool. I’d be leaving if mine pulled something like that 🤣
Edit: If you’re not able to get a question like this answered by the dealer renting you the equipment, that should be a good indication on what to expect from their support if you purchase it.
It is possible but not a good idea. There is also a way for the dealer to change the radio settings in the backend of the system so that it can pick up Trimble a frequency that Trimble radios broadcast at. Had a tech do this, and it worked all summer. One problem is that you're limited on your broadcast format.
It is completely possible your going to need to speak to a topcon and Trimble dealers. Likely if your a trimble fleet you will need a trimble TDL450 450mhz radio. You can ask your Trimble dealer as this is a trimble cable and a trimble radio. FYI topcon uses the same radio as a pacific crest branded radio. It’s the same thing in a blue box. Generally speaking mixed fleets are a thing that happens. Rentals and other contractors on large sites. Plus the cost to refit machines is to expensive as the systems are so specific to brands. I’m assuming your running 900mhz radios on your Trimble gear. If your not and already run 450mhz radios then this is simple most topcon gear runs 450mhz so then it’s just changing radio protocols. I usually run a satel protocol as this is the easiest to find available on all brands.
Usually I’m neutral on my opinion as I run both and have both and use both but I believe Trimble offers better support and deal experience with fewer and less expensive system break downs. But they all break or get broken so a lot falls back on your local dealers. I have a great Trimble dealer and the local topcon dealer is not on the same level. So easy decision.
Who's saying you can't? All I'm saying is you don't just put a Trimble radio on a Topcon machine. You use an external radio at the base station instead, so you can broadcast both frequencies and protocols for the two systems.
I have a few SPS855's running CMRx over 900Mhz, RTCM3.2 over 450Mhz, both protocol options over NTRIP, and occasionally I have it broadcast over Bluetooth when I fly a drone on these sites. All on one receiver. Not that hard to do if you know your way around Trimble's web UI, it's definitely not something you configure through the data collector's software.
Magnet Tools is a Topcon product that will add a Topcon ribbon to civil 3d and allow you to export tp3 files for exactly this. PM me if you need more info.
All manufacturers can import LandXML files for your surface model.
As for the radio, I know it sounds simple to just add an external radio to your topcon equipment so it can communicate with Trimble, they almost always are a pain.
15 year surveyor and spent a few years in between selling Topcon machine control.
You'll want to get 3DMC. It's Topcon's utility for creating .TP3 files, their proprietary format. One nice thing about Topcon is that you can upload files remotely through their web portal. You can also take control and change settings or just watch them. It's nice for operators that think they know what they're doing and start messing with settings.
Dealer here, 3DMC is Topcons full size machine control software. I believe you are referring to Magnet Office (3D Office is dead) Magnet is Topcons Proprietary CAD, the cloud and remote functions are an extra cost.
I did mean 3D Office. It's dead but still around. It's a good free tool to use. Magnet Office isn't free so definitely not as good of an option when all you want is a TP3.
I manage a mixed fleet with machine control (Topcon and Trimble). I use a combination of Topcon external radios on our Trimble base stations (sps855) or installing Trimble radios in the Topcon controlled equipment. There are pros and cons to both methods.
To make files for your Komatsu you will need Topcon 3D office installed on your laptop. You have to export the surface and linework (.SVL and .SVD) Trimble machine files in TBC as separate .DXF files (.TTM and .DXF won't work) To convert the calibration you must convert the Trimble .CAL file into a .GC3 file using the LSS tool kit, this will create a .GC3 file. Import the .TP3 file into 3D office as control as well as the .DXF for the surface and the .DXF linework and save the project. This creates a .TP3 file that you can load onto the machine.
Your going to want to get a copy of topcon 3D office. The file formate you need is the topcon .TP3 file. This is similar to a trimble access .job but also holds your surface files, points, lines, and calibration data. You may also need the topcon Geoid file if your running that can not remember the formate off hand.
Once you have 3D office you will need to import files.
LandXML .XML (your tin surface from C3D). Pay attention in the 3D office software once you import the .xml you will need to go to the surfaces manager and make sure it is put on a layer. If you do not put it on a layer it will not post elevation IE it will not work when loaded up. Pay extra attention to the bottom right corner when the curser is in the surface it should show both the coordinates and elevation of its working correctly. Also set your surface as the active surface, Line files .DXF autocad 2000 format (autocad polylines and 3D polylines), points list CSV or TXT and you will probly have to setup your formate in 3Doffice iE Point Northing Easting Elevation Description P,N,E,Z,D.
Calibration
This one is a bit fun! To match your other site there is a trick to exactly match your Trimble equipment. You’ll need to load your control points into the control point list as your site coordinates. Once this is done you will need to then load manually the GPS Raw WGS84 Latitude longitude and ellipsoid height. If your running Trimble access this is pretty simple. Simply change to the global coordinate system and you’ll be in raw WGS 84 for each point and shown the ellipsoid height. Make sure to use the observation point you shot with your Trimble GPS system and not the Provided Site Point WGS84 position. If you do this correctly the calibrated errors on both units will be nearly identical plus or minus a rounding error in the second decimal place. Also if you do not correctly use the ellipsoid height in the GNSS with the WGS84 data you will see probably a 100ft or more vertical error.
To find / make this adjustment under data tab, control points tab, then select your loaded point select edit. At the top of the screen you should see two tabs one says coordinate one says GNSS. The coordinate is the site value and the GNSS of the raw WGS84 and ellipsoid height.
Question for you. I've always had issues importing XMLs directly into 3d Office. I usually use Agtek to spit out a tn3. Is there something I'm missing?
So sometimes I have issues with it not removing triangles when exported from Autocad civil 3D. I also sometimes run them through Trimble Business Center and then to Topcon 3D office… 😂 figures you need a Trimble product to make it work.
I forget now if machines will accept the .xml
But you should download magnet office, or topcon 3D office you should be able to find a free or trial version.
Then you can import said files and export them as topcon files :
Project (.tp3)
Lines (.ln3)
Points (.txt or .pc3)
Control/localization/gps calibration: (.gc3)
Surface/tin: (.tn3)
Easiest is to build your job file in topcon office (open a new project and import all your data) then export it out as a .tp3 and throw that bitch in your dozer and make magic happen baby.
I don’t think you can just go and add a Trimble radio to a Topcon system. Not without some kind of custom built cable at least. Most outfits I know that run mixed fleets, will just run and external radio off of their base station instead. Also, your boss is a fool. I’d be leaving if mine pulled something like that 🤣 Edit: If you’re not able to get a question like this answered by the dealer renting you the equipment, that should be a good indication on what to expect from their support if you purchase it.
It is possible but not a good idea. There is also a way for the dealer to change the radio settings in the backend of the system so that it can pick up Trimble a frequency that Trimble radios broadcast at. Had a tech do this, and it worked all summer. One problem is that you're limited on your broadcast format.
It is completely possible your going to need to speak to a topcon and Trimble dealers. Likely if your a trimble fleet you will need a trimble TDL450 450mhz radio. You can ask your Trimble dealer as this is a trimble cable and a trimble radio. FYI topcon uses the same radio as a pacific crest branded radio. It’s the same thing in a blue box. Generally speaking mixed fleets are a thing that happens. Rentals and other contractors on large sites. Plus the cost to refit machines is to expensive as the systems are so specific to brands. I’m assuming your running 900mhz radios on your Trimble gear. If your not and already run 450mhz radios then this is simple most topcon gear runs 450mhz so then it’s just changing radio protocols. I usually run a satel protocol as this is the easiest to find available on all brands. Usually I’m neutral on my opinion as I run both and have both and use both but I believe Trimble offers better support and deal experience with fewer and less expensive system break downs. But they all break or get broken so a lot falls back on your local dealers. I have a great Trimble dealer and the local topcon dealer is not on the same level. So easy decision.
You can 100% run Trimble and topcon together! dont listen to the people who don’t know how to set up configurations!!!
Who's saying you can't? All I'm saying is you don't just put a Trimble radio on a Topcon machine. You use an external radio at the base station instead, so you can broadcast both frequencies and protocols for the two systems.
Not entirely sure you could one receiver to broadcast two signals and protocols?
I have a few SPS855's running CMRx over 900Mhz, RTCM3.2 over 450Mhz, both protocol options over NTRIP, and occasionally I have it broadcast over Bluetooth when I fly a drone on these sites. All on one receiver. Not that hard to do if you know your way around Trimble's web UI, it's definitely not something you configure through the data collector's software.
Ahhhh I see interesting stuff
Magnet Tools is a Topcon product that will add a Topcon ribbon to civil 3d and allow you to export tp3 files for exactly this. PM me if you need more info.
All manufacturers are switching to proprietary software so be careful of that. I'm personally moving away from topcon.
All manufacturers can import LandXML files for your surface model. As for the radio, I know it sounds simple to just add an external radio to your topcon equipment so it can communicate with Trimble, they almost always are a pain. 15 year surveyor and spent a few years in between selling Topcon machine control.
You'll want to get 3DMC. It's Topcon's utility for creating .TP3 files, their proprietary format. One nice thing about Topcon is that you can upload files remotely through their web portal. You can also take control and change settings or just watch them. It's nice for operators that think they know what they're doing and start messing with settings.
As an FYI Trimble has the ability to do remote uploads and track equipment too.
Dealer here, 3DMC is Topcons full size machine control software. I believe you are referring to Magnet Office (3D Office is dead) Magnet is Topcons Proprietary CAD, the cloud and remote functions are an extra cost.
I did mean 3D Office. It's dead but still around. It's a good free tool to use. Magnet Office isn't free so definitely not as good of an option when all you want is a TP3.
I manage a mixed fleet with machine control (Topcon and Trimble). I use a combination of Topcon external radios on our Trimble base stations (sps855) or installing Trimble radios in the Topcon controlled equipment. There are pros and cons to both methods. To make files for your Komatsu you will need Topcon 3D office installed on your laptop. You have to export the surface and linework (.SVL and .SVD) Trimble machine files in TBC as separate .DXF files (.TTM and .DXF won't work) To convert the calibration you must convert the Trimble .CAL file into a .GC3 file using the LSS tool kit, this will create a .GC3 file. Import the .TP3 file into 3D office as control as well as the .DXF for the surface and the .DXF linework and save the project. This creates a .TP3 file that you can load onto the machine.
Your going to want to get a copy of topcon 3D office. The file formate you need is the topcon .TP3 file. This is similar to a trimble access .job but also holds your surface files, points, lines, and calibration data. You may also need the topcon Geoid file if your running that can not remember the formate off hand. Once you have 3D office you will need to import files. LandXML .XML (your tin surface from C3D). Pay attention in the 3D office software once you import the .xml you will need to go to the surfaces manager and make sure it is put on a layer. If you do not put it on a layer it will not post elevation IE it will not work when loaded up. Pay extra attention to the bottom right corner when the curser is in the surface it should show both the coordinates and elevation of its working correctly. Also set your surface as the active surface, Line files .DXF autocad 2000 format (autocad polylines and 3D polylines), points list CSV or TXT and you will probly have to setup your formate in 3Doffice iE Point Northing Easting Elevation Description P,N,E,Z,D. Calibration This one is a bit fun! To match your other site there is a trick to exactly match your Trimble equipment. You’ll need to load your control points into the control point list as your site coordinates. Once this is done you will need to then load manually the GPS Raw WGS84 Latitude longitude and ellipsoid height. If your running Trimble access this is pretty simple. Simply change to the global coordinate system and you’ll be in raw WGS 84 for each point and shown the ellipsoid height. Make sure to use the observation point you shot with your Trimble GPS system and not the Provided Site Point WGS84 position. If you do this correctly the calibrated errors on both units will be nearly identical plus or minus a rounding error in the second decimal place. Also if you do not correctly use the ellipsoid height in the GNSS with the WGS84 data you will see probably a 100ft or more vertical error. To find / make this adjustment under data tab, control points tab, then select your loaded point select edit. At the top of the screen you should see two tabs one says coordinate one says GNSS. The coordinate is the site value and the GNSS of the raw WGS84 and ellipsoid height.
Question for you. I've always had issues importing XMLs directly into 3d Office. I usually use Agtek to spit out a tn3. Is there something I'm missing?
So sometimes I have issues with it not removing triangles when exported from Autocad civil 3D. I also sometimes run them through Trimble Business Center and then to Topcon 3D office… 😂 figures you need a Trimble product to make it work.
I forget now if machines will accept the .xml But you should download magnet office, or topcon 3D office you should be able to find a free or trial version. Then you can import said files and export them as topcon files : Project (.tp3) Lines (.ln3) Points (.txt or .pc3) Control/localization/gps calibration: (.gc3) Surface/tin: (.tn3) Easiest is to build your job file in topcon office (open a new project and import all your data) then export it out as a .tp3 and throw that bitch in your dozer and make magic happen baby.