12d Synergy + Scanning Software Management

In this quick sheet, you’ll learn our recommended best practices for managing scanning software files inside 12d Synergy.

Is this guide for you?
In this guide, we are specifically looking at scanning software. For example, Leica Cyclone 3DR and TopoDOT.

1.1. Recommended File Structure

One of the unique features of 12d Synergy is its ability to track changes to whole folders of files, rather than just individual files, via the use of a managed folder. This means that you can checkout the managed folder, add, delete or change files within it and 12d Synergy can manage these changes at check in, uploading all the changes to the Server. If a folder is managed, this means that users will not be able to check out files individually; they must work with the whole folder at one time.

When using scanning software within 12d Synergy the entire project database can be checked out as a managed folder, ensuring the integrity of all its associated files.

1.2. Creating Managed Folders

A managed folder can be created in 12d Synergy by selecting the location for the folder in the tree structure and clicking the New Folder icon from the top ribbon, or by using the right-click option New and then selecting the Folder option. The Create a Folder window is displayed, in which you have to name the folder appropriately and select the Managed Folder?   check box.

1.3. Working with Managed Folders

Similar to individual files in 12d Synergy, managed Folders must be checked out to work with the files within them.  A managed folder can be checked out by first selecting the folder in the tree structure, then using the right-click option Check Out or by clicking the Check Out  icon on the ribbon above.

Once checked out, users can right-click on the managed folder in the tree structure and utilise the Explore feature to navigate to their local workspace where the contents of the folder can be accessed to make the required changes.  

When users have finished making changes to the files, the managed folder must be checked back in. Ensure all files in the folder are saved and closed. Check-in the managed folder by navigating to the managed folder in the tree structure, and using the right-click option Check In or clicking the Check In icon on the ribbon above.

You will then be prompted for a change description, which will form the history of your managed folder.

For more details about Managed folders, please access the 12d Synergy Knowledge Base.

• During the process of checking out files, data is cached to your workspace. This workspace is installed on a local drive such as the C:\ or D:\ drive, whichever is utilised during the initial installation of the program.  

• Commonly, large point cloud datasets are not stored within the 12d Synergy environment. Rather, the extracted points, lines and polygons, with the raw point cloud data being referenced from an external drive.

• If data retention is required, the raw point cloud data can be stored within the 12d Synergy environment.

  For example, point clouds related to monitoring may be kept for traceability and to safeguard against data loss. On the other hand, point clouds used for capturing one off datasets, such as pre-design ground information (Greenfield Estates), may be kept in their raw form in an external location while the extracted features can be stored within the 12d Synergy environment.

• If the dataset is too large to store on your local drive, it can be offlined to a separate location.

For more details about Offlining folders, please access the 12d Synergy Knowledge Base.

1.4. Library/Template files

Scanning software library or template files also have their place in 12d Synergy. We recommend housing them as folders in a library job, central to your system. Ensure that all applicable users have view/read permissions, as a minimum.

An example of this could be a central library location for your Cyclone 3DR scripts.

Once the files are centrally located, one of the following approaches may be used to ensure that the current information is available to the user.

To house library information in 12d Synergy, it is vital that all users have their workspace installed on the same local drive. (C:\ or D:\ etc.)

1.4.1. ‘Get All’ and Notifications

All users that require hydrographic software library, can perform a Get All function on the library folders to have a copy of the library in their local workspace. The path to the version on the local workspace can then be used for the pathing in hydrographic software.

This process enables the customisation to work with the hydrographic software, while maintaining it in one location on 12d Synergy for easy updating. Also, we would suggest adding a notification to the folder. It’s a great way to ensure all staff are aware of any update to the hydrographic software library folder.

For more details about Notifications, please access the 12d Synergy Knowledge Base.

1.4.2. Download Dependency Rule

A download dependency rule is a way to automate preforming a Get All in 12d Synergy. This makes working with files easier by getting any of the necessary peripheral information automatically during the process of opening the file. It can be set up for any folder within your project.

To set up a Download Dependency rule on your system, administration access is required.

A simplified process for setting up a download dependency rule is mentioned below:

1. Right-click the Managed Folder and select the Edit Folder  option.

2. In the Edit a Folder window, select the Rules panel on the left.

3. Then select the Download Dependency Rules tab along the top.

4. Click the button in the upper right to bring up the Add Download Dependency Rule window.

5. Name the rule and select the Download Dependencies from a specific folder option as the Mode.  

6. Click the ellipsis button, navigate to and select the TBC Library folder as the Specific Folder Path.

7. Click Add and then click Save on the Edit a Folder window.

Tip

Creating a managed folder and download dependency rule in your template will ensure it is rolled out across all your Jobs, with no further input required.

For more details about Download Dependencies, please access the 12d Synergy Knowledge Base.