Five FAQs about MAGNET Field

We put your frequently asked questions about MAGNET Field software to the Topcon technical team.

MAGNET Field is a powerful and intuitive data collection software solution that, when combined with Topcon’s new Elite Survey Suite, is designed to enable users to undertake all manner of mapping survey, civil engineering and construction layout tasks with ease.

To help you get the most out of MAGNET Field, our technical team answers your frequently asked questions.

Is MAGNET Field easy to learn and set up?

The software has been developed to work with all current Topcon survey products, so there is no need to spend time learning a new interface when switching between technologies. Both two-man and robotic total stations also have MAGNET Field on-board the instrument, and connection to a robotic instrument via LONGLINK or GNSS receiver via Bluetooth from a field controller is done in seconds by a simple tap of the screen.

Can I import my custom CAD files to MAGNET Field?

Yes, MAGNET Field is compatible with over 50 developer data formats. These include more popular multiple data formats including Autodesk .dwg and .dxf, ESRI .shp Shapefiles and LandXML .xml files.

A quick tip is to load various files onto a field controller as a Background drawing. This ensures that unnecessary point or line data are not imported into the job, minimising memory usage. The data in the drawing becomes ‘live’ when selecting it from the Map, still giving the user full control and access to all MAGNET Field functionality.

Following a recent partnership with Bentley Systems, MAGNET Field is now compatible with their ProjectWise CONNECT Edition software. This makes it easy to integrate into existing workflows.

Can MAGNET Field help me with volume calculations?

MAGNET Field provides two key benefits for the overall construction process: accuracy and speed. A quick surface survey can be undertaken in any job and the Triangular Irregular Network (TIN) is created in real-time. An instant volume computation is produced once the survey is complete. This can be later amended, added-to and re-calculated. Contouring or graded shading can be added for better visual representation. 

Surface and Stake-out reports can be created in seconds and exported in .csv or .pdf formats to be sent to the client. For example, these could show the difference in coordinates between the design, staked and as-built data for quality assurance, allowing for a more efficient construction process.

Can MAGNET Field be customised to individual users?

The ‘app’ based nature of MAGNET Field allows full customisation of the look and layout of the software interface. If certain feature menus are not used or terminology is confusing, simply hide it or change the name. These configurations can be saved in .xml format if required and installed on any other Topcon controller. All changes made can be returned to the default settings.  

New custom feature codes with associated attributes can be created and assigned to new layers. These code and layer libraries can be saved in Topcon .xml, MAGNET .mxl, or .txt formats for import into other controllers or CAD packages. They can also be set as the default code library within MAGNET Field.

The ‘Quick Codes’ feature allows for sets of up to nine feature codes (with associated string numbers/attributes if necessary) to be displayed on screen. A simple press allows quick recording functionality of that particular code without having to manually select each time. These quick code groups can be customised for different job types or environs.

How does MAGNET Field work with MAGNET Office?

MAGNET Office is Topcon’s CAD package, designed specifically with surveying and civil engineering applications in mind.

MAGNET Field job files (.mjf) have been designed to import and export directly to and from MAGNET Office (including all data, associated codes, layers , photos and notes) allowing for seamless transition. Other popular formats that include (but are not limited to) those described in the section above can also be imported directly. Files can be transferred via USB or cable.  

Developed to work as one cornerstone of the MAGNET family, when combined with MAGNET Office and MAGNET Enterprise, Topcon’s cloud-based data management solution, MAGNET Field allows the guy on the job site to send and receive any job data and chat directly to the company office remotely via the cloud using Wi-Fi or a mobile network.

This allows for a single complete workflow for a seamless efficient transition from ‘Field to Finish’ or  “Design to Stake-out”.