Downloading Nikon DTM-420 into MapScenes | Back to User Tips

(Actually, this is for all 300 and 400 series Nikon total stations.)

1.       Start MapScenes/MapScenes Pro by double clicking the MapScenes/MapScenes Pro icon on the desktop.

2.       Click on "OK" on the "ABOUT MAPSCENES" screen. In the "USER IDENTIFICATION" make sure that the "Advanced Applications" button is checked.

3.       You can just double click on your User Name to log on. (Note: if this is the first time you have opened the program you may need to add your user name – this just creates a directory for your files).

4.       Click on "NEW" in "START NEW OR EXISTING SCENE" box.

5.       In the "ADD & EDIT SCENE INFORMATION" box, add any scene information you want (optional) and click "OK".

6.       In the "ENTER NEW SCENE NAME, THEN PRESS SAVE" box, type in your scene name and press "SAVE". (This name can be quite long and may contain spaces.)

7.       In the "GENERAL CONFIGURATIONS OPTIONS" box, select "Feet" and "Bearing (NSEW)". Select scale factor (10,20,40, or whatever), and press "OK". (Note: this scale factor sets the height of text and size of symbols, assuming that this is the scale you wish to plot the drawing at when completed. If you set this incorrectly, it can easily be changed afterwards. Your drawing is always created at 1:1 true scale).

8.       In the "WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?" box, choose "YES" to "Do you want to download a data collector/total station to the computer now?"

9.       In "DOWNLOADING – CONFIRM DATA COLLECTOR/TOTAL STATION BRAND" box, select your total station. (Nikon 300/400). Also, enter a file name of 8 or less characters followed by a .RAW extension. Then press "OK". (this name should be added to what will already pop up)

10.    In "READY TO RECEIVE DATA" box, confirm all information. If correct press "Download Now". If incorrect, press "Change Current Parameters". Select "Nikon 300/400", Serial port "COM1", Baud rate "4800", Parity "NONE", Stop Bits "1 STOP", Data Bits "8 DATA BITS", and Protocol "NONE", then press "OK" and then "Download Now".

11.    In "READY TO RECEIVE DATA…" box, follow instructions and get ready to download. (hook up Total Station to computer serial port with cable and power on) When ready, press "START RECEIVING DATA NOW".

12.    On Total Station press the "FNC" button. Press "7" for COMM. Press "1" for Download. Press "ENT" to start download. Job should come in now. (This will be the instructions you just read on the "READY TO RECEIVE DATA" box.)

13.    In "MAPSCENES" box, press "OK". (This makes a backup file)

14.    In the "MICROSURVEY" box press "Yes" to process this data now.

15.    You will now see a blank screen. Move the cursor up to the option bar and pick "DTM400"

16.    In "IMPORT TOGGLE CHECK" box, make sure all boxes are checked except "Description Translation" and press "OK".

17.    In the "MICROSURVEY" box press "Yes" for N,E,Z format.

18.    In the "CREATE A NEW SCENE MEASUREMENTS DATABASE FILE OR USE EXISTING ONE?" box, choose "New file"

19.    In "ENTER THE SCENE MEASUREMENT FILE NAME" box, enter your scene name and press "Save".

20.    In "SKIP EDITING SCENE MEASUREMENTS DATABASE FILES?" box, choose "YES" if no editing is necessary or "NO" if editing is necessary. (most times this will be "YES")

21.    In "COORDINATE SCENE MEASUREMENT DATABASE FILE?" box, press "YES".

22.    In "COORDINATE EDITING" box, press "OK".

23.    In "RECOORDINATION REPORT (LOG)" box, press "OK".

24.    In "MAPSCENES" box read and press "OK". Then Exit the Assistant.

25.    Print the data scene if you want. (Good idea to print this now). Exit this screen by picking the X in the upper corner of the data file box.

26.    Press the Zoom Extents button to get the full screen. (or type ZE at the command line and press enter)

27.    Select "Mapscenes" pulldown from the menu bar and select "Automap System", then select "Connect Pts by XYZ". (You would have had to use this method during your field data collection)

28.    In "XYZ CONNECT METHOD OPTION" box, choose "3D Lines".

29.    In "MICROSURVEY" box, choose "No".

30.    Scene is now downloaded and the linework/symbols entered and you can begin to do any clean-up or other symbol adding as necessary.

This technical note was written and supplied by one of our trainers, Mike Greenfield in Phoenix, AZ.