VIABY CODE WORKSHOP

VIA 2.0 · User Guide

Reference Coordinates

Open CSV, TXT or NRG GPF points for inspection and Find Point.

For VIA 2.0. Some controls are unavailable in earlier versions.

Reference coordinates are an imported collection of grid points. They supply targets and context; opening a reference file does not create a recorded survey. Select the CRS that gives meaning to the supplied E/N values.

Open and inspect a file

  1. Open Settings → Reference Coordinates → Open.
  2. Select a .csv, .txt or NRG Version 2 .gpf file.
  3. The Point Viewer opens. Check the source filename, count and map. Search by point number or label.
  4. Use a point’s … → View Point for its supplied coordinates and details. Return later using View Points.

Prepare a standard CSV or TXT

Use comma-separated text in this fixed order. A recognised header is optional; there is no column-mapping wizard.

ColumnContent
1Point number; may be blank, but retain the column
2Easting; required number
3Northing; required number
4Level; optional
5Label; optional
 
PtNum,E,N,L,Label

Use this header and add a row for each of your project points in the column order above. Quote labels containing commas. Point IDs such as 001 remain text. Extra generic columns are ignored. Changing VIA’s display order does not change the required file order.

NRG GPF and VIA exports

NRG GPF Version 2 must start with ;NRG GROUND PLOT FILE VERSION 2. Its first five fields are Point Number, Label, Easting, Northing, Level, unlike generic CSV. Later GPF fields are ignored, including numeric-looking descriptions; they do not supply accuracy.

VIA recognises its Grid CSV export headers and can retain the supplied observation metadata and typed Attributes. VIA Geodetic CSV is not a supported reference import. Use Grid CSV instead.

Errors and collection lifetime

A malformed record rejects the import rather than loading a partial set. Correct the reported record, numeric values, quoted text or header order and reopen it. Cancelling or failing an import leaves the previous collection loaded. Opening another valid file replaces it; Unload removes it from the current session. Reopen the file after restarting VIA.

Changing CRS reinterprets reference points on maps without changing their original E/N values. Check the source grid before using a target.