Import and Export Points: How-To

What are "points" in HCL?

There are many different point types that can be stored within a HCL project file (known as an HPL30): Control Points, Layout Points, Measured Points, Staked Points, and Station Points.

Control Points: Points that are used to station a tool, as seen in this article.

Layout Points: Points that can be laid out at specific coordinate locations, as described in this article.

Measured Points: Points that have been measured (rather than laid out) by the head unit after stationing, as described in this article.

Staked Points: Layout points that have been staked, or recorded, at the exact location of where they were laid out, as explained in the layout points article mentioned above.

Station Points: Locations where your station has established its coordinate location after stationing, as discussed in this article.

When you are importing points into a project for the first time, the only points that you are technically able to import are "Layout Points" and "Control Points." The reason for this is because those are the only point types that are relevant to new projects - all other point types have to do with points that are created after the tool has been used to measure.

Note you can always edit your point list after you import it on the tablet itself.

What file type are points stored in?

Point files, when imported or exported alone, are stored as csv or txt files. If you aren't familiar with this file type to store information, it will look a little strange at first. Below is a screenshot of an example of what this file looks like when opened:

If you can read the top line of a CSV file, you'll notice there are categories that are explaining the type of data that is being presented, and each value is separated by some sort of punctuation (in this case, a ";"). The most important data of a point file is the Point Name (PtID), and the coordinate values of that point (Eastern coordinate, Northern coordinate, and Height coordinate).

All other information in the CSV file for your points is extra information that could be helpful, but typically, it is the coordinate information that is most crucial.

How do you import points into a project?

You can import points either as "Control Points" or "Layout Points," and the tool simply needs a standard formatted csv/txt file to do so. Beyond the point name and coordinates, if the csv/txt file was exported from a Hilti software, point attributes (if applicable) will be imported, and, if importing control points, height of rod and prism type information can be imported. Any other information that might be in the CSV will be disregarded during import.

In addition, the software will record the time and date that the points were imported/created for your reference in reporting.

For a clean point import, it is recommended that you review your point file and verify that each point has its own unique name. While the software can detect points that have duplicate names, you may still run into errors.

Below, we will review how to format your import file, then review how to import layout points, followed by control points.

How to import Step 1: Obtain the right format for your point file

The industry standard csv/txt file is formatted like this:

"POINT NAME;N Coordinate;E Coordinate;H Coordinate"

While the example above uses a semicolon (";") as the punctuation separator for my values, you can use the separator of your choice.

How to import Step 2: Open the project

Select the project you would like to import your points from the project screen:

How to import Step 3: Import Layout Points Option

If importing layout points, open the project to show the jobs listed within it. Then, simply click on the box that represents the layout points of the job you need to import the points to:

Indicate that you intend to import points into this job:

Find the file from the file path needed, and press the green check mark:

How to import Step 4: Select the Correct Format of your File

The software will attempt to analyze the data you are importing and identify the units that are being used and the coordinate order that you have placed your points. You can always adjust or change these options to the correct format on the "Import details" window on the right side of the screen:

If something is wrong with the formatting you have selected, you will get an error message. Usually, simply changing the delimiter (or, separator) of your data could likely help change this error:

If the software identifies that there are any points in the csv that are duplicates in name and coordinate, it will remove the duplicates and notify you. Note, it is highly recommended that you review your point list prior to import to remove or change points that have the same name. It helps make the import process more seamless and removes potential for error:

If the software notices that there are points that already exist in your job that have the same name, it will ask how you would like to proceed, either keep the old point, or replace it with the new one:

Once import is complete, you will see a message explaining that it was successful:

How to import Step 5: Import Control Points Option

If importing control points, simply click in the box that represents the control points from the initial project screen:

Does the importing control point process differ from layout points?

Yes - but only slightly. When importing control points, you can import the prism and height of rod information from a csv/txt file that has been exported from Hilti software. You will also be invited to edit prism details per point before finalizing the import.

Notice how the control point import screen shows more data: prism type, height of rod, and a preview of all of your csv/txt point data:

With the option to "edit prisms before import" turned on, I can adjust any information I need to as well:

Once done editing, press the green check mark to exit the prism edit menu. The point import process is then the same as layout points above, but you'll see the prisms and Height of Rod on the screen that apply to the points as well:

What if you get an "error opening job" message after point import?

If you get an error that the job is unable to open after importing your points, it is likely because there is a point that has the same name as another, but a different coordinate. Go back to your point list and observe your points, sorted by point name. Delete or change duplicate named points, if any, especially if you notice they have the same name but different coordinates. The software may have missed duplicate points if the point had the same name as another but a different coordinate, which will cause an error.

How much data from the CSV/TXT file is imported beyond just the coordinates?

If you are importing a csv/txt file that was exported from a Hilti based software, you will also be able to retrieve point attribute information, if applicable, for your points. In addition, only when importing control points will you be able to also import height of rod and prism information per point. Note that prism and height of rod information will not be imported through layout point imports.

How do you export points from a project?

Go to your project menu and select the project you would like to export points from:

From here, you can tap the area where it says "control points" and export simply the control points of a project:,

Or, you can export points from a certain job within a project:

When tapping on the layout point column in the job menu, you will see the option to determine which points you would like the option to export, and it will show how many of each point type that is available in that job to export:

After proceeding, you will then have one more window to clarify which points you would like to export, as well as clarifying how the csv/txt file would look: what UNITS would you like the points to be displayed in, what COORDINATE ORDER would you like the point values to be, and what DELIMITER (SEPARATOR) would you like to use for your values:

You can select the points you would like one by one, or use the "select all button on the far right side of the screen.

Once the points are exported, they will be saved as a CSV file.

What data is exported in the CSV or TXT file of the point data?

When you open up a CSV of your point data, you'll see that a lot of information is saved per point, all of which can be very helpful for you when looking through your project and what has been measured or laid out.

PtID: the point name that was exported
N,E,H Coordinates: the coordinate information of where the point was located
Attr1-4: the attributes attached to the point, if any. These are put in manually by the end user.
"Hz and VA" (Rad): the recorded angles of the head unit, measured in radians, when a point was measured or staked. Radians is used here as in data export as it is typically easier to integrate radian information if needed in other software.
HD (Horizontal Distance): exact horizontal distance of the total station to the point that was staked or measured. HD does not account for slope, only the 2D horizontal distance.
HR (Height of Rod): the height of the prism rod manually typed in by the user (if applicable) when a point was measured or staked.
HI (Height of Instrument): the height of the total station manually typed in by the user (if applicable) when a point was measured or staked. This is something that would be seen only if a station height was typed in during the setting of station height during stationing.
PPM (Parts per Million): the ppm manually adjusted by the end user in the PPM settings of the tool - a number that adjusts errors from ambient weather conditions.
Prism Type: the prism type used by the user when a point was staked or recorded
Prism Constant: the constant of the prism that was being used at the time of measurement. Remember, each prism has some sort of constant that to help the total station calculate the prism's center after it connects to it.
Point Type: an indicator of what kind of point it is (staked, layout, control, station, or measured)
Layer: the CAD layer the point is saved on. This allows the end user to identify or sort relevant points from the csv.
Time: the time of day the point was saved
Date: the date the point was saved. Note - time and date allows can help track productivity, or ensure work was completed at/by a certain time (for conflict resolution)
StationUsed: The station number that was used to measure or stake the point. This helps with error correction or trouble sthooting, such as noticing certain points being measured accurately vs. inaccurately and which station was used between the two. It is wise to keep "station points" that are used throughout your project, for if you delete station points, that stationing information will be lost from the points that were measured with it. You will not be able to see, for instance, which Station was used to measure certain points.
BacksightHD: The distance back to the first control point used during stationing. Note that at anytime, you can check any stored control point in your point file as a backsight check by simply performing a "backsight check."