in the past , detail would have been plotted on paper or a more stable medium such as plastic film . however , today all practical . plotting , is computer based there is an abundance of computer plotting software available that will not only produce a contour plot but supply three- dimensional views , digital ground models, earthwork volumes road design , drainage design , perspective , etc,
computer systems
to be economically viable , practically all major engineering / surveying organization use an automated plotting system . very often the total station and data logger are purchased with the computer hardware and software as a total operation system . in this way interface and adaptation problems are precluded figure 1.11 shows a computer driven plotter wich is networked to the system and located separately .
the essential characteristics of such a system are:
