Need support? Contact us at 1-888-286-3204
Need support? Contact us at 1-888-286-3204
Getting FieldGenius set up and updated is a simple yet essential step to keep things running smoothly with the latest bug fixes and drivers. But, before you get going, it’s good to do a quick check on a couple of things.
1. Take a look at your data collector’s operating system. Is it on Windows or Windows Mobile?
2.If it’s on Windows Mobile, make sure it’s connected to a PC using Windows Mobile Device Center. And if Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC) is not opening, please see the patch below.
3. What version of FieldGenius are you currently running? To check what version you are running, please see the FieldGenius Version Guide.
Discovering the latest FieldGenius for Windows versions is a breeze with two convenient options. Firstly, our newsletter is your go-to source for immediate updates on FieldGenius Windows, Android, and Hemisphere. To stay updated, simply request access to our newsletter by using the ‘Contact Support’ feature located in the top right corner of this web page.
Alternatively, the MicroSurvey Help Desk Website houses a comprehensive archive of all MicroSurvey software versions (MSCAD, STAR*NET, FieldGenius and more). Access this repository by clicking the button below.
Once the site has been accessed, locate the latest version of the software. Once located, select the All Downloads link.
Once selected, choose the version that corresponds to your operating system. For Windows Tablet/PC, download the EXE file. For the Windows Mobile and CE version you have two options. You can either select the EXE file, or the CAB file. For the EXE file, continue with this guide. The CAB file must first be copied to the data collector and launched on the data collector.
Once the file has downloaded, navigate to your downloads folder. Locate the install file and launch it.
Once launched, you will be prompted to give permission to the installer to make changes to your device. Select Yes.
Next select the file location where you would like to have the program saved. We recommend leaving it on the default.
You will prompted to select the application shortcut options for your system. Leave the ones you want checked, and uncheck the ones you do not wish to see. We typically leave all options selected. Select Install to continue
The installer will then run through its install routine. Once finished select Finish.
Once complete, you will be asked to restart the system to finish the install. You will need to perform the reset on both Windows 10 and 11, as well as Windows Mobile.
Once the device has restarted, select the FieldGenius Icon to launch the program and you can continue to register your FieldGenius.
Before registering FieldGenius, you are going to want to check a couple of different things.
1. Is your license valid for the version of FieldGenius you have installed? If you are unsure, please give us a call at 1-888-286-3204.
2. Do you have the latest version of FieldGenius installed? You will not be able to register the software without first having the software installed. Check our guide on installing and updating FieldGenius for more information.
Finally ensure you have you FieldGenius license GUID on hand. If this has not been provided, please give us a call at 1-888-286-3204.
Once FieldGenius is installed, go to the MicroSurvey FieldGenius license registration page.
Enter your FieldGenius license/GUID into the registration field and click submit.
Next, you will need to retrieve the Device ID within FieldGenius. To do this, open FieldGenius and you will be prompted with the Device ID.
In the Registration page, enter the Device ID in the corresponding fields. Make sure you correctly enter the Device ID, if entered incorrectly, you will not be able to register FieldGenius.
Once entered select Submit.
A Key will be generated, and this is what is to be entered into FieldGenius to activate your license. Once entered, select Apply Key.
If entered correctly, the Invalid Key message will change to indicate what modules are active within the license.
You are now ready to get started with your first project!
Before starting any new job, you will have to create a new project folder. When you first load FieldGenius, you will be greeted by the Project Manager. (Alternatively, select the Plumb Bob icon, and then Project Manager.)
To create a new project, select New Project at the bottom. Note, in any menu, if you select Save as Default the settings will be carried through to any future projects.
Next, give the project a Name. The name must be unique, duplicate project names are not allowed.
Once the name has been entered, select Project Settings.
The next step is to select the distance and angle units for the project. This is found in the Units and Scale menu.
Select the Distance and Angle unit that best matches your needs. Make sure this is set correctly, if set incorrectly, you will not be able to change once the project is created.
Once the units have been set, select Ok.
Next, the coordinate system will be need to be selected. Select Coordinate System.
First select the Horizontal coordinate system from the drop down. If you do not have the system you need in the System dropdown please see the guides on Coordinate Systems or watch the below video.
Next, select the Vertical system. If you do not have the vertical system you need, please consult the guide on installing a Geoid File.
Once the coordinate system and vertical system have been selected, select Ok.
For more information on what datums and coordinate systems work, see our below video.
With the units and coordinate system saved, the next menu to set is the Project Files menu. This includes the Raw File and the Description options. Select Project Files.
Within the Project Files menu, you have the ability to load a pre-existing Raw File and AutoMap File. This step is optional.
Once the project files have been set, select Continue.
For more information on creating your own description libraries and restoring projects from the raw file, please see the linked guides.
For the final part of the project setup, select the Project Information option. This is entirely optional.
In the Project Information menu, you can enter information on the equipment, users and general notes. Once entered, select Ok.
Once all the Project Settings have been set, select Ok to save the project.
You will then be loaded into the Map Screen, where you can get started with your survey.
One of the most common point list formats is the venerable csv or txt format. This type of file lists points and the corresponding coordinates, typically in a format of Point Name, Northing, Easting, Elevation and Code. Each value being separated by commas, spaces, tab or semicolons.
Importing a text file into FieldGenius is relatively simple. Before you begin, ensure the file you wish to load is saved to the data collector.
If you would like to try importing a .csv coordinate file into FieldGenius, following along with the steps below, here is a link to download sample files.
Next select the Plumb Bob in the bottom right corner of the Map Screen.
Within the Main Menu, select Import/Export.
Next select the Points/Observations menu.
Within the Points / Observations menu, select ASCII Coordinate Import.
Next use the Browse for File button to navigate to the location of the saved file on your data collector.
Once the file is located, select Open.
Once the file is selected confirm the format is correctly selected.
The Field Delimiter refers to how the fields are separated within the file. A comma(,) is the most commonly used delimiter.
The File Format refers to how the file is formatted. There are four options:
Once the format has been confirmed, select Import.
Once the import is finished, you will be greeted with a message indicating the success of the import, and the number of points imported.
Select OK, and you are now ready to begin using the points in your project.
To learn more about the different file types you can use in FieldGenius and which one is right for you, watch the below video.
A CAD file (.DWG or .DXF) is a digital document created by Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, such as Civil3D or MicroSurveyCAD, that contains precise 2D or 3D information for points and lines. CAD files are commonly used in engineering and architecture to design construction plans ranging from a house to a city subdivision.
Importing a dwg/dxf file into FieldGenius is relatively simple.
If you would like to try importing a CAD file yourself, using the following steps, below is a link to download sample files.
Before you begin, ensure the file you wish to load is saved to the data collector.
Next select the Plumb Bob in the bottom right corner of the Map Screen.
Within the Main Menu, select the Import/Export option.
Next select the CAD/LandXMl/Templates menu.
Within the CAD / LandXML / Templates menu, select the DGN/DXF/DWG Import option.
Next, navigate to the location of your file and select Open.
Once the file is located, select Open.
Once the import is completed, you will get a message that the import was successful and info on entities that are not supported and not included in the import.
Click OK.
To learn more about the different file types you can use in FieldGenius and which one is right for you, watch the below video.
An xml file is used for civil engineering and survey data to represent data as surfaces(e.g. stockpile of dirt), road alignments, or pipe networks.
Importing a xml file into FieldGenius is relatively simple.
If you would like to try importing an xml file yourself, following the below steps, below is a link to download sample files.
Before you begin, ensure the file you wish to load is saved to the data collector.
Next select the Plumb Bob in the bottom right corner of the Map Screen.
Within the Main Menu, select the Import/Export option.
Next select the CAD / LandXML / Templates menu.
Within the CAD / LandXML / Templates menu, select the LandXML Import option.
Next, navigate to the location of your file and select Open.
To learn more about the different file types you can use in FieldGenius and which one is right for you, watch the below video.
Importing a shape file into FieldGenius is relatively simple. Before you begin, ensure the file you wish to load is saved to the data collector.
Next select the Plumb Bob in the bottom right corner of the Map Screen.
Within the Main Menu, select the Import/Export option.
Next select the GIS Files menu.
Within the GIS Files menu, select the Shape File Import option.
Next, navigate to the location of your file and select Open.
To learn more about the different file types you can use in FieldGenius and which one is right for you, watch the below video.
We hope that everything is a little bit clearer, and that you are ready to begin surveying! Take a look at the RTK and Total Station modules to see how to setup your equipment.
Check out our other courses.
