Working with VCL Points

Siteworks supports the use of points contained within VCL design files, allowing them to be viewed, selected, and used in stakeout and COGO workflows.

VCL Point Display

If a 2D or 3D point within a VCL file has a valid point name assigned to it, Siteworks can recognise and use that point.

Named VCL points are displayed on the map as an X, similar to points imported from DXF and DWG files.

Controlling Point Visibility

Siteworks Versions Prior to v1.70

Design point visibility can be controlled using the option available in:

Map Options > Measure

Siteworks v1.70 and Later

Starting with Siteworks v1.70, visibility of points contained within VCL, DXF, and DWG files is controlled by the layer on which the points reside.

To show or hide design points:

1. Open Map Options.
2. Select the Layer tab.
3. Enable or disable the required design layers.

This allows greater control over which design elements are displayed on the map.

Points Without Valid Names

If a VCL point does not have a valid point name:

• It is displayed as a hollow circle.
• It cannot be selected.
• It cannot be used in stakeout or COGO workflows.

For a point to be usable within Siteworks, it must have a valid point name assigned within the VCL design.

Using VCL Points in Stakeout

Named VCL points can be selected directly from the map and used for stakeout operations.

This allows field crews to navigate to and stake design points contained within the VCL file without requiring a separate stakeout point file.

Using VCL Points in COGO

Named VCL points can also be used in COGO functions, including workflows that require selecting design points for calculations and layout tasks.

Point Shortcut Menu

Tap and hold on a named VCL point to access the point shortcut menu.

The available options are the same as those provided for stakeout points stored in a design's CSV stakeout point file.

Depending on the workflow, this may include options for:

• Stakeout
• Point information
• COGO operations
• Other point-related functions

Best Practices

✅ Ensure important design points have valid point names before exporting the VCL file.
✅ Use layers to control point visibility and reduce map clutter.
✅ Hide unnecessary design layers when performing stakeout activities.
✅ Verify point naming conventions before sending designs to the field.
✅ Use VCL points directly from the design where possible to minimise duplicate stakeout point files.

Key Points

• Named 2D and 3D VCL points are displayed as an X on the map.
• Unnamed VCL points are displayed as hollow circles and cannot be selected.
• Named VCL points can be used in both Stakeout and COGO workflows.
• From Siteworks v1.70 onwards, point visibility is controlled through Map Options > Layer.
• Tap and hold a VCL point to access the same options available for CSV stakeout points.