Staking Out Lines

Line stakeout allows you to stake positions along design or measured linework. The line must exist in either:

• The currently loaded design.
• Measured linework within the active work order.

Lines can be brought into a project from:

• DXF, DWG, or VCL design files containing lines, polylines, or line strings.
• COGO-created linework generated from points in the field.
• Previously measured line objects.

Start a Line Stakeout

1. From the main map screen, tap Home > Stake.
2. Select the required line by:
   • Tapping the line in the Select Object screen.
   • Opening the object list and selecting a line from the Lines tab.
   • Tapping and holding the line on the map and selecting Stake Line.

If multiple objects exist in the selected location, Siteworks displays a list of available objects.

Select or Create a Line

When using Trimble Business Center, assigning meaningful names to lines can make them easier to identify during stakeout.

You can also create a new line directly from points in the current design or work order using the New Line option in the line selection screen.

If required, reverse the line direction before beginning the stakeout. This is useful when stationing needs to run in the opposite direction.

Choose a Stakeout Method

Siteworks supports multiple line stakeout workflows, including:

• Standard line stakeout
• Side slope staking
• Catch point staking

The appropriate method can be selected before beginning the stakeout.

Fixed Station Mode

In Fixed Station mode:

1. Enter the station to be staked out, or
2. Tap a location on the line.
3. Tap ACCEPT.

Additional settings are available through Line Settings, including:

• Horizontal offsets
• Vertical offsets
• Stakeout elevation methods
• Station intervals
• Automatic station advancement
• Tangent and corner point creation

Random Station Mode

In Random mode, you are not required to select a specific station.

Siteworks continuously calculates your perpendicular position relative to the selected line and provides stakeout guidance based on your current station.

This mode is useful when locating existing features or checking positions along a line without predefined station intervals.

Note: Fine stake guidance arrows are not displayed in Random mode.

Navigation Guidance

Once a station or line location has been selected, Siteworks provides:

• A guide arrow showing travel direction.
• Navigation values in the Info Bar.
• Cut/fill information.
• Design elevation information.

A guideline is displayed to help navigate to the target location.

The guide arrow can be enabled or disabled through:

Map Options > Design

Map Orientation Options

By default, the map displays with north at the top of the screen.

Alternatively, you can rotate the map:

• In the direction of travel.
• Relative to an alignment.
• Using other map orientation options available in Map Options.

Many users find line stakeout easier when using travel-direction map rotation and enabling the cut/fill light bar.

Fine Stake Mode

When staking a fixed station and approaching the target location, Siteworks automatically enters Fine Stake Mode.

Additional guidance arrows appear, providing precise horizontal navigation to the stakeout location.

GNSS Guidance

For GNSS receivers, fine guidance can be displayed:

• North-up.
• Based on receiver heading (tilt-enabled receivers).
• Based on the direction of approach when Fine Stake Mode is activated.

The behaviour is controlled through the Stakeout Guide setting in:

Map Options > Design

Total Station Guidance

The orientation of the fine stake arrows depends on the connection method.

Bluetooth or Cable Connection

• Guidance is displayed as though you are standing behind the instrument looking toward the prism.

Radio Connection

• Guidance is displayed as though you are standing at the prism looking back toward the total station.

If Approach Orientation is selected, the display aligns with the direction of travel when Fine Stake Mode begins.

Complete the Stakeout

Once the target location is reached:

1. Tap Measure.
2. Review the stakeout report.

The report displays:

• Design elevation.
• Measured elevation.
• Cut/fill values.
• Stakeout offsets.
• Station information.

A Stake Marker Diagram is also generated showing how to mark the stake. Siteworks automatically calculates all stake marking values based on the configured Stakeout Settings.

The software remembers the last report tab viewed and opens the same tab for subsequent stakeouts.

Line Stakeout Settings

Additional line-specific settings are available through:

Home > Stake > Line Settings

or from the Select Line Station screen.

Available settings include:

Horizontal and Vertical Offsets

Apply a parallel horizontal offset or elevation offset when staking the line.

Elevation Method

Select how line elevations are calculated during stakeout.

Station Settings

Configure:

• Starting station
• Station interval
• Automatic station advancement

Tangent and Corner Points

When a horizontal offset is applied, enabling Create Tangent/Corner Points automatically creates stakeout points around corners to help accurately recreate the offset line in the field.

Fixed vs Random Mode

Tip: For road, kerb, drainage, and utility layouts, use Fixed Station mode with a station interval and Auto Advance enabled. This provides consistent spacing and significantly speeds up repetitive line stakeout tasks.