How do I
get an extension on my full working demo?
How do I get my Authorization Code?
Is protected software really
necessary?
What’s an Annual License?
I
have a R14 version of Mulric and/or Hawkeye. How do I upgrade to an AutoCAD 2000 version?
Why do I need the NT Support disk?
I purchased my software and have used it in the
past, but now I get a message that it's running in demo mode. What happened and how do I
get my authorization code back?
Tralaine
complained that it "couldn’t find the L?S files". What’s wrong?
What’s the
difference between WGS84 and NAD83?
I
couldn’t get Hawkeye to accept UTM-18 as a coordinate system as before. Why not?
What’s
the difference between the U. S. Survey Foot and the International Foot?
How can I define a new
coordinate system for Hawkeye?
What’s the difference between Tralaine and Hawkeye?
Can Tralaine Convert NAD27 to NAD83?
When will Tralaine be available for Windows?
Does Tralaine support DGN files?
What is your update policy?
What is DLG?
What are the different types of DLG?
What’s in the DLG files?
Why should I consider a commercial conversion program?
What are DLG maps good for?
What’s the difference between DLG and TIGER?
Where can I get DLG data?
How can I get
vertical graticule labels in my AutoCAD drawing?
How do I get an
extension on my full working demo?
We can extend your demo for 7 days, or as long as you need it:
1. Call Mentor Software at 1-303-278-3534 X100 or 303-279-9366
or
2. Internet: go to www.mentorsoftwareinc.com/form1.htm
There are 3 ways to get your authorization code:
1. Telephone: Call Mentor Software at 1-303-278-3534 X100 or
303-279-9366
2. Internet: go to www.mentorsoftwareinc.com/form1.htm
3. Fax the Authorization Code Form in the back of your manual to 303-278-4099
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You just need to get the FREE Multric 15 or Hawkeye 15 update.exe file
from our FTP Site. After downloading, run
the update.exe file and it will install the new version on top of your old one.
Note: No authorization code is needed as long as you don't move the R14 version of
the program.
ftp://ftp.mentorsoftwareinc.com/multric.15/update.exe
or
ftp://ftp.mentorsoftwareinc.com/hawkeye.15/update.exe
I purchased my software and have used it
in the past, but now I get a message that it's running in demo mode. What happened and how
do I get my authorization code back?
Sometimes, if you run a disk defrag utility, a system file in the authorization
software is moved. Also, if you move your software to a different directory/folder or a
new computer, the program will go into demo mode. If you're running a defrag utility, you
need to set your options to not move system or hidden files. If you want to move the
program, you will need to install it in the new directory or on the new computer. Then you
will have to transfer your license from the old location to the new one. If you need
a new authorization, please let us know. We apologize for any inconvenience.
1. Telephone: Call Mentor Software at 1-303-278-3534 X100 or
303-279-9366
2. Internet: go to www.mentorsoftwareinc.com/form1.htm
3. Fax the Authorization Code Form in the back of your manual to 303-278-4099
Tralaine is a general purpose program which converts coordinates in data
files, processing each file in its entirety. Its association with AutoCAD is simply that
it understands both DXF and DWG formats. Tralaine is designed specifically for the task of
converting entire data files, especially DWG and DXF files. Tralaine understands 12 other
file formats in addition to DXF and DWG, so it is a general tool, not AutoCAD specific.
Hawkeye is an AutoCAD application which operates within AutoCAD and
provides users with interactive coordinate conversion capabilities, such as drawing a
Lat/Long graticule on a UTM based map. It is not well suited for converting AutoCAD
entities from one coordinate system to another. Thus, Hawkeye is an AutoCAD specific
product, which provides interactive capabilities for its users.
[TOC]
Conversion from NAD27 to NAD83 is one of the six datum conversion
techniques programmed into Tralaine. It contains a faithful emulation of the National
Geodetic Service’s NADCON program and produces identical numeric results; and
Tralaine uses the exact same data files as the NADCON program. Should the NGS update the
data files, simply download the new ones from the Internet into your Tralaine directory
and you’re off and running.
Tralaine also supports Version 1 of the Canadian National Transformation,
and also NAD83/91 (aka HPGN and HARN) coordinate conversions. Support of Version 2 of the
Canadian National Transformation will be available in the next release, currently
available in beta on our ftp site.
[TOC]
Tralaine is available now! Look
at the new version. Upgrade from Version 2 or 3 for only $150! Call
1-303-278-3534 X100 or email your order to Ann.
[TOC]
No, at least not yet. This has been on our “To Do” list for some
time, but has never made it to the top.
[TOC]
As is common, Mentor Software maintains its software in a Major/Minor
release fashion. Minor releases usually represent bug fixes specific to a specific client
which are not of general interest. Mentor Software does not publicize these releases to
clients, but they are available.
Major releases represent major changes or enhancements to the product and
are publicized to all registered users. Of course, we need a current address in order to
be able to do this. Therefore, it is helpful to contact us annually and make sure we have
your current name and address.
Update prices have been very reasonable in the past, and we would like
very much to keep it that way in the future. However, we have bills to pay and cannot
commit to any specific pricing future upgrades, especially since we can’t predict the
nature of the features and effort involved in producing the upgrade.
One feature of our update policy which is not likely to change: You will
receive at no cost to you a corrected update if you discover and report what Mentor
Software determines to be a real bug in the software. This update will be shipped as soon
as a release with the correction becomes available. Often (but not guaranteed) this is the
next business day.
[TOC]
DLG is an acronym for Digital Line Graph; the format which the USGS is
using in its program to digitize map data for the US. Standard DLG format is used only
within the USGS, and is not supported by any generally available programs that we know of.
The Optional Distribution Format is the format used by just about everybody outside of the
USGS.
[TOC]
DLG data is generally available in three scales: 1:2,000,000, 1:100,000,
and 1:24,000. The difference here is not the format of the DLG file, but essentially the
scale of the source documents from which the data was obtained. DLG data based on the
larger scale 1:24,000 data sources tends to be more accurate and more detailed. Of course,
it also more voluminous and expensive to obtain.
DLG files are also thematic. For a given piece of real estate, there may
be as many as six different DLG files. Hydrography files contain data concerning streams,
rivers, lakes, shorelines, etc. Transportation files typically contain roads, highways,
trails etc.; while railroads and pipelines/powerlines are in their own separate files.
Finally, Hypsography (read elevation contours) and public land survey files are beginning
to become available.
[TOC]
At the larger scales, the information is reasonably well detailed, though
may be as much as ten years out of date. Most every street, road , or trail is shown, as
are most every stream, lake or pond. You will not find any buildings, nor will you
find any text. That’s right, no street names. The data is topologically structured,
and defines the outline of closed polygons. Filling the closed polygons is something your
conversion program will need to do.
Coordinates in DLG files are typically NAD27 based UTM coordinates
although that is likely to change soon.
[TOC]
A public domain program to convert DLG to DXF format is available on the
Internet. This program appropriate for evaluating DLG or simply constructing a small map
from one or two DLG files. The public domain DLG2DXF (as opposed to a commercially
available program with the same name) has the following limitations:
1. All entities end up on the same layer with the same color, same line
style, all with zero width.
2. Lines only are converted, closed polygons and/or block insertion are
not supported.
3. All lines are converted, you don’t get to choose which.
4. Results are in the source coordinate system, i.e. NAD27 UTM
coordinates.
5. The result is a usually huge DXF file which then needs to be imported
into AutoCAD before it is useful or even visible.
Commercially available products usually enable you to select the specific
entities which are to be converted, specify different layers, colors, line styles, and
line widths for different entity types, perform coordinate conversion, add double line
roads, insert blocks for DLG node entities, produced closed polygons for areas, and many
other useful features.
Generally, if your requirements are limited to ten or fewer quads in the
foreseeable future, your best bet is to buy the data already converted from any one of
several sources. However, this converted data is usually copyrighted by the source and,
therefore, should not be distributed outside of your organization. Data converted by
either the public domain or commercially available conversion products is, of course, free
from any distribution restrictions.
[TOC]
Maps based solely on DLG data are not sufficiently accurate for use as the
base for engineering or detail design. Principally, DLG data files are useful as a
starting point, i.e. a base map, for more rigorous mapping efforts. DLG is an inexpensive
way to add culture to more detailed engineering work and improve the quality of
presentations.
For example, the engineer designing a pipeline will ordinarily have their
own survey data with which to make the engineering portion of the map. However, DLG
provides a quick and inexpensive means to fill in the surrounding roads and streams for
access and environmental concerns. Beware, however, DLG can be as much as ten years out of
date, so don’t rely on it too heavily.
[TOC]
Consider the source. DLG data is being developed by the USGS it’s
database of geographic information. The TIGER files have been developed by the Census
Bureau to aid in the taking of the census. DLG files, therefore, tend to be more accurate
and detailed; while TIGER files contain street names, demographic information, more
political subdivisions, etc. Can the two be merged? Yes, but not easily. The USGS and
other governmental organizations have been planning to do so for many years; but results
are not imminent.
[TOC]
DLG is available in three mediums. Hydrography, Transportation, Railroad,
and Pipeline layers at the 1:100,000 scale are available for the whole US except Alaska on
CD-ROMs. The data is so voluminous that despite compression with PKZIP, 14 CD-ROMs were
required; each is available for $32 from the USGS (800USAMAPS) with a two to three week
delivery time. Mentor Software maintains an inventory of these CD-ROMs for the convenience
of its clients , can ship via overnight courier, but charges $64 per CD-ROM.
All of the above described data is also available on the Internet at no
charge at: http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/pub/data/DLG/100K/.
Additionally, hypsography (i.e. elevation contours) and public land survey layers are
beginning to show up in the Internet directories. It pays to check this site regularly.
The data files available from this site are compressed using a program named GZIP, not
PKZIP. You can get GZIP off the Internet from various sites.
The 1:24,000 series is currently available only via 9 track magnetic tape
and is relatively expensive. The USGS requires payment of $100 for the tape (and mounting
thereof) and $5 per data file (i.e. per layer per quad). (Prices change, these are ball
park figures.) Thus it can rather expensive. Coverage at this scale is not complete, but
rapidly progressing to completion. What you need to check with the USGS regularly to see
if the data you require is available.
[top]
Is protected software really
necessary?
While protected software can be a pain, it does provide several advantages, the most
important of which benefits vendor and user alike. As "bugs" are corrected, and
new features added, new releases of all Mentor Software retail products are posted on our
Web site. Licensed users can obtain the latest revision of licensed products by simply
downloading them from the Web site. Installing directly over the previous licensed copy
preserves all authorizations. Mentor Software will e-mail notifications of updates to all
licensed users. This service is free of charge to all licensed users within any major
release level. (There may be an update fee for major release level updates required by,
for example, Windows 98 or AutoCAD 15.)
Protected software also enables us to provide Annual Licenses as described below,
eliminates most shipping/handling hassles and expenses, enables us to distribute
internationally, and to assure that all licenses fairly contribute to the cost of
development and maintenance of the software in relation to their use. All of these
features combine to enable high quality products and services to be made available at
lower cost; while maintaining the financial viability of the vendor. So, while perhaps
inconvenient at times, software protection provides significant benefits to both user and
vendor. The only real loser is the software pirate who feels that it’s OK for
everyone else to pay for the development and maintenance of the software they use.
[TOC]
What’s an Annual License?
Since technology changes so fast, it has become increasing evident that software users
are somewhat reluctant to spend a significant amount of money to license a product which
may be technologically out of date in, say, six months. Mentor Software’s annual
license is a means by which this problem can be avoided. Using the protection software
built into our products, we can provide you with a license to use any of our retail
products for 365 days at a substantially lower fee than the traditional perpetual license.
At the end of that time period, licensees can decide if the Mentor Software product still
represents the best solution to the specific issue which the product addresses. If so, the
user can renew for another year at the then current annual license rates. If not, the
licensee is not financially committed to using an inferior product. Thus, the annual
license provides licensees with lower cost, and vendor with a definite motivation to keep
the underlying product up to date; what we feel is a win/win situation. We believe that
all software licensing will, in general, move in this direction.
[TOC]
Why
do I need the NT Support disk?
Our downloadable products are protected by the CrypKey Software Protection System
published by Kenonic Controls of Calgary, Alberta. In the Windows NT environment, the
scheme that they use requires that a Windows NT Service and Driver be installed. The NT
Support Disk installs these features. The CrypKey Windows NT Service must know the
directory in which your protected program is installed. Therefore, when the installation
program asks for a directory, provide it with the installation directory of the product
you have just installed.
Please note, that several other vendors also use this software protection system. Thus,
it may already be installed on your system and there is no need to install it a second
time. In this case, use the CrypKey Server program module to add the installation
directory of the new product to the list of directories being serviced by the CrypKey
Service.
Note: The NT Support is built into the installation program now.
When installing (setup.exe) on NT, you will have to be logged on as Administrator.
[TOC]
Tralaine
complained that it "couldn’t find the L?S files". What’s wrong?
Accurate conversion between NAD27 and NAD83 requires access to a database of
latitude/longitude shift information. This information is distributed by the National
Geodetic Survey in files which have the .LAS and .LOS extension. The .LAS file contains
the latitude shift values; the .LOS file carries the longitude shift values. Tralaine
expects to find these files in its DATA sub-directory.
In total, these files are rather large and seldom change. Thus, Mentor Software does
not include them in the downloadable distribution. (in initial releases, we did not
include them in the physical distribution either. Our apologies, this has been corrected.)
To do so, would require an unnecessary download of 1.8 megabytes of stuff that hasn’t
changed each time a user downloaded an update. These data files are available on our
FTP/Web site in a file named NAD_HPGN.EXE, located in the DATA directory. Treat the file
as if it were named SETUP.EXE. That is, execute the file and use the "Extract
To" portion of the screen to extract the contents into the DATA sub-directory of
Tralaine.
[TOC]
What’s the
difference between WGS84 and NAD83?
While there are some geodesists who will insist otherwise, essentially there is no
difference between these two datums. Both are very precise measurements of the same thing
performed by two different organizations. What differences there are stem from the
mathematical techniques and the number of observations used. For a detailed analysis of
this issue see NOAA Professional Paper NOS 2, Article
22 Relation of NAD 83 TO WGS84 - by Charles R. Schwarz, Page 249.
[TOC]
Why
can’t I use a coordinate system defined using Tralaine inside of Hawkeye?
This is a temporary situation. Our current version of Tralaine is based on the latest
release, 8.04, of the coordinate conversion engine which we use in all of our products.
Hawkeye releases prior to 14.07 are based on the previous release of the coordinate
conversion engine, 7.04. Thus, there is a compatibility issue. Hawkeye, Release 14.07 (due
out April 30, 1998), will be based on the same coordinate conversion engine as Tralaine
and the two products will be compatible at that time. Sorry for the inconvenience. Download the most recent version.
[TOC]
How can I define a new
coordinate system for Hawkeye?
Beginning with release 14.10, you can now use Tralaine to define a coordinate
system and use it in Hawkeye. Actual licensing of Tralaine is not necessary as
authorization is not required to use the coordinate system editing features of Tralaine.
We do intend to include coordinate system editing in future releases of Hawkeye. Download the most recent version
[TOC]
I
couldn’t get Hawkeye to accept UTM-18 as a coordinate system as before. Why not?
The key names for UTM zones have changed to include a reference to the datum in the key
names. Thus, those used to providing UTM-18 as a key name will now need to provide
UTM27-18. As this implies, there is a corresponding UTM83-18 in the dictionary. In recent
releases, there is also a complete set of UTM84’s.
[TOC]
What’s
the difference between the U. S. Survey Foot and the International Foot?
The metric system was originally invented in the early 1800’s. The meter was
defined as 1 ten millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole. At that
time, the official conversion of English units to metric was set at 39.37 inches equals
one meter, precisely.
This definition of a meter turned out to be not so hot, as it was realized that the
shape of the earth is not a true ellipsoid. In the 1950’s, the definition of the
meter was changed to be some many times the wavelength of a certain type of light. The
English conversion factor was set to be 2.54 centimeters equals one inch, precisely.
Thus, we have two conversions between metric and English. These are close to being
identical, but not quite. A foot based on the older system is referred to as a U. S.
Survey Foot; a foot based on the newer definition is referred to as the International
Foot. In general, most all surveying and mapping in the US which is done in feet is based
on the U. S. Survey Foot. Thus, in all Mentor Software products, the term FOOT refers to
the U. S. Survey foot.
To convert U. S. Survey Feet to meters, multiply by 3.280833333; you can append as many
3’s as you like for the desired degree of precision. To convert International Feet to
meters, multiply by 3.280839895. As you can see, these numbers are very close to being
equal, but not exactly. When multiplying by the large coordinate values we typically use
in mapping, the difference can be significant.
