Overview

This section describes the options under the WinTab Digitiser submenu.

This menu allows you to create a transformation between digitised points on a map or plan and the real life coordinates of the map or the plan. Thus enabling you to load accurate data into Vulcan.

The menu options interface to the WinTab Digitiser interface developed by LCS/Telegraphics based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. The WinTab Digitiser interface is an advanced pointing device management tool for windowed environments. It interfaces to hardware components such as the digitiser in a standardised way thus eliminating the need to set up different drivers for different software applications.

WinTab drivers can be obtained from hardware manufacturers. A list of hardware manufacturers/resellers can be found on the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page of the LCS/Telegraphics website. The list contains links to the manufacturers' websites from which drivers can be downloaded.

Setting up a Digitiser

Prior to using a digitiser with Vulcan, ensure it is connected to the computer and is working correctly.

To check your digitiser is working correctly, try the following.

Serial Port Settings

  1. For Windows 2000, right-click on the My Computer button, select Properties and then the Hardware tab. Select the Device Manager button and the Ports (COM & LPT) entry. Right-click on the COM1 port entry. Select Properties and then the tab labelled Port Settings. Set the values to those outlined below.

    Bits per second: 9600 Data bits: 8 Parity: Odd Stop bits: 1 Flow control: None

  2. Set your digitiser to correspond with these settings plus include the two following settings:

    Continuous mode Binary format

Refer to the Troubleshooting for Digitisers section (under the System Administration documentation) for more information.

Serial Port Connectivity

Most digitisers come with their own testing software. We recommend using this to ensure the digitiser is working correctly before attempting to use it with Vulcan.

If, however, you do not have any testing software, then you can still check that your digitiser is sending information to the computer. To do this, we recommend using the 'HyperTerminal' program.

Note:   If WinTab drivers are installed, then you cannot use the HyperTerminal program.

  1. Click on Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications > HyperTerminal. In the panel labelled 'Connection Description', enter in a reference name, for example, 'Digitiser'. In the next panel labelled 'Connect to,' for the Connect using field, select COM1 from the drop-down list. In the panel labelled 'COM1 Properties' be sure you make the settings match the above port settings.

  2. Now, click a button on the digitiser puck. You should see output appearing on the HyperTerminal screen. If it is readable ASCII output, then you digitiser needs to be changed to binary. If you do not, then check the cable. Is it a null modem cable? If you still do not see output, then toggle the digitiser on then off then on and then try again to get output sent to HyperTerminal.

Once you have established that the digitiser is working correctly, you can then create the transformation. This is done by entering control points and then using the digitiser to digitise the control points. We recommend that you check the RMS Error to ensure that the transformation is accurate before digitising any data.