How do I Load a Shapefile as a Background into TerraSync?

Answer

TerraSync version 2.9 and earlier can’t directly read a shapefile so you have to convert it to a format that it can read.

You have to create an .imp file so TerraSync can display the data.

Option 1:  Use Pathfinder Office to convert the file

1. Create an imp file
   • Open Pathfinder Office
   • Click on the Utilities menu and select import
     • Choose an Import Setup
       • Sample ESRI Shapefile Setup
     • Browse to your shapefile
     • Click on the Properties tab
       • Select the Coordinate System tab
         • Click on Change
           • Select you System, Zone, and Datum
           • Altitude Reference (HAE or MSL)
           • Coordinate Units
           • Altitude Units
         • Click on OK
         • Click on OK again
         • This will convert the shapefile into a format that TerraSync can use (.imp file format)
2. Transfer the Converted Shapefile (imp) to TerraSync
   • Make sure your Data Collector is connected to ActiveSync
   • Go to Utilities and select Data Transfer
   • Make sure your device type is set to GIS data logger on windows CE (or activesync) and that it’s connected.
     • If it isn’t, click on the green check
   • Click on the Send tab
   • Choose Background as the file type
   • Click on Add, and select your *.imp file
   • Click on Open
   • Click on OK
   • Transfer All
3. Load the Background file into TerraSync
   • Open TerraSync
   • Change your coordinate system to match the *.imp file
   • Go to the Setup Menu
   • Click on Coordinate System
   • Configure your system, zone, datum, coordinate units, altitude units.
   • Click on OK
   1. Go to Map
      • Click drop down arrow next to Layers and select Background file
      • Scroll down and choose your *.imp
      • Click on Ok

Option 2:  Import Shapefile directly into TerraSync

1. Transfer a shapefile to the Data Collector
   • Make sure your Data Collector is connected to ActiveSync
   • Open the ActiveSync program on your desktop computer
     • Double click on the ActiveSync Icon (Green Circle with two arrows) or
     • Go to Start/Programs/Microsoft ActiveSync
   • Click on the Explore tab in the ActiveSync interface
   • Navigate to the My Documents folder on the Mobile Device
   • Copy and Paste your shapefile into this folder
2. Convert the Shapefile into an imp
   • Open TerraSync
     • Go to the Data Menu
     • Underneath the Data Menu choose File Manager
       • Choose Background as your file type
       • Click on the Option menu (located at the top right side)
       • Select Read background from Shape
   • Give the file a name
   • Navigate to the folder where you save the shapefile
   • Put a check box next to the shapefile
   • Click on OK
3. Load the Background file into TerraSync
   • Open TerraSync
   • Change your coordinate system to match the *.imp file
   • Go to the Setup Menu
   • Click on Coordinate System
   • Configure your system, zone, datum, coordinate units, altitude units.
   • Click on OK
   1. Go to Map
      • Click drop down arrow next to Layers and select Background file
      • Scroll down and choose your *.imp
      • Click on Ok