Quick Guide

Welcome to LAMS e-SurveyPlan, an easy to use windows application designed for the
preparation of survey plans in digital format. This application together with the accompanying
standard file format, the DIGITAL LAND SURVEY DATA DLSD 1 (DLSD) introduces a standard
mechanism for the creation and lodgement of digital survey plans and aims to provide a faster
verification and approval process. It also serves as an example of how the exchange of land survey
data can be facilitated in a digital format. The DLSD is an XML 2 file containing all the coordinate data
and other textual information of the survey plan.

This quick guide provides a detailed explanation on how a survey plan in digital format is prepared
by illustrating the various functionalities of the system. The file generated by the eSurveyPlan
complies with the format of the DLSD.

INTRODUCTION

The electronic lodgement of survey plans is implemented in a phased manner. While a digital survey
plan is the preferred manner of survey plan lodgment, LAMS IVAS will continue to accept manually
prepared plans. The recommended approaches for the digital lodgement are illustrated in the
following figure;

1
the DLSD format specifications is specified in a separate document.
2
XML (Extensible Markup Language) is an ASCII based text file that can be used as portable file between
systems.

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Manual Preparation. The information on the manually prepared survey plan is used to create
the DLSD file prior to uploading on Lams IVAS. A group or unit within the LMS is assigned as
encoders tasked in converting the plan to generate the DLSD. As this process involves manual
encoding of plans, an delay in the verification process is expected.

CAD/GIS Application. The CAD applications used by geodetic engineers may be customized to
generate the DLSD in the format stated in the specification. The file generated maybe submitted to
the LMS office thru the LAMS Kiosk or via the web using the eSurveyPlan.

The e-SurveyPlan application. The purpose of the DLSD exchange format is for the GE practitioners
to prepare the plans in their chosen survey application (AutoCad, etc) and customize their software
to generate the file in the prescribed format. However, Lams has recognised that some of the
practitioners may not be in a position to modify their application. To make the data requirements
for the transfer format as flexible as possible, DENR has developed an application to complement
the digital cadastral survey data lodgement process. This application can be used to prepare, pre-
validate, print computation sheets, and generate the DLSD file.

The rest of this document illustrates the procedure in using the application.

1. Getting Started. Go to the working folder containing the application files then double click the
e-SurveyPlan executable.

2. Running the application. On startup,

the system will determine the
credentials used to authenticate the
user. Authentication comes in the form
of License Certificates 3 . License
certificates are added to the system by
clicking button. You may add
as many licenses as you like. It is

3
License certificates are files generated by LAMS. They contain the information on the identity of the geodetic engineer
as well as the connection information to the regional LMS offices. Digital signatures are also embedded in the file. You
may get your license files from the LAMS system administrators.
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 important to remember that adding licenses to the application grants the user access to the
regional office LAMS database using the credential so add only those licenses provided to
you. Once loaded into the system, you may discard the file or store them in a safe location to
prevent other people from using them.

3. System tables. To ensure that your application contains the most recent system information
(list of province, municipality, barangay, tie points, etc) from the LAMS database, click
Synchronize LookUp Data from the Tools menu. A message indicating successful operation will
display. If a message showing connection problem or any other error appears, contact the
system administrator. If a remote connection is not available, you may also get copy of the
system tables from the system administrator.

4. System Menu. The different functionalities of the system is accessed by selecting the items
from the menu.

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5. The Toolbar. The eSurveyPlan provides a toolbar that provides buttons to help the users in
navigating the maps.

5.1.1. Zoom to Fit. Zoom so that the map fits within the window size.
5.1.2. Zoom In. Magnify the view as if seen from a closer distance.
5.1.3. Zoom Out. Reduce the view as if seen from farther away.
5.1.4. Zoom Box. Zoom to a given zoom level, expressed as a specific scale if the
component is projected.
5.1.5. Grabber. Use to grab/ drag the map.
5.1.6. Back. Zoom to the last view
5.1.7. Forward. Zoom to the next view
5.1.8. Scale. Displays the scale at current view
5.1.9. Enable Spatial Tools
5.1.10. Create Polygon. Draw a polygon
5.1.11. Draw line. Draw/Insert a broken line indicating roads and other geographical
ffeatures
5.1.12. Delete line. Delete a line
5.1.13. Create Label. Draw labels as captions of polygons
5.1.14. Edit Label. Edit the selected label
5.1.15. Finalize edit. Finalize the editing/creating of new polygons
5.1.16. Refresh. Refresh the map
5.1.17. Arrow buttons. Used to move the label or draft polygon

The explanation on how to use the toolbar is discussed in the succeeding sections.

6. Survey Information. In creating new

survey plans, the survey information
should be encoded first before proceeding
to the rest of the encoding process.
Survey information identifies the name,
location, the type of the project, as well as
the coordinates of the control points. To
add a new survey record click File then
New.

Additional information on Geodetic

Engineer, surveying company if applicable,
and the date of Survey should also be
filled in. Other fields are optional and
maybe left blank.

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7. Creating Survey Plan. A digital survey plan consists of different kinds of lot data computation
sheets. These sheets are encoded using a standard data entry form that provides automatic
calculation of area, bearing and distance, closure error, etc. It also provides validation and
plotting of the spatial data for visual checking. Lot information may come in the form of mother
lots or resultant lots. Traverse, boundary, and block computation also contain the same
information and has a similar data entry form.

A survey plan may be created in any of the following manner;

7.1. Encode all computation sheets. This involves encoding all manually calculated
computation sheets to generate the digital survey plan.
7.2. Encode mother lot/s, traverse computation, and use the side shot computation to
calculate and generate the resultant lots.
7.3. Use the spatial tools to generate the resultant lots. This facility is intended to automate
the generation of resultant lots based on the mother lot/s computation using spatial
functionalities such as combining (consolidation) and splitting polygons (subdivision).

8. Encoding Lot Data Computation Sheets. To encode

Lot Data Computation sheets, select type of
computation sheet in the layer panel and click the
Add Row button. In creating new survey plans,
the order of encoding lot information is as follows;
8.1. Mother Lot
8.2. Traverse
8.3. Consolidated Boundary4
8.4. Block computations
8.5. Resultant Lots

9. Loading Mother Lot from DLSD. As

previously explained, the DLSD provides a
standard means of exchanging land data
and as such, files generated by this
application comforms to the standard and
may be exchanged with other applications
or computer systems, as in the lodgement
of survey plan. In the same manner, the
computation sheet for the mother lot
may also be obtained (or downloaded 5)

4
Consolidated boundary should not be confused with mother lots. Consolidated boundary is the computation formed
when mother lots are combined or consolidated. Mother lot is the original lot and is usually the subject of a subdivision.
5
refer to the section Downloading Lot Data in DLSD format
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 from the LMS and uploaded to this
application automatically. To do this,
click File menu and select Load from
DLSD. Locate the DLSD file and click OK.
The mother lot will automatically appear
in the panel and displayed in the Map
viewer.

10.The Parcel Form. The parcel form provides the data entry screen for the different computation
sheets. This is an iteration of the corners and the bearing and distances that form the the lot. A
spatially enabled window provides a view of the lot as the corners are encoded. The entry
screen also contains the other lot attributes including the block and lot number, location, and
owners.

Fill up all the fields accordingly. As the coordinates are encoded, the system automatically
computes for the bearing and distance and the map window displays the spatial data being formed.
The coordinates are then automatically computed. To close the spatial data, make sure the last
corner is linked to the first corner (Corner 1). This will display the resulting polygon and display the
computed area. If the computed area does not match the source document, the system displays
the number in red color to indicate mismatch. You may recalculate by clicking on the Calculate
button. Make sure that the filled in values are the same as that of the source document. A
mismatch should require further investigation.

The parcel entry form provides the same data entry screen for all the types of computation sheets.
Selecting an item from the menu in Item 4 displays the Parcel Entry Screen. It is important that the

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Mother Lot, Traverse Computation, and/or the Boundary Lot should be encoded before the
Resultant Lots to be able to use the “shotting” feature of the system.

The TAG field provides a short name for the lot record which can be used to
refer to the lot for shotting computations. This works in the same way as (“equal” to this, equal to
boundary, traverse, etc) in the manual prearation of lot computation. As a manner of convention,
please use the following tagging standard;

 Mother Lot = M
 Resultant Lot = R
 Block = K
 Traverse = T
 Boundary = B
 This Lot = L

To make the tag unique, the tag should include the suffix of the lotnumber.
e.g. Lot Number : 123-1 , Tag = R1

e.g. Resultant Lot : Lot 1 Block 1 = R1K1

Lot 2 Block 1 = R2K1
Block : Block 1 = K1
Block 2 = K2

Mother Lot should not be confused with the term Boundary. In the context of using LAMS and
eSurveyPlan, the Mother Lot refers to the original lots to be subdivided and/or consolidated while
the boundary is the computed lot from the consolidation of two or more lots. Tagging for boundary
lots may follow this scheme;
e.g. Resultant Lot : Lot 1 Boundary 1 = R1B1
Lot 2 Boundary 1 = R2B1
Lot 1 Boundary 2 = R2B2

11. Encoding of Traverse Computation.

To encode traverse computation, select

Traverse layer from the layer panel and
click Add Row button.

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12. Side Shots Computation. Alternately,
the resultant lot may be derived by
encoding the side shots from the field
notes. Fill up all the fields accordingly.
As the Shot/Tag Name and the Corner
are encoded, the system automatically
computes for the coordinates and the
map window displays the spatial data
being formed. At the end of the
shotting, a message box will appear
asking if you want to create new lot
from draft, click Yes to create then fill
up all the fields accordingly.

13. Layers Controls. Maps show layer controls at the

left of each map window. The Layer Controls are
automatically named the same as the drawing or image
they contain. Layer controls may be used to manipulate
the layers in a map by unchecking each layer control.

14. Saving the Survey Lot Data. When saving the lot data computation, go to File then select Save.
Always make sure to save your work or else when you accidentally close the application, the Survey
Lot Data that you created will not be saved or retrieved anymore.

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15. Opening a Survey Lot Data. To open a Survey Lot Data, go to File then select Open, browse for
the Survey Lot Data file and click on the file. Upon closing the application, the System will ask you if
you want to save the changes, if any changes have been made.

16. Edit a Parcel. To edit a Parcel, select type

of computation sheet from the layer panel and
select lot number/parcel from the Lot/Parcel
panel then click button right beside the
selected lot number/parcel. The System
displays the parcel entry form corresponding to
the lot selected.

17. Deleting unnecessary lines. When deleting unnecessary lines, click the from the toolbar
menu then select the Line to be deleted.

18. Delete a Parcel. To delete a parcel, select type of computation sheet from the layer panel and
select the Lot Number/Parcel from the lot number/parcel panel then click Delete Row button.

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19. Submit DLSD File. Submitting the survey
plan data in DLSD format may be done via
the internet. This application connects to
the remote server in the regional office to
upload the digital file using the screen
designed for the purpose. The file may be
uploaded together with the scanned
documents in PDF format.

20. Pre-validation of lot computation ensures that the approval of new lots is spatially and
mathematically consistent with the existing and previoulsy approved lots in the Regional DCDB.
This is implemented by plotting the new set of lots within the mother lot to determine the gaps,
overlaps, and the comformity of angles and distances. The automated verification of the
coordinate, bearing, and distances is conducted thru the use of spatial analysis automate the
process. This automated process is done by following the steps below. To pre-validate click
Validate from the Tools Menu. It is important to click the Refresh button after each step to
requery the lot information as well as the changes resulting from the previous operation.

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 Check Corners. The corner check is based on the premise that every corner should match
another corner from either the motherlot or the adjacent lot. The corners of the
resultant lots is checked one by one and compared with the corners of the adjacent lot
and the mother lot. The corner check includes the tie point. If a corner is found without
any match, the corner is displayed on the window and a message prompt showing the
number of errors is displayed. To revert to the original display, click Refresh.

NOTES

There are occassions when a resultant lot may contain a single corner that does not
match any other corner. This happens depending on how the GE positioned the
monuments and stations eg : where the length of segment exceeds 200m.

 Check Closure. The check on closure is performed by displaying the list of lots and
calculating the closure of the polygon one at a time. If the lot passes the check, the
corresponding check is displayed, otherwise the verifier is left with a choice to manually
compute and decide if the lot passes the closure check by clicking the Check button at
the bottom of the screen.

 Check Area. The check on area is conducted by displaying the list of lots, calculating the
area of the polygon, and checking if the declared area falls within the rounded value of
the computed area. If the lot passes the check, the corresponding check is displayed,
otherwise the G.E. can choose to manually compute for the area and decide if the
computation and rounding is well within the allowed margin of error by clicking the
Check button at the bottom of the screen. A total area of the lots is also displayed for
comparison.

 Check Along Lines.The checking of along lines ensures that the bearing of every segment
is aligned and conforms with the adjacent resultant lots or the motherlot/boundary. This
check also computes for the sum of the distances of the lines of the resultant lots which
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 should be equal to distance of the boundary line. When errors are found, red lines are
drawn to show the errors. To view the bearing and distance, click on the resultant lots.
• If the line lies between the two resultant lots, click inside the resultant lots
contaning the line and compare against the the adjacent lot.
• If the error is found along the boundary, click the area outside the lots to show
the bearing and distance of the boundary.

If no error is found, a corresponding message is displayed. To revert to the original

display,click Refresh.

IMPORTANT
The check on the corners and along lines determine the errors of the survey plan,
however, errors may arise during the encoding of the lots.

 Check Resultant. This check shows the gaps and overlaps of the resultant lots. The lots
are plotted to check if the area extends over the adjacent lots or a space between them
exists. The discrepancy is then shown on the screen and the sum of the erroneours area
is displayed.

 Check Boundary . This check shows the gaps and overlaps of the resultant lots plotted
against the boundary. The resultant lots are consolidated and plotted to check if the area
extends over or a space between the boundary/mother lot exists. The discrepancy is
then shown on the screen and the sum of the erroneous area is displayed.

NOTES

The check on the gaps, overlaps, and area is based on the spatial calculation of the lots and
should only provide a general indication of the error. In any case, (and unless a policy is
released to enforce the result of the spatial check) the verification should always be based
on the prescribed procedures in the survey manual.

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21. Import Plan. To import DXF file, you
must first create new survey record
following the steps in item 6. Then go to
Tools menu and select Import Plan browse
for the DXF file and click open. In preparing
the DXF file follow the layer name standard
below;

 MOTHERLOT
 RESULTANTLOT
 ADJACENT
 TRAVERS
 BOUNDARY

NOTES

In plotting a polygon in Autocad please use the polyline command and make sure to encode
the last line or pick/click the corner 1 before executing the close command.

22. Export Plan. To export survey data to DXF file, go to Tools menu then select Export Plan.

23.Downloading Lot Data. SurveyPlan may also be used to download lot information from the
LAMS database.

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 To download lot information, you must first execute a search for the lot record.
 Fill in the known information as search criteria for the desired lot.
 Click search. If no record is found, a message shall appear asking if you want to
initiate a request to update the lot record. Selecting YES will create a new
transaction that will start a series of activities in the Records section to update
and verify the requested information. You may check the monitor the status of
the transaction request using the transaction console.

- end -

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