Here you will find some information that will help you get started with your upgrade to MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8. If you don't find an answer to your question here, try searching our Helpdesk, or submit a support ticket.
- About MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8
- Installing MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8
- Registering MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8
- Using/Customizing MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8
- Learning MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8
About MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8
What is new in MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8, compared to my old Starplus STAR*NET or MicroSurvey STAR*NET V6?
MicroSurvey STAR*NET 7 and 8 feature a highly customizable integrated data editor, a powerful new Find Point tool to locate all input records for a particular point by double-clicking a point in any of the output files, loop closure checks for GPS and level networks, GPS sideshots, point aliasing via explicitly named aliases or prefix/suffix/additive schemes, support for MicroSurvey FieldGenius data collection software, and much more! Yet with all the changes, MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8 features the same extremely stable least squares processing engine that has been the core of STAR*NET, trusted by users worldwide for many years.
Will it be a big adjustment learning MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8?
The MicroSurvey STAR*NET 7 and 8 interface is very different from the old V6 interface, but at its heart it continues to use the same trusted workflow as always. Data files are still the same text-based .dat files, project options are still exposed in the same familiar way (although with a few new additions), and processing an adjustment results in the same listing, plot, and output files you are used to. So the learning curve to transition from Starplus STAR*NET to MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8 will consist primarily of learning to use the power available in the new customizable interface and its integrated data editor. New tools like the advanced Find Point tool to located input data relating to a point by double-clicking on a point in the output files will save you more time the first time you use it, than it will take you to learn it. Point aliases, GPS sideshots, loop closure checks, and other new features are all simple to learn and use, you'll be up and running in no time!
The MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8 interface is nearly identical to the STAR*NET 7 interface, so if you are upgrading from it the learning curve will be minimal.
Installing MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8
Will installing MicroSurvey STAR*NET overwrite my existing copy of Starplus STAR*NET or MicroSurvey STAR*NET V6 or V7?
No, MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8 is a separate standalone installation. It will install (by default) into C:\Program Files (x86)\MicroSurvey\StarNet V8\. This will allow your previous version of STAR*NET V6 or V7 to continue to run in its original folder so you can transition cleanly and easily.
Will upgrading MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8 overwrite my existing copy of an earlier version of MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8?
Yes, if you upgrade from a previous version of MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8 (a beta version, for example) to a newer version of MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8 then the old one will be automatically uninstalled prior to the new one being installed. If you have customized any of the installed data files, be sure to back them up first to avoid any data loss. Upgrading will not affect your project files in any way.
What about my Starplus conversion utilities like STAR*TDS, STAR*Carlson, etc? Is there a new MicroSurvey version of them?
Yes, the MicroSurvey STAR*NET installation package includes all of the conversion utilities and they are automatically installed into your selected installation folder. After you have installed MicroSurvey STAR*NET they are available via your Start Menu > All Programs > MicroSurvey > StarNet V8 > Converters.
Should I un-install my previous version of Starplus STAR*NET prior to installing MicroSurvey STAR*NET?
We suggest keeping your current version installed until after you install MicroSurvey STAR*NET and have tested it to make sure it installed ok. When you're satisfied that everything is running ok, you can un-install your older version. Please remember that if you have purchased MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8 as an upgrade from a previous version, then you no longer own the license for that previous version and should not be using it for production work.
How do I install the new version?
To install, you must be logged in with an Administrator account. Please contact your network administrator if you do not have Administrator access.
Installing from the internet: Click on the download link which was emailed to you, and press "Save" to save the file onto your harddrive and browse to wherever you want the file saved, perhaps your "My Documents" or "Downloads" folder, then press "Run" or "Open" when the download finishes. Follow the on-screen instructions to step through the installation.
Installing from a CD: Insert the CD that you received when you purchased the upgrade into your CDROM drive. Open a "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer" window and browse into your CD-ROM drive (usually D:\), then double-click the setup file. Follow the on-screen instructions to step through the installation.
Do I really need an Administrator account?
Yes, you need an Administrator account to install MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8. Please contact your network administrator if you do not have Administrator access. After it has been installed and run once by an Administrator, any user can run the program without requiring Administrator permissions.
How do I remove my old Starplus STAR*NET program?
Please use the Control Panel > Add / Remove Programs applet to remove it. After the program is removed, there may be a few configuration files left in the Starplus STAR*NET directories. After you have examined the remaining files in these directories and subdirectories to verify that you haven't placed any valuable files there, you can delete them.
How do I remove my MicroSurvey STAR*NET program?
Please use the Control Panel > Add / Remove Programs applet to remove it. After the program is removed, there may be a few configuration files left in the MicroSurvey STAR*NET directories. After you have examined the remaining files in these directories and subdirectories to verify that you haven't placed any valuable files there, you can delete them.
Registering MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8
I've got it installed. How do I register it?
First, you need to activate the USB License Key you received when you purchased MicroSurvey STAR*NET. Plug the USB License Key into any computer that is connected to the internet and run the License Manager software that was installed with MicroSurvey STAR*NET. Simply follow the on-screen prompts to Update your license key.
Do you have hardware locks available?
Yes, all of our MicroSurvey STAR*NET licenses use a USB License Key for activating the program. Simply plug the USB License Key into the computer, and then start MicroSurvey STAR*NET. Want to work on MicroSurvey STAR*NET at home or on another computer? Just take the USB License Key with you, wherever you want to use it!
Can I use MicroSurvey STAR*NET without a hardware lock?
No, all of our MicroSurvey STAR*NET licenses use a USB key for activating the program. The key can be connected directly to your workstation, or to a network server. Without a USB license key, MicroSurvey STAR*NET can run only in demo mode which is limited to 10 stations.
Can I use MicroSurvey STAR*NET with my Starplus STAR*NET sentinel USB or LPT key?
No, a MicroSurvey USB license key is required. Please contact MicroSurvey Software at 1-800-668-3312 or 1-250-707-0000 for pricing information to upgrade your Starplus license to a MicroSurvey license.
How do I register it with my network license?
First, you need to activate the USB License Key you received when you purchased MicroSurvey STAR*NET. Plug the USB License Key into any computer that is connected to the internet and run the License Manager software that was installed with MicroSurvey STAR*NET.
Then install the MicroSurvey Network License Server application on any computer on your network with an available USB port. Once your USB License Key has been activated online, just plug it into any available USB port on any computer on your network which has the MicroSurvey Network License Server installed. Make sure you know the name of the computer that the USB License Key is plugged into. If you are unsure of the computer name, please contact your network administrator for assistance.
Then run MicroSurvey STAR*NET on any computer on the same network. When asked, simply provide MicroSurvey STAR*NET with the computer name or IP address that the USB License Key is plugged into, and then press the "Connect to Server USB Key" button and it will automatically detect the USB License Key and unlock the program if there is an available seat available. You must leave the USB License Key plugged in to the server computer for the entire duration that anyone is running MicroSurvey STAR*NET – if you unplug the key, MicroSurvey STAR*NET will become disabled on any computer it is running on.
Using and Customizing MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8
What will happen to all my old Starplus STAR*NET projects? Can I still use them with MicroSurvey STAR*NET?
MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8 uses exactly the same file formats as STAR*NET V6 and V7. Any of your previous project files, data files, GPS vector files, etc can all be used with MicroSurvey STAR*NET. When you open a .prj project file from V6, it will automatically create a new .snproj project file for V7 or V8 from its contents, so the original .prj file will remain unchanged.
What about all the Geoid Models and Vertical Deflection Files which I created with the StarGeoid utility? Can I still use them with MicroSurvey STAR*NET?
All files created by Starplus STAR*NET, including vertical deflection and geoid modeling files created with the StarGeoid utility, are completely compatible with MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8. You can simply copy or move the contents of your previous STAR*NET modeling folder...
Starplus STAR*NET: C:\Starplus\StarNet\Modeling\
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.39-v6.0.41: C:\Program Files\MicroSurvey\StarNet 6\Modeling\
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.42-v6.0.43 (Windows XP and older): C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\StarNet V6\Modeling\
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.42-v6.0.43 (Windows Vista and newer): C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet V6\Modeling\
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v7.0.0-v7.2.2 (Windows XP and older): C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\StarNet V7\Modeling\
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v7.0.0-v7.2.2 (Windows Vista and newer): C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet V7\Modeling\
into the STAR*NET 8 Mapping folder:
Windows XP and older: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\StarNet V8\Mapping\
Windows Vista and newer: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet V8\Mapping\
Note: The Application Data and ProgramData folders are hidden by default.
I have customized the default Company Options and created an extensive Instrument Library, will I need to configure them again?
Company Options and Instrument Library files created by STAR*NET V6 or V7 are completely compatible with MicroSurvey STAR*NET V8, although they may need to be renamed. You can simply copy the Star6.def or Company.def file from the previous STAR*NET version...
Starplus STAR*NET V6: C:\Starplus\StarNet\Star6.def
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.39-v6.0.41: C:\Program Files\MicroSurvey\StarNet 6\Star6.def
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.42-v6.0.43 (Windows XP and older): C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\StarNet V6\Star6.def
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.42-v6.0.43 (Windows Vista and newer): C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet V6\Star6.def
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v7.0.0-v7.2.2 (Windows XP and older): C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\StarNet V7\Company.def
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v7.0.0-v7.2.2 (Windows Vista and newer): C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet V7\Company.def
into the appropriate STAR*NET 8 system folder, and rename it to Company.def:
Windows XP and older: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\StarNet V8\Company.def
Windows Vista and newer: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet V8\Company.def
Note: The Application Data and ProgramData folders are hidden by default.
I have customized the default Grid Parameters File, to include my own Coordinate Systems, will I need to configure them again?
Because of the new CS-Map coordinate system engine, the text-based "StarNet.cus" file used in previous versions is no longer compatible with STAR*NET 8.
STAR*NET 8 includes over 3200 pre-defined coordinate systems, and custom systems can be defined with the new Coordinate System Editor that is built into STAR*NET.
Any custom coordinate systems that you define will be saved in the binary "Mapping\Coordsys" file, which is compatible with other MicroSurvey products.
Learning MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8
Is there an online Help system?
Yes, MicroSurvey STAR*NET includes context-sensitive online help system which is accessible via Help > Contents, from the various Help buttons throughout the program, or from a shortcut installed in your Start menu.
Are there any tutorials or examples?
Yes, there are ten tutorials available in both the help file and the pdf manuals. You can access the PDF manuals through your Start Menu > All Programs > MicroSurvey > StarNet V8 > Manuals, or you can access the online help files from directly inside MicroSurvey STAR*NET by going to Help|Contents.
Are there any training movies?
Yes, there is a small but growing collection of training movies available on our website at http://www.microsurvey.com/downloads/movies/starnet.htm Movies can be streamed online (a highspeed connection is recommended) or downloaded for offline viewing. An introductory overview movie and a link to the online movies is also available directly from the Project Manager screen.
What about classroom-type training, is anything like that available?
Training courses are sometimes offered if there is sufficient demand in a particular region. Please phone your Technical Sales Representative at 1-800-668-3312 or 1-250-707-0000 to enquire about any upcoming training sessions.
What about online training, is anything like that available?
Online training courses are sometimes offered if there is sufficient demand. Please phone your Technical Sales Representative at 1-800-668-3312 or 1-250-707-0000 to enquire about any upcoming training sessions.
Brian Sloman
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