Exporting Data and Results

After processing the scenarios and analyzing the results, a common task is to export them as files, so they can be used to create reports, perform further analysis in other software, sent deliverables to customers, or back our data up elsewhere.

Users may also want to export input layer data, in case the original data is lost or the buffered version is useful elsewhere.

Exporting Data

It is possible to export all the data in a base dataset by using the administration tools.

However, in most practical cases it may be more convenient to export the raster or vector layer data only for the project area.

This command can be found in the layer’s side panel.

When clicked, it will download a zipped Geopackage file containing:

• For vector layers, a “original” and a “buffered” version of the data.

• For raster layers, a single raster with the data in the project area.

Note

The download button will only be active for layers processed after this feature was introduced. To allow downloading of existing layers, an administrator user must open the Project / Layer Preprocessing panel, select the layer, reprocess it and then reload the project. The download button should now be enabled.

Exporting Results

The Results of the active scenario (the calculated Resistance Map, Corridor Map and Path(s)), can be exported with the Results / Export Scenario Results menu option:

This command will create and download a ZIP file containing:

Project folder with the Area, Start Point and End Point in Shapefile format.

Scenario folders (one for each exported scenario), which in turn contains:

Paths folder containing the calculated optimal paths in Shapefile, KML and DXF formats. Shapefiles are provided in UTM coordinate system as well (note the files with EPSG32??? in their names), so some software packages like PLS-CADD can import these results:

Rasters folder with the Resistance and Corridor maps in GeoTIFF format, which can be used in Geographical Information Systems:

Intermediate points (if any) used in the scenario:

Scenario configuration file, in JSON format. It is identical to the file exported from the menu.

CSV (spreadsheet) file with the list of layers used in the scenario.

Similarly, the results of all the scenarios contained in our Project can be exported at once by using the Results / Export All Results menu option.

In this case, the generated ZIP file contains separate folder for each scenario, each one with the same data described above.

Integration with PLS-CADD

PLS-CADD is a software product from Power Line Systems which focuses on structural and geometric design of power lines. Is it widely used to complete the detailed design of a transmission line, based on terrain and other survey data.

Typically, Pathfinder is used in previous design iterations focused on environmental, regulatory and other geographic constraints, as well as community and stakeholder feedback. Once the decision about the overall route is done from alternatives provided and evaluated in Pathfinder, the route can be exported and used in PLS-CADD to finish the details of the design.

Integrated workflows with Pathfinder and PLS-CADD are possible with:

• Path export in UTM coordinates, so they can be imported in PLS-CADD.

• Detailed KML export of Pathfinder routes, so they can be compared in Google Earth with the KMZ exported from PLS-CADD.

• Importing of detailed PLS-CADD design in KMZ as a Cesium asset:

This video shows the different data exchange options between Pathfinder and PLS-CADD:

Exporting Analysis Graphics

As we have seen, resistance distribution graphics and path analysis graphics are very useful to compare the parameters and results of different scenarios. These graphics can be used to generate documentation and reports.

The data represented in these charts can be exported as:

• An image in PNG, JPEG or SVG format.

• A text file in CSV format, which can be used in spreadsheet software.

The exported data can then be included in documents or reports.

Exporting Views

Images of the Map and 3D views can also be exported, using the Screenshot tool located on the view itself:

Or using the Tools / Screenshot top menu option:

In both cases, a PNG image file is downloaded with a full view without the tool icons.

As with the Analysis Graphics images, these can also be used in reports and documentation.

Automated Reporting

In addition to manually exporting results and analysis charts, users can also generate and print a fully automated report with all the project highlights, to help in the analysis of scenario alternatives in the decision making process.

This function is available in the Results menu:

After this option is invoked, a window will open showing a Report Preview and a side panel to customize its content:

Report Content

The report contains two main sections:

• Project data

  • Project information

    • Map of the project area

    • Start and end point coordinates

    • Project stats (number of layers, categories, scenarios)

    • Summary table with costs of each path

    • Layer list, including category and buffer configuration

  

• Path analytics

  • Path options summary: table with lengths and costs

  • Layer coverage chart for all scenarios

  • Vertical profile chart for all scenarios

  • Resistance profile chart for all scenarios

• Scenario data

  • Scenario information

    • Map of the scenario area

    • Start and end point coordinates (if defined)

    • Scenario stats (number of paths, optimal path cost)

    • Scenario settings

    • Category weights

    • Layer resistances

  • Path analytics

    • Layer coverage chart

    • Optimal route costs

    • Vertical profile chart for all scenarios

    • Resistance profile chart for all scenarios

The selector in the right panel can be used to check off the elements we don’t want to include in the report.

We might see a warning message if some results are missing, but this does not prevent the rest of the information to be printed:

Chart Customization

Because charts can include different paths, the Report Preview allows users to customize its content. To do so, click on the Tool icon next to the chart and select which paths to include in it:

After selecting the paths, click on the Apply button below the selector to refresh the chart.

Print / Export

After customizing the report content, we click on the Print button to open the browser’s print dialog.

From this dialog we can typically export the report to a PDF file, or send it to a printer:

Note

When setting the printing options, make sure the Header and Footer printing are disabled, so no additional texts (like the page URL) appears in the report.