Import CSV data as raw data

This function allows you to import CSV (comma-separated values) files as raw data into your Hydromagic project. This allows you to use and process data generated or recorded by third party applications together with the data recorded in Hydromagic. Using this function, you can add, for instance, point clouds to your depth data, or import (XYZ) data recorded directly with your GNSS receiver.

Starting the raw data import wizard

All file formats which Hydromagic is able to convert to proprietary raw data files, can be imported through the "Import Data Wizard". To start the wizard, right-click the "Raw Data" folder in the "Project Explorer" and select the 'Import Data Wizard...' option:

The "Import Data Wizard" can be launched from the "Project Explorer".

Select file format

The first page of the wizard allows you to set the format of the file(s) we wish to import. Since this guide is about importing CSV data, we select the 'Comma separated value (CSV) ASCII files (*.*)' option from the drop-down list.

Select the "Comma separated value (CSV) ASCII files (*.*)" format from the dropdown list.

Select file(s) to import

On the second page of the wizard, you can select which files to import. Click the 'Browse...' button to select the folder on your computer where the files are stored. After changing the folder, the file list is reloaded, and you can use the checkboxes to select one or more files to import at a time.

CSV (comma separated values) files can be recognized by the '.csv' file extension but can also have any other extension ('.txt' is also used a lot). This list will display files with all extensions (unfiltered).

After changing the folder, the file list is reloaded, and you can use the check boxes to select one or more file(s) to import.

Select the file(s) to import. You can import multiple files at a time.

Select the data columns

To import the CSV data correctly, you must tell the software which column or field contains a particular data value, such as position or depth. This wizard allows you to import XYZ position and hi- and lo frequency depths only.

Easting or Longitude field index

Select the field which contains the easting or longitude value. Depending on the map projection selected in the next step, this field will be interpreted as either the easting (x) or longitude position value.

Northing or Latitude field index

Select the field which contains the northing or latitude value. Depending on the map projection selected in the next step, this field will be interpreted as either the northing (y) or latitude position value.

Ellipsoidal height field index

Select the field which contains the ellipsoidal height measured by the GNSS receiver. Please note that this field is only usable when the position data has been recorded in RTK FIX mode; do not use otherwise.

Hi frequency depth field index

Select the field that contains the high-frequency depths measured by your echo sounder. This field can also be used as elevation data when measuring points on the shore.

Lo Frequency depth field index

Select the field that contains the low-frequency depths measured by your echo sounder. This field can be ignored when your echo sounder does not have dual frequency functionality.

Select which fields contain the data to be used.

Select map projection

The last step is to select the map projection or coordinate system used to encode the horizontal position in the CSV file. When the coordinates are in geographic degrees, make sure you select "WGS84" as map datum, so the software knows it has to parse the fields as geographic coordinates and that they have to be converted to the map projection selected for your current Hydromagic project.

Select which map projection is used for easting and northing coordinates.

When the file contains eastings and northings, select the map projection used, or use the default value if it is using the same map projection as your current project.

When coordinates are geographic, select WGS84 as coordinate system.

Starting the import

When the format and files have been selected, you can start the import process by clicking the 'Finish' button on the last page of the wizard.

The file currently being processed is displayed in the status bar at the bottom of the screen, and the wizard shows a message box stating 'File(s) successfully imported as raw data file(s)' as soon as the process is complete. Click 'OK' to close the dialog and the imported files will be centered in the map view (only when they contain position data). After importing raw data files, you can download a background map of the covered survey area using the built-in map downloading tool.

After clicking the "Finish" button, the import process will start.

Checking the imported raw data file(s)

When the import is complete, you can right-click the generated raw data files and select "Analyze Data..." to inspect the imported values and timestamps. If the import did not complete successfully, refer to the 'Processing' tab of the activity view for more details on the error shown.