How to prepare a MapLab Survey delivery package for NetCAD, QGIS and AutoCAD
Field data proves its value when it opens correctly in the office. NetCAD, AutoCAD and QGIS expect different details from a delivery package.
Field takeaways
- DXF is practical for NetCAD and AutoCAD when units and project CRS are clear.
- GeoJSON and CSV are strong for QGIS and data workflows.
- KML/KMZ is useful for visual sharing and expects WGS84 geographic coordinates.
- Include a short CRS note with the delivery package.
- MapLab Survey keeps layers, notes, photos and exports organized.
One export does not fit every destination
The site manager wants KML, the surveyor wants DXF, the GIS team wants GeoJSON, the accounting or reporting side wants CSV. Producing different formats from the same field data is normal; the mistake is sending them all with the same description. Each format has its own coordinate, unit and attribute behaviour.
DXF for NetCAD and AutoCAD
Keep the layer names clean: "parcel_boundary", "road_axis", "level_point", "stakeout" speed the office up. If the project runs in a metre-based TM system, write it in the delivery note — give the target EPSG and unit rather than "coordinates attached". DXF carries no projection information of its own, so the filename and message carry it instead.
GeoJSON and CSV for QGIS
On the GIS side, attributes are the value. Point name, description, measurement time, fix status, antenna height, crew and source kept inside the GeoJSON or CSV make the data analysable. CSV does not carry a CRS by itself, so the EPSG note is mandatory.
KML/KMZ for visual sharing
KML/KMZ is excellent for Google Earth and quick field communication, and it does not behave like an official drawing format. TM or ED50 data must first be transformed properly to WGS84 geographic coordinates, and any offset seen against the satellite imagery belongs in the note as "visual check only".
A folder structure that answers questions
- 01_dxf — the CAD delivery and its layer note.
- 02_gis — GeoJSON or CSV with the attribute description.
- 03_kml — the visual sharing file.
- 04_report — PDF/Excel report, photos and the control note.
- coordinate_note.txt — source CRS, target EPSG, unit, date, crew.
Verify on arrival
If the layers were set up correctly in the field, the exports come out clean on the first try. Ask the recipient to open the file in the destination software and verify one known point before the transfer is declared finished — that closes the loop the note opened.
Try these steps on your own phone.
MapLab Survey handles RTK/GNSS point capture, drawing, area and volume calculations and coordinate conversion, then exports to DXF, KML/KMZ, GeoJSON, Shapefile, GeoPackage, NCZ or CSV. Capture, calculation and export work offline. Live NTRIP corrections and online basemaps need a connection.
Frequently asked questions
Which export for CAD?
DXF is usually practical when CRS and units are clear.
GeoJSON or CSV for QGIS?
GeoJSON for geometry with attributes, CSV for point tables.
Is KML official delivery?
Usually no. It is best for visual sharing.
Technical references
The field guidance in this article is aligned with the technical and official references below.
Related: Exporting field data to CAD/GIS · Transformation report · TUCBS CRS · MapLab Survey