VIA 2.0
Getting Started
Check your position, record a first observation and save an export.
You need VIA on your iPhone and a location suitable for checking GPS. Surveys stay on your device unless you export or share them. No VIA account is needed.
1. Allow location access
When VIA asks, allow location access while using the app and enable Precise Location. You can check this later in iPhone Settings. See Setup and Permissions if no position is available.
2. Select your working coordinate system
Open Settings → Coordinate System, tap Active coordinate system and select the CRS used by your project. British National Grid is the initial default; check that it is appropriate. If your system is missing, use Fetch with an internet connection. See Coordinate Systems.
3. Optionally import an alignment
For chainage and offset, use Settings → Alignment → Import to open a supported LandXML file, then tap Active alignment and choose the required name. Its coordinates must match your working grid. You can record a survey without an alignment. See Importing Alignments.
4. Check your live position
Open Navigation outdoors and wait for a position. Check the grid readout and reported GPS accuracy; a selected alignment also supplies chainage and offset. The accuracy estimate is not a guarantee of engineering accuracy. See Navigation and Maps.
5. Create a survey and continue
Open Survey → New Survey, enter a recognisable name and confirm. Check the Active Survey name, then tap Continue to enter Survey Session. See Creating and Managing Surveys.
6. Record an observation using General
Tap Record Point. Tap the Template selector and choose General, then enter a point number and any Label or Notes. At the observation position, dismiss the keyboard, check GPS accuracy and tap Store Point. Keep the device there until saving finishes; the session returns with an increased point count and the next point number.
See Recording Points for the capture workflow, or follow the Manhole template tutorial for regular features.
7. Export your survey
Return to the Survey tab and tap the share icon beside Active Survey. Choose the grid Survey CSV for project coordinates or VIA Survey Package (.via) to include template information and available photographs. Other choices are Survey CSV (Geodetic), Survey KML and Survey Alignment (LandXML).
Grid CSV and generated LandXML need a usable working CRS; LandXML needs at least two points and joins them with straight segments. On iPhone, choose Save to Files or another destination from the share sheet, then check the saved file. See Exporting Survey Data and VIA Survey Packages for details.
Choose your next task
Use Find Point for a target, Reference Coordinates for imported points, or Automatic Recording for distance-based capture. Photography requires VIA Pro.
Browse the complete User Guide, or visit Support if you need help.