Raw File

A raw file is a text file used to store raw observations which have been transferred from an electronic data recorder. It is in effect an exact copy of the file as transferred from the particular data recorder.

Each type of data recorder will result in a particular type of Raw file.

A Raw File is created at the time of transferring data from the data recorder using the Field Transfer/Input/Data Recorder command. A Raw file may be viewed or edited to correct data recording errors. You may use any text editor. For convenience, use the Resolve/Edit Raw File command in the Field Transfer task. Also within the system, you may use the Edit/Text File command in the Utilities task.

You may then create a Field File from the raw file using the Field Transfer/Resolve/Create Field File command.

Note that as a general rule, it is advisable not to edit Raw files since they contain the original data transferred from the data recorder and form the original record of survey if left in tact. It is preferable to edit the Field file or where necessary a copy of the raw file thereby always leaving the original Raw file in tact.