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Installation Information Gemini 3D Field

Here you will find information about installation and how to get started with Gemini 3D Field. Read these instructions before you start using Gemini 3D Field. Release information for Gemini Terrain can be found here: Gemini Terrain.

Product Information

Gemini 3D Field

Gemini 3D Field is Volue Technology's mobile solution for the construction industry. You can take your project out to the construction site – in 3D. Moving the office out to the field, spreading information, and giving more project participants insight and the ability to register data streamlines daily work.

The solution has the same familiar foundation as the desktop version Gemini Terrain and allows you to work directly with original project data and models from Gemini Terrain.

Users in the same project can view the digital 3D models and work on data simultaneously. With internet access, all information is always up to date. This enables collaboration with both the office and other field users. Streamlined data capture provides the ability to input data in the field, which can be used for documentation or notes in construction meetings.

Gemini 3D Field is designed for paperless work directly on issues, without loss of information between office and field. The solution brings the office out to the field, and the information can be shared with multiple levels in production.

Events, images, and other information can be registered directly out in the field. Geometry and images with notes are linked directly to the project's contract posts. Freely chosen sections provide details from models and digital working drawings on site. Mass types from road models and excavations are retrieved in the same way as in the office. Streamlined data capture with the ability to input data in the field – data that can be used for documentation or notes in construction meetings.

With a strong focus on the user interface during development, the result is a solution that is clear and intuitive. Gemini 3D Field is very easy to use, and there is limited need for training before it is put into use. The software package is continuously evolving, and we work to offer customers a solution that streamlines the workday and meets necessary requirements.

Gemini 3D Field offers:

  • User-friendliness
  • Same foundation as the desktop version Gemini Terrain
  • Clear user interface with only necessary buttons

  • All navigation and function selection by pointing on the screen with fingers or pen

  • Efficiency

  • Data out in the field – simple and direct access to project information where you are
  • Introduces digital 3D models to more project participants
  • View working drawings, sections, maps, and 3D models – less plotting and paper
  • Work directly with original Gemini data, no conversion

  • All users work on the same data, field user works on "locked project data"

  • Registration of project-related data

  • Establish geometry with properties, image attachments, and comments, connection to contract information, directly on the screen and where you are

  • Share registrations online with the office

  • Positioning

  • Shows your position in 2D, 3D, and profiles
  • Uses "Location triangulation" (WIFI/GSM) and/or GPS positioning

  • Information about where you are located with reference to CL road and cross profiles

  • Information

  • Object information is quickly available by marking on screen
  • Geometry, attachments, properties
  • Access to cross profiles, longitudinal profiles, inspect layers, mass types, and labels
  • Measure lengths and generate quick sections

System Requirements for Gemini 3D Field

Gemini 3D Field is a desktop application that can be used on all tablets or hybrid PCs with full version Windows 8.1 (not RT) or Windows 10. The program is adapted for tasks you normally perform on tablets and is optimized for smaller screens and navigation/drawing with finger movements.

Although the program can run on all devices with full version Windows 8.1, we recommend the following:

Basic Requirements

  • Touch screen, minimum 10 inches
  • Recommended resolution: 1920 x 1080
  • Minimum 4 GB RAM
  • Good processor, affects graphics card performance
  • Good graphics card, the solution requires good graphics performance

Depending on Needs and Use

  • 3G/4G, as the WMS service fetches new data over the internet
  • Built-in GPS is not a requirement, as the solution supports external receivers that communicate NMEA data via COM port (external GPS must be purchased separately). Note! Garmin GPS often does not have such communication
  • For extensive outdoor use, bright screens with little reflection in the glass are recommended
  • Waterproof/shockproof (also called "rugged")

Internet

  • When using Gemini 3D Field, you must be connected to the internet for license access
  • When using Gemini Connected, internet access is required when synchronizing data

Mouse and Keyboard

  • Gemini 3D Field does not require an external mouse or keyboard. All navigation and function selection is done by pointing on the screen, but additional equipment can be used

Examples of Computer Equipment

  • Hybrid: Windows Surface 3 or 4
  • Tablet: Dell Venue 11, HP Elitepad 1000 G2
  • Semi Rugged: HP Elitepad 1000 G2 Rugged
  • Fully Rugged: Panasonic Toughpad, Getac
  • External GPS: Qstarz bt q818x

If you are unsure about which tablet or equipment is suitable, contact your computer equipment supplier.

Installing Gemini 3D Field

Both Gemini Terrain and Gemini 3D Field are installed from GeminiTerrain-<version number>.msi. The installation program starts automatically when you double-click on the MSI file in Windows Explorer.

When the installation has started, the wizard guides you through the process step by step.

For first-time installation, you must consider the following choices:

  1. Language and market
  2. License agreement
  3. Folder structure
  4. Shortcuts

After installation, the license content determines whether you have access to one or both programs, and which modules are available.

Language

For full installation, you must specify language for market and user interface.

After installation, you can check and change language settings under Gemini Terrain Settings – Personal Settings – Language and Market.

During updates, you get existing language settings. Accept these and start the update.

Change Language

If you want to change the language in the user interface for Gemini 3D Field, you must uninstall the program and then install it with a new language choice.

If you also have Gemini Terrain, you can check and change language settings under Gemini Terrain Settings – Personal Settings – Language and Market. The changes you make here will also apply to Gemini 3D Field.

User Interface

Program functions and any help texts can be displayed in the following languages:

  • English (under development)
  • Norwegian
  • Swedish

Market

The program contains templates and settings adapted to different markets:

  • Norway
  • Sweden
  • English (England/international)

The Market setting is not used in Gemini 3D Field, but must still be selected since the installation is common for both programs.

License Agreement

Check I accept the terms in the License Agreement when you have read and approved the agreement. Then press Next to continue the installation.

Folder Structure

During updates, you get existing folder structure. Accept this and start the update.

Note

MSI installations have Major Upgrade functionality. You do not need to uninstall before installing a new update.

For first-time installation of Gemini Terrain, you must specify target folders for the program. You will be asked to choose target folder for:

  • Program files

This also includes standard setup for:

  • User customizations (User folder)
  • Local projects (current project folder)
  • Cloud projects (local cache folder for cloud projects in Gemini Connected)

Select Custom setup to change the default folder structure.

Default setup for target folders in Windows 10/11 is as shown below, where XX is the version number. These folder structures follow Windows recommendations: the program should be located under Program Files, and local projects under My Documents.

C:\Program Files\Gemini\TerXX\

C:\Users\<user>\Documents\Gemini\TerXX\Data

C:\Users\<user>\Documents\Gemini\TerXX\User

C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Gemini\CloudCache\

Citrix Server

Gemini Terrain has functionality that allows us to install the program on a Citrix server with multiple simultaneous users. Note that the same procedure applies for both installation on Citrix server and installation on single-user machines.

When a new user starts the program, a local Ini folder is created for the user at C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Gemini\TerXX, where XX stands for the version number. The content is copied from the common Ini folder.

If the local Ini folder already exists when the program starts, nothing is done.

Note that these directories will be shared if you run both Gemini 3D Field and Gemini Terrain from the tablet. You can later check your folder structure in ddsmain.ini in the Ini directory, if you have both Gemini 3D Field and Gemini Terrain you can check the folder structure under Gemini Terrain Settings – Personal Settings – Installation Folders.

Note:
If the system administrator uninstalls the program and reinstalls it so that EXE/SYS/USER etc. end up elsewhere, problems arise because many local Ini folders may point to wrong EXE/SYS directories etc. Then the user gets a message at startup that the program cannot be run.

To fix this, each user must manually delete the local Ini folder to proceed.

After installation, you can check folder structure under Gemini Terrain Settings – Personal Settings – Installation Folders.

Alternative Folder Structure

The program can be installed directly on the same root directory (for example C:\TerXX, where XX stands for the version number) as we did in old versions. Then you just replace the paths that the program suggests during installation setup.

Use of Network Drives

You can, as mentioned, override the target folders during installation.

User Folder

The User folder is the users' folder. In this folder, users can, for example, create templates that should be available to everyone. It also contains the company's title fields and other standard figures. Users in a company can use the same User directory.

When activating Gemini Connected for the first time or going from one major version to the next, you must activate shared user folder for the organization.

Migrate user folder allows the user to choose which user folder the company should use during such a transition. You can choose between:

  • Previous version (for cloud projects)
    Relevant when transitioning from e.g., version 18 to 19
  • Copy from local folder
    Creates shared user folder based on local User folder
  • Create new
    Creates a completely new user folder for the organization's cloud projects

If you want to add files to the user folder later, this can be done via File - Include files in Gemini Connected user folder.

Data Folder

We see that data folder is also specified during installation. The choice here is set to current project folder in ddsmain.ini [ProjectDir]. All projects under the current project folder are listed in the project menu.

Often we want to place projects on a network drive so that you can share projects with others and use internal backup routines. Then we just change the suggestion during installation.

However, you are completely free to create project folders anywhere regardless of the current project folder. Many organizations also have a project folder structure that is not compatible with using the current project folder.

Example

CloudCache Folder

Here the local copy of cloud projects (Gemini Terrain projects in Gemini Connected) is stored.

Shortcuts

Before we start the actual installation, we must check whether shortcuts should be created. If we do not use Gemini Terrain, it is natural to omit this.

License System: 10Duke

From version 20 of Gemini Terrain, the new license system 10Duke is used. This system gives the company full overview of actual usage and needs, as well as the ability to administer access for end users.

The license contact in each company has received information about the system via email. More information can be found on our websites under Download of Gemini Terrain & Gemini 3D Field V20 - Documentation - License Information: https://www.volue.com/support/construction-support-download

Gemini Terrain and Gemini 3D Field use the same license system.

Getting Started with Gemini 3D Field

Starting Gemini 3D Field

Gemini 3D Field can be found under available apps in Gemini Software.

At first startup, you will be asked to select a license file. See description above for license selection.

The demo project that comes with the installation opens the first time you start the program. On subsequent startups, the project that was last in use opens.

Demo Project

The installation includes the demo project Demo-Felt-Nor. This project provides a good starting point for exploring map and surveying data, as well as projected objects such as roads, utilities, and excavations.

Help Texts

A separate document for Gemini 3D Field describes available functions and work tasks. Here you will also find example tasks for Gemini 3D Field. Emphasis has been placed on making Gemini 3D Field so easy to use that dialog help in the program is unnecessary.

Touch Screen

Gemini 3D Field does not require an external mouse or keyboard. All navigation and function selection is done by pointing on the screen, but additional equipment can be used. Navigation is intuitive, but there are some differences in navigation between 2D and 3D.