Quick Reference

1. Getting Started

StrucTool is a field geology tool for recording structural attitudes and rock samples. The general workflow is:

1. Create picklists — define dropdown options you will reuse across datasets.
2. Create a dataset — give it a name, optionally assign a primary picklist and define custom data entry fields as either text or dropdowns defined by picklists.
3. Collect data — record measurements (Clinometer) or log samples (Sample Collection).
4. Review data — use the in-app data table or stereonet viewer.
5. Export — share a CSV or photo archive from the dataset long-press menu.

2. Picklist Manager

A picklist is a named list of categories that can be attached to a dataset or custom field as a dropdown menu. When a picklist is created, it can be shared across different clinometer and sampling datasets.

Creating a picklist

1. Tap Manage Picklists from the Clino Project Setup or Sample Project Setup screen.
2. Tap Create Picklist.
3. Enter a List Name.
4. Type a category in the List Category field and tap Add. Repeat for each item.
5. Tap Alphabetize to sort all items alphabetically at any time.
6. Tap Save when finished.

Editing or deleting a picklist

Long-press any picklist card to access Edit List or Delete List.

Deleting an item

Long-press the item in the list while editing.

Importing categories from a CSV

While creating or editing a picklist, tap Import CSV and select a file. Every value in the file is added to the current list; categories that already exist are skipped, and a message reports how many new categories were imported. Imported items are appended to whatever is already in the list, so you can combine a CSV with manually entered items.

The CSV must be formatted as no header row and a single column. Use one category per line, for example:

Granite
Basalt
Schist
Gneiss

Because there is no header, any header text you leave in the file would be imported as its own category. Blank lines are ignored, and values containing commas can be wrapped in double quotes.

Exporting a picklist to CSV

Tap Export CSV to share the current list as a file named ListName_picklist.csv (one category per line, no header). This is the same format accepted by Import CSV, so an exported list can be re-imported into another picklist.

3. Creating Datasets

Datasets are created separately for Clinometer and Sample Collection projects.

New dataset

1. Tap New Structure Dataset (Clinometer) or New Sample Dataset (Sample Collection).
2. Enter a dataset name.
3. Optionally select a Primary Picklist — this appears as a prominent dropdown on every measurement or sample entry. If a primary picklist is designated, it will be mandatory to choose an option before a measurement or sample is saved.
4. Tap Create.

Copying settings from an existing dataset

Tap Copy Existing Dataset within the creation dialog to open a dataset picker. Selecting a dataset copies its primary picklist, coordinate format, and all custom fields into the new dataset. For clinometer datasets, the strike reporting mode is also copied. This option is available when creating both clinometer and sample datasets.

Dataset options (long-press a dataset card)

• Rename — change the dataset name.
• View Stereonet — Clinometer datasets only. View the data on an interactive stereonet.
• View Data — open the full data table.
• Manage Custom Fields — add, reorder, or delete custom metadata fields (see Section 8).
• Select Coordinate Format — choose Lat/Lon (decimal degrees, WGS84) or UTM (WGS84). This affects how GPS is recorded and displayed.
• Strike Reporting Mode — Strike is not reported by default due to the ambiguity of RHR standards. Strike reporting can be activated according to either "American" RHR (Dip Direction − 90) or "Commonwealth" RHR (Dip Direction + 90).
• Export CSV — share the dataset as a CSV file.
• Export Photos — share the dataset as a ZIP file containing all attached photos.
• Delete Photos — remove all attached photos.
• Delete — permanently remove the dataset and all its records.

4. Clinometer Mode

The clinometer measures the attitude of planar and linear structures using the device's accelerometer and magnetometer. Open a dataset to begin.

Ideal workflow for taking a reading

1. Place the device on the structure to be measured. Alternatively, the device can be aligned parallel by eye if a favorable surface is not present.
2. Tap the Lock Clino button or the strike/dip symbol to freeze the sensor readout.
3. Enter the metadata for that structure: select the primary picklist item, then tap Insert Metadata to add further details. In general, the more detailed metadata you capture, the more useful the dataset will be. This dialog will also allow a photo to be attached to the reading. When finished, tap Save Metadata.
4. Tap Save Structure to record the reading. The clinometer will unlock, metadata fields clear, and the device is ready for another measurement.

Reading the screen

• GPS coordinates and accuracy are shown at the top. Accuracy is color-coded: green ≤ 3 m, yellow ≤ 10 m, red > 10 m.
• Calibration status (top-right) reflects sensor quality: High / Medium / Low / Unreliable. Tap it for calibration tips.
• The strike/dip symbol shows dip direction as a line from center toward the downslope direction, and displays dip / dip-direction (Plane mode) or plunge / trend (Lineation mode).

Switching modes

• Plane mode (default) records dip and dip direction.
• Lineation mode records plunge and trend.
• Long-press the circle diagram to toggle between modes.

Locking a reading

• Tap the strike/dip symbol or Lock Clino once to lock the current reading.
• Tap again to unlock and resume live updates.
• Saving a measurement automatically unlocks.

Insert Metadata

• Tap Insert Metadata to open the metadata entry dialog for the current measurement.
• Fill in any custom fields defined for the dataset.
• Tap Take Photo to launch the camera and attach a photo to the measurement. If a photo has already been taken, the button reads Retake Photo. The captured filename is shown below the button.
• Tap Save Metadata when finished. Metadata can also be edited later from the data table.

Linking a lineation to a plane

When recording in Lineation mode, the metadata dialog shows a Link to Plane button. This associates the lineation with a planar structure it lies on — for example, slickenlines on a fault surface or a mineral lineation on a foliation plane.

1. Record the planar structure first (in Plane mode) so it exists in the dataset.
2. Switch to Lineation mode, measure the lineation, and tap Insert Metadata.
3. Tap Link to Plane and choose the target plane from the list of previously recorded planar measurements (shown with their ID, dip, and dip direction).
4. The chosen plane's ID and orientation are attached to the lineation. Tap Unlink to clear the association.

Linked planes appear in the data table (as #ID (dip/dir)) and are included in the CSV export.

Saving a measurement

• Fill in the primary picklist (if required) and any custom fields.
• Tap the Save Measurement button, or press the volume up button to record.

Volume buttons (Clinometer only)

• Volume up — saves the current measurement immediately. If metadata has not been entered, none will be saved; it can be added later from the data table.
• Volume down — locks or unlocks the clinometer readout.

Vibration feedback

• Lock / Unlock: Single short pulse when the clinometer is locked or unlocked.
• Measurement saved: Single pulse when a measurement is successfully saved to the data table.
• Save error: Two pulses when an error prevents a measurement from being saved.

Data Table

Tap the Data Table bar at the bottom to slide up an inline table of all recorded measurements. Tap any row to view or edit its details.

• Individual entries can be viewed by tapping that entry.
• Individual entries can be edited or deleted by tapping the entry, then tapping the field to be modified.

5. Stereonet Viewer

Access via long-press on a clinometer dataset → View Stereonet.

• Poles to planes are plotted as filled circles (equal-area, lower hemisphere).
• Lineations are plotted as crosses.
• Tap Show Planes to overlay great circle traces (limited to the first 100 planes for performance).
• Color By: Select a custom field from the dropdown to color-code data points by that field's values. Tap any color swatch in the legend to change it using the color picker.
• Tap Export Stereonet to save the current plot as an image to the device gallery.

6. Sample Collection Mode

Sample Collection records field samples with a SampleID, GPS location, optional photo, and custom metadata.

Recording a sample

1. Enter a SampleID in the text field, or tap Scan Barcode to read one from a label (see below).
2. Toggle Auto-increment ON to have the numeric SampleID increment automatically after each save. (Auto-increment requires a fully numeric SampleID.)
3. Select the primary picklist value (if configured) and fill any custom fields.
4. Tap Take Photo to launch the camera and link a photo to the current SampleID. (Requires a SampleID to be entered.)
5. Tap Take Sample to save the record. If the SampleID already exists, you will be prompted to overwrite or cancel.

The device will vibrate once to confirm a successful save. If an error prevents the save, it will vibrate twice.

Scanning a barcode

Tap Scan Barcode to open a full-screen camera scanner. Align the barcode or QR code within the on-screen box; the device vibrates once when a code is read and the scanned value is placed in the SampleID field automatically. Tap Torch: OFF/ON (top-right) to toggle the flashlight in low light, or ✕ Cancel (top-left) to close without scanning. Camera permission is requested the first time you use it.

Sample photo filenames

Photos are saved as DatasetName_SampleID_yyMMdd-HHmm.jpg (e.g., NorthRidge_RS-014_260714-0930.jpg), combining the dataset name, the SampleID, and the capture date and time. Illegal filename characters are replaced with underscores.

Data Table

Tap the Data Table bar at the bottom to review all samples. Tap a row to view details, edit field values, or view the linked photo (if one was taken).

7. GeoCalculator

The Geo Calculator (open from the Home screen) is a set of standalone geodetic and structural tools. It does not read the device sensors or store any data — it simply takes values you enter and returns a result. Both tools use a built-in numeric keypad that slides up when you tap a field, and read-only output fields for the results.

Coordinate Conversion (UTM ↔ Lat/Lon)

Converts a single coordinate between formats and datums.

1. Choose the Input Datum (WGS84, NAD83, or NAD27) and Input Format (Lat/Lon Decimal, Lat/Lon DDMMSS, or UTM).
2. Enter the coordinate in the input fields that appear for that format. For UTM, enter zone, easting, northing, and hemisphere; for DDMMSS, enter degrees, minutes, and seconds for each of latitude and longitude.
3. Choose the Output Datum and Output Format.
4. Tap Calculate. The converted coordinate appears in the read-only output fields. Datum shifts between WGS84/NAD83/NAD27 are applied automatically. (NAD27 uses an average CONUS shift and is an approximation; use survey-grade tools where sub-meter accuracy matters.)

Oriented Core

Converts alpha/beta/gamma angles measured on oriented drill core into a real-world structure orientation.

1. Enter the Hole Inclination (−90 to 90; negative for a downward-plunging hole) and Hole Azimuth (0 to 359).
2. Enter the Alpha and Beta angles for the planar feature. Optionally enter a Gamma angle for a lineation measured on that plane.
3. Tap Calculate. The tool reports the Plane Dip and Plane Dip Azimuth (dip direction). If a Gamma angle was entered, it also reports the Lineation Trend and Lineation Plunge.
4. A stereonet preview is drawn below the results, plotting the plane, the lineation (if any), and the borehole axis so you can sanity-check the geometry.

8. Custom Fields

Custom fields add extra metadata columns to every measurement or sample in a dataset. Picklists are globally available to all datasets. You can customize the picklists available for a dataset by adding Custom Fields.

Adding a field

1. Long-press a dataset → Manage Custom Fields.
2. Tap Add Custom Field.
3. Enter a field name.
4. Choose Text (free-text entry) or Dropdown (linked to a picklist).
5. If Dropdown, select the picklist to use.
6. Tap Add.

Reordering fields

Tap the ⋮ menu on any field card and choose Move Up or Move Down. The display order in the measurement and sample forms matches this order.

Deleting a field

Tap the ⋮ menu → Delete. If the field has recorded values, you will be asked to confirm before deletion.

9. Exporting Data

Export CSV

Long-press a dataset → Export CSV. A CSV file is generated and shared via the system share sheet. Clinometer datasets export as DatasetName_structures.csv; sample datasets export as DatasetName_samples.csv. Columns include sequence ID, timestamp, GPS coordinates, attitude or SampleID, calibration status, datum, and all custom fields.

Export Photos (Sample Collection)

Long-press a sample dataset → Export Photos. All photos linked to that dataset are bundled into a ZIP file named DatasetName_photos.zip and shared via the system share sheet.

Export Photos (Clinometer)

Long-press a clinometer dataset → Export Photos. All photos attached to measurements in that dataset are bundled into a ZIP file named DatasetName_photos.zip and shared via the system share sheet. Individual photos are named DatasetName_SequenceNumber_PrimaryPicklistValue.jpg (e.g., TrailsEdge_1_Foliation.jpg).

Export Stereonet

From the Stereonet Viewer, tap Export Stereonet to save the current plot as a PNG to the device gallery.