Short answer: “Setting out” isn’t a single thing — it is classified either by what is being set out or by the method used. The two you’re most likely being asked for:
| Classification | Types |
|---|---|
| By object | setting out of buildings (foundations, columns, walls), setting out of linear works (roads, railways, pipelines, canals), setting out of curves, and vertical setting out (levels/heights) vs horizontal setting out (plan position) |
| By method | polar (angle + distance from a control point, usually with a total station), rectangular/offset (right-angle offsets from a baseline), triangulation/intersection (two angles from two known points), linear (tape along a baseline), and GNSS/GPS setting out |
Key idea to remember: whatever the type, setting out always means transferring a known position and level from a drawing onto the ground by linking it to fixed control points (their coordinates and levels), then marking it — and finally checking it, usually by re-measuring a diagonal or closing back onto another control point.
So which one is expected? Your prompt gives no context (no textbook page, diagram or method mentioned), and different courses have different answers.