Carlson Survey 2013

I've been running it for a couple of months. Still a couple of bugs, but I'm having no trouble being productive with it. I've not found anything I need to do that it can't handle. Contouring is great (I upgraded from a 10 year old version, so it might be the same as previous versions, but it's a substantial improvement), stationing is good, profiles are easy, it has volumetrics too (but I haven't needed to use that yet), and of course all of the stuff a boundary surveyor could want. They're sending out fixes fairly routinely to reported issues instead of leaving folks out to dry, so I think it'll only get better regarding some of the bugs I've seen.

Not sure what you're concerned you might be missing out on...

I been using Carlson for 10 years this month , I have tried alot of other programs and I can say from my stand point they are the best and easiest . I have not found anything I need other software for except to process Static GPS , Carlson hint hint .

I used the Autocad standalone for most of those years and went to the intellicad version for a year and while I was very productive . Its got a few bugaboos that will get you . The new intellicad version is good but not quit were it needs to be . So long story short I am back to 2013 on autocad standalone . I think intellicad will get there one day , I am just not thrilled with being the beta tester on every upgrade .

> I am thinking about purchasing Carlson Survey 2013 (W/ Intellicad)
> Is this a good product all by itself?
There is value at all the price points. Only you can decide the whether the Intellicad version is "a good product" for you.

Carlson will sell you the Intellicad version, then upgrade you to the AutoCAD version for the price difference if you later (within some reasonable time) decide Intellicad isn't cutting it for you. I know, because I made that decision.

As far as the Civil Suite goes....we were recently asked to present some data in cross section format. That's not something Carlson Survey does readily. So if you do that sort of thing much you might want to look at the Civil Suite.

I've no idea how different 13 is from 12.

I'm running 12 and I've had no bugs or issues or problems.

As far as civil goes - it depends what you're doing. Civil design? Then probably yes. If you're just looking to contour from topo, create alignments, stationing, lot design - then you're good with just Carlson Survey.

As far as ICAD goes, I'm not a fan. But my only experience is with the 09 version.

I'd spend the extra and get embedded ACAD.

YES

If it appears that Carlson will do all you need, then go for it.
My company is a strictly surveying company. We do NO engineering work, we leave that to our sister company. We are currently on Carlson Survey 2010 with embedded AutoCAD and are very happy with it. We are looking at 2013 for some added features and fixes, and hopefully will make the transition soon.
Many people I know are happy with the Intellicad version, but I will wait on it awhile. It's just not up to my "comfort level" just yet. Real close, but not quite there.
If you are on Carlson now, the transition will be seamless. Much has been added and some commands have moved around, but getting that all down is really easy.
There is no reason to buy the Civil Suite unless it has some features that you need on a regular basis. Surveyors survey, engineers do what ever engineers do. There are no "gray areas". Someone wants engineering services I refer them to the sister company. No need for me to take the liability of performing an engineering function. Sub out whatever Carlson will not do and CYA from the potential liability.
The only people that I have ever seen that did not like Carlson also did not like puppies and kittens either. :-O

That's great advice, thanks to all.

I believe I'm going to get the Carlson Survey 2013 w/ Embedded AutoCAD 2013 engine built-in,

due to the responses here.

Stay tuned for basic stupid questions!

I heard that you can get it cheaper at:

http://thatcadgirl.com/

The Carlson Survey product is pretty good. I have been using it since 2008 (mostly loaded over AutoCAD LDD or C3D). I started a new business this year and opted for the Intellicad version because of price. The Intellicad 6 engine which came with Carlson Survey 2012 was pretty rough for someone coming from regular AutoCAD, but the new Intellicad 7.2 which Carlson 2013 is shipping with is much better. However, I have noticed that it is not as stable as AutoCAD, so you get into the habit of saving a lot. I don't believe that it is as productive as AutoCAD, but it works.

I purchased it from LarryP.... and he beat Her prices, no that.

This guy needs the demo, call larry and get the demos then decide for yourself.

People not willing to try iCAD ad reluctant to see that there is a beter way.

I bought 2013 w/Intellicad 7.2 this summer and have been waiting for slower winter months to dive into it. I play with it once in a while and it just seems that my vintage LDD has a more modern and smooth feel to it. I think I will be checking into upgrading to the embedded cad version.

I will add ,if you are a big lisp guy you do not get that functionality in the Autocad standalone . I do miss that option and wish they would add it in .

I personnaly prefer Carlson Civil Suite (4 modules: Civil, Survey, Hydro, GIS) running on AutoCAD.

Very complete set-up.

dont be silly... first you have to realize it is NOT LDD and things are going to have to change, things be you. LDD is dead as dead gets and CARLSON walks the dog on LDD all day everyday.

I was told that she was selling it for $2595 vs $2995.

If Larry's selling for less than that, it's a pretty good deal, then.

ICAD was crap when I used it on CS09. Maybe it's a lot better than it used to be now.

> I personnaly prefer Carlson Civil Suite (4 modules: Civil, Survey, Hydro, GIS) running on AutoCAD.
>
> Very complete set-up.

:good:

I found the profiles in Carlson Survey 2011-2012 didn't work. Wound up having to save the drawing in an earlier version so that I could work in Survcadd 2006. Upgraded to Civil Suite 2013, haven't tried it yet but I bet the issue is solved. If you're doing primarily boundary, I guess Carlson Survey will suffice. If you're doing engineering/construction surveying you'll probably need some Civil apps.

Just my 2 cents.
Ralph

I a bunch of construction staking in my business and use Carlson survey to do it all . I even build 3D models for Graders with out any problems .

The "Basic Stupid Questions" can be avoided by putting out $80 at cadapult.com for the Carlson Survey 2013 training manual. Very well presented info , clear and easy to follow and comes with a very complete data and tutorial disc. It will take you from data collection to final drawing.You get enough of the basics to get you started.

> The "Basic Stupid Questions" can be avoided by putting out $80 at cadapult.com for the Carlson Survey 2013 training manual. Very well presented info , clear and easy to follow and comes with a very complete data and tutorial disc. It will take you from data collection to final drawing.You get enough of the basics to get you started.

:good: :good: :good: