I am a relatively new surveyor looking a cad options and could use some advice. Some background info on me, I have used land desktop, and demoed civil 3d. I would like something that is more surveyor friendly ( drawing; topo's, asbuilts, closings, and boundary surveys) also would like seamless conversion of surfaces with civil 3D. Any advice will be welcome. Thank you.
Some years ago when I opened my own shop, I bought Bricscad (Intellicad) to use with Eagle Point. This was great, with one problem. Since I did a lot of commercial construction work, I was constantly receiving AutoCAD files, and sometimes the text or some other attribute would look a little funny. So I bought AutoCAD right quick. I wanted to be sure that nothing was lost in translation.
So if you do a lot of digital file sharing, I'd recommend not relying on conversions, and just bite the bullet and buy/subscribe to the popular software in you location.
IMO, your top options are C3d and Carlson Survey. Microstation might be an option if you had experience with it, but you don't.
Exchanging surfaces through the use of LANDxml is pretty slick. Your experience with Land Desktop will makes the learning curve for Carlson Survey a short one.
On the other hand if your major client is using C3d it may be worth the investment to provide an absolutely seamless deliverable.
Do the free trial of PC Survey. It's low-cost with a quick learning curve. I had never used CAD at all when I got PCS in '05 and I've been with it ever since (someday I may sample something else).
Regarding Bricscad, I've had that for a few years and thoroughly recommend.
I have the latest version.
There are many software developers who build applications.
I bought it for the Cad as though I had Microsurvey Intellicad, it just doesn't cut it in the Cad area for me.
But the integration of surveying modules into the Cad side means I can't be without Microsurvey.
I do all my Plan work and some 3 and 2 D design work in Bricscad.
Don't have any trouble with Autocad issues, but obviously there will be some differences but the compatibility issues haven't surfaced for me.
> IMO, your top options are C3d and Carlson Survey. Microstation might be an option if you had experience with it, but you don't.
>
> Exchanging surfaces through the use of LANDxml is pretty slick. Your experience with Land Desktop will makes the learning curve for Carlson Survey a short one.
>
> On the other hand if your major client is using C3d it may be worth the investment to provide an absolutely seamless deliverable.
From what I hear, not too seamless with C3D if the sender/recipient do not work in the same's year version.
If you go the Carlson route, get the Civil suite.
> From what I hear, not too seamless with C3D if the sender/recipient do not work in the same's year version.
I believe that they have tackled that problem with the most recent versions...
Good to hear, I never understood why the developer would do such an absurb thing, maybe it was a tactic to sell the subscription plans.
General CADD Surveyor 3D only $698. You can download the demo version for a test drive.
> General CADD Surveyor 3D only $698. You can download the demo version for a test drive.
WOW! A blast from the past.
It's been 20 years since we used Generic Cadd. I think the ver. 6, 3-1/2" floppys are still somewhere around the office. We used it a lot before subscribing to AutoCAD.
PC Survey, I agree. Been using it for 14+ years. I like it a lot. I don't do DOT type stuff anymore, but I've never been disappointed. Bang for the buck is great. For a survey intuitive software it is perfect. Support is exceptional.
