Survey Cad Software

I don't think you can do any better than Carlson Survey 2015 Embedded. Has everything you will need and is very powerful. Link it with Carlson Field or Carlson SurvCE in the field and you will really be able to do more than you'd imagine.
It's not as cheap as some of the other programs, but you get what you pay for.

I would demo BriscCAD with the DotSoft Add On, as well as Carlson.

Traverse PC for Boundary's and Togo should do everything you need plus. On a budget like I was, I bought it years ago and have found no need to change. Found out long ago that those not spending the money will recommend high end items, be it software or hardware. A little research, your pocketbook and thought is your best adviser. Don't need a Cadillac, when a Ford will do just fine. Good luck with your start up.
jud

I own Traverse PC, Carlson, and Briscad with DOT Soft. I like parts of all of them . Carlson all around tools for everything you need in Surveying. Briscad for the cad program, best non Autocad cad ,I've used, DOTSoft for the Cad utility programs and tools, Traverse PC for the cogo, organization of the data and Least Squares program .

If your doing Boundary work Traverse PC will work . If your a power cad user dont get it, you will be pulling your hair out. The Traverses can make you pull your hair out.

Get Carlson if you are doing a bunch of stake out or Engineering topo work .

Briscad is an option as well, but Carlson does more .

Thank you all for your input, I'll look into them... Thanks

Give PC Survey a try. Its a good and very inexpensive option for pure survey shops. I tried it and liked it, but since I also do engineering it didn't really fit my needs. However, if I was a pure survey shop it would be a front running choice.

Plus, they let you do a free demo, as does Carlson.

A Traverse PC user since version 2, also one of the first to adopt Carlson in the area. I still use both Traverse PC and Carlson and either will complete the Survey task.

The reason behind having two competent survey/drafting software's is the professional matter of closure. We all close our work in the field, but data once in the office is processed, with geometric analytics then is converted into a vector drawing, is any independent closure proofs applied. It is simply not possible for the same software to apply an independent proof of closure on its self. There is more to closure than running the coordinates on lots an boundaries. The obvious example is an unintended data shift either in the vertical, horizontal or both. Locked data points can be unlocked, drafting commands easily move lines even if the points are fixed. The devil awaits in drafting software, the client, the board or judge does not care if and how the data became corrupt.

To check the graphic deliverable we have drafting create a set of unique point numbers at all intersecting lines, end points and symbol centers. The line work and points are exported and brought back into Traverse PC and checked by inversing. One advantage of this technique is any error is exposed at the source of error. Lot and boundary closures are ran against the course labeling.

There is another reason I use Traverse PC on the frontend and backend of the survey task. The program design builds a sequential series of mini traverses; control, founds, features, boundary and so on. Unlike levels or layers, these mini-traverses allow for lot of meta data, description, datums, scaling, rotation, translations, and plotting instructions. This detailed information creates an unique audit trail of your work. With over 1500 personal Traverse PC projects completed the ability to go back to any project see how you did the work is comforting.

bridge

As a long time surveyor in a large shop where surveyors surveyed, Cadd people drafted and we checked it over after they were done (I used Foresight for checking) I never learned AutoDesk/Carlson etc.

After leaving the "firm" and striking out on my own, I looked at various options and opted for TraversePC. Can't say I am anything but happy with it. Had a short learning curve and has done everything I wanted it to do.I am mostly involved with boundary's and the associated drawings, and can make a very nice looking drawing with it. It has more capabilities than I have used.

In my opinion, a good value for most projects the "average" surveyor will encounter.

Hello All,

Thanks for getting back to me...Your input has given me the means to make a better decision, I appreciate it, Thank You....will keep you posted.