TerraModel to Carlson

You'll love Carlson once you can get familiar with the program. Setting up the field code library will be easy. Just remember sets are 3d polylines, plines in Terramodel are either 2d polylines or you can draw 3d lines. As for converting old terramodel files, export as you need to cad format.

I've never used Terramodel. That said, i found that going from AutiCad/softdesk or LDD, that the learning curve is nit real steep. Carlson is more "intuative".
I don't see what area you are in, but I wouls STRONGLY suggest that you see if any of the Carlson College members operate in your area. Some offer traing seminars that are very reasonably priced.
The MAIN tool is the field To Finish setup. It takes awile to set up, but is more than worth the effort. That CAD Girl offers a class on that one tool that does not cost an arm and a leg. You will recoup that training cost on the first job.
If you are like most folks and just cannt afford ant bucks for training, look in your area for others using Carlson products. Some of us can be enticed to come to your location and help you set up for the cost of a cold beer. Or 3 or 4.

Thanks for the response. I am in western Colorado. TM is nothing like Autocad so that is not reassuring. As for the F2F aspect that is part of what we are most concerned about. We basically dump our points into the project and autodraft a near finished product. We have spent years refining this and I don't see much similarity in the command file structure between the 2 programs. I was hoping that someone who has gone before us would tell me it was really easy. Wish in one hand and ....
Our engineering staff uses Autocad so we are familier enough with it that we know this is going to be painful. Maybe I'll just hang on until the next version of Windows renders TM useless and call it a career!

No, I don't think it will be painful at all. You custon stuff should be a fairly straight forward transition to field to finish. The time factor will be how fast you can type all of those descriptors into the F2F file.
For a start, check out the training movies available on the Carlson Web site. Also see if there is a user's manual download for the product you are going to buy. Even an older copy will get you started.
Go through ALL of the posts in the discussion groups. It's not that many pages long yet and there is some really good info there.
Now, a personal opinion. IF you are going to purchase Carlson Survey 2012, spend the extra money for the embedded AutoCad version. It is more than worth the price differential. A lot fewer headaches. Intellicad has a tiny way to go yet.

Just out of curiosity--Why?

We have both Terra Model and Carlson. Terra Model is much preferred. Every time we try another software package we feel like we are going back in time. Terra Model already does "that" whatever "that" is and has for years. We have Carlson so that if we are required by a client to use a .dwg format we use Carlson, otherwise we use Terra Model.

Terramodel is no longer being developed.
Trimble has incorporated Terramodel, Sitevision, Paydirt
and probably other stuff into Trimble Business Center.
And I agree, have been using it since it was Terracad by Plus3
Software. I'll probably just keep using it til it won't work anymore.

"if we are required by a client to use a .dwg format we use Carlson, otherwise we use Terra Model."

I can't help with the learning curve as our firm is a long time Terramodel user for 99% of our drafting. I would agree with Shepp that in cases where my clients need DWG support I use the "other" software for what I need. There is no need to stop using such a powerful software package but remember it is just another tool in the box.

CD

You will find it easy to make the switch.

A few years ago, I worked on a big project along side a contractor who was using Terra Model and I was using Carlson Civil Suite on AutoCAD. When we were comparing data, sharing information, he was often saying "that's just like Terra Model".

Both programs are designed for 3D world; earthworks / heavy civil / mining.

Intelligently designed programs.

As stated above, spend a few extra dollars and go for the embedded AutoCAD engine.

I’ve always been a fan of Trimble except when it comes to Terra Model. It just amazes me that they have failed to develop and maintain what I think is absolutely stellar surveying software. In my opinion Carlson is not nearly as easy or as functional to use as Terra Model. Yes, Carlson will do most things that Terra Model does and it is point orientated like Terra Model as opposed to line orientated. But Terra Model has done these things since its’ inception. We too have been Terra Model users since the Plus 3 days and will no doubt use it until it doesn’t work anymore and then go into mourning.

Thanks to all for your input.
I agree that TM is the very best survey oriented program. We have used it in our survey department for over 20 years while the engineering department has been in the AutoCad, LDD, C3D fold. The reason for considering a change is because Trimble has told us that no more development will be done on TM. And although they are still selling it support will end when a new operating system such as Windows 8 comes out and there are incompatabilities. So we could just carry on until that happens and then be forced to react under pressure. Or we can try and get ahead of the curve and be ready for the eventual death of a great program.
Also of consideration, the principals of our survey department, me included, are aging and are anticipating transitioning the responsibility and partnership to some younger surveyors, if we can find the right persons. We think that the value and attractiveness of that position will be diminished if it comes with an unsupported survey program.
We are also disappointed in Trimbles decision to let TM die.

> We are also disappointed in Trimbles decision to let TM die.

Trimble treats its customers with contempt. I'll buy their stuff, but used, never new again for me.