The Cutting-Edge World of LIDAR Survey Technology
LIDAR is a unique remote sensing technology that has taken the surveying industry by storm. The acronym "LIDAR" stands for Light Detection and Ranging and describes how the technology uses light in the form of lasers to measure distances. Take-Off Professionals' data...
Using XML in Civil Construction
Extensible Markup Language (XML) is used throughout various coding and language platforms. In our field it’s used to produce and transfer data types for data prep and site construction. There are two versions of XML (1.0 and 1.1), and both will import into the current...
All About TIN Surfaces
The building block of a surface used in civil and architectural 3D modeling is the TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network). We will go over its definition, rules, and tips for making this format perform. Let’s get started. The TIN surface Definition A TIN (triangulated...
Difference Between BIM and CAD
With 3D technology, earthwork modelers and surveyors can view virtual models of proposed projects before the groundbreaking work commences. Different types of software can generate such visualizations, and this has led to the BIM vs. CAD modeling debate. Both options...
What to Expect from Free Models
Being offered a free model to work from could potentially save time. You may even think, “Why not?” In this post, I will discuss what’s entailed when working with free models and how to determine the best approach. Use this as a guide on how to look at a model you’re...
Enhanced Data: Highways
There is nothing more difficult, or rewarding, than seeing a highway job perform well from dirt work to paving. It takes years of experience to fully understand the process. My advice is to think differently about the approach. In upcoming blog posts, I will go over...
The Essential Guide to Quantity Takeoff in Construction
As a professional involved in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), you’re likely familiar with quantity takeoffs. The term has been around a long time in the building industry, and it reflects an important part of the planning process. Quantity takeoff...
The Mechanics of GPS Surveying: Methods and Applications
Surveying has changed substantially over the years — what used to take months of observation, measurement and geometrical calculations now takes a few hours or days thanks to the introduction of GPS technology. In fact, the surveying industry was one of the first to...
Carlson Software and Working with Surfaces
Carlson Software is a very adaptable tool. It can run standalone by using the IntelliCAD engine or as an add-on to AutoCAD and Civil 3D. At TOPS, we all run Carlson on top of Civil 3D. In my opinion, this provides a robust, versatile work platform. In this blog post,...
Enhanced Data: Subdivisions
Beyond the surface in a subdivision, there are things you can do to make your job easier. I will cover the more common tools we use to expedite planning in subdivision grading and paving jobs. I will also breakdown the improvements we’ve made beyond the simple site...