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1 ` Civilcad News December 2009 edition Contents If you haven t Convert to USB key NOW! Well done everyone! Network keys The network lock is in Christmas trading Civilcad support will be Civilcad annual CDs Traditionally, civilcad new Maintenance renewal changes There will be an Windows 7 compatibility The new Microsoft operating Welcome to civilcad 7 Welcome to another new... New Features for civilcad 7 Point Attributes Filter string points DGN Import/Export Display contours Auto contouring Merge Multiple DTM Pavement Check Report New 3D Viewer Vertical Curves from Road strings Manual Road Entry New Elevation options Drape Object Set Elevation by Intersection with other Entities Set Elevation from Text Set Elevation by Increment Start End Elevation Contacts civilcad Representatives Civilcad News Welcome to the new era for civilcad!! Started in 1982 as Civildes, civilcad has grown and earned its reputation and loyality from surveying and civil engineering professionals for its simplicity, performance and support. First of its kind, civilcad is delivered on USB key and can be executed without installation. To start off the new decade, Topcon proudly announces that civilcad 7 will be release in Topcon is also proud to announce the release of three Master Series software modules; SurveyMaster Lite, SurveyMaster and SiteMaster. Based upon the strength of civilcad engine, the Masters software is currently sold internationally. The end of parallel dongles! With the removal of parallel dongle support from civilcad 7, our development team can now move to new technology path as to take advantage of the increasingly popular 64-bits operating systems and multiple core CPUs. We have been trialling civilcad 7 on Windows 7 64-bits operating systems and all is well. Note: civilcad 7 will only support USB key. There will be changes for Maintenance Plan 2010 in both price and structure. This is the first change for more than 10 years. Civilcad 7 will be available to all users with 2010 Maintenance Plan. Civilcad support will be closed over the festive season from 23 rd December 2009 and reopen on the 11 th January Normal civilcad support hours run from 8am to 4pm (EST). Calls can be logged between 9am to 5pm. civilcad newsletter produced by TOPCON POSITIONING SYSTEMS (AUST) PL ABN PO Box 6150, Silverwater Business Centre NSW 2128 HOTLINE SUPPORT (Free call): Fax: support@civilcad.com.au

2 If you haven t Convert to USB key NOW! Well done everyone! It s been over 5 years since the USB key was launched, and a majority of users are now using the USB key. If you are still holding onto the parallel lock, please take careful note that civilcad7 DOES NOT run with the parallel dongle. There is no reason not to convert as the latest civilcad software is able to open v5 jobs and z00 files. Additionally, we have a special offer to exchange your old parallel dongles to USB key for $ for all users under the maintenance plan (this is normally $165.00). Alternatively, if you have a number of licences, you may consider the benefit of the network key (See below for more info). Download the form to exchange from The parallel locks have now been out of production for many years due to its outdated technology, and users are also finding it increasingly difficult to purchase a new computer with a parallel port. It is also not supported on Windows operating system Vista and Windows 7. So after nearly 20 years of parallel dongles, it's finally time to say "Good Bye"! Network keys The network lock is in the form of a USB key, which can be plugged into the server computer. This runs a small application on the server which provides details and allows control of which computer is accessing the licence. To run civilcad from a workstation computer, access to the server will be required at all It works, reliably, and it is simple to implement. Micheal Miles, IT - WSC times. The option to convert your existing parallel or USB keys to the network key is available for all current maintenance holders. Due to popular demand, we have changed the minimum requirement to convert to the network licence to a 3 licence minimum. As this is a conversion, the old parallel or USB locks will need to be returned back to Topcon to complete the transaction. Each computer will initially need to be registered to the network key. Once this is established, civilcad will automatically connect to the network key on start up. For users already on the network key, we would recommend to update the ccnetkey software (small program run on the server) when updating to the latest civilcad 7. More details will be enclosed with civilcad 7 CDs. For further information on whether the Network key is suitable for your organisation, please do not hesitate to contact the civilcad support team. Christmas trading Civilcad support will be closed over the Christmas and New Year break from 4pm 23rd December 2009 and reopen 9am 11th of January Normal civilcad support hours run from 8am to 4pm (EST) However, calls can be logged between 9am to 5pm. The civilcad team wishes all a safe and memorable festive season and look forward to catching up with everyone again in the New Year!

3 Civilcad annual CDs Traditionally, civilcad new release CDs have been sent out at the end of the year and updates provided for maintenance holders throughout the following year. We have changed this method and will now be sending out CDs at the beginning of the year to all users who are up to date with their maintenance for that year. Mid year release CDs were sent out in 2009 to act in response to this change, and in addition, we have also sent out the end of year CD (v6.91) to all users with 2009 maintenance renewal notices will be sent out in the next few weeks followed by the civilcad 7 CD to all users who renew in Maintenance renewal changes There will be an increase to base civilcad maintenance renewal pricing from The increase for maintenance will be an additional $100 (ex GST) of the previous cost (except Base module). There will also be a change in structure on the pricing. Previously the base maintenance renewal cost allowed up to 5 licences to be covered, however, this has been reduced to cover up to 3 licences. Additional licences thereafter will incur subsequent licence surcharge the same as previous years. If you have not renewed civilcad maintenance for over 3 months, the upgrade fee will become a flat rate depending on the module held. Previously this price was dependant on how many years the user was out of maintenance but we have now changed this to simplify the fee structure. Windows 7 compatibility The new Microsoft operating system was released in October and we can confirm civilcad can run on the new Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System including the 64bit system. Please note only the USB key can be used to run civilcad 7, and the old parallel dongle CANNOT be used. However, due to a change in the Autoplay (Autorun) from USB keys on Windows 7, civilcad will not start up automatically as Plug and Go. civilcad can run on the new Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System This just means the user will need to open explorer and double click on the civilcad7.exe file located on the root directory of the USB key or create a desktop shortcut. From a Windows operating system point of view, this is a positive change to avoid viruses which are spread via USB keys. For civilcad users, it just means one extra double-click on the mouse. Civilcad can still be run direct from the USB key without installation or registration. This means the software can continue to be run anywhere and anytime at your convenience. To convert your parallel lock to the USB key, please contact the civilcad support team. Don t forget that the new civilcad version will only run with the USB keys, so convert your old dongles over today!

4 Welcome to Civilcad 7 Welcome to another new release of civilcad! The CAD package designed for surveyors and designers continues to grow and provide user friendly software built on user request and feedback. We thank all our users for the many contributions made over the year. Civilcad 7 includes more exciting new features while maintaining the original solid structure you have known and embraced over its lifetime. Outline of selected new features include: A series of additional Compute Elevation options to assist in generating heights for points and strings. Some improvements in ver 6.91 Increased performance in point properties editing. Supports Topcon 3D-Office project file. Improved import GENIO to process multiple models. Traverse reduction report includes adjusted details Improvement in network site registration. After a recent increase in requests we have also included a Pavement Check Report which provides a report of the difference in height between nominated Design and As built levels with a tolerance check for conformance. The reporting system in general is going through some changes providing a means of setting finer parameters within reports if required. You will not see any changes from the front end, however some enthusiasts may like to know that the reports are now becoming XML based (previously hard-coded) and report columns, heading and precision can be manipulated if required. Importing of Civil3D files has been included and AutoCAD export now supports annotations to be exported as AutoCAD attributes. Civilcad 7 also includes DGN import and export. New Features include: Import/Export DGN Files Import Civil3D files Export Autocad files with annotations as attributes New 3D Viewer Multiple DTM merge Improved Breakline insertion Display Contours Auto Contouring Point Attributes Attributes, Description and Note imported from TopSURV and ASCII files Pavement Check Report Update to Traverse and Network adjustment editors to protect input data Additional Compute Elevation options Filter String Points Replacement of chords with vertical curves for road strings Profile view of imported alignments Transfer of imported vertical curves to road design Import of cross section data from other packages (See since.txt for list of changes)

5 New Features for civilcad 7 Point Properties Civilcad point properties have been expanded to cater for Point Attributes and Descriptions. Point attributes recorded in the field in Topsurv can now be reduced and saved within each point. Therefore where the term Attributes was used previously in the software, has now been replaced with Properties. (Eg: Set Attributes is now called Set Properties) Point Attributes can be entered in manually within each point individually. Alternatively for users already utilising this feature within their data recorder, you will be prompted if Attributes are to be transferred when reducing Raw Data Editor (Neutral file) back to the survey module. There is also a new field for Description allowing the user to add more details if required without being a point Code or Attribute. Note: Memo in the point has been renamed to Notes. Filter string points Filter Point in String under the Modify> String menu is a new option to allow string points to be filtered out by a nominated tolerance distance based on the position of points before and after each string point. Excess string points may result from importing data from other softwares. This feature enables the user to Clean up some of those excess points. DGN Import/Export Import and export Microstation DGN files direct from civilcad is now available. When importing a DGN file, the program will prompt a Point Creation feature. This allows the user to decide whether points are to be generated for 2D Polylines (Polylines with no height) or not. Tick the box if points are to be created.

6 Display contours Display Contours is a new On/Off toggle button under the Surface menu. When the display is On, it will display contours of the current DTM. However, if there is no DTM, it creates a new DTM from displayed points using default settings, automatically inserting breaklines and without creating an error report. If you wish to check and set DTM setting prior to its generation, the Surface> Create DTM should be used. Auto contouring There is now a new way to generate DTMs automatically when data is imported. When data is imported into the current project, a DTM will be formed and breaklines inserted automatically. An example of this is if an XYZ points file is imported, civilcad will automatically generate the DTM after import. This setting can be switched on under the File> Program settings> Preferences. Please note this function may not be suitable for some situations and users, as it uses the data imported as is. We recommend DTM creation is applied after all survey data editing (including breakline check, height adjustment, translate/rotate etc) has been completed. Auto contouring will also only be applied provided the data contains contourable points. Merge Multiple DTM Civilcad 7 has introduced the facility to merge up to 5 DTMs at a time. DTMs to be merged are selected in the order the merge will take place. The Design DTM listed at the top will take precedence over the following DTM s (in order top to bottom), and are finally merged with the Existing DTM listed at the end. Pavement Check Report This option generates a report (spreadsheet format optional) comparing as-built points against design points along a nominated alignment. Upper and lower tolerances are specified, and points exceeding this value will be labelled with an asterisk (*) beside the level difference column. The Depth value is used to allow for pavement depth and is incorporated into the level difference

7 New 3D Viewer The 3D Viewer is now capable of displaying multiple surfaces from the project. Go to View> DTMs to switch on the DTM you wish to have displayed. The surface is displayed on a grid (View> Grid) for easier perception and understanding of the surface. We have also included an option to display colour graduation based on height. It will display graduation from the lowest to highest point used in the DTM with a legend on view to the left of the screen. The display can be changed under Settings> DTM Filling. If there is an alignment in the job, the View> Alignment in the 3D viewer can be used to drive along it. Settings on how to navigate around the 3D Viewer are under Help> About 3DViewer 2009 (as listed on the right). To enter the 3D viewer, a DTM is required in the project. Use the View> 3D View (selection of what entities to be displayed can be made prior), the 3D viewer will open and display the DTM nominated. 3D Viewer files can also be saved from the civilcad Survey module by utilising the File> Export option and saving the file as a.w3d file format.

8 Vertical Curves for Road Strings In the Roads module, there has been an enhancement to Long Section> Compute VCs option by computing the IP s based on the curve of the long section profile instead of computing just at the cross sections. This means long sections computed from the design CL IPs will adopt a more similar profile. If recomputing existing IPs which were previously computed at cross sections, please note the old IPs will be overwritten. Manual Road Entry Did you know you can actually enter and edit a Road alignment manually into civilcad? Use the Design> Road> Manual Roads Entry to enter. Here you can create an alignment from scratch, or select an existing alignment to make any changes. Furthermore, offset strings and vertical long sections can be entered here. Use the File> Save Alignment to update the alignment in Survey view. Note: This is a manual entry option. Alternatively the Survey view can be use to graphically edit and create alignments. The Roads View can also be used to complete the Road design.

9 New Elevation options There has been an increasing number of users who are receiving drawing data from clients in 2D which needs to be brought back to 3D. In civilcad7, we have added a number of features to make this awkward issue easy to recover. A few mouse clicks and a bit of know how will bring those 2D drawings back to 3D ready for contouring. These new options can be found under the Survey> Compute elevations menu. Drape Object This routine will interpolate heights from a nominated DTM and create points along any string or polyline selected. The user is prompted to nominate any existing DTM within the job to interpolate heights from, and select a layer for the new points to be created for the selected polyline. Strings may also be selected to interpolate heights for, however, the string points will remain in its original layer. Points are created and heights interpolated where the string/polyline intersects the DTM triangle sides as seen in the diagram. Existing points along the string will also have heights interpolated. Set Elevation by Intersection with Other Entities This sets the elevation of entity points by interpolating heights from intersecting lines. New points will be created at these intersection points. Set Elevation from Text This routine will set heights to Points and Polylines based on a numerical text selected. Use the Survey> Compute Elevations >Set Elevation from Text. The program will prompt to select an object. If the entity selected is not a Point or Polyline, the linked points will be used. In the example, a line and the text FL was selected.

10 Furthermore while running the routine, there is a feature in the context menu (right click) to Set Base Elevation. This will allow the user set a base elevation which the selected text value will be added to. Note: Any Text selected which includes alpha characters will be read without the alpha characters. Set Elevation by Increment This command sets the elevation of entities by specifying a base elevation and then an increment as it intersects with the nominated path. This can be used to generate heights for contour drawing lines (2D). When prompted, use the mouse to draw the yellow path ensuring it intersects the entities to be adjusted (in this case the contour lines), then press ESC key. The Start elevation and Increment needs to be entered. The Start elevation will be assigned to the first entity the drawn path intersects with, and the Increment value will be added to each following intersecting entity. Start End Elevation This option is used to adjust point elevations along and/or the end points of a nominated string, polyline, line or arc. A start and end elevation is entered which is applied and point elevations are computed along points on the string based on the relative distance. Note: If a polyline is selected, it will be converted into a string with points. Note: With any of these Compute elevation options, please be aware that existing point heights will be overwritten. However, if any points are flagged Locked they will not be edited.

11 Help File: Data Transfer with Pocket 3D and TopSurv civilcad with Kevin Wong of Position Partners Transfer of data to and from civilcad with Topcon s gear (Fig1) is now just one mouse click away. Gone are the old days of uploading & downloading, where users must recognise which com port and handshake communication settings, worrying about what data format etc.this provides a win win situation to current Topcon users and new users coming on board. Having said that, full credits must go to the development team for recognising the importance of the way data is managed from office to field... This article will cover how to transfer survey and design data from civilcad to Pocket-3D and TopSURV. Step Four Select Mobile Device button [Fig2] then navigate to the desired data directory on the mobile device and enter the jobname to be exported and click OK [Fig3] Fig 3 Step Five Check the appropriate export screen (PD3 [Fig4] and TopSurv [Fig5]), make sure all selected entities will be export. Then select OK. Fig 1 Fig 4 Step One Install or update to current version of civilcad (v6.9) and most importantly install microsoft ActiveSync. See link details below. ( Fig 5 Step Two Connect the device via usb cable to the laptop or desktop PC. Step Three In civilcad select the option File->Export, then select file type 3DMC (*.pt3,*.ln3,*.tn3,*.rd3) or TopSURV (*.tsj). [Fig2] Fig 2 Data exported to PD3 Data exported to TopSURV

12 Contacts civilcad Representatives Western Australia POSITION PARTNERS STADIA INSTRUMENTS PTY LTD Unit 1, 11 Geddes Street Balcatta, WA 6021 Ph 1300 TOPCON Fax positionpartners.com.au Contact Person: Garry MacPhail WA civilcad Support Don Weldon: Victoria and Tasmania POSITION PARTNERS LASERBEAMS Dandenong Office 146 Williams Road Dandenong, VIC 3175 Ph 1300 TOPCON Fax Epping Office 7 Transit Drive Campbellfield, VIC 3061 Ph 1300 TOPCON Fax Mob kwong@ positionpartners.com.au Contact Person: Kevin Wong New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory FIELDER INSTRUMENT CO PTY LTD 253 Princes Highway Arncliffe, NSW 2205 Ph Fax Mob gary@fielderinstrument.com.au Contact person: Gary Fielder POSITION PARTNERS LASERQUIP 16 Mary Parade Rydalmere, NSW 2116 Ph 1300 TOPCON Fax Mob awickham@ positionpartners.com.au Contact Person: Andrew Wickham Queensland POSITION PARTNERS ABC LASERS 17 Learoyd Road Acacia Ridge, QLD 4110 Ph Fax Mob mthomas@ positionpartners.com.au Contact Person: Matt Thomas Northern Territory and South Australia PETER HAESE AND ASSOCIATES PTY LTD PO Box 86 Smithfield, SA 5114 Ph Fax Mob phaese@civilcad.com.au Contact Person: Peter Haese POSITION PARTNERS ROSS INSTRUMENTS Adelaide Office 483 South Road, Regency Park, SA 5010 Ph Fax Mob Darwin Office Unit 5, 27 Bishop Street Stuart Park, NT 0820 Ph Fax Contact Person: Craig Fleming