Although translation is a small part of the overall file conversion process, it is an important link between the engineer and the operator. Some companies offer these programs separately or as part of their GPS equipment package.
Trimble’s SiteVision Office translates CAD files for use with their Grade Control Systems and works best when used in conjunction with Trimble’s Terramodel and Visualizer programs.
#Terramodel vs cad software
Topcon’s 3D Office translates files for its 3D-MC control boxes, creates Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) files for export and partners with Pocket 3D, the software component of Topcon’s Grade Management System, which facilitates surface inspection and surface management using graphics combined with printable reports such as quantities and cut/fill mapping. Design with Leica GPS systems is usually done with SiteManager before translation to a machine-readable format. Leica’s SiteSmart translates files to use with GradeSmart 3D or DigSmart 3D. “In a nutshell, these programs are an easy way for somebody who uses GPS machine control to get a plan or AutoCAD file from their engineer or surveyor and quickly create a 3D model to plug into that machine,” says Jason Killpack, product marketing manager for Topcon.Ĭompanies that offer GPS systems each have their own format and you need the software that matches that format. Traditional engineering programs do some type of conversion feature, but translation programs don’t require extensive CAD or drafting knowledge. These translation programs build the views the operator needs to see and insures that everybody on the site is looking at the same data. Once the plans are translated, they are exported to a flash card and inserted into the computer where the operator can view a current version. Department of Transportation’s Microstation program, and converts them to a format readable by the GPS-driven computers inside the operator’s cab. Translation programs take digital terrain models produced in CAD file formats such as Drawing files (DWG), Drawing Exchange Files (DXF), Land Extended Markup Language (LandXML) or the DNG files used by the U.S. But the vendors of GPS equipment have all recently begun offering what’s called “translation programs” that individual contractors can use to simplify and speed up this process.
Until recently most of these conversions were done by engineering firms, or in-house engineers in larger construction firms. The onboard computers that guide GPS-enabled construction machines require CAD files that have been converted to a format the machine can read.