trimble business center import terramodel

Time is money and it generally takes longer to review a surface file than to just start from scratch. When you receive a surface file, there are several steps to confirm if it’s even worth loading in the rover. In post approval, we see highway projects requiring 3D model submission for approval before paving. It will take many years for 3D models to become part of the plan submittal.

This is understandable and normal in the paper plan world we still live in. As the design matures and gets in ground stage, 3D model updates usually stop and the focus switches to printed plan production and permitting.

When the vertical components (e.g., buildings) are added, the improvements made to the appearance and function are easier to see and quick to update. A 3D model gives the stakeholders a better idea of what the finished job will look like. More engineers are using 3D design to produce better projects.

Comments from agencies, owners and the utility investigation will make changes to the plans that affect the surface rendering making the takeoff surface unrelated to the final plans. Another more important reason to be wary of an engineer’s takeoff surface is that it’s generally done at the first draft of the site. I have long stated that if you use your takeoff surface for data, you’re spending too much time on the takeoff. For the purpose of a takeoff, it does not need to be exact. When providing numbers for permitting and dirt use, the engineer will make a surface file. Two explanations could be the engineering firm may have built the surface file to be used in dirt calculations (takeoff surface) or created the file for a presentation. The quality of the surface file can range from “ready-to-go” to just useless. Most of the time when you are offered a surface file, it’s something the engineer has produced. I’ve outlined a process to make it easy for you to verify if the data is ready for the field. Use this as a guide on how to look at a model you’re given and verify that it’s what you want. 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. Being offered a free model to work from could potentially save time.

Trimble business center import terramodel