Help: Recommedations for calculating cut/fill quantities

[flipper17_0]

We are a small Environmental Engineering firm looking for a more efficient way of calculating the differences between existing and proposed grading (cut/fill). Currently we are using AutoCAD 2002 with the possibility of upgrading to AutoCAD 2005 Jan 2005. Are there programs out there that would be recommended?

Our current methodology is to create closed polygons to calculate the existing areas at EACH elevation write them down, then perform the same tasks for our proposed elevations in the same area and add the values from the existing list and our proposed list to determine if we are removing "dirt" from the area or will need to bring "dirt" to the area to create our grading plan.

Any recommendations would be extremely helpful. We are in the process of determining our 2005 budget.

[arcadia_x27]

Although Im not a user of them I would think that the Land Desktop or Civil 3d products would be better suited to do these calculations than Autocad. You may want to ask somone in the GIS forum

[mjfarrell]

I would encourage you to look at Land Desktop,
for doing these earthwork calculations and more.
You could also enter and create strata models from your
bore hole data. The ability to create overlay topologies within
MAP would also hold some value to an environmental firm.

However, do not get Land Desktop, and not get good high-quality
training to go with it. You should consider a customized course of
instruction that focuses on your work, your client needs and
your data and cad standards.

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

If you are starting from scratch and want to use an Autodesk product take a look at Civil 3D (forget LDT, Civil 3D is Autodesk's chosen product for the future).

Regarding training.... no comment.

Have a good one, Mike

[mjfarrell]

Mike, the reason I did not include Civil 3D as an option
is due to the 'warning' from AutoDESK to not use this
product on actual project data, at this stage of the products
development.

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

That is true at this precise moment in time, but!!! it's a very short term (relatively speaking) issue / problem.

The person (sorry don't know your name) clearly stated this would be a new path they would be going down, therefore I see no point (wasting their valuable time) at looking at old technology (LDT) that Autodesk themselves have said will be eventually replaced by Civil 3D.

Autodesk Civil 3D Frequently Asked Questions (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=4624505)

Have a good one, Mike

[mjfarrell]

Probably the easiest bit of 'fine print' in that linked FAQ document:

"Autodesk Civil 3D 2005 is not yet a complete replacement for Autodesk Land Desktop and Autodesk Civil Design"

Followed by some glib prose that speaks to seamless integration between Land Desktop
and Civil 3d. If it were as seamless as advertised, I would include it as a potential
solution. Given that Civil 3d is an incomplete solution, it is not one I would suggest
as in this instance the solution probably introduces as many problems as it solves.

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

That's your view and you're perfectly entitled to it.... I just don't happen to agree with it (and that's my view); no harm, no foul.

Have a good one, Mike