Autodesk Civil Series

White Paper

Trimble Terramodel versus Autodesk Civil Series

Software: An Independent Comparison
Autodesk commissioned this review by Harry O. Ward, P.E. Mr. Ward is a Registered Professional Engineer
and an Autodesk Authorized Consultant with more than 23 years of experience in civil engineering and
computer-aided engineering, design, and drafting. He is well known in the industry for his pioneering efforts
in computer animations, computer forensics and litigation, consulting, teaching, lectures, and publications.
He has held the positions of Engineer, CADD Manager, and Director of IT for consulting and industrial firms
and is currently the Vice President of OutSource Inc. Mr. Ward is a recurring author for several magazines
including CADence and Point of Beginning and has been a member of the engineering faculty at George
Mason University since 1997, where he teaches CEIE 290, Engineering Computations and Design. He was
recently appointed to the Editorial Advisory Board of Point of Beginning magazine and was a featured
speaker at Autodesk University.
The following report has been minimally edited for editorial and formatting consistency.

The software described below was reviewed comprehensively and from a workflow point of
view. I analyzed the interface, algorithms, and functionality as a practicing engineer or
surveyor would in an on-the-job fashion. The sections covered include the following:

Project management, interface, and settings capabilities

Primitive geometry and geometric layout capabilities

Terrain modeling, terrain analysis abilities

Alignment design and editing features

Profiling and vertical alignment design and editing features

Road design and cross-sectioning features

Plan preparation

Site design

Hydrology and rainfall analysis

Retention pond design and pond routing

Special features

My method of operation was to look at Trimble Terramodel software (see

www.trimble.com/terramodel.html) in an objective fashion and to compare it to Autodesk
Land Desktop 3 software.

Project Management, Interface, and Settings Capabilities

Terramodel: The interface is a Windows compliant interface. There is no traditional CAD
system in the software such as AutoCAD or MicroStation, but there are strong translation
tools that allow the import and export of data between these drafting programs. Tutorial
files are included with the installation of the software. Coordinate point data can be
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White Paper: Autodesk Civil Series and Trimble Terramodel Software Compared
converted between more than 600 coordinate systems using NAD27 or NAD83 and
latitude/longitude. All NAD27 and NAD83 State Plane Zones and UTM Zones are contained in
a coordinate system dictionary. The data can be stored in the users choice of directory and
it is capable of being run from a server. The interface pulldowns are laid out in almost direct
conjunction with the modules they offer. Hardware locks are used to dissuade copyright
violators.
The menus are arranged by function so that viewing commands allow for viewing tools and
for viewing all of the data. The data is contained in a project database and hence the
viewing commands are needed to display the data to the screen. Toolbars can be
customized by the user and recalled during the next working session automatically. Internal
settings control text heights, symbology, layers, and colors of the objects. Passing the
cursor over a line or linestring immediately displays a tool tip that shows these features.
Drafting functionality is available in the CAD Module since there is no traditional CAD system
associated with the software. But Terramodel uses this to its advantage in that graphics,
contours, and text compute and display with great speed. All attribute text is updated
automatically when any design changes are made to ensure high accuracy and speed up the
drafting process.
One of the reasons why surveyors tend to like this software is that it is highly point based.
Lines and arcs are automatically created based on point descriptors. The lines, arcs, and
points are then automatically placed on settings-based layers and given settings-based
linetypes and colors. The system is quite self-contained, and all legal and production reports
and all graphics are generated using the CAD module.
Of course there is the ability to read and write Autodesk DXF and AutoCAD DWG files.
However, there are significant problems associated with data transfer between the two
programs. The most annoying problem is that arcs are computed differently by AutoCAD
and Terramodel. In Terramodel they are point based; for instance, there are PC, RP, and PT
points that create the arc. In AutoCAD, there is a center point, start angle, and ending
angle. Because of this in many cases the tangents and arcs do not come together well when
transferred to AutoCAD. Symbology transfers have also caused problems going between
AutoCAD or MicroStation since they use a font file for symbols.
Autodesk Land Desktop: The interface is a Windows compliant interface. Land Desktop
works inside the industry-standard AutoCAD 2002 CAD system. The main package is
essentially for 2D project work plus terrain modeling and earthwork takeoffs. The Autodesk
Civil Design and Autodesk Survey modules are add-ons and each has menus specific to
their function with parts of Land Desktop integrated into them. The menus are customizable
by the user and there is a facility to support this. Land Desktop is the leader in being able to
develop an enterprisewide set of CADD standards. Project settings, drawing settings, and
AutoCAD settings support the development of graphic objects for viewing and plotting. They
can be centralized on a server or set on a machine-by-machine basis.
The external project database method is mature and flexible and has had feedback from
thousands of customers over the past 10 years. XML is supported in Land Desktop 3. A
feature evident throughout the software is the ability to access point data via the use of
point filters. This allows for easy access to points that exist in either the CAD system
drawing or the external project point database. Land Desktop comes with tutorial files and
with the advent of Autodesk Map software being included, it has enormous capabilities to
handle geodetic data and perform geodetic conversions. Land Desktop allows translations to
ARC/INFO, ArcView, MapInfo, and MicroStation. The tools offered in Autodesk Map allow
for drawing cleanup, GIS, and external database linking and querying. It also allows for
super cross-referencing of huge spatial data sets consisting of graphic data, database data,
and object data.

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White Paper: Autodesk Civil Series and Trimble Terramodel Software Compared
Land Desktop makes great use of the 3D Orbit command in AutoCAD for viewing data in 3D
and in perspective. Several types of shading are built in and can remain shaded while
working. Although CAiCE has many specialized commands for civil and survey functions,
Land Desktop has a myriad of commands to achieve similar results.
Land Desktop can also track who logs into the drawing and what changes have been made
to graphics through the Revision Additions command. It stores the information in a
database that can be searched at a later time and interacts with the graphical elements to
highlight modified data.
Benefits: Users benefit by Land Desktops integration with AutoCAD and Autodesk Map plus
the object technology that Land Desktop uses. The Terramodel product is quite strong in its
surveying and design abilities but it has always had problems bringing the data to AutoCAD
or MicroStation.

Primitive Geometry and Geometric Layout Capabilities

Terramodel: The COGO Module was designed to perform highly accurate design and survey
calculations, and the manufacturer has always prided itself on their speed. COGO uses a 3D
database with unique point descriptors for all standard geometric routines. All calculations
make use of the point-based engine, which provides unequaled accuracy and speed.
All traditional survey coordinate geometry calculation routines are available. The system
uses points, sets, polylines, text blocks, and tables. Sets are a special class of line in that
they connect a series of points. If a point in a set moves, the related vertex of the set
moves with it. Sets can be curvilinear, open, closed, or joined. This is one of the reasons
why surveyors like the product, because this is how property data should behave; it reduces
liability and assists in the generation of reports. Sets can be used for boundary lines,
alignments, breaklines, sewer design, and more.
The Field Traverse Program reduces, balances, and adjusts field traverse information from
the data collector. The user can traverse by horizontal angle, distance, and vertical angle.
Closed traverse with internal reference, closed traverse with external reference, point-topoint traverse, and open-ended traverses are supported. They can be two-dimensional or
three-dimensional. Traverse adjustments can be made using compass rule, transit rule,
Crandall, and least-squares methods.
One of the things that is really impressive are the number of snap modes in the software.
AutoCAD users have always enjoyed strong object snapping, but this software allows for
even more advanced snapping mechanisms. In addition to AutoCAD type snaps, some of
the neat ones offered here include these:

Factored Snapping allows snaps at a factored distance along a line, an alignment, or any
two locations in the project (and the elevation is also interpolated).

Gravity snaps to the center of gravity of an object.

INTHAL snaps to the intersection of two alignments.

Offset and Offset Alignment snaps to object offsets or alignment offsets. There are
several other related offset snaps as well.

Autodesk Land Desktop: Land Desktop has excellent land development geometry tools
because the user can use the graphics commands in AutoCAD supplemented by well
thought out routines in Land Desktop. It has many productive tools to build horizontal
geometry. Some good examples include the following: users can draw lines with a double
snap such as the Perpendicular and Tangent commands and they can use the Create
Multiple command which allows for the creation of lines, arcs, and spirals from lines, arcs,
and spirals. There are also many commands for settings points in 2D and 3D, and they are
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White Paper: Autodesk Civil Series and Trimble Terramodel Software Compared
designed to operate the way a civil designer or surveyor needs them to. The method of
prompting is also well thought out because the command sequence steps users in and then
steps them out of the process.
The Autodesk Survey module has additional geometry commands that build traverses and
sideshots in 2D or 3D and it can be done graphically or via dialog box entry. A batch file
captures commands and allows for editing and playback.
The TDS Survey Link within the product allows for data collection from most of the data
collectors in use. Links exist for those that remain proprietary. The methodology is simple
and can be augmented by the Survey Command Line commands if they are added as notes.
Benefits of Terramodel: Users benefit from Terramodels excellent abilities in performing
surveying computations, a specialty for years. The data collection is easy and powerful and
does not require a lot of typing by the field crew. Its point snapping is industry leading, and
no one respects point data more than Terramodel. On the other hand, those who are used
to using curvilinear vectors are in for a letdown because Terramodel is largely a point-based
system.
Benefits of Land Desktop: Users benefit from the ability to reduce least-squares
networked loops as well as a well-rounded set of commands designed for geometric layout
in a CAD system. Curvilinear linework and points are easily created and modified and have a
mature prompting sequence that will aid users in production. The Autodesk Survey add-on
may be needed if users want the ability to traverse around a lot in a single command or if
they want to be able to develop a nontangent curve from curve table data. The use of the
Survey Command Line is a valuable tool for those creating geometry in Land Desktop, as it
has built-in batch file ability and they can edited and run as needed.

Terrain Modeling, Terrain Analysis Abilities

Terramodel: The terrain modeling abilities of the software are quite strong and
exceptionally fast. Contours are generated much faster in this package than in packages
that require a CAD host, due to the duplication and synchronization problems found in CAD
add-on software. TINs are linked to form 3D triangles in excess of 2,000 points per second.
The routines can handle occurrences that cause problems for other manufacturers such as
finger contours. There are commands to limit triangle distances and maximum triangle
angles. The concept of isopachs is directly supported; that is, a volume consisting of two
surfaces can be developed.
Contours created by the DTM commands create some of the most aesthetic shapes in the
business. That is because it uses splines in its mathematics of creating the contour. In fact
it has two types of splines, the b-spline and the Overhausen spline. The b-spline tends to
move the contour more than the Overhausen spline.
Autodesk Land Desktop: The Terrain Explorer provides an excellent interface to the DTM
and isopach data. It has a Windows feel to it. Generating a TIN is fast. Statistics are readily
available for the data and condition of the data. The analysis tools are among the industrys
most robust because AutoCAD can provide many graphical functions for displaying vectors,
fills, and quick graphics. The TIN editing is also powerful and has unique commands for
automatic slope annotation, nondestructive breaklines, surface pasting, and object
technology for quick sections, contouring, and labeling.
Benefits of Terramodel: Users benefit from some of the fastest terrain modeling software
in the industry. This is something that Terramodel has always prided itself on. The
contouring is also among the best because of the splining algorithms used.

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White Paper: Autodesk Civil Series and Trimble Terramodel Software Compared
Benefits of Land Desktop: Users benefit from Land Desktops terrain abilities because of
excellent TIN editing and TIN analysis. They benefit from the ability to use USGS DEM file
data for large-scale terrain analysis. They suffer somewhat because often contours
representing the tops and bottoms of hills and valleys are missing if there are no spot shots
within the contour source data. For some reason, these flat areas often do not produce
contours although they are accurately reflected in all TIN data computations for profiling,
sections, and earthworks.

Alignment Design and Editing Features

Terramodel: Alignments are defined by sets which connect a series of points. This
produces an alignment that is always tied to points, and if points are moved the alignment
is moved as well. Any modification function can be used to relocate points or to add or
delete points from the set.
Autodesk Land Desktop: Land Desktop uses vector graphics to define alignments. There
is no way to develop alignments other than AutoCAD entities or Point Objects. Alignments
are contained in an external database and can be freely used in any drawing at any time.
Multiple users can work in the alignment database simultaneously, and record locking
protects users from stepping on each other. Many commands exist that interact between
the alignments and the development of other data such as alignment-based points and
offsetting alignments.
Benefits: Users benefit by the maturity of Land Desktops networkability and free workflow
style. Terramodel users benefit from the way alignments are tied to points.

Profiling and Vertical Alignment Design and Editing Features

Terramodel: Vertical profiles can be computed for existing ground from DTMs or from
depth information for subsurface profiles. Proposed vertical alignments are created via a
numerical dialog box. When laying out the numeric data, a visual display of the work is
produced. It provides all of the typical features needed to lay out a profile and related
vertical curves.
The vertical alignment can be graphically edited by simply grabbing and stretching it. The
changes are automatically limited by AASHTO standards.
Autodesk Land Desktop: The new Vertical Alignment Editor allows for very good
interaction between the numeric dialog and the screen graphics. This is about as state-ofthe-art as can be. All AASHTO parameters are built in, and the right mouse button produces
a menu with many of the editing functions. The Calculator allows for experimentation and
visuals are produced if the customer has a subscription to obtain the Vertical Alignment
Extension. Graphics are updated automatically upon exiting the editing function.
Benefits: Users benefit by Land Desktops integration into AutoCAD. Land Desktop has all
of the tools needed to easily lay out vertical alignments and perform checking for overlaps
and AASHTO specifications. Terramodel also has strong design abilities, but getting the data
into a CAD system generally has a cost associated with it.

Road Design and Cross-Sectioning Features

Terramodel: The Roadway add-on is for route location and design accommodating streets,
multilane highways, airstrips, canals, and earth dams.
Roadway templates can be attached to multiple alignments while still following the
centerline. This feature allows users to stretch and modify the templates shape to handle
widenings or adding deceleration lanes.
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White Paper: Autodesk Civil Series and Trimble Terramodel Software Compared
Cross sections and related earthworks are updated automatically when the DTM changes.
Roadway materials are defined into a library and cross-sections are then cut for existing
ground or subsurfaces. Then the user creates roadway shape classes and shapes for the
templates of the roadway. Shape classes include such items as shoulders, curbs, and
pavement. A numerical editor allows for development of the template and nicely previews
activities as they occur.
Superelevation data is accommodated and the user indicates rates and locations in a dialog.
A good feature within the package allows for a superelevation diagram showing the profile
of pivoting geometry. It allows for overlapping supers to be tracked and handled easily.
Autodesk Land Desktop: Land Desktop has strong tools for single alignment based
design. It is powerful enough for corridor design consisting of roads, tunnels, and
aqueducts. It is a template-based system and allows for transitioning templates horizontally
for lane widenings and contractions and intersection collapsing. It also allows for vertical
transitions for sophisticated conditions such as bifurcated highways and nonstandard ditch
design. The viewing and ability to edit sections is excellent and very fast. Superelevations
are AASHTO based and allow for superelevation-based cross-sections to be automatically
created. The software supports subassemblies, which allow users to assemble roadway
components into final templates. Land Desktop makes nice use of point codes on templates
to mark certain locations for use later in analysis and drafting. The software can
automatically create surfaces from roadway data, tying out daylight contours nicely. It can
also create 3D breaklines directly from roadway data, which makes it very easy to design
cross-sections and cul-de-sacs.
Benefits of Terramodel: Terramodel users benefit in that the system produces
exceedingly quick computations. The superelevation diagram is one of the handiest tools I
have seen for this purpose by any manufacturer. Again, typically at some point the data
needs to be transferred to a CAD system, and Terramodel users pay a price for this in
cleanup or integration with other software.
Benefits of Land Desktop: Land Desktop users benefit from having many trained users
due to the maturity and popularity of the software. Land Desktop has strong abilities to
design roadways geared for land development. The obvious advantage Land Desktop has is
that the user is in the familiar AutoCAD system.

Plan Preparation
Terramodel: Plan production occurs using the ASAP routines. With minimal effort and very
rapid speed, it automatically creates drawing sheets for the project with a border, title
block, sheet numbers, titles, labels, north arrow(s), and dynaviews of the desired areas
within the plan and profile views. Of course many users then go to a CAD system to flesh
out additional drafting and for sharing and plotting.
Plotted sheets are automatically updated when the design changes.
Autodesk Land Desktop: The Sheet Manager has been around for some time and is one of
the industrys most powerful such tools in that it pulls data directly from project databases
to assemble plot sheets. It is highly customizable to meet customers CAD standards
requirements. It can assemble P&P sheets, cross-section sheets, or single profile sheets.
Benefits: Users benefit by both systems in there abilities to produce construction plans.
Terramodel is very fast since it does not have to deal with a CAD system per se. Terramodel
users benefit because their sheets update automatically when the design changes. Land
Desktop users, though, are more likely to develop a finished product because the user has a
much more customizable set of features that extract their information from the project
databases rather than the graphics.
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White Paper: Autodesk Civil Series and Trimble Terramodel Software Compared

Site Design
Terramodel: Residential or commercial sites are designed by first defining a template or
side slopes for the object. They are then projected onto a DTM surface. Volumes can be
computed between these two surfaces and from there the user can view, evaluate, and
revise designs. The pads can be moved or otherwise modified, and the cut and fill volumes
and slopes are updated automatically.
A simple roadway can also be added to your site with the SMP_ROAD command. This is a
good command for preliminary road design since it is easy and fast. Refinement would occur
under the roadway commands for more sophisticated parameters.
Autodesk Land Desktop: Very little on the market can compare to Land Desktops ability
to design sites in 3D. The software has had the ability to do so for a long time and allows
the user to use typical AutoCAD entities. The addition of the Grading Object and the powers
it has for modification as a design changes is awesome. Land Desktop provides tools that
interact with surface data and can extract elevations from any surface on the fly. Between
the use of point objects, breaklines, and the grading object there is virtually nothing that
cant be accomplished. The site analysis routines augment this nicely.
Earthwork takeoffs are performed using one or more of the four methods supplied by Land
Desktop: the grid method, the composite method, average end area sections, and
prismoidal section based methods. Intersection design can occur in 3D and with only a
handful of breaklines. They can be easily placed using the softwares exceptional breakline
tools that automatically tie the two roadways together.
Benefits of Land Desktop: Users benefit by Land Desktops robust 3D tool set for site
design and the multiple methods for performing earthworks. Land Desktop has had the
philosophy that users should be working in 3D for over a decade. In this area the users
need to catch up to the softwares capabilities. Users benefit from both programs ability to
perform accurate earthworks takeoffs. Terramodel users benefit because of the
extraordinary speed in computations (it is often shown in the command prompt).
Earthworks are automatically computed as their pads are modified.

Hydrology and Rainfall Analysis

Terramodel: The Sewer Design Module allows for design and analysis of sanitary sewer
and storm drainage. Multiple branches can be calculated simultaneously while dependent
and independent branches are automatically determined. Pipe sizes and materials are saved
in pop-up libraries.
Plotted plan sheets are automatically updated when the design changes.
Flow methods allow for calculating flow rates in a conduit using three methods:
Q=Summation, Q=CIA, or None (allows you to directly specify the Q value for each
conduit).
The ability to compute watersheds is very fast in its operation. Tens of thousands of points
can be computed in seconds, and it always reports how many seconds or tenths of a second
it took.
Hydrograph calculation methods include SCS-TR-20 (including 6, 24, 72, and 120 hr.
hydrographs), Universal Rational, and Dekalb Rational. Multiple SCS rainfall distributions are
included: I, II, III, IA, IIA, Somerset County, and two distributions specific to Florida.
Autodesk Land Desktop: This software has good tools for watershed development and
rainfall analysis. TR-55 based methods are routinely used for generating hydrographs. Land
Desktop has good tools for storm, sanitary, and waterline drafting. The user can edit

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White Paper: Autodesk Civil Series and Trimble Terramodel Software Compared
pipeline data more readily in this software than virtually anywhere else. Although DarcyWeisback, Hazen-Williams, and Mannings equations are available for design and analysis,
the Mannings equation seems most applicable. Because Land Desktop provides a VBA
editor/compiler and the pipe database is in Microsoft Access, great potential exists for users
to integrate their pipe sizing spreadsheets into Land Desktop. The Sheet Manager produces
P&P sheets directly from the pipe database to meet users requirements.
Benefits of Terramodel: Users benefit by Terramodels ability to design storm and
sanitary systems, where sanitary is missing from Land Desktop. Again, its speed in
computations is evident.
Benefits of Land Desktop: Land Desktop has excellent graphical previews of the hydraulic
results in its calculators. You do not need a PhD in hydraulics to understand what happens
in Land Desktop when the flowrate is increased or decreased as graphics preview the
results. Land Desktop stores all of the pipeline data in Microsoft Access databases that are
conducive to access by Visual Basic for customizing reports. Land Desktop has the Visual
Basic Editor and compiler built in.

Retention Pond Design and Pond Routing

Terramodel: Multiple hydrographs can be routed through multiple basins in one step. The
software supports multiple basins and ponds, including reach routing. All basin data, pond
data, and graphics are saved in the project file. Pond outlet devices include trapezoidal
broad crested weir, circular standpipe, broad crested weir, circular orifice, vee notch weir,
rectangular weir, cipolletti weir, trapezoid channel, and user-definable devices. A pond may
have up to ten devices defined during routing calculations.
Autodesk Land Desktop: Land Desktop has the best interactive features for pond design
and analysis in the business. A pond can be built in 3D using such criteria as the storage
capacity needed for the pond, depth of pond, pond templates, and more. Once the pond is
created, its characteristics can be sent directly into the pond routing and sizing functions.
They use the Storage Indication Method for routing and Detention Basin Storage method for
sizing ponds. Outlet structures can be developed and set to required elevations. They can
further be turned on or off to simulate a variety of conditions. TR-55 and TR-20 are
supplied. A variety of hydrograph formats are supported and created. HEC-II card
generation is also supported but lacks input for sophisticated conditions.
Benefits of Land Desktop: Users benefit by using Land Desktop because of the
interactiveness of the software between pond design and pond analysis. Land Desktop can
develop a pond with real life bottom conditions such as low flow channels and forebays.

Special Features
Terramodel: Terramodel is owned by Trimble now and as a result is very strong with GPS
data. Trimble sells both the hardware and software for GPS collection and is definitely in a
strong position in the industry.
Trimble also purchased Paydirt, which has traditionally been used by contractors for
earthwork takeoffs.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk University, and Autodesk Map are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in
the USA and other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
Copyright 2002 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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