‘Slow and steady’ describes how this firm transitioned to 3-D design

Project: Brannon Corporation transitions from 2-D to 3-D design
Product application: The firm chose Autodesk Civil 3D as its new design solution

In recent years, more and more civil engineering firms have come to see the tangible business benefits associated with 3-D design, such as quicker turnaround time on projects, better communication of ideas and designs, and enhanced collaboration among project stakeholders. Successful adoption of 3-D technology, however, is not a simple matter of "flipping a switch." There are a series of best practices that can be followed to ensure a smooth rollout, efficient management, and a successful return on investment.

I should know, since my firm, Brannon Corporation, made the transition from 2-D to 3-D, and we didn’t just survive the evolution—we thrived.

Making the transition

For years, we had been very successful in our use of 2-D design tools and civil engineering software add-ons. However, we saw 3-D design as a huge step forward for the profession, and we wanted to be at the forefront of using the technology. This belief was shared across the firm. Having such universal buy-in was a critical first step.

With the firm in agreement that transitioning to 3-D was a good idea, we made our first move in November 2004 with the purchase of Autodesk Civil 3D.

"Slow and steady" was the name of the game for our transition plan. We wanted to take a carefully thought-out, deliberate approach, and allow plenty of time for training. We knew that we couldn’t jump headfirst into a major project using 3-D because we had a lot to learn about this new technology and how to tune our company processes to make the best use of it.

This brings me to my next point: Get the training you need to feel comfortable with 3-D. This was probably the most important step we took to ensure our success. We had been concerned about the learning curve and any potential delays that can accompany the adoption of new technology, so we retained DC CADD, a Texasbased Autodesk reseller, to get us up to speed.

DC CADD was onsite for two days conducting training and helping us set up our templates and styles in Autodesk Civil 3D.

Taking the time to lay this groundwork was invaluable. By the end of the training, we had a series of templates completed and accessible that would allow us to hit the ground running.

Having received enough training to feel comfortable with the product, we decided to select a small, manageable project for our inaugural application of 3-D technology. Phase One of Guinn Farms, a subdivision development in Tyler, Texas, provided an ideal entry into the application of Autodesk Civil 3D. Phase One consisted of creating 150 lots and the accompanying infrastructure.

Reaping the benefits of 3-D

Once we started using it, the benefits of Autodesk’s 3-D civil engineering technology were readily apparent, starting with the clarity of information. Moving to 3-D provided a quantum leap in functionality and completely changed the way we did dirt volume calculations. Previously, using 2-D design software would produce a drawing such as Figure 1. Performing calculations required cutting cross-sections within profiles. Now, 3-D technology allows us to create detailed models such as shown in Figure 2.

The result? It takes us 50 percent to 75 percent less time to do dirt and volume calculations. The real time savings come from the fact that everything in the model is connected: When we make a change, everything updates dynamically. This same technology is what allows us to calculate moving grades up to three times faster than before. Since design elements are all linked, the application recalculates everything automatically.

While the phrase, "time equals money," may seem cliché, the concept is what drives our business. All of these factors combine to improve the bottom line. Since transitioning to 3-D, we have been able to squeeze the time we save on routine design tasks into shorter project completion times. I estimate that Autodesk Civil 3D will shave between 10 percent and 50 percent off of project completion times. And on projects similar to Guinn Farms, time savings are estimated to be 25 percent over the life of the project.

The dynamic plans and accelerated project schedules 3-D enables aren’t beneficial just to our firm; they’re tremendously advantageous to our clients. Since doing multiple preliminary plans in Autodesk Civil 3D takes relatively little time, we are able to show clients more options, which help them make more informed decisions. Moreover, by completing designs more quickly, our clients are able to go to construction sooner, helping them reduce their interim financing costs.

The way forward

As our particular case illustrates, the switch from 2-D to 3-D can be a highly profitable venture—when done properly. With a little upfront investment in securing buy-in, receiving proper training, and selecting the right project, any civil engineering firm can put itself on the path to a successful transition to 3-D—and a measurable return on investment.

Our entire office now uses Civil 3D, and all of our civil projects moving forward will be in 3-D. In many ways, our switch from 2-D to 3-D is reminiscent of when we switched from paper-based drafting to CAD drafting: It’s a watershed moment marking the way forward. For all of the above reasons, we have never looked back on our move to 3-D.

Bob Breedlove, P.E., is a principal and vice president at the Brannon Corporation. Located in Tyler, Texas, Brannon Corporation provides engineering and planning services to developers and public works agencies throughout Texas. For more information, please visit www.brannoncorp.com.