Visualize rainfall
OneRain, Inc., released Contrail Web 2.2 rainfall data visualization and decision support software. According to the company, water managers and planners can reduce costs and improve models with its high-quality rainfall data. Contrail Web 2.2 allows users to see data anytime and anywhere with an Internet connection. New features include real-time, gage-adjusted radar rainfall overlays to see storms between rain sensors, visualize rainfall accumulations, and view predicted rainfall totals; 24-hour precipitation summary view; color-coded stream level summary; and alarm monitoring and display capabilities.
OneRain, Inc.
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Right-of-way acquisition and management
PBS&J released ROW TRACKER version 4.3, an enterprise, web-based solution for life cycle right-of-way acquisition and management. ROW TRACKER’s new modular design allows for phased implementation. New features include enhanced project assignment tracking tools; additional capabilities to modify permission levels for role and group assignments; increased integration with geographic information systems (GIS), including the ability to map a variety of production items such as parcel status, value, and cost estimates; user capabilities to create additional time-saving report templates and form letters; a dashboard interface for at-a-glance global project status and drilldown to individual projects; and asset management, maintenance, and disposal tracking for owned properties.
PBS&J
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Updated civil design and mapping software
Autodesk, Inc., recently announced its 2008 product updates. Key features in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008 include an enhanced multiuser environment for work on larger, more complex projects; interactive design capabilities and feature automation, such as automatic generation and updates to roadway plan and profile sheets; increased survey functionality to create base geometry faster and move data from and to the field; and interoperability and migration for multiple data formats, including Google Earth mapping functionality and the DWF file specification. Updates to Map 3D include faster access to data, the capacity for more powerful analysis and visualization of CAD and GIS data, and enhanced interoperability with other AutoCAD-based applications. AutoCAD Raster Design 2008 update offers more options for inclusion of imagery in multiple formats; tools for faster conversion and verification, editing, and image clean-up; and tools for preparation of raster data for AutoCAD-based applications and image capture for better interoperability with Map 3D 2008.
Autodesk, Inc.
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Online project bid invitation
GradeBeam provides an Internet-based invitation-to-bid process for construction projects. When GradeBeam is unable to deliver e-mail or fax messages instantly to intended recipients, subcontractors and suppliers are contacted by GradeBeam via phone, ensuring that greater than 98 percent of targets receive the information within 24 hours, according to the company. In addition to the project-invitation tools, users can post project information and blueprints online, search for subcontractors and suppliers, distribute project documents through local printing firms, and issue project change information.
GradeBeam
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Improved field surveying software
Enhancements to Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.’s TopSURV Version 6.11 field software include the Windows Mobile 5 operating system; support for both the PanAM and Anik WAAS satellites; addition of L2C s/n to view the new modernized GPS signal; support for new G24 internal GSM modem in the GR-3 GNSS receiver; support for new DSP Digital internal and external UHF radio systems; enhanced GMS-2 field controller wireless total station support; a user-customizable splash screen; enhanced LandXML file function; capability to import/export road alignment files between jobs; an enhanced user interface for edit/selection of multiple road alignments, profiles, and cross section sets; and addition of a cross section viewer. TopSURV 6.11 is available at www.topconpositioning.com for free download as an upgrade for Topcon field controller users and as a demo for new users.
Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
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Convert 3-D project data to PDF files
According to Adobe Systems Inc., its Acrobat 3D Version 8 software can convert virtually any 3-D CAD file and other critical project data into a highly compressed PDF document with precise geometry. The PDF file can then be shared with colleagues, suppliers, partners, and customers for more secure visualization, collaboration, and CAD data interoperability in an archival-quality format. Once 3-D models are in PDF, Acrobat 3D Version 8 users can enable extended teams to participate in the review process using the free Adobe Reader software. When enabled by Acrobat 3D Version 8, Adobe Reader users can use commenting, measurement, and cross-section tools directly on 3-D objects in PDF files.
Adobe Systems Inc.
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Transportation design software tested
Transoft Solutions, Inc., announced that its entire product line has been tested and is fully functional within AutoCAD 2008 (and its vertical applications), Autodesk’s most current CAD platform release. Transoft Solutions’ software suite includes AutoTURN, ParkCAD, GuidSIGN, and AeroTURN. Transoft software compatibility only covers 32-bit systems; demand for 64-bit support is still low and will be carefully monitored, the company said.
Transoft Solutions, Inc.
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Project collaboration tool
Bentley Systems, Inc., said its ProjectWise Navigator is the first visual collaboration client for design review and analysis plus work packaging that fully supports iterative workflows and reuse of all content throughout the process. The new desktop tool complements the ProjectWise system of collaboration servers. ProjectWise Navigator capabilities include check-in/check-out transactions for secure work share, audit trail creation for insight into who did what and when, full text and component indexing for cross-enterprise searching, Local Caching Servers for rapid LAN-like content access, and automated and scheduled processing for printing and publishing. According to the company, ProjectWise Navigator can access 2-D and 3-D project content from hundreds of AEC and infrastructure design applications.
Bentley Systems, Inc.
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On-demand project management
@task provides on-demand project management software that is browser, platform, and database independent. It allows companies to define initiatives and projects, automate processes, and distribute real-time data through a secure online environment. According to the company, its software eliminates paperwork, while drastically improving workload efficiencies and productivity. @task also provides international support, allowing users to collaborate on projects in their native language.
@task
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GIS data in a CAD environment
ESRI’s ArcGIS for AutoCAD is a free AutoCAD application that allows CAD users to visualize and query geographic information system (GIS) data within the CAD environment without conversion. ArcGIS for AutoCAD accesses dynamic georeferenced ArcGIS Server map services and displays them in the AutoCAD drafting environment. According to ESRI, with ArcGIS for AutoCAD, CAD users can dynamically interact with live GIS maps, displaying GIS symbology and data structures in CAD; include the results of GIS analyses and GIS basemaps in CAD designs; and access feature attributes in CAD directly from the underlying GIS databases.
ESRI
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