We’re in Tough Times!

In these tough economic times architects, engineers, public agencies, and – well – just about everyone is looking for ways to reduce overhead and operating costs. If you use AutoCAD to draw site plans or plot Topographic features, you know that one of your biggest expenses is the collection of field data, and the plotting of that data in your drawing. With this process being so labor intensive, it’s prudent to see what you can do to reduce these costs. Fortunately, GPS2CAD-08 can help reduce substantially the cost of field surveys and data collection.

Precision that Wastes Profits

When we work with field data often times the old phrase “measure it with a micrometer, cut it with an axe” comes to mind. Much of the topo that is collected is measured with accuracy that is really nothing more than wasted profit. It just doesn’t need the accuracy that modern survey-grade GPS units provide. In many cases, the modern day recreational grade GPS units are more than sufficient. The problem with them is getting their data into an x,y,z format, and then into the CAD drawing.

GPS2CAD-08 Saves Production Costs

GPS2CAD-08 was designed to bridge the gap between these hand held, recreational type GPS units, and the AutoCAD environment. With this program you can retrieve the data from your GPS unit, convert it to the x,y,z format, and send it into your AutoCAD drawing. Here’s a summary of the important features that help you save costs:

Plotting Features

• Retrieves the points, routes, and tracks from your GPS unit

• Converts the data to any one of over 40 different grid projections, including State Plane Coordinate Systems

• Plots the data directly into AutoCAD as nodes, polylines, or blocks with point information

• Allows you to send data the other direction – from your drawing into your GPS unit, so you can walk the new data in the field

• Works with most common Garmin and Magellan hand held GPS units

Mapping Features

• Plots your data on FREE public domain Aerial photos and topographic maps that are recovered automatically from TerraServer-usa.com

• Plots the MAPS into the AutoCAD drawing, so you can use it for background reference and drafting

• Works with custom bitmap images, including Google Earth™ images. plots the data on them and sends these custom images to AutoCAD

The Bottom Line...

As you can see, GPS2CAD-08 can go a long way in reducing the costs of field data collection and drafting. I know I’m talking to Engineers, and they always want to evaluate something like this. The easiest way is simply download a trial copy and try it out for yourself! I’m sure you’ll find what so many others have found – GPS2CAD-08 can save you enormous amounts of production costs, and pay for itself many times over. Not bad in today’s business climate!

Thanks,

Mark Crigler, P.E.