Profit on excavation projects starts with fast and accurate earthwork take-off. InSite SiteWork Earthwork and Utility Take-Off Software provides a powerful environment for PDF and CAD file import with many exclusive features geared for maximum production. InSite is a purpose-built software application that is quick to learn, productive, and accurate.
FAST PORTABLE TAKE-OFF
PDF and CAD files have become the standard document distribution media. Email, online plan rooms, and FTP sites host the electronic documents (PDF and CAD, etc.) needed for job review and take-off. InSite SiteWork allows take-off directly from these plans, with no need for paper documents. This saves on plan fees and printing costs with no need for paper based digitizers.
Since the take-off is done directly on screen, it can be done anywhere from a multiple monitor equipped desktop computer to a laptop in a jobsite trailer or vehicle.
DUAL WINDOW ADVANTAGE
Working with large PDF or CAD documents provide unique challenges when shrunk down for viewing on a smaller computer screen. InSite SiteWork overcomes this problem with its dual screen technology.
“One window is used for data entry (i.e., line selection) at high zoom levels. To keep your place on the plan, a coordinated cursor on an overall view provides a relation to the overall job. No matter how big the job, the take-off experience is better than with paper plans and digitizers. This approach also facilitates merging multi-sheet PDF plans at multiple scales into an overall,” says Steve Warfle, product manager at InSite Software.
3D LIVE
InSite SiteWork and its GPS modeling enhancement Field General both incorporate 3D Live™, which provides instant feedback from data entry by regenerating the 3D during data entry and editing. A coordinated cursor provides an instant connection between the 2D and 3D views, including the site drive through.
“We listened to our customers frustration with traditional 3Ds. Rather than chasing down mistakes later in the take-off, InSite’s 3D Live gives you validation immediately, leading to confidence and higher production,” says Warfle.
InSite’s surface modeling uses industry standard triangulation that can be displayed on both 2D and 3D views. It provides the most accurate method available for surface generation, the most accurate site representation, and the industry’s most accurate site work quantities.
LINE SELECTION FOR VECTOR PDFS
InSite SiteWork converts vector (first generation) PDFs to line work that can be selected. It even converts dashed existing lines into selectable objects. Gone are the days of tracing grades. With most PDFs, grade entry is as quick as assigning an elevation and clicking the contour. The production is just incredible.
TOOLS FOR TOUGH TASKS
Tools, such as offset, slope to daylight, and line snaps, allow surfaces from incomplete or conceptual designs to be easily created or finished. Stripping to strata and staging tools allow complex multi-phase excavation projects to be accurately calculated. Quick-Stack™ Subgrades allow adjustments on new construction with a minimum of line work for faster take-offs, and includes material take-off. Area, length, and item count tools are integrated.
UTILITY TAKE-OFF WITH A DIFFERENCE
Sanitary and storm drainage systems are difficult to manually calculate, as the pipe runs from structure to structure in a straight line, while the trench depth varies with the terrain. InSite’s included Terrain Link Trenching excels. A library of typical ditch cross sections is created, describing the excavation shape, pipe size, and backfill materials. The structure locations are located from the utility layout plan view and inverts are assigned for each connecting pipe.
InSite uses the earthwork take-off and this information to create viewable profiles and calculate the trench excavation yardage, including by strata if borings are entered. It lists the pipe lengths and cut bracket quantities (2-4, 4-6, 6-8, etc.) for determining production. The RockAlert™ feature indicates the location of any troublesome strata that will be encountered.
TAKE IT TO THE SITE
The Field General upgrade allows 3D surface models and point data (curbs, buildings, roads, vertical curves, offsets) to be quickly prepared using the same easy to use, purpose-built interface used for take-off. Data created with Field General can be used with traditional data collectors and positioning equipment (traditional two-person total Station, robotic total station, or GPS), as well as export of site models to GPS machine control systems from Leica, Trimble, Topcon, etc.
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
For more than 25 years, InSite Software has provided 24-hour support, job reviews, and true customer support. With a staff of experienced estimators and regularly scheduled on-line classes, becoming productive is very fast. InSite Software remains focused to empower contractors with the right tools. ■
For more Information InSite Software Inc. has been developing software solutions for excavation contractors since 1988. With installations all over North America and growing installations worldwide, InSite Software’s focus is to empower sitework take-off professionals with more productive tools. www.insitesoft.com
Modern Contractor Solutions, August 2014
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