FAQ
Faq category: Topcon
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Which Topcon / MAGNET software do I need in the field?
+Topcon provides four primary field software options designed around distinct job roles and construction phases:
- Topcon Field supports full survey and advanced layout workflows using GNSS and optical instruments.
- Topcon Field Mobile delivers core layout and verification tools in a simplified mobile friendly experience.
- Pocket 3D focuses on grade checking, earthwork verification and machine control support.
- Topcon Digital Layout is purpose built for vertical building layout by concrete, steel and MEP trades.
Side by side selection guide
This overview highlights how each field application aligns with different responsibilities on the jobsite. Many organizations deploy multiple tools across crews rather than relying on a single solution.
| Selection factor | Topcon Field | Topcon Field Mobile | Pocket 3D | Topcon Digital Layout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Survey grade data collection and advanced layout | Everyday construction layout and verification | Earthwork checks and production support | Interior and vertical building layout |
| Typical users | Survey crews and advanced layout teams | Foremen, supers and project engineers | Grade checkers, operators and site supervisors | Concrete, steel and MEP trade crews |
| Common jobsite use | Topo, control, stakeout and as built surveys | Points and lines layout plus progress checks | Cut and fill checks, volumes and model validation | Anchors, walls, sleeves and BIM driven layout |
| Device platforms | Windows based controllers and tablets | Android and iOS devices | Windows, Android and iOS devices | Windows, Android and iOS devices |
| Learning curve | Best for experienced technical users | Designed for fast adoption | Minimal training required | Built for non survey professionals |
| Licensing approach | Perpetual or subscription options | Subscription based | Perpetual with annual maintenance | Subscription only |
How to choose the right field software
- Select Topcon Field when survey grade accuracy and combined GNSS and optical workflows are required
- Select Topcon Field Mobile when crews need layout and verification without full survey functionality
- Select Pocket 3D when earthwork, grade checking and machine control drive the jobsite
- Select Topcon Digital Layout when vertical construction trades need accurate layout without survey training
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Which Topcon / MAGNET software do I need for the office?
+- Topcon Tools is a lightweight, standalone desktop tool for file conversions, GNSS and total station processing, QA/QC, adjustments, localization, visualization and reporting. It is often used as a preprocessing step before Topcon Office or other CAD workflows.
- Topcon Office Base is the core desktop environment for import/export, data prep, basic QA/QC, reporting, and light drafting. It is the foundation product for adding Survey and or Site Prep modules.
- Topcon Office Base + Survey adds survey-grade computation, adjustments, GNSS processing, richer COGO, drafting, and professional survey delivery workflows. Topcon Survey includes all the functionality of Topcon Tools.
- Topcon Office Base + Site Prep adds modeling and construction takeoff capabilities for surfaces and corridors, volumes, and file prep tools for GPS-guided machine control systems.
- Topcon Office Base + Survey + Site Prep is the complete office suite that unifies survey computation and adjustment, drafting, surface and corridor modeling, quantities and volumes, and machine-control data prep. Topcon Survey includes all the functionality of Topcon Tools.
Side by side selection guide
This overview highlights how each office product aligns with different responsibilities. Many organizations start with Office Base then add Survey and or Site Prep as their needs expand. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
| Selection factor | Topcon Tools | Topcon Office Base | Office Base + Survey | Office Base + Site Prep | Office Base + Survey + Site Prep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Survey data processing, QA/QC, localization, visualization, and reporting. A Swiss Army knife for converting file formats from one to another. | Core import/export, coordinate management, basic QA/QC, reports, light drafting | Survey-grade computation: GNSS processing, adjustments, robust COGO and survey deliverables | Modeling and takeoff: surfaces, corridors, volumes, machine control file prep | Full suite: survey computation + modeling, takeoff, design, and machine control prep |
| Typical users | Survey techs/processors, survey managers or PLS doing QA/QC and adjustments | CAD/BIM techs, party chiefs/field techs prepping stakeout lists, owner-operators | Survey manager/PLS, party chief or office survey lead handling control and deliverables | Estimators, takeoff specialists, surface modelers, CAD techs supporting grading and machine control | Survey leads, CAD/civil designers, site modelers, project engineers/PMs managing end-to-end workflows |
| Common office use | Import and QA GNSS/TS data, run closures and least-squares, apply localization/datum transforms, export reports, import and export files of different formats for outside project partners | Import field data, validate, set coordinate systems, cleanup linework/points, basic volumes/areas, export to field/clients | Control, traverse and least-squares adjustment, GNSS baseline checks, robust COGO, stakeout prep, record mapping and reporting | 3D surface/corridor modeling, quantity takeoffs from PDF or CAD, volumes, machine-control data prep, as-built comparisons | Corridor and site design, road rehab workflows, utilities/trenches, pads and grading models, takeoffs and QC across survey + construction |
| Common project types | Control and boundary surveys, GNSS/TS network processing, survey QA/QC prior to CAD/civil handoff | Small site development, utilities, topo mapping/updates, as-built checks, change orders | Boundary and ALTA, subdivision and land development, utility and ROW survey and mapping | Site development, roads/corridors, subdivisions, industrial pads, mass grading | Highways and overlays, airports and logistics pavements, commercial/industrial site development, design-build heavy civil |
| Licensing approach | 1- or 3-year subscription. Includes Enterprise check-in/check-out convenience | 1- or 3-year subscription. Includes Enterprise check-in/check-out convenience | Subscription (1 or 3 year) or perpetual. Includes Enterprise. Subscription supports check-in/check-out convenience | Subscription (1 or 3 year) or perpetual. Includes Enterprise. Subscription supports check-in/check-out convenience | Subscription (1 or 3 year) or perpetual. Includes Enterprise. Subscription supports check-in/check-out convenience |
How to choose the right office software
- Select Topcon Tools when you need a standalone “Swiss Army knife” for help converting to/from an expansive variety of filetypes, survey processing, QA/QC, least-squares adjustment, localization, and reporting without CAD production, modeling, or takeoff.
- Select Topcon Office Base when you need a core office hub for import/export, coordinate setup, cleanup, reports, and light drafting
- Select Office Base + Survey when your office delivers survey-grade computation including control, traverse, GNSS processing, adjustments, and robust COGO deliverables
- Select Office Base + Site Prep when your focus is surfaces, corridors, volumes, takeoffs, and machine control data prep
- Select Office Base + Survey + Site Prep when your team needs the complete suite for survey delivery plus modeling, takeoff, design, and machine control workflows
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If you are interested in purchasing products or services we do not offer, we would love to refer you to oe of our Trusted Partners. Please click here to send us a message with your request.
What you should know about purchasing Topcon
+
About Topcon Positioning Systems
Topcon Positioning Systems Inc, headquartered in Livermore, California, is the division within Topcon Corporation that develops Topcon Office and Topcon Field software.
A subsidiary of Japan-based Topcon Corporation (founded in Tokyo in 1932), Topcon Positioning Systems specializes in creating precision positioning and measurement solutions for surveying, construction, geospatial and agriculture markets.
With a global network of hardware and software development, the company’s mission centers on improving workflows and data accuracy through seamless integration between office environments and job sites.
Click here to learn more about Topcon Positioning Systems
About Topcon Office, Field and Enterprise Software
Topcon offers a suite of software platforms—Topcon Office, Topcon Field and Topcon Enterprise—designed to support seamless workflows between field and office. These tools work together to manage GNSS and total station data, 3D models and BIM-based construction processes.
Topcon Office includes modules for Office, Survey and Site Prep to support a range of design and data preparation workflows.
Office runs on a proprietary CAD engine built specifically for surveying and construction, allowing tight integration with Topcon hardware and cloud services without relying on third-party platforms like AutoCAD or IntelliCAD.
Topcon Field handles real-time data collection and hybrid positioning in the field, while
Topcon Enterprise is a cloud-based platform that connects office teams, field crews and machine operators for seamless field-to-office workflows. It stores project data and insights for use with Topcon software, Sitelink3D and Autodesk or Bentley solutions, allowing files to be converted, shared and accessed in real time. By providing accurate and consistent cloud-connected geopositioning data, Enterprise helps improve productivity and reduces downtime and rework.
Click here to learn more about Topcon Office Software
Click here to learn more about Topcon Field Software
Click here to learn more about Topcon Enterprise Software
Operating System
Topcon Office runs on 64-bit Windows PCs.
Topcon Field is available for Windows tablets, Android and iOS devices.
Topcon Enterprise is accessed through any modern web browser and connects all devices through the cloud.
CAD Platform
Topcon Office is built on a custom CAD engine developed specifically for Topcon’s surveying and construction workflows.
Recommended System Requirements
- Processor: Multi-core CPU (2 GHz or higher recommended)
- RAM: Minimum 8 GB (16 GB recommended)
- Storage: SSD strongly recommended, minimum 2 GB available
- Graphics: DirectX 11 or OpenGL-compatible GPU
- Internet: Required for Topcon Enterprise and license management
How and Where to Purchase
Topcon software is sold through authorized dealers and pricing varies by product, license type and selected modules.
Pricing is subject to change without notice and varies depending on software edition and add-ons.
If you would like a referral from That CAD Girl to one of our trusted partners, please click here to Send Us a Message with your request.
Upgrades to New Versions and Crossgrades to Different License Types
Users with active subscriptions or maintenance plans receive upgrades automatically through the myTopcon portal.
Perpetual license users can purchase upgrades separately.
License Types, License Terms & Modules
License Types
Topcon offers both single user and network/floating licenses.
Network licenses, known as “Check In / Check Out,” can be shared among multiple users through Topcon Enterprise. Licenses can also be temporarily assigned for offline use for up to 30 days.
All licenses are tied to your Topcon Account. No dongles are required.
License Terms
- Perpetual licenses: One-time purchase with one year of support
- Subscription licenses: Available with 1- or 3-year terms
Modules
Topcon Office includes 3 modules:
- Office: Core CAD tools for importing plans, combining survey data and building 3D terrain models for site preparation and machine control
- Survey: Tools for property plotting, subdivision design, surface modeling and GNSS/total-station data post-processing
- Site Prep: Functions for designing roads, corridors, trenches, material takeoffs and preparing machine-control files
Software Trials
30-day trial versions of Topcon Office and Topcon Field can be requested through any authorized dealer. Trials include full module access and cloud services.
If you would like our help requesting a trial of this software from an authorized dealer, please click here to Send Us a Message with your request.
Support & Training Options
Topcon offers extensive support through the myTopcon NOW platform, including technical documentation, firmware updates and remote help.
Topcon Office and Topcon Field publish the software manuals as part of the installation. The manuals can be found via the Help menu.
If you find the material on this website helpful, please consider supporting That CAD Girl by purchasing our products or services.
If you are interested in purchasing products or services we do not offer, we would love to refer you to oe of our Trusted Partners. Please click here to send us a message with your request.