FAQ
Which Topcon / MAGNET software do I need for use in the office?
Topcon offers five primary office software options designed around distinct workflows in survey processing, CAD production, modeling and construction takeoff:
- 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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