This is a badly needed webinar… I don’t think I’ve done one specifically on this topic before and, for the life of me, I don’t know why. For years I’ve been speaking to large groups at conferences and trade shows and it never ceases to amaze me how few people know the benefit of using LandXML files!

This will be a little different from my regularly scheduled webinars because it’s FREE to everyone, there is no purchase required and the material presented will apply to everyone regardless of the civil/survey/construction software you use. Whether you know it or not, you’ve probably got everything you need already in your current software – you just need to put it to use.

So, what prompted me to finally schedule it? These poor people still using Land Desktop or Eagle Point calling me in a panic because their hard drives have finally crashed and they can’t get the old software installed on newer Windows machines. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t fault anyone for hanging on to something that works but the ones who call me never realized they had the tools to protect themselves and salvage years of project data all along.

You can register here (no strings attached – promise!) or keep reading for the full announcement…

Please join me in this free webinar while I explain the benefits of, and how to use, LandXML-formatted files to share and archive project-related data files regardless of the manufacturer or version of software you and other team members use.

Although many people do not realize it, LandXML is a tool that’s most likely in your hands now and won’t require any additional purchase.

This webinar is a MUST SEE for anyone still using Land Desktop, Eagle Point or other program that has been retired because it is increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to install these programs on newer computers.

The information provided in this webinar will apply equally to users of Carlson Software, Land Desktop, Civil 3d, TerraModel, Eagle Point and practically any other software for surveyors, engineers or contractors (including machine control systems).
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This webinar will last approximately 1 hour and there will be time for questions at the end.

Click here to register for the webinar now

I keep recommending you read his articles, so go ahead and subscribe to his newsletter already! Subscribe to Robert Green’s CAD Manager Newsletter Now!

Robert’s July 22nd article addresses The Rising Resistance to Cloud-Based CAD and he hits all the important points. This is the part of the whole concept that makes me so nervous…

This centralized model of CAD use obviously benefits the software and cloud vendors greatly (because it allows them to charge for their software and servers on an ongoing basis), but it also gives them ultimate control over your CAD system — they can disconnect you from your applications and data unless you keep paying them. [emphasis added by Jennifer]

I keep recommending you read his articles, so go ahead and subscribe to his newsletter already! Subscribe to Robert Green’s CAD Manager Newsletter Now!

Robert’s July 22nd article addresses The Rising Resistance to Cloud-Based CAD and he hits all the important points. This is the part of the whole concept that makes me so nervous…

This centralized model of CAD use obviously benefits the software and cloud vendors greatly (because it allows them to charge for their software and servers on an ongoing basis), but it also gives them ultimate control over your CAD system — they can disconnect you from your applications and data unless you keep paying them. [emphasis added by Jennifer]

Carlson is expected to release the 2016 versions of their desktop software packages that include IntelliCAD or run on top of your AutoCAD later this month. If it follows the same pattern we can expect the embedded AutoCAD (OEM) versions of Survey and Takeoff a couple of months later.

The 2016 products can be installed on top of any full-AutoCAD program versions 2010-2016. Since Autodesk didn’t change the DWG format this year, you should be able to open and work with 2016 files with programs based on AutoCAD 2013-2015 without having to save back to an earlier version.

The 2016 release will include IntelliCAD 8.1 which, so far during my limited time testing, seems to be working pretty darn well. I’m excited to see more support for Annotative Text  and a lot of interface enhancements (like a ribbon) that make it look more and more like the brand-name product.

The annual maintenance plan is still the cheapest way to keep your desktop software (ICAD/for CAD) up to date. If you have let your maintenance lapse but think you’re ready to upgrade, now is seriously the time to do it because your pricing to upgrade/reinstate maintenance will go up as soon as 2016 comes out. It’s also nice to be able to immediately get the 2015 upgrade and have access to the 2016 whenever you’re ready.

In addition, Carlson is trying to get SurvCE and SurvPC on an annual release cycle so we should see 5.xx come out this year. With this change, you’ll also see these products start showing up as available for an annual maintenance plan. If you’re running an older version of SurvCE and would like to upgrade, you can upgrade and purchase maintenance to immediately upgrade you to 4.xx and also receive 5.xx when it comes out. One word of caution though – make sure to check the table on this page to make sure the newer versions of SurvCE and SurvPC will still communicate with your equipment.

Request Custom Pricing Here

Request a 30-day Trial Here

Sign up for our newsletter or to receive notices when product updates are posted

Carlson is expected to release the 2016 versions of their desktop software packages that include IntelliCAD or run on top of your AutoCAD later this month. If it follows the same pattern we can expect the embedded AutoCAD (OEM) versions of Survey and Takeoff a couple of months later.

The 2016 products can be installed on top of any full-AutoCAD program versions 2010-2016. Since Autodesk didn’t change the DWG format this year, you should be able to open and work with 2016 files with programs based on AutoCAD 2013-2015 without having to save back to an earlier version.

The 2016 release will include IntelliCAD 8.1 which, so far during my limited time testing, seems to be working pretty darn well. I’m excited to see more support for Annotative Text  and a lot of interface enhancements (like a ribbon) that make it look more and more like the brand-name product.

The annual maintenance plan is still the cheapest way to keep your desktop software (ICAD/for CAD) up to date. If you have let your maintenance lapse but think you’re ready to upgrade, now is seriously the time to do it because your pricing to upgrade/reinstate maintenance will go up as soon as 2016 comes out. It’s also nice to be able to immediately get the 2015 upgrade and have access to the 2016 whenever you’re ready.

In addition, Carlson is trying to get SurvCE and SurvPC on an annual release cycle so we should see 5.xx come out this year. With this change, you’ll also see these products start showing up as available for an annual maintenance plan. If you’re running an older version of SurvCE and would like to upgrade, you can upgrade and purchase maintenance to immediately upgrade you to 4.xx and also receive 5.xx when it comes out. One word of caution though – make sure to check the table on this page to make sure the newer versions of SurvCE and SurvPC will still communicate with your equipment.

Request Custom Pricing Here

Request a 30-day Trial Here

Sign up for our newsletter or to receive notices when product updates are posted

It’s been about a month since Carlson released the latest build of their 2015 desktop products so I figured it was time to post them here for easy access…

Download 6/9/2015 build here  This link takes you to the page where you can download a full version of the software or updates to bring your 2015 up to date.

Updates to the following desktop modules are included in this file: Survey, Civil, Hydrology, GIS, Basic Mining, Geology, Underground Mining, Surface Mining, Natural Regrade, Field, CADnet, GeoTech, Trench, Construction and Point Clouds. This can be installed on AutoCAD 2007-2015 or with included Intellicad 8.0. AutoCAD 2010-2015 releases are supported on 64-bit Windows. Your Carlson 2015 Serial number is required for installation.
Carlson 2016 will be released before too long. If you’ve let your maintenance contract expire (accidentally or on purpose!), now would be a good time to get back on board. If you renew before 2016 is released, it’ll be cheaper and you’ll receive 2015 now and 2016 when it’s released. Win! Win! Win!

You can request pricing for new licenses or upgrades here

And, while I’m at it, here are the links to download the latest updates for other programs:

Survey 2015 OEM (embedded AutoCAD 2015) – Download the 5/8/2015 build here

Takeoff T8 OEM (embedded AutoCAD 2015) – Download the 3/23/2015 build here

SurvCE 4.0 – Download the 5/15/2015 build here

SurvPC 4.05 – Download the 5/15/2015 build here

Robert Green seems to have answers for everything – if you haven’t subscribed to his CAD Manager Newsletter yet, you should!

Here, in How Will You Buy CAD Software in 2016?, he tackles Autodesk’s move to a Subscription only (rental) distribution model and encourages everyone to prepare for the transition now.

The only quibble I’d have is with this quote:

It’s important to note that this change will affect only those customers who already own perpetual licenses of standalone desktop software; it does not affect customers using Autodesk product suites or those already on a desktop subscription plan or using cloud services.

Anyone who has been through the Land Desktop transition to Civil 3d should understand that statement is probably best read with a big YET inserted at the end…

Robert Green seems to have answers for everything – if you haven’t subscribed to his CAD Manager Newsletter yet, you should!

Here, in How Will You Buy CAD Software in 2016?, he tackles Autodesk’s move to a Subscription only (rental) distribution model and encourages everyone to prepare for the transition now.

The only quibble I’d have is with this quote:

It’s important to note that this change will affect only those customers who already own perpetual licenses of standalone desktop software; it does not affect customers using Autodesk product suites or those already on a desktop subscription plan or using cloud services.
Anyone who has been through the Land Desktop transition to Civil 3d should understand that statement is probably best read with a big YET inserted at the end…

AUTOCAD DESIGNERS NEEDED – MYRTLE BEACH, SC

www.ddcinc.com

Civil engineering firm has immediate openings for CAD Designers or Engineers with AutoCAD/Carlson exp. Must have 3 yrs. exp. with horizontal & vertical components used in roadway plans and profiles, drainage, water, sewer and grading for residential subdivisions, commercial developments and site planning.

Top salaries paid to qualified candidates along with a benefits package. US citizens send separate resumes detailing civil project experience (example project would be beneficial) to:

Email to [email protected]
Fax to (843) 692-3210

Or by USPS to
DDC
1298 Professional Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Carlson Software recently let me know that – for the 5th year in a row!! – That CAD Girl was #1 in sales of their desktop products!

I owe a huge “Thank You” to my current customers who come back to me for additional purchases and for passing my name along to others because I know I couldn’t do this without you.

The best compliments I receive are your referrals and I look forward to working with you in 2015 and beyond.