Completely updated civil and surveying software

Modern, NLCS-oriented and ready for civilian workflows

With the introduction of InfraCAD CE version 9, released last summer, ARKANCE takes a big step in modernizing civil engineering and surveying workflows. The application has been completely rewritten and intensively tested in collaboration with leading civil engineering companies, making the latest version even more responsive to user needs. Thanks to close coordination with suppliers such as Topcon and Trimble, InfraCAD CE also communicates flawlessly with modern measuring equipment.

InfraCAD CE is part of a triptych within the InfraCAD platform. “InfraCAD itself is mainly used for designing in the NLCS standard, while InfraCAD MAP specializes in importing geo-data according to the NLCS,” explains Anton Huizinga of ARKANCE. The Civil Edition precisely combines the power of both worlds. The package is used by both surveyors and civil designers and offers a wide range of functions for terrain modeling, profile processing and trial trenching.

Integration with Autodesk Civil 3D

A central pillar in InfraCAD CE remains the full support of the NLCS, an overarching element within all InfraCAD applications. “With version 9, additional efforts have also been made to integrate with Autodesk Civil 3D,” says Huizinga. “For example, many project teams work with AHN elevation data, but applying it manually can be time-consuming. InfraCAD CE makes this process simple: the user selects an area and determines the desired grid size (ranging from 0.5 to 100 meters). The software automatically retrieves data from PDOK and immediately generates a terrain model. This model forms the basis for follow-up operations such as transverse profiles, longitudinal profiles and volume calculations of depot measurements.”

New features

Version 9 of InfraCAD CE also has a number of new features. Huizinga mentions two of them. “The first is placing notifications in drawings: locations where changes are needed can be marked with a triangular yellow warning symbol and then picked up by colleagues. These are not geometric objects, but clear visual cues in the workflow. There is also the ability to place QR codes in drawings. These can contain location data, project information or contact details, ideal for printed drawings or presentations during public participation evenings, for example.”

Generate profiles

Transverse and longitudinal profiles have long been an important part of InfraCAD CE. “Profiles can be generated based on own measurement points, AHN data or, if available a Civil 3D terrain model. Segments such as grass, pavement or water can be marked easily and intuitively,” Huizinga explains. “The Netherlands has a great tradition in profile measurements, especially at water boards, where often thousands of profiles have to be processed. Test trenches, in fact a form of profile registration for cables and pipes, can also be processed quickly and accurately.”

Broadening to civilian designers

While early versions of InfraCAD CE were aimed primarily at surveyors, version 9 offers a clear broadening to civil designers, according to Huizinga. “The interface is very similar to that of InfraCAD and InfraCAD MAP, with the same layout as AutoCAD plug-in and a recognizable floating window. This allows users to switch smoothly between the three applications.”

ARKANCE is supporting the introduction of version 9 with extensive documentation, training courses, consultancy tracks and a highly accessible support department. “Recent user days for InfraCAD CE attracted seventy participants and produced exclusively positive feedback,” says Huizinga. “For those upgrading, it pays to revisit their own workflow: the new capabilities offer many gains in efficiency and ease of use, something most users are immediately enthusiastic about.”