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Third-Party Software

GTCO Roll-Up Digitizer Drivers and Utilities

Click here if you need the latest drivers and utilities for GTCO's Roll-Up II and Roll-Up III digitizing tablets.  Click here for a PDF file with instructions on temporarily disabling GTCO's TabletWorks digitizer driver.

Video Screen Capture Utilities

TechSmith Corporation offers two award-winning utilities that can be used to record AGTEK 3D drive-through simulations to generic video files.  The resulting video files can be played using any media player or they can be used with programs such as Microsoft® PowerPoint® for more elaborate presentations.  SnagIt® ($50) includes simple video-capture and a robust range of static screen-capture options, but it does not include any video editing tools.  Camtasia Studio ($300) specializes in video-capture, includes a voice-over capability and video editing tools, and would be a better choice if you must produce professional, high-quality video presentations from your recorded AGTEK drive-through simulations.

Snippy (free) is a simple, static (not video) screen capture utility that is perfect if you just need to quickly capture a rectangular area (or freehand region) of an AGTEK screen (for example, you can use Snippy to capture and save a color cut-fill map image as a JPG or TIF file that can be imported to your AGTEK data file and displayed as a background image in Edit and Entry modes using AGTEK's PDF Utility).

VRML File Viewers

AGTEK's Earthwork 3D and SiteModel 3D programs (Version 1.41 and up) can export an entire 3D surface to a VRML (Virtual Reality Markup Language) file.  To export a VRML file, (1) switch to Plan View mode or 3D View mode, (2) set the Reference and Difference Surfaces, (3) make any desired adjustments to the color shading, and (3) select File > Export VRML File from the menu.  The Reference Surface (and color shading) selected in Step 2 is written to a .WRL file.

AGTEK VRML files can be read by any number of free (and fee) third-party VRML readers which allow the user to dynamically "fly-through" and inspect the 3D surface from any orientation.  Two examples of VRML readers that can be downloaded and used for free (click the names for download information) are the browser-based Cortona® VRML Client and the stand-alone SolidView®-Lite.

With additional hardware and software, AGTEK VRML files can also be used to "print" a color 3D surface to a scaled solid model.  Most AGTEK users will not want to purchase the necessary hardware and software as the cost may be hard to justify for occasional use; but third-party vendors, such as Laser Graphic Manufacturing, will produce the solid models for you using your AGTEK VRML files.

Printing to PDF Files

AGTEK's cut/fill maps and other graphical documentation can be shared with (and reprinted by) non-AGTEK users when the graphical documentation is printed to a PDF file.  PDF files are also a handy alternative to AGTEK's proprietary AIP format when a complicated AGTEK Print Page needs to be archived and/or reprinted.  With the exception of GradeModel 3D and Sitework 4D, AGTEK's earthwork modeling software does not include the native ability to print to PDF, but numerous third-party applications are available for printing to PDF files.

Top-of-the-line is Adobe® Acrobat® (with various versions starting at $299), but numerous lower-priced (and free) print-to-PDF alternatives are also available.

Bluebeam® PDF Revu® ($149) offers many options for creating, editing and managing PDF files, including the handy ability to measure onscreen quantities (length, area and perimeter) directly from a displayed PDF plan (special thanks to long-time AGTEK user Louis Spahn for his recommendation of the Bluebeam product).

Foxit Phantom PDF Suite ($129) is another full-featured application for creating, editing and managing PDF files, which also includes onscreen measuring tools.

BullZip PDF Printer (Free) offers a more limited range of functions but is available for commercial use at no cost (and, unlike other freeware, BullZip is free of advertising and pop-ups).

Another free option is PDFCreator.

In addition to creating PDF files, the Bluebeam, BullZip and PDFCreator products also include output options for BMP, TIF and several other graphic file formats.  Regardless of the specific product used to create them, PDF files printed from AGTEK can be viewed and/or re-printed by anyone using a free copy of Adobe Reader®.  A third-party print-to-PDF application can also be useful for converting DWF files for import and processing with AGTEK software (see DWF-to-PDF Conversions below).

Importing PDF Files

AGTEK provides excellent tools for importing and manipulating multiple PDF plan files for the same project via an iterative process; however, some users may prefer to combine multiple PDF plan files in a single PDF file for the entire project and then import the single PDF file to AGTEK.  Inexpensive programs such as Adobe® Photoshop® Elements ($80) can be used to combine multiple PDF files.  AGTEK user Elizabeth Thompson at TrakSouth Civil Contractors has produced a step-by-step tutorial for combining PDF plans with Photoshop Elements (many thanks to Elizabeth and TrakSouth for sharing the tutorial with all AGTEK users!).

VMware® Workstation

VMware Workstation is a $189 third-party product that can be used to run AGTEK's legacy DOS-based products (Sitework 98, SitePlan 98, Materials 2000, Sitework Engineering, Highway Sections, etc.) on a Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista computer without the need for a "Dual Boot" configuration.  Click here to visit the VMware website for product details and a free 30-Day evaluation license.

Free CAD File Utilities

If you need to view (verify the contents of) or print/plot CAD files but you don't want to spend any money on CAD software, you can download and use a free CAD file viewer . . .

Bentley View is compatible with DGN files (from MicroStation-based CAD systems) and DWG files (but it's limited to R2.6 through R2002 DWG versions only, so this is not the best choice if you need a DWG viewer).

Autodesk® DWG TrueView™ is compatible with DWG and DXF files (but no DGN support) and it includes the handy ability to convert DWG files between R14, 2000/2002, 2004/2005/2006, 2007/2008/2009 and 2010/2011/2012 version formats (in either direction).  DWG TrueView can be used to convert DWG and DXF files to vector PDF files (a third-party print to PDF utility is not required) for import to AGTEK, which is a useful work-around when a CAD file cannot otherwise be directly imported by AGTEK.

Autodesk Design Review is a DWF file viewer (but it will also read DWG and DXF files if DWG TrueView is installed with it) which includes measuring and markup tools that are not available in DWG TrueView.   Design Review can be used to convert a DWF file to a vector PDF file (a third-party print to PDF utility may be required--see Printing to PDF Files above), which can then be imported and processed with AGTEK's PDF Utility (see DWF-to-PDF Conversions below).

The Open Design Alliance's Teigha® Viewer is compatible with DWG and DXF files (R2.5 through R2012) and with DGN files (V7 and V8).  Teigha Viewer's apparently robust DWG "recover and audit" capabilities can be very useful when working with a damaged DWG file which cannot be read by other CAD file viewers or with your AGTEK software.  Teigha Viewer can be used to convert a DWG, DXF or DGN file to a vector PDF file (a third-party print to PDF utility is required--see Printing to PDF Files above) for import to AGTEK, which is a useful work-around when a CAD file cannot otherwise be directly imported by AGTEK.  The Open Design Alliance also offers several other free CAD file utilities here. 

Although handy for what they do, the free CAD file utilities described in this section do not include any drafting or CAD data editing functions -- if you need drafting and data editing functions, you will need a CAD program such as those described in the next two sections below.

DoubleCAD XT^TM

IMSI/Design's DoubleCAD XT (aka A/CAD LT Express) is a free 2D CAD application.  In addition to offering a range of 2D design and drafting functions, DoubleCAD XT reads and writes DWF, DWG (R14 through 2009) and DXF files so it can be used to view and edit such files (but the free version inconveniently lacks bind and explode functions).  DoubleCAD XT can also be used to convert a DWF file to a DWG file for import by Earthwork 3D.  IMSI/Design also produces a Pro version of DoubleCAD XT ($695), which adds the ability to read/write DGN files and includes additional design, drafting, editing and rendering functions.

TurboCAD®

IMSI/Design's TurboCAD Deluxe ($130) is an inexpensive alternative to Autodesk's AutoCAD LT® ($1,200) or AutoCAD® ($3,995) if you need to edit CAD files.  In addition to offering a range of 2D/3D design, drafting and rendering functions, TurboCAD reads and writes DGN, DWF, DWG and DXF files so it can be used to view and edit such files for Earthwork 3D (or make DGN/DWG-to-DXF conversions for Sitework 98).  TurboCAD (which exports PDF files) can also be used to convert a DWF file to a vector PDF file, which can then be imported and processed by some AGTEK programs (see DWF-to-PDF Conversions below).  [Note: Starting with release 2008, AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT can read DGN files too.]

LandXML-to-ASCII PNEZ Conversions

LandXML (.XML) files are generic text files used to transfer site work and highway project data (including points, point groups, horizontal/vertical alignments, cross sections, and surfaces) between different CAD and GIS software applications.  Many AutoCAD- and MicroStation-based civil design systems can export LandXML files and some state DOTs have begun releasing highway project data in this format, so some AGTEK users may soon be receiving .XML files.  Although AGTEK's earthwork modeling software cannot directly read .XML files, AGTEK's Technical Support Department will convert them to an AGTEK-readable format on request; however, if you have purchased one of AGTEK's highway modeling products (Highway 3D/4D, SiteModel-Highway, or GradeModel 3D), AGTEK can also provide you with a copy of their AGTEK XML utility so you can convert .XML files on your own.  Otherwise, you can try experimenting with the shareware XML2SMi 0.9 (older version) or XML2SMi 0.9b1 (newer version) XML converter.  For more information on .XML files, see LandXML.org.

DWF-to-DWG Conversions

Autodesk® created and popularized the DWF (Design Web Format) file for secure electronic distribution of CAD data.  Essentially, a DWF file contains dumbed-down vector data that is great for viewing and plotting but is of no direct value to an AGTEK user for earthwork modeling applications.  If you receive a DWF file and a corresponding DWG or DXF file is absolutely unavailable, then one option (other than manually digitizing the data from a scaled paper plot) is to attempt a DWF-to-DWG conversion using DoubleCAD XT (free) or a third-party utility such as Any DWF to DWG Converter ($118, stand alone) or DWF to DWG Importer Pro ($180, stand alone).  Another option is to convert the DWF file to a PDF file (see below).

DWF-to-PDF Conversions

Although AGTEK software cannot import a DWF file directly, a work-around is to convert the DWF file to a PDF file.  AGTEK's GradeModel and Sitework 4D software now include the native ability to import and process PDF files, and this PDF functionality is also available as an add-on purchase for AGTEK's Earthwork 3D, SiteModel 3D and Highway 3D software.  To make the conversion (1) open the DWF file with a third-party program such as Design Review (see Free CAD File Utilities above) or TurboCAD (see above) then (2) plot the DWF file to a PDF file.  In the PDF setup dialog, be sure to specify an appropriate scale and paper size (use the scale/paper size matching the paper plan sheet or referenced in the DWF file's title block/graphic scale).  The DWG TrueView and TurboCAD programs include built-in PDF export options but you can also use these programs with a third-party print-to-PDF application (see Printing to PDF Files above).  Or use a stand-alone CAD-to-PDF conversion utility such as DWG to PDF Converter MX ($99.50, which works with DWF, DWG and DXF files).  Regardless of how you actually convert from DWF, import and process the resulting PDF file with AGTEK's Earthwork 3D, SiteModel 3D or GradeModel 3D per the instructions included in recent versions of Earthwork Software Services' Day 2 Seminar Handbook.

Vector PDF-to-CAD Conversions

If your particular AGTEK software does not import PDF files (AGTEK's GradeModel 3D and Earthwork 4D products include the ability to import and process PDF/BMP/TIF files), your best bet is to purchase AGTEK's flexible and highly-functional PDF Utility (available for AGTEK's Earthwork 3D and SiteModel 3D products) which provides direct extraction and transfer of vector data from PDF files (and also provides manual digitizing and raster-to-vector conversion options for raster plan images in PDF/BMP/TIF files).  Short of that best-in-class option, budget-oriented users can purchase stand-alone vector PDF-to-CAD conversion software such as PDF 2 DXF ($49) or pdf2cad™ ($195) -- the resulting CAD files are then imported by your AGTEK software (although these stand-alone PDF-to-CAD converters will work with vector PDF files, they provide no support for raster PDF files; see raster-to-vector conversions below).

Raster-to-Vector Conversions

If you receive a raster graphics file (BMP, GIF, JPG, PDF, TIF, etc.) and a vector data file (DWG, DXF, DGN) is absolutely unavailable, then you have just two options for modeling the raster data in AGTEK: (1) print the raster file graphics to paper, determine the scale, and manually digitize it or (2) try to convert the raster data to vector format and then import the resulting line work with AGTEK.  Neither method is appealing and you may very well end up having to do some of both (and a considerable amount of editing) to get the job done, but manual digitizing from paper would be more practical.  Also, keep in mind that the result should be good enough for a quantity takeoff but it will lack the precision needed for staking or machine control applications.  Here are a few raster-to-vector conversion references that we found by searching the Web:

For the do-it-yourself approach, a wide range of raster-to-vector conversion software is available, including: Print2CAD ($340, stand alone), WinTopo (free and $340 "Pro" versions but no PDF support, stand alone), TracTrix ($695, stand alone), R2V ($1,495, stand alone -- the software manufacturer also provides raster-to-vector conversion services with R2V), GTXRaster R2V (call GTX for pricing, requires AutoCAD), and there are many more.  Raster-to-vector conversions typically require geo-reference points so the resulting vector data is correctly dimensioned in a useful coordinate system; if the raster data source is based on a latitude and longitude horizontal reference, use an online calculator here (or here) to convert a latitude/longitude position to its corresponding state plane coordinates.

[Note: AGTEK's GradeModel and Sitework 4D programs include the native ability to import and process raster and vector data from PDF/TIF/JPG files, and a PDF Utility is also available as an "add on" purchase for AGTEK's Earthwork 3D, SiteModel 3D and Highway 3D programs.]

For those who do not want to perform raster-to-vector conversions on their own, conversion service bureaus are also available, including: Design Presentation, GeoVect, Trix Conversion Services, and others.

USGS Digital Topo Data Conversions

The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) produces 3D topographic files in the form of Digital Elevation Models (a DEM file represents a 3D-grid surface) and Digital Line Graphs (a DLG file includes 3D elevation contours).  USGS (and other) geospatial data sets are available through third-party suppliers such as the GIS Data Depot®.  But, unless you're involved in the preliminary planning of large-scale developments or you just want to fly-through a virtual 3D model of your favorite national park, you may never have need to manipulate such files.  On the other hand, if you do receive DEM or DLG files, AGTEK software cannot directly import them and you will need to use utilities such as the following to convert the USGS data to a useable format:

DEM files can be converted to 3D point (x,y,z) files using MICRODEM (free), and DLG files can be converted to DXF files using dlgv32/dlgv32 Pro/Global Mapper (free, limited-function trial, and $299 commercial versions of the same program) or DLGX133 (free, download the dlglx133.exe file).

Autonomous GPS Data

If you don't already own a high-precision GPS survey system (such as AGTEK's Grade Pilot product) and your survey applications do not require RTK GPS-precision, a useful alternative might be AMC's GPS2CAD ($495) program which allows field data collected with cheap, hand-held Autonomous (low-precision) GPS receivers to be merged with an active CAD drawing (specific GPS2CAD versions are available for AutoCAD, TurboCAD, and DoubleCAD XT).  Program functions include coordinate translations, import/export options, and the ability to align and overlay GPS data with free site images (maps and aerial photos) from Google Earth and TerraServer-USA.  TopoGrafix's ExpertGPS Pro ($200) can produce similar results but it lacks GPS2CAD's direct CAD interface (but ExpertGPS data can still be transferred to CAD via exported DXF files). Autonomous GPS data processed with GPS2CAD or ExpertGPS Pro can then be imported and used with your AGTEK software.

File Compression and Extraction Utilities

A file compression/extraction utility is handy to have when you need to transfer large files by email or if you receive compressed CAD files that are not self-extracting. WinZip® ($30) is a well-known zip utility with a free 21-day evaluation option (for a PDF file with step-by-step WinZip installation and usage instructions, click here). Try 7-Zip (free) if you don't want to drop $30 for WinZip.

[Note: Although newer versions of Windows (XP/Vista/7) include simple file compression/extraction functions (accessible through the Windows Explorer interface), WinZip and 7-Zip support a wider range of compressed file formats and provide more flexible functionality.]

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Site last modified on February 4, 2012.

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