Seminars AGTEK Software Training
Model Three-Day Seminar Course Overview (Final)
"All three seminar days are going to give our use of the software a real
boost. Days 1 and 2 are excellent, even for those of us with a good basic knowledge
of AGTEK. Day 3 is well presented but definitely addresses some of the more complex
features. I would suggest Days 1 and 2 for anyone using the software. Day 3 will be
the most exciting when it is time to make the software sing." --Shane
Tinsley (Denver Seminar Attendee)
Day 1 - Fundamentals of Site Modeling & Takeoff
Regardless of whether your AGTEK site earthwork data is used in the office (to
bid work)
or on the job site (to
stake, check or control grade), this fast-paced lecture/demonstration format course
methodically covers the fundamental base of program knowledge that all AGTEK users require
(Day 1 applies to users of AGTEK's Gradework 4D,
Sitework 4D,
Earthwork
3D, SiteModel 3D,
SitePlan 3D and
GradeModel 3D programs--but AGTEK 3D product users should see this
related FAQ).
Course Topics: [These topics correspond to pages 54-230 of the
Day 1 Seminar Handbook]
Entering data from site grading plans via manual digitizing using multiple
raster PDF* plan sheets;
coordinate translations for aligning multiple PDF plan sheets; geo-referencing job file with
Google Earth (and PDF plan sheet) method; creating horizontal, vertical and slope offsets (Offset Line utility);
evaluating surface integrity using 3D views, Show Trimesh utility, Water Flow
utility, and the Contour Surface utility; editing to correct data-entry and scaling errors;
entering break lines to correct surface interpolation errors; adjusting existing ground surface model
for topsoil stripping and other fixed-depth removals (Stripping Areas); adjusting
proposed design surface model for structural sections (Sectional Areas); creating
horizontal cut/fill subtotal areas (Report Regions); using Fill Factors to adjust for
bank-to-compacted shrink/swell; generating and interpreting profile views and color-shaded cut/fill
maps; calculating cut/fill volumes and interpreting the volumes report. Click for
Model Day 1 Seminar Outline.
*Notes: Manual digitizing from raster PDF plans in Earthwork 3D and SiteModel
3D requires AGTEK's PDF Utility (the PDF Utility is included
with Gradework 4D, Sitework 4D and GradeModel 3D). Although manual digitizing from paper plan sheets
is not demonstrated in this class, AGTEK's manual digitizing functions apply equally
whether digitizing from paper or PDF plans (see
related FAQ).
Course Textbook: This course is taught from the 410-page
Day 1 Seminar Handbook, which
meticulously documents the course's topical segments described above (self-paced users of the Day 1
handbook can download training files
for use with the handbook's various step-by-step exercise examples). Extensive revisions to the
Day 1 handbook were completed in
October 2024
(with minor edits completed since then) for the latest versions of AGTEK's earthwork software
(Gradework 4D v1.11.2, Sitework 4D v1.29.2 and
Earthwork 3D v1.79.2).
Course Prerequisites: Some prior hands-on experience with Gradework 4D,
Sitework 4D, Earthwork 3D, SitePlan 3D, SiteModel 3D or GradeModel 3D is recommended (a basic understanding of
earthwork construction concepts and grading plans
is assumed). Students that are unfamiliar with earthwork construction and that have no previous
experience with AGTEK's earthwork software may be a bit overwhelmed by the absolute volume and detail of information presented in this course (see this
FAQ for some suggestions on preparing new users for this course).
Course Hours: 8:30 am until 5:00~5:30 pm, with a one-hour break for lunch at noon and short breaks
at mid-morning and at mid-afternoon.
Day 2 - Working with CAD, Vector PDF & Survey Data
This comprehensive lecture/demonstration format course picks up where the Day 1 course
leaves off by extending the attendee’s base of knowledge to include site takeoff and
modeling tools using imported CAD, vector PDF, and ground-run survey data (Day 2
applies to users of AGTEK’s Gradework 4D,
Sitework 4D,
Earthwork 3D,
SiteModel 3D and
GradeModel 3D
programs--but AGTEK 3D product users should see this related FAQ).
Course Topics: [These topics correspond to pages 52-142 of the
Day 2 Seminar Handbook]
Creating site earthwork models from imported CAD and multiple
vector PDF* plan sheets
(import options, troubleshooting "missing" data, selecting/transferring
layers, finding/eliminating elevation errors, 2D-to-3D conversions--including use of
the Auto Pad and Conform Annotate utilities, tapered offsets, and a host
of data editing and manipulation scenarios); coordinate translations for aligning CAD and multiple PDF
plan sheets; verifying CAD data with background plan image; geo-referencing job file with State Plane Coordinates
method, including translation of job file to State Plane coordinates; importing and processing ground-run survey
data (optical/GPS collection methods) in the form of PNEZ coordinate text files (examples include borrow pit modeling
and volumes, a bid-topo update and, if time permits, a modeling with cross-section data problem). Click for
Model Day 2 Seminar Outline.
*Note: Importing vector PDF files in Earthwork 3D and SiteModel 3D requires
AGTEK's optional PDF Utility (the PDF Utility is included with Gradework 4D, Sitework 4D
and GradeModel 3D).
Course Textbook: This course is taught from the 426-page
Day 2 Seminar Handbook, which meticulously documents the course's topical segments described above
(self-paced users of the Day 2 handbook can download training files
for use with the handbook's various step-by-step exercise examples). Extensive revisions to the
Day 2 handbook were completed in
October 2024
(with minor edits completed since then) for the latest versions of AGTEK's earthwork software
(Gradework 4D v1.11.2, Sitework 4D v1.29.2 and Earthwork 3D v1.79.2).
Course Hours: 8:30 am until 4:30~5:00 pm, with a one-hour break
for lunch at noon and short breaks
at mid-morning and at mid-afternoon.
Day 3 - Strata, Over-Ex & Related Functions
This intense lecture/demonstration format course is designed for "power users"
and moves well beyond the Day 1 and Day 2 courses by demonstrating the advanced site
modeling and analytic capabilities of the relevant AGTEK programs (Day 3 applies to users of
AGTEK's Gradework 4D,
Sitework 4D,
Earthwork 3D,
SiteModel 3D and
GradeModel 3D
programs--but AGTEK 3D product users should see this related FAQ).
Course Topics: [These topics correspond to pages 27-181 of the
Day 3 Seminar Handbook]
Modeling and quantifying subsurface strata materials, using Cut Factors to adjust for differential
shrink/swell by strata material, entering and using Balance Regions for cut/fill subtotals,
balancing onsite cut and fill, analytic applications of cut/fill depth lines (e.g., model subsidence
at fill areas, strip topsoil based on cut/fill depth, locate waste areas by depth of cover, delineate
undercut areas), copying and pasting data between surfaces, and modeling vertically-staged earthwork
(e.g., undercutting rock, over-excavating expansive clay, quantifying removal and replacement of
low-density soils, creating a "lowest surface" model, calculating structural excavation and backfill volumes). Click for
Model Day 3 Seminar Outline.
Course Textbook: This course is taught from the 290-page
Day 3 Seminar Handbook, which meticulously documents the course's topical segments described above
(self-paced users of the Day 3 handbook can download training files
for use with the handbook's various step-by-step exercise examples). Extensive revisions to the
Day 3 handbook were completed in
October 2024
(with minor edits completed since then) for the latest versions of AGTEK's earthwork software
(Gradework 4D v1.11.2, Sitework 4D v1.29.2 and Earthwork 3D v1.79.2).
Course Hours: 8:30 am until 4:00~4:30 pm, with a one-hour break
for lunch at noon and short breaks
at mid-morning and in the afternoon. This course covers some pretty dense (advanced)
topics so it ends a little earlier than the Day 1 and Day 2 classes.
