[sinc]

I actually haven't looked for any, since we've been using C3D for auto-linework for the last three years. And now in C3D 2010, there are more options - we no longer have to use FBK files. So any tutorial created for C3D 2009 or earlier would be out-of-date.

[Butch]

Guys one question.
Does Carlson support metric system of units?
We are located in Europe and interedsted in a road design software.
Thanx in advance :-)

[CJJ]

Carlson does support metric.

[CJJ]

I've never used Carlson, myself, but the company I work for uses a wide variety of CADD applications for our surveying, civil engineering and land planning. We have an employee who was beta testing Carlson 2010 and we have a few guys who run the 2009 software.

The general consensus is that Carlson is awesome. As has already been mentioned, it handles streets and roads much better than C3D, it's easier to deal with your pipe networks and storm drains, and that it's streamlined so that design is just as fast, or faster, than using Civil 3D. It's cheaper to buy licenses for Carlson than for C3D, as well, which is a definate plus.

By default, Carlson uses the IntelliCAD engine, but you can also use it over AutoCAD. All of my users are running it with AutoCAD instead of IntelliCAD. The guys who have tried the IntelliCad flavor said it was actually very frustrating to use, and they will only work with the AutoCAD flavor. While ICad is similar to ACAD, it's different enough to be a pain in the neck. I'm not sure if one is "better" than the other, but if you're used to using ACAD (like everyone I know) then you might have some time switching to the IntelliCAD engine, so you'll have to license both Carlson and ACAD for each computer. If you're not a die-hard Autodesk fan, then using the IntelliCad version might be fine for you, and you can save yourself a few bucks by not having to buy a license for AutoCAD.

My only real experiences with Carlson has been dealing with their tech support. I had been dealing with Autodesk a lot in the past few months, and I must say that calling Carlson was a breath of fresh air. Rather than sifting through automated menus and speaking to customer support reps who were reading from a script somewhere in some foreign country like I'm used to, I got strait through to a human being (named Dave Carlson) who then connected me to his chief engineers. While I do get a lot of enjoyment dealing with most big companies' overseas tech support fiascos, it was cool to be able to ask questions directly to the people who had written the software.

In short, the engineers and draftsmen in my company who have used Carlson are all very happy with the software, but they only run it on the AutoCAD platform.

[Butch]

Hey CJJ!
Thanx for the input!
We already have Acad in our firm so yes, the plan would be to run Carlson (if decided to use it) on top of it.
I watched their web seminars, and they where quite nice and informative. Could I ask you few question if Carlson can do?
The most usual case that we have in our office is that roads usualy change their cross section quite often, from eg. profile 10 -20 you have no retaining walls, then from section 25 you have big retating walls than continue to grow in height.
Can custom road templates be crated and used for road design and quantity take-off?
Thanx a bunch :-)

[rkmcswain]

Originally Posted by CJJ

It's cheaper to buy licenses for Carlson than for C3D, as well, which is a definate plus.

Not really.
Already covered that here.

Civil 3D retail = $7495
Carlson suite (3500) + AutoCAD (4000) = $7500

Originally Posted by CJJ

The guys who have tried the IntelliCad flavor said it was actually very frustrating to use, and they will only work with the AutoCAD flavor. While ICad is similar to ACAD, it's different enough to be a pain in the neck.

I agree for the most part. IntelliCAD has an place in the world, but why would you use a $200 CAD engine with a $3500 survey/engineering package? It's just not up to the task, and will always be "behind the curve" (AutoCAD).

Originally Posted by CJJ

My only real experiences with Carlson has been dealing with their tech support. I had been dealing with Autodesk a lot in the past few months, and I must say that calling Carlson was a breath of fresh air. Rather than sifting through automated menus and speaking to customer support reps who were reading from a script somewhere in some foreign country like I'm used to, I got strait through to a human being (named Dave Carlson) who then connected me to his chief engineers.

Ha... Dave IS the head programmer... :-)


Your comparison of Carlson to Autodesk is valid if you are talking about generic AutoCAD support, but Civil 3D users have access to subscription support which is nothing like you describe. I have used it several times.

[CJJ]

Originally Posted by Butch

Could I ask you few question if Carlson can do?

To be honest, I've never actually used it so I'm not that familiar with its functionality. I'm the IT guy now, not doing any production work, so I only know what my users have told me. I think you'd have better results asking someone on the forum who uses it on a regular basis.

Originally Posted by rkmcswain

Civil 3D retail = $7495
Carlson suite (3500) + AutoCAD (4000) = $7500

That's the point I was trying to make. Carlson IS cheaper, by itself, using IntelliCAD. But I think most people will want an AutoCAD license along with it, which like you said, will cost about the same.