Land Desktop or Civil 3d

[ebwbjen]

After I found out I would need either Land desktop or Civil 3d to perform the functions I was looking for I started researching which would be better for me. The main function I need is to shade certain slopes.

I currently run Autocad 2008 lt. I called an autodesk supplier in my area and was told that land desktop was not going to be offered anymore and that I should just upgrade to civil 3d with a required $995 a year subscription.

I am somewhat budget limited and I don't know if I can afford Civil 3d. I don't anticipate using most of the program, but I have never used it so I am not sure.

Any thoughts on this would be appretiated. Has anyone heard otherwise about land desktop. Or should I look further into the Civil 3d option?

Thanks
Jen :)

[lpseifert]

As your reseller poited out, LDD is being phased out, being replaced by C3D. Don't expect any further development for LDD. Actually if you purchase a license of C3D now, you'll get LDD, but if I was to need to learn how to use one, it would be C3D.
That being said, if all you need to do is slope maps you may want to consider having an outside source doing them for you instead. The approximate $3,500 you'll need to fork over for C3D (above vanilla acad) could buy you a lot of slope maps.

[rustysilo]

I just read over at the swamp that '09 is the last release of Land Desktop.

Really though, if these slope maps are all you'll need in terms of capability and you are on a budget then Land Desktop will suffice. Just know that after this coming year it's gone. It's been out of development for a few years now already and more or less has been sold just as a "companion" for C3D.

I would agree with lpseifert on all counts. However, you might consider shopping around for other civil/survey products that will do the slope maps as well.

[rustysilo]

Furthermore, if you find that the cost is just too much for software I would be more than happy to help you out. I'm sure lpseifert would as well.

[rkmcswain]

After I found out I would need either Land desktop or Civil 3d to perform the functions I was looking for

What about other alternatives like Carlson (http://www.carlsonsw.com)?

[lpseifert]

I just looked on Carlson's site and it looks like they have the ability to do slope/slope zone analysis. I don't know if it has the ability to do shaded slope maps, something to look into.
http://www.carlsonsw.com/PL_CS_Civil.html#keyfeatures

[ebwbjen]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I will do some more research on what is available. I am a small business of one. Right now I only have one plan that calls for the slope shading. There is the possibility of other plans, but no gaurantee. That is why I am hesitant to jump right into civil 3d.

If I did upgrade just to the land desktop, would I still be able to use it for a few years?

Thanks again for the info. Off to research for a few hours.

Jen :)

[rustysilo]

You could use it as long as you wanted seeing as though you would have paid for it.

If you only have one that you need done upload it. I'm not too busy right now.

[ebwbjen]

Would I just attach that to a post. I am new to posting and internet communicating. Thanks

Jen :)

[rustysilo]

Yes. Look for the "manage attachments" below the message composer. Note that there is a file size limit.

[rustysilo]

After thinking about it a moment I'm not sure you'll even be able to use a file that I would produce. I don't know if LT will display the 3d objects. We'll give it a shot anyway considering your original file has data that Civil 3D can use.

[lpseifert]

If I did upgrade just to the land desktop, would I still be able to use it for a few years?

I could be wrong, but I don't think you can get a license to just LDD, you'd need to get C3D; included would be Land Desktop Companion.

[ebwbjen]

I tried to upload the dwg, but it is to large. Could you direct e-mail me so I can send it to you that way.

Thanks
Jen :)
ebwbjennifer@gmail.com

[rustysilo]

I could be wrong, but I don't think you can get a license to just LDD, you'd need to get C3D; included would be Land Desktop Companion.
It is still listed on their site as a stand-alone product.

[iain9876]

http://carlsoncivil.com/mirror/manuals/Carlson_2007/online/source/Site_Road_Design/Surface/Slope_Zone_Analysis/Slope_Zone_Analysis.htm

the pics here are not very good. The main problem here is that the colour zones aren't smooth enough and don't blend very well as the triangle edges are too sharp and showing up , when you present this to a client it would look like an amateur had carried out the work after the drawing was printed. Simply said it would look a mess..

This company however doesn't have that problem, check them out.
http://www.ecl.uk.com/contents/company%20info/products/software/PDS/volumetrics.html

[rkmcswain]

It is still listed on their site as a stand-alone product.

It won't be soon.

http://rand.com/imaginit/1/rss/viewitem.asp?feedid=BLOGS_CIVIL_ALL&guid=432
http://civil3dnovice.blogspot.com/2008/06/end-of-land-desktop-new-product.html
http://civil3dblog.com/2008/06/03/land-desktop-discontinued-sort-of/