SierraSoft Land Design Studio is a BIM software for land survey calculation, 3D modeling and analysis

The BIM functions of SierraSoft Land Design Studio allow you to produce, modify, share, and analyze topographic information models. Land surveying, restitution and information modeling occur simultaneously with a strong optimization of activities and cost containment. In one product you have all the tools for the management of land surveying, 3D modelling, land surveying analysis, information modelling and quantity calculation. SierraSoft Land Design Studio includes all the features present in SierraSoft Land (BIM software for land 3D modeling and analysis) and SierraSoft Survey (BIM software for calculation and adjustment of topographic measurements).

Data acquisition

Use the data you have, without limitations

Your work starts with the data you have, whether it’s points surveyed with a total station, GPS, laser scanners or drones.

Acquire measurements taken in the field from the most popular total stations and GPS/GNSS. Import coordinates and measurements directly from files in the instrument format.

The acquired data are available in special tables for their management and subsequent calculation. SierraSoft Land Design Studio has the functions to import and make your information usable; you can have a few points or a huge survey, it will be easily manageable in both cases.

Survey calculation

Quickly calculate any type of survey

Execute the calculation of mixed total station and GPS/GNSS survey data.

Process all types of surveys even with different methodologies: Average readings, inverted readings, re-orientations, traverses, free stations, rototranslations, earth sphericity correction and refraction.

Least square adjustment

Get maximum reliability of the measurement calculation

Perform rigorous adjustments using the least squares method.

Get the best possible result and display error ellipses.

Point clouds

Upload and manage point clouds in a very simple way

Easy handle one or more point clouds of any size. Loading and display are really fast, drawing and extraction functions occur in real time. With just a few click you can extract models and calculate volumes in many different ways.

A special tool “SierraSoft Mass Data Converter” allows to convert LAS, XYZ, PTS, XCF, E57 and GeoTIFF DEM files so that you are able to handle them with SierraSoft Land Design Studio.

Survey restitution

Manage all the information while completing and enhancing it

If you have a traditional survey performed with points and you used codes, the entire design can be created automatically. If instead you have a point cloud, you can use the digital survey functions to survey as if you were in the countryside.

You can also take advantage of the support features to restitution photos, satellite imagery, digital maps, and other models.

Terrain modeling

Create accurate 3D terrain surfaces

Generate accurate 3D surfaces with just a few steps, while maintaining control over the outcome. Thanks to its discontinuities management and high processing speed, you can easily manage small models up to the triangulation of a large point cloud. You can complete the job with contour lines.

As-Found

Return As-Found models with the data acquired during the survey phase

Create new objects from the acquired data, defining the geometries and their information content. Get a complete information model that is highly useful for your design.

Coordinate systems

SierraSoft Land Design Studio supports a wide range of coordinate systems, managing both EPSG standards-based systems and other localized systems.

This versatility enables users to work with geographic and projected coordinates according to recognized international coordinate systems, as well as to adapt to specific local needs, ensuring accuracy and consistency in design and information modeling activities.

Coordinate transformation

Transforms coordinates between reference systems by calibration points

Perform coordinate transformations by specifying the calibration points with the possibility of setting the weight which can also be automatically calculated by the program depending on the distance from the baricentre and the reliability of the point.

The transformations provided for are: barycentric (with or without scale change), affine, homographic, 3D Helmert, polynomial, 3D conformal.

Transformations between coordinate systems

Switch easily between different coordinate systems

Performs the transformation of coordinates between different systems: with control points, between coordinate systems (EPSG), axis inversion, etc.

Transformations can be applied to points only or to all graphic entities in the project.

COGO

Create new survey points

COGO commands allow you to quickly and accurately create new survey points for intersection, offset, tangency, alignment, projection, slope, etc. speeding up drawing and data entry operations.

Survey codes

Manage information in the field and automate the design

Use the survey codes to automatically generate the break lines of the mathematical model and obtain the automatic survey design and the BIM information model.

To each code it is possible to assign different parameters with which to represent the point including: symbol, size, layer.

Survey drawing

Create an accurate representation of the land

Create an accurate topographical representation of the land using drawing functions. You can customize points and lines drawings by defining styles.

Use photos, satellite images, digital cartography and other models as a drawing support.

Cross sections

Extract and manage sections of your 3D models

The sections can be automatically extracted either along a direction or along a polygonal alignment. Through the extraction styles, you can extract complex sections using multiple 3D surfaces in one step.

Volumes

Calculate volumes with the best method

You can calculate volume with different methods, depending on your data and your goals. The calculation can be done either using a model’s triangular surfaces or extracted sections. The calculation for triangular surfaces is quite simple to use and extremely precise.

3D Design

Easy design of complex surfaces

You can easily design any surface with the immediate 3D representation of the result. Design features include the creation of leveling, sideslopes, polylines offset, connection surfaces and the merging models and surface. Get quickly extremely precise project 3D model as far as the creation of sideslopes and intersections with the existing terrain model. Enjoy designing pits, dumps, parking areas, terracing, embankings, ramps, tracks and all what is concerned with the design of models.

Hydrological analysis

Obtain valuable information in relation to the presence of water

Obtain important information for hydrographic and hydrological analysis of the territory and of new projects. Analyzes the hydrological problems related to the territory and facilitates decision-making processes relating to new projects. Get, starting from a point, the path of the water or the contour line. Displays slope vectors, valleys, ridges, tributaries, flat areas, maximum and minimum points on the terrain or project surface. Calculate the filling volume of a basin.

Advanced information modeling

Define your BIM model in detail

The information modeling takes place simultaneously with the design based on specific customizable settings.

The structure of the model, the elements that compose it, the geometric representation of the objects and their information content are defined.

The integration of buildingSMART's IDS (Information Delivery Specifications) and bSDD (buildingSMART Data Dictionary) standards directly into parametric information modeling enables easy and intuitive creation, management, modification, and validation of information content, ensuring data consistency between project, information model, and information requirements.

Thus you create an information model according to the specifications required in the BIM Execution Plan (BEP). The information model is created while maintaining information consistency with all the information documents created.

The activity of multidisciplinary collaboration is supported by the implementation of the BCF (BIM Collaboration Format) standard, facilitating both design integration and BIM collaboration.

Requires the SierraSoft BIM Modeling software extension.

Discover SierraSoft BIM Modeling >

Information exchange and multi-disciplinary integrated design

Share information models and manage federated models for infrastructures

Share project information in IFC (2x3, 4.1, 4.3) and LandXML formats for export to other software such as Revit, Tekla, ArchiCAD, Trimble Connect, usBIM, etc.

Import information models of works such as railways, roads, hydraulic works, bridges, tunnels, ancillary works, buildings for the integrated design and management of federated models. Requires the SierraSoft BIM Exchange software extension.

Discover SierraSoft BIM Exchange >

Information analysis and verification

Analyze and verify the information content of BIM models

The analysis, verification and validation of information content occur simultaneously with the activities of design and information modeling. This aims to identify and resolve any design and modeling errors at the point of origin, where it costs least to resolve them. Then so identify interferences between created models and between federated models, verify the structure, the elements and the information content. In addition to standard checks, specific checks are provided for topographic and infrastructural information models. Requires the SierraSoft BIM Checking software extension.

Discover SierraSoft BIM Checking >

Information documents

Automatically generates the required information documents

Starting from the survey data, the project data and from the data of the information model, it automatically generates drawings and reports of various types including:

• Planimetry: the elements of the survey and the project complete with all details and all the dimensions.
• Cross sections: all the sections paginated in separate sheets, complete with dimensions, annotations boxes and summaries of the calculation of quantities.
• Prints: the printouts produced include the data of the survey, of the sections, of the quantities and the data for stacking out.  The printouts are customizable with different levels of detail.

All information documents are customizable and consistent with the survey, the project and the information model.

Information models in open formats

Create information models in open formats that can be customized according to the specifications of the BIM Execution Plan (BEP).

Create information models in IFC format by defining version, domain, spatial structure, elements, graphical representations and properties.

Design in detail and create information models in IFC format by defining version, domain, spatial structure, elements, graphical representations and properties.

Export information models in LandXML format with all project data. Deliver information models in open formats following the specifications defined in the BIM Execution Plan (BEP).

Positioning and staking out

Generate reports and data to be sent to instruments for staking out

Export data for staking out the represented elements. The formats used by the most widely used topographic instruments are managed. Generate detailed reports with all survey information.

Positioning and construction

Generate reports, drawings and models for use in positioning and construction

Export the information for the topographic positioning of the project using the staking out functions.

Export models that can be used by “machine control” systems by automating the design and construction processes.

As-Built

Return As-Built models with the data acquired during the construction phase

Create information models representing the built in detail. Integrate project data with information acquired during construction. Several tools for both design and pure 3D modeling support you in the creation of the model.

Platform for coordination and integration

Integrate and coordinate design and workflows in BIM

SierraSoft Land Design Studio is also the platform to coordinate multidisciplinary design by allowing you to share models.

With SierraSoft Land Design Studio you can import railways, roads, hydraulic works, bridges, tunnels, ancillary works, buildings to create aggregate models to support design choices.