InSite Elevation Pro

Really innovative software

Vorteile:

Honestly the tech support, because I call them allll the time and they are always superr helpful. I recently needed to better understand phasing and it was beating me. I used their training manual their online video and still I could not figure out to seperate out my phases they sent me a video walk through step my step to exactly the info I needed free of charge, they never charge for training or IT Support.

Nachteile:

the selecter tool icon the cross and window crossing it could be simpler

A fast, accurate, and easy to use earthwork takeoff software.

Kommentare: InSite helps my company have speedy estimates of earthwork quantities that we can trust. The various options for customizing how to use and calculate the earthwork, means that our reports can be designed for each project's requirements, and tailored to the Project manager who will be working on it. InSite has drastically helped Gregory Construction's earthwork process

Vorteile:

InSite Elevation is quick and easy to use. In a matter of minutes after getting the plans for a project, I can have the files imported, scaled, and (for multiple pages) aligned. Elevation also can read layer data for CAD files, drastically reducing the time it takes to set up topography surfaces in the program. Also, using the 3D visualizer to see what the surface looks like means that any mistakes in my contours are easy to see and correct. Usually I can have earthwork reports complete on the same day as the plans get to me.

Nachteile:

I would like a way to export the surface data that InSite generates to a format that can be used for our intelligent machinery (TN3, TIN, etc.). I'd also like to be able to model a structure being placed under the ground that would subtract from the fill value. When Exporting the Takeoff image with layers on, It would be helpful to have a legend option to display as well (I know that most information is shown as a label on the image, but it's hard to see at a glance). I would also like to be able to repeat layers in the soil boring logs.

Production Efficiency

Kommentare: InSite SiteWork allowed us to speed up the take off process and simultaneously expand the use of machine control equipment. Additionally, the used of the modeling function post bid reduced the amount of time spent in the field with layout, staking and establishing grade stakes.

Vorteile:

Speed of take-off when using vector PDF, quick 3D production to check for errors, improved reporting, ability to export to machine control model,

Nachteile:

Lack independent function to align sheets, spot elevation input glitch after moving image, lack of ability to select and edit pipe input

30+ year heavy civil contractor turned freelance takeoff guy.

Kommentare: Overall I am very satisfied with the software and what I am able to do with it. I was able to pick up and start performing takeoffs after a few hours of self teaching and the one on one training.

Vorteile:

I will have to say that one of the best features of this product is the support staff!The software does what it is supposed to with some limitations but overall delivers great information. It offers great features such as the dynamic site balancer and being able to export that data layer out to a CAD file. The KMZ feature is really nice especially with hand held technology now days. The old ways was walking around in the woods with a roll of plans and a compass trying to figure out where you were on the project site.

Nachteile:

It would be nice to develop a custom data base library of subgrades that could be accessed instead of having to rebuild them on each project. If there was a way to remove CAD file layers from the file to reduce the file size once it is imported into the software. If the active pdf export could be scaled so that it can be printed off on 24x36 and be to scale. Currently it is set to a 200x200. This creates a very large data file. If there is a better way to phase a project other than saving as a new then the transfer of proposed to existing layers. If the training manual and videos show more in depth details of possible shortcuts or what to do if this happens scenarios.

Review

Kommentare: Overall this is great for a beginner in takeoffs and just learning. This software can get you your earthwork calculations but if you are a bigger sitework company its not suitable imo. I got this to avoid getting agtek but the features just aren't strong enough for what we want it to do. agtek is probably what we will be switching over to next year so we can utilize all of those features and services. I have also communicated with a customer service guy who told me that i was wrong when I said red always indicates cut and green should always indicate fill. The color shading is backwards. I asked for him to look into the ability to change that and he basically blew me off when the owners of my company directly asked me to come to you with that question.

Vorteile:

Very easy to use and has a lot of features. Its as simple as you could hope for but accurate in quantifications.

Nachteile:

They don't provide a cut/fill map only elevations. So, you won't be able to see your cut/fill when looking at the model. There is no integration to cell phones or the ability to perform takeoffs for roads from cross sections. There is no way to overlay in google earth such as agtek does. you should have a point and hot key for cutting or inserting a point in a polyline.