Trimble Business Center

We have a centralized modeling department in our region here. I have 2 modelers plus me and we are all taking care of 10-20 jobs at a time doing topo submittals, as built, certifications, sometimes design, machine controls and modelings. Most of the time for a new project, the CAD came within a week before the job starts so I have my guys divide the modeling task and combine it later. One guy will be doing cleanup and layering, others will start the roads, utilities or site modeling..etc.. We will give the project enough work for 2-4 weeks and then move to other projects then circle back to that model. Once all put together, maybe one person can finish up the job all the way with revisions along the way. The goal is to make sure that no one is waiting for us. This routine is really good for us especially if one modeler is on vacation, other modeler is somewhat familiar with the project already with just a few discussions and he/she is good to go.

The problem is putting the linework back together is a big task. You have to identify which is old from the master TBC and delete then replace it with linework (vcl) from the other TBC. It also slowing our TBC down because the files get larger and larger.

External Reference will be perfect for this one if Trimble adds it to TBC with the functions below.

1. Have a master TBC that has all the controls, calibration, site map (optional), and field data center and the only one connect to TCC.

2. Secondary TBC(s) will serve as the external reference to the Master TBC that can be turn off/on as needed so it won't slow your PC down. Also, have an option to bind or attach selected linework as needed instead of import/export vcl.

3. Xref TBC linework (vcl), TTM, PRO and alignment can be used also to create design in "Field Data" from the Master TBC.

Mahalo

Eric

Request noted

I had hoped that by now we would have our Trimble Quadri Model Server Database implemented so that  multiple users can collaborate around a hosted database for the project - that is a way better solution than reference Files and the prime reason why we acquired Vianova Systems - this is how it works today in Novapoint the design software in Europe and it is a perfect solution to this problem.

i will make sure that they see this and other similar posts on this as I see this as a truly groundbreaking solution going forwards

To see what Quadri can do go to THIS LINK

If anyone else has views on this subject please place them here and I will make sure that they get seen and heard by those that need to see them .....

Alan

Hi Alan

I see where Quadri can be an advantage in design, if you have multiple people working on one project.  We've used external reference files in the past in the opposite way.  If we have one large TBC project, we need to break into smaller TBC projects.  For example, on a large earthworks project, we may have one TBC project just to manage the "original ground" surface.  It would contain all of the individual field data files, and any other information (scans, lidar), and assemble into one surface.  We could then link this surface as as external reference, so that other TBC projects have access to the final surface, without being bogged down by everything that makes up the surface.  We would do this for many different surfaces that are being continuously updated, and externally reference the surface only.  It keeps the other TBC projects clean and neat, and up to date with the latest iteration of each surface.

Jeff

Understood - and this is exactly what Quadri would allow you to do as well - without needing to find a file to Reference in. Not saying that Reference Files won't work or that we should not do it, but I feel pretty strongly that the world needsto move on from Files and Start Using a Database for Project - that way you can load what you need into a "Working Environment" and run the computations that you want and create new objects that you need (also in the database), without having to store a file or a version of a file at any time. The beauty of Quadri is that you can simply "Start a New View" drag in the objects that you want to work with, import new data as needed, make new objects like a composite surface at a date and time and save it to the database, compute and run your volumes and generate your reports and then close the view and start a new view with entirely different data - all of the data that you used and created is stored in the database but is not holding memory or cross references. The database is central and will update everyone the minute you save it. The database keeps a track of everything that you ever did in an easy to navigate tree structure, and you simply get to drag and drop data into the view as needed. You can have multiple views, all showing different combinations of data.

Hard to explain in text form, but an extremely powerful solution that keeps all project data together over time.

My only disappointment is how long this is taking Trimble to bring it to market internationally.

Alan

I see.  That's different than how I was thinking.  I think I like your central database idea.

Jeff

I like that idea also. Anything that helps and sooner the better.

Right now, either you need to have a multiple supercomputers if you want to work with one BIG tbc (Master) or just divide your tbc to workable parts and bring it together when you're done only so you can use field data with one calibration to be sent out to the field but you still need to go back to that smaller tbc when you want to work on it and replace the files in your master again so field data can be use.

Eric

I would also really like to see reference files in TBC, but for different uses.  I like to use them to better organize data in a large project.  I may put all of the proposed linework received from an engineer (2000-3000 layers) in a reference file.  That way when I want to use their linework, I reference it in, copy what I need into my project, then unreference it so all the extra data and layers do not slow the software down and make navigating the layer manager much more cumbersome.  I would also have a reference file for existing linework from the engineer, right of way linework, etc.  Also many times there will be a substantial change to the design during the construction process, I will do a save as to keep the original intact, and then move forward with making the changes, but I would like to then be able to have the old design(s) referenced so I could be able to see and compare things.