AutoCAD Map incorporates automated GIS tools with the drafting ability of AutoCAD software and the data management functionality of AutoCAD Data Extension software. It has an extensive application programming interface (API) for designing custom applications.
This API is fully object oriented, allowing software developers to optimize coding efforts and performances. This results in a combination of map creation and maintenance capabilities that engineers, planners, utility managers and technicians can use to accurately map and manage assets and infrastructure.
It allows the users to take advantage of existing data by using AutoCAD DWG as its native file format, as well as importing MIF/MID (MapInfo), SHP (ESRI), DXF, and DGN (Intergraph) formats--and exporting complete and accurate files in the same formats. AutoCAD Map runs on Windows 3.1x, Windows NT, and Windows '95 operating systems.
The market segment this software was developed for is the CAD-based mapping and GIS market-users who focus on map creation and maintenance. Targeted customers include engineers, planners, utility managers and technicians who create and maintain their own maps and those users that prefer a CAD-based mapping solution.
For those who feel that a CAD-based mapping technology can not adequately perform GIS, Autodesk offers a GIS-based solution called Autodesk World, based upon technology from the company's South African development group. It is a data-centric product for the traditional GIS segment, with a strong emphasis on geographic data management. The product is Windows '95 compliant, with a Microsoft Office look and feel. It also can run on Windows NT.
It can perform stand-alone, as well as corporate GIS applications, providing spatial data capture, maintenance and interrogation tools. It provides seamless access to distributed databases, integrating raster, vector, alphanumeric and TIN data from multiple sources, in multiple formats.
The software combines CAD, GIS and database technology in a single environment, and offers the ability to create, edit, query, present and integrate GIS data from a variety of sources without conversion. It incorporates the DWG file format, the de-facto standard for digital map creation worldwide.
Targeted users include GIS and mapping professionals in industries such as utilities, telecommunications, government, natural resources, oil and gas, and education.
Plant flow software
A new software program has been designed for the person who has never used a computer, as well as for a seasoned engineer. AggFlow 4.0 from BedRock Software, Portland, Ore., is a design and calculation tool that contains information on most aggregate plant equipment, plus a custom feature to add your own data. Plant flow diagrams are built on-screen by using a mouse to place equipment onto a worksheet and drawing the flow connections and conveyors.
The program determines operating limits based on manufacturer's data or plant specific data entered by the user. Any equipment working beyond its capacity will be red-flagged. Once all equipment has been selected and custom data is entered, the user will be able to produce scapling area calculations, reports and CAD quality diagrams.
Wide format digital copier
High-resolution, stand-alone copier features 400 DPI laser-quality LED imaging with 32 levels of halftone and 25% to 400% zoom in 0.1% increments to capture the fine details of complicated design drawings and engineering blueprints. Available from Mita Copystar America, Fairfield, N.J., the PointSource Xi-3648 also comes with automatic roll paper feeding and synchronized cutting to make copying of large format originals such as blueprints, possible.
GPS vehicle location system
Using a combination of business radio and GPS, Trakit from the Ida Corp., Fargo, N.D., offers features designed to increase efficiency and safety of fleet vehicles. Its Windows '95 software application tracks and displays vehicle locations on a computer at the dispatcher home base, in real time, on supplied computer maps.
A VCR-like playback function can be used to review vehicle activity for analysis. Vehicle location data is captured and stored in computer files which can be exported to various formats for use by other applications such as costing analysis and customer billing. The system is designed for use on 220 MHz, 450 MHz, 800 MHz, shared of dedicated, trunked or conventional radio systems.
Ground-penetrating radar
A radar system that combines data-collection, analysis and report-writing capabilities for a variety of engineering applications in a single unit has been introduced by Geophysical Survey Systems Inc., North Salem, N.H. The new Subsurface Interface Radar System-2P is the first ground-penetrating radar to perform all three functions in one unit, in the field. It has twice the hard-drive capacity of standard units and has Windows '95, Microsoft Office and Radan post-processing software installed. It also comes with a module that adds ports for a keyboard, external SVGA monitor, mouse, serial and high-speed ethernet data transfer.
