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MicroSurvey CAD 2010 is the latest version of survey desktop drafting and design software from It’s a complete survey software package that provides field data downloads, processing and traverse adjustments, design, drafting, and printing. MicroSurvey CAD comes in three different versions: premium, standard, and basic.
Each version is a standalone product built on the IntelliCAD 6.6 engine, and each has complete surveying calculation tools. The basic version adds basic drafting tools required to produce a survey plat; the standard version adds advanced drafting tools with a full cad engine; and the premium version has advanced drafting tools and tools for creating and working with surfaces and drawing contours, in addition to design tools.
These versions provide value options so that you buy only the tools you need without a lot of unnecessary extras to run the cost up. I used the premium version for this review.
Getting Started As I opened the case to install the software, I noticed that the disc included a USB key. The last time I remember seeing a software key, it plugged into the parallel port. We called them dongles back then and they were huge. This one is extremely compact and fits on my keychain very well ( Figure 1). The software key provides a huge advantage: It allows me to install the software on my office PC, my laptop, at home, or anywhere I need to get work done.
Installing the software was very quick, and the on-screen prompts were easy to follow. When the program starts, the project manager dialogue box opens in the middle of the screen. In the lower corner is a shortcut to one of the many instructional videos located in the help files ( Figure 2). The more than 16 hours of included video helped me quickly get my drawing and project set up. Once I started drawing, I was amazed at how easy it was to work with. This is my first experience with MicroSurvey and with IntelliCAD, the drafting platform that MicroSurvey CAD runs on.
IntelliCAD is designed by a group of software developers who work together to create a competitive and stable CAD engine for use with each developer’s specific applications. IntelliCAD makes MicroSurvey CAD extremely similar to the full AutoCAD engine. If you have prior experience working with CAD-based products, you should be very comfortable working with MicroSurvey CAD in as little as a few hours. If you have never worked with a CAD system, the videos and help files can have you working in as little as a day.
Compatibility Many firms choose to work with AutoCAD, not because it is the best solution for their workflow but because many of their clients use it. With MicroSurvey, compatibility is no longer an issue. The IntelliCAD engine makes MicroSurvey CAD extremely compatible with AutoCAD. The drawing files and true dwg format require no conversion to work between platforms.
I created a survey drawing in MicroSurvey, closed it, opened it with AutoCAD, and continued to work with no loss of data. MicroSurvey offers FieldGenius, their data collection solution, but MicroSurvey CAD will download data from most data collectors and total stations. I was happy to see the SDR33 as one of the options. Point files can also be imported, including user defined formats ( Figure 3). Once the data is downloaded, it goes into a database that can be edited and adjusted.
The original raw file is not altered in any way. The data can then be adjusted and processed as needed, with several traverse adjustments to choose from, including compass rule and least squares. Features MicroSurvey CAD includes a routine called AutoMAP System, which is their version of automated drafting from point description codes ( Figure 4). As with other drafting products, you’ll need to spend some time setting up a database that associates point description codes with symbols, layers, 2D line work, 3D line work, and other drafting commands.
I know from experience that setting up automated drafting databases can be a long process of trial and error until it runs smoothly and correctly. In addition to setting up the software, you must collect the field data properly, and point codes must all be correct. With that being said, there is nothing more rewarding than processing a file and watching a survey come to life before your eyes. The time and effort spent on set up is well worth it when you consider the efficiency that will be gained on each job. AutoMAP also improves survey accuracy. The codes entered in the field will dictate how the drawing is prepared, which reduces the chance of data being misinterpreted in the office. Active Drawing Technology allows drawings to be linked to the coordinate database.
Edits to points will automatically update lines and labels in your drawing. Manual drafting is still a big part of our work, and all of the features I expect to find in a full drafting package are there. Osnaps, polylines, cogo functions, line and area labels, and surface and contour building are all very straightforward.
MicroSurvey CAD 2010 is an impressive complete desktop solution with all of the tools needed to take you from field data to finished product accurately and efficiently. The basic version is currently priced at $995, the standard version $1,495, and the premium version $1,995. You can download a fully functioning demo from their website:, which allows you to use the product for 30 days. When you consider the help files, videos, and online training resources, 30 days should be more than enough time to get hooked! Craig Brewer, PLS is a principal and director of surveying at, a civil/survey consulting firm in Savannah, Georgia.