Reducing  the cost of field data collection and drawing preparation is the primary benefit of this program. It allows users to import data from inexpensive, recreational grade GPS units, convert the data to a CAD – usable format, and plot it in AutoCAD. Cost savings to companies come in three main areas:

    * Reducing the cost of the technology required – simple recreational grade GPS units from manufacturers such as Garmin, and which cost under $500 can be substituted for professional grade units that cost $10,000 or more
    * Reducing the cost of Personnel – instead of a professionally trained surveyor required to operate the GPS equipment, technicians can be used to walk a site and collect data points where necessary
    * Reduce Drafting costs – the time required to produce CAD drawings with the data is greatly reduced two ways:
          o GPS2CAD-08 easily sends the data into the drawing
          o GPS2CAD-08 can also send aerial map images into the drawing

 The program is best used in situations where the precision of recreational – grade GPS units is acceptable to the job requirements, which is often the case in the planning stage of a project, or with projects where precise location of topographic features is not necessary.

 GPS2CAD-08 is “built from the ground up” to take advantage of the latest in hardware and software technologies. Here are just a few of the major features:

User Interface A whole new user interface, with all the “bells and whistles”. Uing menu panels that dock and pin, “explorer-bar type of navigation, and the best data grid available, it’s easer thatn ever to work with your projects.
 
Earth2CAD is an entirely new feature that lets you plot your points on custom images, like this one from Google Earth. The image is rectified to scale, your points come in right where they should,

and...
 
...Into AutoCAD it goes! That's right - points, data and images all go into your drafting environment
 
Now compatible with USB ports to work with most current GPS hardware (especially Garmin)

Also compatible with AutoCAD 2000 through 2008 (version 2009 is now being tested)
 
Free trial versions are available and can be downloaded here Additional information can be found on the website at www.gps2cad.com  or by contacting AMC Inc. 4109 W. Laurel Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85029, 602-978-0720. Internet: email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it