Model Maker Sytems Software is an industry leading digital terrain modelling software package and the most advanced in the Model Maker Systems software suite. The program consists of 22 modules, which are available in three different versions depending on the number of survey points that need to be modeled. MODEL MAKER gives you the ability to generate contours, design platforms, calculate volumes and much more.
- Modular – Build your own package
- Advanced calculations and features
- Easy to learn
- Extremely well supported
- Used world wide by 1000’s of users
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MODEL MAKER MODULES
Why modules? – So that each user can customize his own package saving the user costs.Below is a list of modules with a short description of features contained in each, you will also see which modules are dependent on other modules to work.
To see a list of minimum requirements, click here for a PDF download
Required Modules (Suggested Modules in brackets)
This module is used to manipulate data from various sources by automatically creating a triangular model.
The user can use break-lines to define changes in slope and direction which will be accounted for in the triangulation process.
Data can be edited graphically or in text mode.
The user has full control over the triangulation with functions for editing the triangulated model after the automatic triangulation.
Images and terrain data can also be imported from GPS, Scanners and Google Earth.
Various data manipulation options are available to quickly edit, replace, update N,E,Z,Description data fields.
Required Modules: 1 (6)
This module is required for any graphical output.
The output is determined by using an extensive range of user-definable plotting parameters and the graphical setting of plotting windows covering the total project area.
Contours, survey point information, co-ordinate grids and CAD data can be plotted.
Plotting can be done directly to an on-line plotter, various ASCII file formats e.g. DXF, or DWG/DGN files.
The data and CAD can also be exported to overlay onto Google Earth.
Required Modules: 1,2 (6)
When dealing with stockpiles or quarries (single surface models) this module can be used to calculate the earthworks volumes using contours, triangles or cross-sectional areas.
The analysis function calculates the sloped surface area, as well as plan area.
Slope analysis is performed by coloring the terrain with different colors depending on the degree of steepness.
Height analysis can be performed by also using coloring indicating the differences in elevation across a terrain model.
Valley analysis is performed by indicating watershed lines and valley positions indicating water runoff patterns.
Long-section or cross-section data is extracted along a horizontal alignment which can be defined on the graphic screen or can be captured from CAD entities.
These data values are recorded to a text file for use with other modules.
Required Modules: 1,2 (6)
Model Maker can be used to model two (up to 99 surfaces) different excavation models. Where the second model is a terrace that must meet the ground model at specified batter slopes, MODEL MAKER will automatically determine these toe-points on the ground. The terrace level for balanced earthworks can be determined, taking into account a bulking factor and the batter slopes. Once the two models have been created, the earthworks volume can be calculated using cross-sections or a more accurate grid method. It can also be used to determine the cut/fill line in earthworks or model and contour the depths of mass earthworks.
Required Modules: 1,2,6
Use this module to view the active model from any side or vertical angle in a wire-frame grid or solid fill format. Contours at a user-specified interval can be displayed and the full view can be converted to the CAD environment as a image. Apply height fill in different height categories and even apply opacity to different surfaces.
Required Modules: 1,2
This module is a comprehensive CAD module with all the basic drawing functions intelligently linked to the DTM data to create detailed survey maps. A drawing can consist of any number of drawing elements, e.g. lines, circles, text, dimensions, hatching, etc. on different layers with a variety of pen, line and font types.
Required Modules: 1,2,3,6
Ground cross- and long section data extracted using module 3 can be loaded and plotted into the CAD module (module 6). The user can specify a horizontal and vertical scales, plotting paper sizes and a layer names.
Required Modules: 1,2,3
A horizontal alignment defined using module 3, giving the following data for each point of intersection
(PI): Name , Y & Z co-ordinate , curve radius , transition lengths starting and ending the curve.
This module can now be used to obtain all the curve information – BC, EC peg distance, curve length, as setting out data – distance and direction – from specified set-up stations
Required Modules: 1,2,4,6,7(11)
In initial opencast mine planning operations this module can be used to calculate volumes between different material layers or strata. Borehole data is used to create up to 99 models defining the different strata. The mining areas (strips) can be defined as geographical areas and volumes or average depths can be calculated between different strata within each strip area. For geological evaluations there is an advanced borehole manager to manage borehole data input. Define the geographical areas within which opencast mining must be done. Any plan area can be defined. Each area is then numbered and its area and boundary perimeter is calculated.
Required Modules: 1,2,5, (4,6,11)
The borehole manager allows you to: Import borehole logs from an excel CSV file; To enter borehole logs manually; To assign colors and DTM layer numbers to the log categories; To visually compare logs on a same scale; To view the logs in Model Maker’s virtual 3D option; To export the logs to a CSV file; To create DTM projects based on the log coordinates and
layer depths.
Required Modules: 1,2,(6)
A geometric alignment string may be seen as a 3D poly line where each bend point/node on the line has an elevation and description. The string may be viewed and manipulated in plan or long-section format allowing the user to grade one or multiple segments in the string. Strings may be used in various design applications, e.g. slope tracking, complex terrace designs (e.g. traffic circles/roundabouts), clashing services, multi grade toe line interpolations, service crossing positioning for road designs, road edge definition and road layer inner offsets if used with Road Maker, defining pipe network layouts for use in Pipe Maker, reticulation power lines profiling* and much more. Strings is a incredible design tool with extensive functionality and uses. Be sure to ask for more information regarding this module.
*For power line profiling see Module 15
Required Modules: 1,2,11
Landscaping of new areas or the rehabilitation of old mine dumps can be done in accordance with slope parameters in multiple directions. An existing model will automatically be updated to the predefined slope parameters to give a balanced (cut/fill) earthworks model. Geometric alignment strings can be used to define restrictions on the movement of material. Material to be imported from or exported to another area can be specified. This module can also be used in golf course design.
Required Modules: 1,2,4,6
The movement of material in a cut/fill operation can be presented by hauling distance lines between the cut and fill areas. The total volume in a cut or fill area can be shown at the center of that volume. This could typically be used to plan the most effective earthworks operation for the correct short distance or rather longer to long distance hauler.
Required Modules: 1,2,4,6,11
Where terraces need to be designed in very restricted areas this module can be used to determine the toe perimeter of a terrace within a specified boundary. MODEL MAKER determines a final elevation, outside toe line perimeter and cut and fill volume for each terrace according to specified slope parameters.
Required Modules: 1,2,6,11
This module uses the geometric alignment strings and CAD modules to design the route and pole positions for rural power LV and MV power lines. A user-definable pole database and conductor seed file can be created. The power line is then profiled in a long sectional view where the program checks each power line pole for uplift as well as the poles wind- and weight span capability. Allowance is also made for conductor clearance distances. All service crossings is detailed in plan view and in long section view. Spanning sheets is then automatically created for construction purposes.
Required Modules: 1,2,11
Indicate the centreline position of a dam wall, specify the wall construction parameters and catchment area and within seconds calculate various dam wall position options for maximized retention volumes. The results are dam wall earthworks volumes, water capacity, maximum depths and earthwork cost estimation. Combine this module with Module 4 and you can produce perfect dam designs within minutes.
Required Modules: 1,2,6
This module will assist the irrigation design engineer with a flexible and indispensable tool without confining him to rigid limitations. Full graphical control over the automatic and manual design of an irrigation network is provided. Analyzing the hydraulics of an open network with predefined or computer selected pipe sizes is done with ease. Global manipulation of groups of pipes and nodes may be done to optimize the design. Standard pipes, emitters and fittings may be defined in a user database. This module can be used in almost all aspects of agricultural, mining irrigation design as well as various landscaping/turf irrigation projects. Model Maker DTM and CAD functions are available throughout the design. View the IrriMaker page for more info here.
Required Modules: 1,2,3,6
Designing the horizontal alignment geometry of a road is supported by using this module to determine sight distances on horizontal curves. Vehicle turning circles may also be tested graphically within confined areas. The test vehicle dimensions and parameters may be fully defined by the user and the result is a graphical output of sight lines and vehicle wheel paths.
Required Modules: 1,2
Co-ordinates from the old South-African Clarke datum may be converted to the new WGS84 datum using this module. The WGS84 datum is implemented in South-Africa as from January 1999 and all new surveys must be done in this format. Using this module you may do a transformation of all the data loaded into MODEL MAKER i.e. DTM, CAD and geometric alignment strings. The WGS84 grid file must be purchased separately for each geo-area that needs to be converted. These grids are based on the 1:50 000 map system of South Africa. UK OSGB36 and New Zealand TM2000 datum is also supported.
Required Modules: 1,2,3,6
After drawing the layout of a stormwater pipe network and the catchment areas in Model Maker’s CAD, this module may be used to create the data needed by the HYDROSIM – Stormwater analysis program.
Required Modules: 1,2,3,6,11
This module is used to calculate the minimum drainage connection height at the main sewer connection for each township plot. This automated action will then create a plot connection file which can be loaded into PIPE MAKER and be graphically displayed in the long sectional view of each sewer pipeline. This will assist the designer in his sewer pipeline design to ensure that the whole township is properly drained.
Required Modules: 1,2,6,11,22 (Recommended Modules: 3,4)
GNSS Machine guidance with Model Maker Design software that can guide any dozer, grader, pole planter, drill rig, and ridging tractor.
Imagine the possibilities when construction equipment operators can use real live design data, using the actual software used to create the design, right there, in the cab of their favorite construction vehicle! Imagine not needing a surveyor at all hours of the day to set out levels or to stake positions before construction machine operators can do their work. Imagine not having to diminish your designs into fractured semi-compatible file formats and filtering them through several third-party software applications so that your equipment can perform only a single purpose-built task.
That is why Model Maker Systems developed a single solution that caters to various construction machines and configurations, each one performing different and diverse tasks using the same design data as the Engineer who designed it.
The new Model Maker GNSS module can be used on the job site right inside the cab of your favorite construction vehicle! Connected via Wi-Fi with compatible RTK GNSS receivers, Model Maker can now guide your construction equipment to the exact DTM point, along a GXT string, or even tell you how much you should cut or fill anywhere on a design surface. This is only the beginning….
There are currently 3 machine guidance modes:
To Point, To String, To Surface
Machine operators will use and see the same Model Maker in the cab as the designer that designed the project data, site managers can load or enable all sorts of data features into the software to better communicate a design to a machine operator. This includes, for example, contours, Google Earth imagery, and slope analysis backdrops which can be used to present the operator with various views of the job site. This will give the equipment operator a clear picture of what needs to be done or how much material needs to be moved and to where.
Well-known Model Maker functions are at the operator’s disposal, which means the user can measure areas, distances, slopes, see slope directions and height differences, etc. Experienced users can even see how much material they have moved or count the number of holes they drilled or poles they planted at the end of their day.
For focused and controlled designs, the design and predefined system configuration can be customized to the user’s heart’s content, site managers can:
- Lock the interface with a password so that the operator cannot make changes or select any surface other than what is required.
- Load only specific designs using a simplified file open and close interface.
- Save the work done today and open that exact data tomorrow when he/she starts the new day.
There may be several design surfaces loaded in the job file providing different levels or heights, various slopes, or data in different locations on site. This means one master Model Maker file is all that is needed, and since each surface is named, strings are layered and DTM projects can be displayed or hidden, the operator will know exactly where he is during the construction process.
Mode 1: To Point
This mode will guide a machine that needs to navigate to a specific coordinate (e.g., a drill rig or pole planter, etc). DTM points can be loaded into any of the 99 projects of Model Maker which will then be used by the machine operator to navigate to and place or “stake” the point. The operator will select a point on the screen by tapping on any DTM point on the screen. The software will show navigation data, draw a connecting line from the machine’s current position to the selected point and show a unique proximity target icon that changes color from shades of red to green as he moves within a pre-set tolerance of the point. The accuracy tolerance can be adjusted if needed and once the focus position of the machine is within the allowable tolerance of the point to be staked, a button will appear that will allow the operator to confirm the point. Once the point is used or staked or drilled etc. the machine can move on to the next point by simply selecting any other DTM point on the screen. A CAD circle will also be drawn at each successful position so that there is a production record of what was achieved during the day. The system will automatically select the next nearest point to navigate to, based on the direction of the last two points staked. This is great for gridded layouts. For this mode, navigation is currently 2D only.
Mode 2: To String
This mode will guide a machine with a lightbar interface onto or along a geometric alignment string that was previously loaded or created by the user in Model Maker. The String can represent any alignment e.g., a road, pipeline, plant row ridges, etc. The user will select a string by tapping on or near it on the Model Maker interface. The direction of travel along the string can be inverted with a single tap on a button. The string can show all the normal display parameters of strings including arrows indicating the direction of travel for each segment of the string. The string can have any shape. When the operator selects a string, a navigation line will be drawn from the current machine position to the start node of the string. The operator is then guided with a lightbar and intuitive navigation information toward the string. Navigation information will show chainage and offset data in reference to the string. If the machine is in parallel proximity to the string, the navigation line will be shown perpendicular to the string indicating the shortest distance to the string. A lightbar offset tolerance can be set which will change the color of the lightbar in relation to how far the focus point of the machine is from the string. Darker red means you are far from the line and a lighter shade of green means you are within the offset tolerance. For this mode, navigation is currently 2D only.
Mode 3: To Surface
This mode will guide a machine over a DTM design surface and instruct the machine operator to raise or lower any machine attachment to reshape, prepare or change the current ground levels to a desired designed surface level. The “To Surface” mode will look at the active surface (project number) and report the amount of cut or fill needed at any position on the job site. As-built heights are continually recorded and updated with new heights, and in real-time, as work progress. Surface colors are updated based on the depth of cut (red) or height of fill (blue) in relation to the targeted design surface. This process can be enabled or disabled based on the operator preferences and tolerance settings and is typically used to illustrate progress and productivity. In other words, if there are lots of cut in an area the operator will see darker shades of red in those areas. As the operator works the dirt away, the system will update the colors until the whole area is green. Green will represent a tolerance value related to the targeted design levels. When the whole site is green, the job is done. Navigation controls also include an intuitive and easy-to-understand up and down arrow system with actual, design, and difference values always displayed.