Trimble vs TopCon

[koolair]

Anyone here generate point layouts for sleeves and hanger points?

I heard TopCon is revolutionizing this process by adding a GoPro camera, and is reputed to be much cheaper.

Also, Autodesk has a subscription add-on called Autodesk Point Layout (APL) which I'm testing.

How is that compared with Trimble Field Points (TFP), which I'm also testing?

I just tried with APL today but the tablet would not show any points, grid points or sleeve points.

So I downloaded the TFP. It can automatically populate my model with grid points but there's a function called "Place Points over Family", which makes me wonder if I can't utilize a nested point inside of my sleeve family.

Look forward to any feedback.

Cheers.

[Twiceroadsfool]

APL can also create and tag the nested points, which- honestly- I'm sure all the apps can do.

You can also do it with regular families and Dynamo, or Excitech's plugin, or a number of others.

You can use a nested point in the sleeve with any of the apps, as long as the point family is nested and shared.

Sent from my Phablet. Please excuse typos... and bad ideas.

Aaron Maller
Director
Parallax Team, Inc.

[Scott D Davis]

Anyone here generate point layouts for sleeves and hanger points?

I heard TopCon is revolutionizing this process by adding a GoPro camera, and is reputed to be much cheaper.

Also, Autodesk has a subscription add-on called Autodesk Point Layout (APL) which I'm testing.

How is that compared with Trimble Field Points (TFP), which I'm also testing?

I just tried with APL today but the tablet would not show any points, grid points or sleeve points.

So I downloaded the TFP. It can automatically populate my model with grid points but there's a function called "Place Points over Family", which makes me wonder if I can't utilize a nested point inside of my sleeve family.

Look forward to any feedback.

Cheers.

Send me a PM regarding Autodesk Point Layout (APL) and BIM 360 Layout...i want to find out where you are located and them myself or another Technical Specialist at Autodesk can give you a demonstration of the tools and how they work.

APL is the tool that runs on top of Autocad, Revit, and Navisworks which automated the placement of points on nearly any object, and yes, APL can embed points in families so the moment they are inserted in a project, the points are already there. BIM 360 Layout is an iPad app that can connect to Topcon, Leica, and other Robotic Total Stations (except Trimble, since Trimble uses a proprietary connection protocol). Your points can be pushed from the office directly to the site via BIM 360, so your layout guys can have instant access to the points. the Layout app also allows you to collect points from the field for QA/QC/Verification that can be round-tripped back to the authoring software to perform deviation analysis.

look forward to speaking with you...

[Dave Jones]

Anyone here generate point layouts for sleeves and hanger points?

I heard TopCon is revolutionizing this process by adding a GoPro camera, and is reputed to be much cheaper.

Also, Autodesk has a subscription add-on called Autodesk Point Layout (APL) which I'm testing.

How is that compared with Trimble Field Points (TFP), which I'm also testing?

I just tried with APL today but the tablet would not show any points, grid points or sleeve points.

So I downloaded the TFP. It can automatically populate my model with grid points but there's a function called "Place Points over Family", which makes me wonder if I can't utilize a nested point inside of my sleeve family.

Look forward to any feedback.

Cheers.

I use TFP but am not MEP, I'm architectural. I use Trimble "markers" in my families for things like slab edge or curb top concrete embed channels then TFP places Trimble points automatically where ever there are markers in the project. And then outputs those points to a file used by the laser, in my case a Trimble LM80. I bought TFP before APL was available so can't speak to the differences. I did check APL pricinig a couple of years ago and it was more expensive than TFP at the time. If you need any specific info about how to use TFP I'd be glad to help here or you can PM me and we'll email

[koolair]

...(except Trimble, since Trimble uses a proprietary connection protocol)...

I am working with a team that already has a Trimble RTS and my testing the APL app was just an exercise from ignorance.

Thanks for your input and generous offer to help Scott! I will keep you in mind if my team wants to get more points layout hardware.

[koolair]

...If you need any specific info about how to use TFP I'd be glad to help here or you can PM me and we'll email

I'm in the process of trouble shooting this with a Trimble guy so we are likely to resolve this soon but thanks so much for your
offer to help Dave! Glad I come around here often.

[koolair]

Been running around meeting to meeting, email to email, model to model...didn't mean to ignore you guys...just super busy all of a sudden.