Features and Specifications

All features are present at the Pro level, while the Standard level excludes some design capabilities. See the SimuTerra Levels page for more details.

Summary
Real-time design
Graphics and animation
DTMs with TINs
Contour mapping
Import DXF
Layers
Import of tabular point data
Export DXF
SketchUp complement
Compatible with modeling and CAD programs
Uses points and/or polys as data
Add or remove data from models
Filter polys
Join polys
Edit elevations by clicking
Cull data
Export road extrusions
Export road footprints
Export proposed changes
Float objects
Duplicate
Snap
Scaling coordinates
Export point data
Data by mouse
3D view
Multiple simultaneous views
Multiple document interface (MDI)
Drawing scale and size
Multiple Undo
Units of measure
Labels
Cut and fill calculations
Movies
Cross-platform

Real-time design
Watch the model being continuously redrawn in both 2D and 3D as you manipulate the data. In the Pro level, also see basic roads, building pads, proposed and cut & fill surfaces, and volumes change in real time as you work.

Graphics and animation
The terrain can appear colored and/or textured, and entourage elements (e.g. people, cars, trees, cars, and your own custom objects) can be animated.

DTMs with TINs
Create multiple digital terrain models (DTMs), using the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) method, in each document. There's no specific limit on how many data objects (points and polys) can be used as data.

Contour mapping
Contour lines are threaded through the model. You can interactively change parameters such as contour interval and the display of labels.

Import DXF
You can import raw data from a DXF-formatted text file. SimuTerra makes use of POINT, POLYLINE, LWPOLYLINE, LINE, and 3DFACE entities in DXF files.

Layers
Data in imported DXF files is usually spread among multiple layers. Those layers are respected, making it easy to find the data you want and ignore or delete the rest.

Import of tabular point data
SimuTerra can import Tab- or comma-delimited data from even the most basic spreadsheet or word processor. You indicate which items are to be read, such as point number, y, x, z, and description.

Export DXF
Export DTMs as 3DFACE or POLYLINE (polyface mesh) entities (for triangles or rectangular grid) and POLYLINE entities (for contour lines). The result is a DXF-formatted text file.

SketchUp complement
SimuTerra can import edges exported from a SketchUp foam core model, and create a DTM in one step; no other program can do this. The model can then be exported in your choice of SketchUp's preferred formats.

Compatible with modeling and CAD programs
Import data from, and export data to, 3D modeling and CAD programs such as SketchUp, VectorWorks, AutoCAD and BOA.

Uses points and/or polys as data
Work with any combination of discrete topo shots, polys derived from old maps, or data entered by mouse.

Add or remove data from models
Add or remove data from an existing terrain model, and the model will be automatically recalculated.

Filter polys
You can often remove 80% to 90% of the vertices from imported contours with minimal impact on the results. This will lead to much faster DTM calculation, and a similar reduction in the polygon count when you export the DTM.

Join polys
If simple polys are strung end to end, they can be automatically joined (i.e. merged or spliced) into complex polys. This can make it much easier to filter or edit polys, create roads, etc.

Edit elevations by clicking
This makes it much easier, for instance, to take a collection of 2D contours and "inflate" them into 3D with a series of clicks.

Cull data
Various options allow you to deselect data by various criteria, so as to more easily end up with a data set from which to create a DTM. This is especially helpful when working with foam core models exported from SketchUp.

Export road extrusions
Extrude any number of closed polys (e.g. pavement, curbs) along any number of roads. The extrusions can be exported to a DXF file, and are grouped for easy manipulation, texturing, etc.

Export road footprints
For each selected road poly you can export to DXF the road centerline and its horizontal projection; the edge of pavement and its horizontal projection; and the horizontal project of the daylight line (the edge of cut and fill).

Export proposed changes
Sometimes you may want to export only the modifications to a terrain, such as a road or a building pad; this can be done in one step.

Float objects
Points, polys, and entels can be commanded to "float" to the surface of a DTM.

Duplicate
Any object - even an entire DTM - can be duplicated.

Snap
When dragging points, polys, and poly vertices, you can have them snap to a point or poly vertex to which you drag.

Scaling coordinates
Scale object coordinates in X, Y, and/or Z by any factor. For instance, you can exaggerate elevations, or enter a negative value to make underwater depth readings negative.

Export point data
Select some points, then export them in tabular format for import into other programs such as for stakeout.

Data by mouse
Draw and edit points and polys with the mouse. Drag to move or raise points, polys, or poly vertices. Polys may be toggled back and forth between being open or closed.

3D view
In a 3D view, the models may be displayed in wireframe, or rendered and optionally smoothed, using OpenGL. Colors are set by the user. The view may be rotated at will by dragging with the mouse.

Multiple simultaneous views
Create multiple simultaneously-viewed 2D and 3D views, with independent controls for each. Any number of windows may be opened for each document. Each window may be toggled between 2D and 3D viewing. Using the mouse and keyboard, the view in each window may be individually and smoothly zoomed and panned.

Multiple document interface (MDI)
Multiple SimuTerra documents can be open at once (and multiple views for each of those documents), allowing the user to see various scenarios side by side.

Drawing scale and size
Can be changed at any time, or set to fit the data. When printing a 2D view, this scale is used, irregardless of the current zoom. A 3D view can also be printed. Make the drawing any number of pages in size.

Multiple Undo
Undo and Redo any number of times since the document was last saved.

Units of measure
A wide variety of units of measure may be used, both English and metric; switch back and forth without changing the actual sizes or locations of objects. Independently change units and display format for different purposes, such as coordinates, rulers, lengths, elevations, and contours.

Labels
Each object and DTM may have a label consisting of a variety of optional items; the label is updated automatically as the object changes.

Cut and fill calculations
Calculate cut, fill, and net volumes for each model, as well as plan and slope areas. Volumes can be displayed dynamically as you manipulate the model's underlying data (Pro level only).

Movies
You can record a movie of the contents of any one 3D view, then play it in many other programs.

Cross-platform
SimuTerra runs on both Macintosh and Windows. Files saved on either platform can be read by SimuTerra on either platform.

SPECIFICATIONS

System requirements: Mac OS X version 10.2 or later. Windows: Windows 98 or newer (may have some problems on 98 and NT; test it on your particular system). Hardware from around the year 2000 or later.

Price: Standard: US$100 (without design), or Pro: $200 (with design).

Trial: Download a free installer to run at the limited trial level; request keys for a free 30-day trial at the Pro level.

Free support: We give free email support for one year since your last purchase or upgrade of SimuTerra, as well as free phone support for the first month. We also plan to have a user forum on our web site.

CURRENT VERSION: 1.1.20 (May 17, 2005)