Create materials and site improvements so they can be used to perform takeoff calculations and mass haul analysis.

Following are the basic steps for this workflow. For more detailed instructions, see Create a Material Process in the Material and Site Improvement Manager.

Steps:

Commands:

1

If you plan to import data into a new project, setup your program and project. Otherwise, open an existing project.

New Project - Choose a template.

Import

Open Project

2.

Organize your data by layer:

Create new layers and rename existing layers.

Relayer remaining objects so they are logically segregated.

Group layers with similar data types.

Name layers so that they are clearly identifiable and so that it is obvious that they relate to the original ground, finished design, or utilities.

Layer Manager

Layer Group Manager

New Layer

3.

Open the Material and Site Improvement Manager.

Use the manager to create libraries of construction materials and the site improvements they are used to build in preparation for takeoff calculations.

Material and Site Improvement Manager

4.

Review any materials or site improvements that exist in your Project Library.

5.

If needed, open the sample external library that comes with the software or a different external library that you or a colleague have created. The default external library is located at:

C:\Program Files\Trimble\Trimble Business Center\Support\iv\Trial Materials and Site Improvement Library.mxl

Open External Library
(no links for these internal commands from here below)

6.

Review the materials and site improvements in the External Library.

7.

If you want to edit the External Library, but do not want to overwrite it (or you are using the default external library), save it as a new external library that you can modify. This new library automatically becomes the current External Library.

Save External Library As

8.

Edit categories, materials, and site improvements in the External Library if you want those changes to be available in other projects.

9.

Save any changes to the External Library.

Save External Library

10.

Copy/move categories and items within and between your Project Library and External libraries.

You can move and copy categories and individual materials and site improvements freely within or between your project library and external library, as long as the items have the same types of properties.

Copy From Library

These actions can be performed using toolbar, menu, and context menu commands. In addition, you can drag-and-drop items between compatible categories within a library or between libraries.

11.

Create and edit categories in your Project Library.

New Material Category

New Site Improvement Category

12.

Create and edit earthen materials.

New Earthen (Mass Earthworks) Material

New Earthen (Select) Material

13.

Create and edit materials.

New Material

14.

Create and edit site improvements.

New Site Improvement

15.

Close the Material and Site Improvement Manager.

Your project library is automatically saved within your project.

16.

Use the materials and site improvements in your project library in your project. If needed, proceed to one of the other workflows.