Connected Construction Workflows for Earthworks

The goal in this workflow to prepare project and design data for field crews using machines that are running Trimble® Earthworks. This workflow guide walks you through configuring a WorksManager project with project and design data that can be sent to Earthworks via WorksManager. When field crews then synchronize their on-machine devices, they will have the latest designs.

Prerequisites:

  • License; See the Subscription Plans page. For a license matrix by command, see the License page in the TBC Community. Also see View and manage licensed features.
  • Trimble Identity (TID) credentials (user name and password); create it here.
  • A WorksManager account; contact your SITECH dealer for details.
  • For existing WorksManager projects, access to them granted by the people who created them
  • Earthworks firmware running on a Trimble machine control box
  • Also see Earthworks hardware and software system requirements.

Workflows

Data exchange between TBC and Earthworks via WorksManager:

This workflow leverages the power of all three systems: TBC (office), WorksManager (cloud), Earthworks (field).

  1. Import and clean up the data you need to perform your Earthworks tasks on a site.
  2. Create additional data as needed.
  3. Organize your data by layer, deleting unneeded objects and layers.
  4. Set the data sync area for VCL file exchange with Earthworks via WorksManager, and configure a WorksManager profile in External Services.
  5. Open WorksManager and create a project as a container for project and design data.
  6. In TBC, configure the project, add project data, and assign it to the WorksManager project in your account.
  7. Create one or more designs for the project and add design data.
  8. Resolve conflicts between your TBC and WorksManager project and design data.
  9. Push any unpublished design data to WorksManager.
  10. Load the WorksManager project and a design in Earthworks. See Earthworks help in your Trimble Earthworks Assistant phone app.
  11. Perform earthmoving tasks in Earthworks.

Data exchange between TBC and Earthworks via USB flash drive:

This workflow allows you to bypass WorksManager if you do not have an account or your Earthworks machine control boxs are not online (connected to the Internet).

  1. Import and clean up the data up the data you need to perform your Earthworks tasks on a site. Create additional data as needed. Organize your data by layer, deleting unneeded objects and layers.
  2. Set the data sync area for VCL file exchange with Earthworks via WorksManager.
  3. Configure and add project data and assign it to an offline WorksManager project.
  4. Create one or more designs for the project and add design data.
  5. Publish the design data to your local WorksManager folder in the data sync area. This creates the VCL file.
  6. Copy project files to a USB flash drive for manual transfer to disconnected Earthworks machine control boxs.
  7. Load the WorksManager project and a design in Earthworks. See Earthworks help in your Trimble Earthworks Assistant phone app.
  8. Perform earthmoving tasks in Earthworks.

Direct data exchange between WorksManager and Earthworks:

This workflow allows you to bypass TBC if you do not have a license, although you may need to get data from a colleague who uses TBC. See details in the WorksManager help.

  1. Assemble data files for a WorksManager project. These can come from a variety of sources, including TBC and other CAD or civil engineering programs.
  2. Open WorksManager and create a project. Configure the project and add project data.
  3. Create one or more designs for the project and add design data. Publish the designs to create the VCL for Earthworks.
  4. Load the WorksManager project and a design in Earthworks.
  5. Add machine control boxes to your account and a Earthworks project.
  6. Perform earthmoving tasks in Earthworks.

Related topics

Understanding Connected Construction Data Exchange

About the VCL Data Exchange Format

Exchange Project Data and VCL Designs Between TBC and Earthworks

Manage Connected Construction Data Exchange