Export WorksManager Design Files (.vcl)

Use the WorksManager Design Exporter to either export a WorksManager design file (.vcl) locally or upload it directly to Trimble Connect in a simple way that bypasses TBC's multi-step WorksManager workflow. This exporter allows you to create designs for Trimble field apps that include: SCS900, Siteworks, GCS900, Earthworks, PCS900, Roadworks, DPS900, and Groundworks, even if you do not have a WorksManager license. The output file matches what the TBC WorksManager Design Manager Publish command creates (with Cleanup VCL file project setting set to Yes), which eliminates all but the required object dependencies needed to create the various design file types required by the field apps. Although a VCL, the exported file is converted into the same type of design file used in WorksManager, including data for different file types.

Warning: This exporter does not support design versioning in TBC like the WorksManager workflow does, but if you use the same file name for new design versions, Trimble Connect handles versioning based on the VCL's timestamp. In Trimble Connect's Detail Panel for a design, you can see the current version, version history, and download a previous version. See File Version History in the Trimble Connect for Browser help.

To export (or upload to Trimble Connect) a WorksManager design file:

Note: For general instructions on exporting data files, see Export Data.

Select Export in Home > Data Exchange. The Export command pane displays.
Click the Construction tab. The available exporters appear.
Select WorksManager VCL exporter in the File Format list.
Note: The VCL Project Link exporter cannot be used in the same way; it does not create design files that are compatible with field apps/devices.
Select the kind of model you want to export in the Model type list. The pane updates, indicating the types of data you need (see export details in the table below).
- None - This type is selected by default.
- Surface - Select this to export a surface, an optional clipping boundary, and design map objects.
- Alignment - Select this to specify one or more alignments for the model.
  Note: The alignment model can be made from 3D alignments defined by a HAL and a VAL, and 2D alignments defined by a HAL alone (if either no VAL exists or more than one VAL exists).
- Road surface - Select this to export a surface, boundary, alignment, and design map objects.
  Note: For a road surface model, the alignment and surface you select must be coincident.
- 3D linework - Select this to export 3D CAD lines and linestrings, and design map objects.
- Material layer - Select this to export a specific subgrade (as a surface) from an area-based site improvement, boundary, and design map objects.
- User-defined - Select this to pick any variety of object types for the model.
  Note: Some objects that you select for the User-defined model type may or may not be supported in the 'downstream' field apps you import into, but they will be in the VCL that is generated.
  Note: If the surface used in your design model contains a boundary, all breaklines in the surface will appear as unnamed features when the surface is viewed in GCS. If the surface in your design model does not contain a boundary, the breakline names will appear in GCS.
Top add Stakeout Points and Design Map objects, click in the Objects to add or remove box for each. Then, in a graphic view, pick the objects you want to include in the export, or click Options and choose a selection option in the list.
- Stakeout Points - Pick points with a quality of Mapping or Unknown in a graphic view or the Project Explorer.
- Design Map - Select CAD points and surveyed points, alignments, CAD text, and CAD lines, linestrings, and boundaries.
Click the Add or Remove button to add or remove the selected objects from your data to export.
Type a path and file name for the exported file in the File Name box, or click the Browse button to browse for a location and specify a file name.
If you want to export another file after this one, uncheck the Close command after export box.
In the Settings group, set export properties, if applicable.
Click Export to save the selected data to a local file or Remote Save to upload the VCL to Trimble Connect.
1. For a remote save, sign in (if needed) to Trimble Connect with your Trimble Identity (TID) credentials.
2. Select your Account > Project > Designs > TBC output.
3. Click Save.
4. Use the Trimble Connect Explorer to review the VCL data.
  Note: VCL design conversions enter a queue, so it can take some minutes to process.
Close the pane.