AGTEK R & D Wiki

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====== Materials/Underground  (no 3D or 4D) ======

===== Version 1.06e (2nd Release) =====

This is the followup to the initial release of Materials but also Underground and is intended to both clean up some unfinished issues and add functionality that was not done for the initial release.


  * Curb and Gutter Output (Arc retention support)
  * Phases on Materials
  * Cost Code Lists (Access synced)
  * Bidding Excel Outputs
      * Bid2Win & HCSS (others?) 
  * Access Synced Structures and Materials lists
  * Optimized KMZ files
  * Phasing for Highway
  * Applying Trenches to Templates
  * More Standalone Materials and/or Underground
  * Symbol Improvements
  * Access synchronized Structures/Materials/Cost Code Lists
  * COGO entry of pipe runs
  * LandXML COGO output of pipe runs for Machine Control
  * Calculator


Curb and Gutter Output (Arc retention support)
Phases on Materials
Cost Code Lists (Access synced)
Bidding Excel Outputs
Bid2Win & HCSS (others?) 
Access Synced Structures and Materials lists
Optimized KMZ files

Phasing for Highway
Applying Trenches to Templates

More Standalone Materials and/or Underground
  
  * Access synchronized Structures/Materials/Cost Code Lists




===== Adding Cost Codes and Excel formatting to Materials/Underground =====


==== The parts ====

Common Code Lists in Access. Downloadable and kept synced on startup
Increased Size of Structure Dialog. A




Do Phases choices in Materials section since we have to increase the size of the dialog anyway for this change. 

==== Importing cost code lists as Structures  =====


=====  User Flow =====

The user has structures lists with Cost codes in them  (ask Scott, is a code part of a structure or part of material or both) Upon startup if internet available, the progam checks the existing code lists against the code lists up there and downloads new ones as necessary. Code lists exist on the local machine, can be edited and uploaded there to the server.


====  Bid2 Win Format Excel  =====

Bid2Win has a specific column format for export. 

Column	Value

A   B C D        G





==== Symbol import of SVG files  ====

We talked about making symbols earlier from SVG files and I verified the current way they can be added. Attached is a svg file that was just a SS manhole modified to have a solid center circle. If placed in the \AGTEK\Resources\Symbols folder on startup the program creates png equivalent. If Edit symbols within Materials is used it will appear there as an option but needs to be enabled on that list to be used.

Ideally we’d streamline the process by adding an import on the Symbols dialog and allow picking .svg and maybe .png files to import so the process is a little less opaque. I don’t anticipate supporting every sort of svg file because they can have everything from bitmaps to gradients within them and we would not be able to display them correctly. That said we can probably parse the file and just use the things we can read which is pretty rich and a better representation of most things drawn on plan sheets.

I see no reason for us to create functions to draw .svg files like the old materials. Inkscape is free and capable and there are plenty of others out there as well. We can also supplement it more icons ourselves.

FYI, I’m working on the story for code lists but that also includes storing Structures and Materials lists on the cloud. By reading Scott’s reply it looks like he’s mainly looking for codes on structures rather than Materials but I’m going to clarify that. The natural way to support code lists that follow the current patten of Materials and Structures is to have a Code list dialog similar to Materials on the Edit menu. From there we could import/export/upload and it would save to a .csv similar to what we do now. We’ll add the upload to the Materials and Structure dialogs as well but that will require us to build the support into the server for them. Not difficult since the pattern is already established but something we may stage later depending on timing. Also because we need to widen the Structure window to support a code list column, it’s probably also the time to add materials phasing that we’ve been planning for.  











====== Old Specification ======



** I no longer have any association with this program (MC) 9/25/2018 **

This a rewrite to a common codebase with Earthwork but it is a standalone program. There is no dependence on Sitework/Gradework and Underground is not integrated either. The basic concept is:

  * A shared file format. The MK3 goes away
  * Users should not have to ever re-enter data (high on the annoyance factor
  * Whenever possible the interface and way of doing things is identical
  * The toggle between programs feature of Trackwork/Gradework is integrated although perhaps smaller for space
  * The data flow is omnidirectional. It can flow from Materials to Sitework and vice-versa.





===== Foundations ====

  *  Structures List - Multiple Lists, Master Lists on Access, 
  *  Materials List
  *  Phases - Phase Regions
  * Work Layers
  * Entry - Lengths, Areas, Counts, Documentation Elements
  * Printing - Single sheet Reporting, Layout
   * Import
  * Export
  * Reporting - Sorting, Filtering



 ===== Earthwork Integration =====
 
  * Use/Applying Materials Areas as Sectional Areas (designating whether an areas should be used as a sectional areas)
  * Adding Structures List to Region Entry in Sitework (Revamping of Sectional Entry for interaction with Structures List. Augmenting Line Editor for Sectional entry.)






===== Features =====

Floating palettes during entry. May require right-click ala Sitework to go into an intermediate mode for selection of different structure

Work Layers - A user nameable organization method. For example we might create a demolition work layer with several phases. 





Materials Calculator? Typing in calculations for structure entry (ie 1.4'/12) etc. or a dedicated calculator for common conversions.


User created PNG symbols - Also exported to Google Earth and supporting transparency. SVG too?

Filtering on reports reflected on graphics - 
  * Essentially two way filtering
  * Wildcard supported 

Support for PNG/SVG User patterns 


===== Screen Prototypes =====

Some early screen element prototypes. More designed to show the complete screens rather than steps.

{{:windows:materials2018:materials_screen.png?600|}}



{{:windows:materials2018:materials_screen_std_struct_view.png?600|}}





===== Materials Toolbar Options =====

This is an amalgamation of the existing materials and sitework where appropriate. The descriptions are: L-R



{{:windows:materials2018:materials_toolbar.png?600|}}

  * Home
  * Pan
  * Area Select
  * Layer View Control - This is new to materials but could easily be used to control visibility from one place rather than the series of places that Materials currently uses. Thing of a Work Layer, by structure, or phase control. All in one place
  * Show Areas - in Materials now
  * Show Lengths - in Materials now
  * Show Counts - An odd oversight in the old materials program
  * Show Annotation - Materials now
  * Select by Line label
  * Enter Benchmarks
  * Offset Lines
  * Templates - We don't have elevation in Materials but it seems useful to be able to create multiple lines at once with labels for materials entry.
  * Join - In materials now
  * Swap Ends - In materials now
  * Trim - In materials now
  * Force Close - In materials now
  * Send to print page - In materials now
  * Note - Match the documentation layer in sitework for KMZ output





















====== Future Features ======

Do we support Cost Codes on Structures or Materials?

 Adding columns of user defined data
    *  Cost Codes
    * Accounting codes
    * Essentially freeform strings - User names the column and enters the string. Should it be part of structure and and a Material? Allows for searching

Shared Structures, Materials, Cost Code lists to and from AGTEK Access. The cost code list is already supported by Access.





====== Menus  ======

^ Now   |                          ^ Sitework  |                     ^ 2018  |                        |                  |
^  File ^                          ^      File ^                     ^  File ^                        ^                  ^
|       | New                      |           | New                 |       | New                    |                  |
|       | Open                     |           | Open                |       | Open                   |                  |
|       | --------                 |           | Recent Files        |       | Recent Files           |                  |
|       | Close                    |           | Import              |       | Import >               | Structures List  |
|       | Save                     |           | Merge               |       | Merge                  | PDF              |
|       | Save As                  |           | -----------         |       | ----------------       | Tiff             |
|       | ----------------         |           | Save                |       | Save                   | DXF/DWG          |
|       | Import                   |           | Save As             |       | Save As                |                  |
|       | Import Structures List   |           | Export              |       | Export >               | KMZ              |
|       | Export KMZ File          |           | -----------------   |       | ---------------------  | AGT              |
|       | Export > AGT,Excel,Text  |           | Page Setup          |       | Page Setup             | CSV              |
|       | ---------------          |           | Print               |       | Print                  | XLS              |
|       | Page Setup               |           | Send to Print Page  |       | Send to Print Page     |                  |
|       | Print                    |           | ------------------  |       | --------------------   |                  |
|       | Send to Print Page       |           | Exit                |       | Exit                   |                  |
|       | ---------------          |           |                     |       |                        |                  |
|       | Exit                     |           |                     |       |                        |                  |



^ Now   |                  ^ Sitework  |                       ^ 2018  |                        |
^  Edit ^                  ^      Edit ^                       ^  Edit ^                        ^
|       | Undo             |           | Undo                  |       | Undo                   |
|       | ----------       |           | Redo                  |       | Redo                   |
|       | Copy             |           | ---------             |       | ---------              |
|       | Paste            |           | Copy                  |       | Copy                   |
|       | Delete           |           | Paste                 |       | Paste                  |
|       | ---------------  |           | Delete                |       | Delete                 |
|       | Classes          |           | ---------             |       | --------               |
|       | Phases           |           | Strata Names          |       | Work Layers            |
|       | --------------   |           | Report Region         |       | Phases                 |
|       | Structures       |           | Balance Region        |       | -----------------      |
|       | Materials        |           | ------------------    |       | Structures List        |
|       | ---------------  |           | Break Line            |       | Materials List         |
|       | Symbols          |           | Move Start            |       | Symbols                |
|       | ---------------  |           | Raise/Lower           |       | -------------------    |
|       | Tablet Scale     |           | -------------------   |       | Break Line             |
|       |                  |           | Label Selection       |       | Move Start             |
|       |                  |           | Find Elevation        |       | -------------------    |
|       |                  |           | --------------------  |       | Label Selection        |
|       |                  |           | Area Select           |       | Area Select            |
|       |                  |           | Select All            |       | Select All             |
|       |                  |           |                       |       | -----------------      |
|       |                  |           |                       |       | Tablet Scale (32 bit)  |

Cost Codes as part of output (for HCSS, Hard Dollar, for Subs)


===== Icons Materials Modes =====

  * Import
  * PlanView
  * ReportView
  * Report/Plan Split View
  * Print Page
  * Edit
  * Entry


===== Icons Materials Actions =====


  * Home
  * Pan
  * Area Zoom
  * Send to Print Page
  * Area, Length, Measure View Filters

  * Materials
  * Select All
  * Offset
  * Join
  * Swap Ends
  * Close Line
  * Trim Annotation

===== Icons New Materials Suggested =====

Modes moved up Ala' Sitework 4D








====== Story 1 - Materials Takeoff from PDF ======

Joe Customer needs to bid a job and gets the PDF plan set. It's got demo, dirt, & paving on it. First step is he starts Materials and Imports the PDF sheets he cares about. As Allen explained it's often about getting info out to subs for their bid. 






===== Current Reports =====

    * Structure Measure - Detail and Summary
          * Structure name, color, pattern, type (area length, count), phase, class, seq (kill), count, area length
    * Structures - Detail and Summary
          * Structure name, color, pattern, material, type, phase, class, seq (kill), measure, section, multiplier, quantity, units
    *  Materials Report - Detail and Summary
          * Material, type, structure name, color, pattern, phase, class, seq (kill), measure, section, multiplier, quantity, units


I haven't found anybody who uses sequence and I believe it's a vestige of the old Edge Materials that didn't have onscreen reporting for identifying item. I suggest we kill it. 

Dave has a floating Report window that's a natural to float on a second screen although it can be docked like the existing one.


===== Structure Measure Detail Report ===== 


{{:windows:materials2018:reportwindow.png?600|}}
 

This example can be copied for the other reports. The primary change is the addition the code field that's sortable. Likewise the Materials report would use the code attached to that material. This is just a string designed to make integration from other systems easier.

Other changes include a visual separation between Structures, elimination of sequence, a different symbol and representation of holes instead of just negative values. A slight bolding of totals. At the bottom are buttons to print directly, send to the print page, export the results (csv, XML?, Json?) and close.

All fields allow for sorting on any column


==== View/Display suggestion using the Report Window ====

Probably not on first release but the Report window could also serve as a unique way of reporting and filtering what is shown on the screen and reported. I'm guessing it's not possible on the first release. The idea is being able to pick any field and apply a filter based on it. For example, right clicking on a Layer cell displays a menu that allows sort changes, clearing a current filter on that column, or setting to only show that value or the inverse. Numeric values could allow greater than or less than values like Greater than 10,000 or less than. The ability to cascade filters among multiple values creates very specific reports with far greater flexibility than just the phase and work layer method and also controls visibility.


{{:windows:materials2018:reportwindowrightclick.png?600|}}



====== Story 1 - Using Materials Structures for Sitework Sectional Areas ======

When a customer has both Sitework/Gradework and Materials one of the benefits of a shared file format is the ability to designate Sectional areas with a Structure from the structure list. Likewise, Materials Structures should be able to be designated for use as a sectional area in Site files.



==== Modified Report Region Dialog ====


This is the current Report Region Dialog modified to add the Structure information. 

**NOTE: The program currently brings up the Line Editor for Sectional Areas and Report Regions. It should really bring up this window instead**

{{:windows:materials2018:ew-reportregiondialog.png?400|}}


Notice that the Sectional Depth is greyed because the Structure is set from the Structure list. The buttons to the right of the Structure combobox are to display the structure list and add a new structure. In the case of adding a new structure we'll display the Structures windows.

And when a Structure is picked the Sectional depth is applied from that structure value and the Materials breakdown displays below it. 


==== When a Materials Takeoff Comes First  ====

There's many times when the materials takeoff is done before the earthwork. In those cases we'd like to be able to apply the Area Structures as Sectional Regions in the Earthwork takeoff but that likely has to take place after the Design data is entered. In fact the user doing the sitework takeoff will likely want to snap to some of the Materials entries. 

My proposal is that we add a Materials Layer. Not only does that allow segregated information that users can snap to but it also provides the beginning of a mechanism to tell the program to use an area also as a sectional area/report region. In this view we should also support the saved colors and patterns of the structures rather than the randomized ones currently done by Sitework.


====== Materials 1.1 Paving & Curb & Gutter workflow  ======

While Earthwork could have this functionality I'm going to argue that this belongs in Materials to broaden our Materials only market. It actually adds the first element of 3D as well and starts the trend to make Materials a full fledged product line. If the customer does have Sitework and Materials we can leverage capabilities like conform, etc. but it has to be allowed to work standalone.

===== Intro =====
Automated machine control systems use to just read a 3d Polyline and use that for guidance. They've evolved to require COGO representations instead and that includes two lines for the curb and the centerline for the stationing. That includes both horizontal and vertical COGO. The output mechanism of choice is LandXML. 

While we can offer advantages to Leica paving systems the export model extends to other brands. Some of the chief Leica advantages are the ConX connection, the use of mobile apps in demo, and our support. 

Our advantages are broadening a market to companies outside of earthwork, mobile app proliferation, and expansion of tracking to paving tracks.


==== General workflow ====

  * Read the CAD File (geometry)
  * Allow the user to tag by layer or individually geometry that's going to be used.
  * Organize that data by work layer in Materials
  * Ideally we'd retain this identified geometry using the same geometry even if we represent it onscreen as a polyline
  * If the data is already 3D then we provide an interactive point review method on that data. If it isn't 3D or is wrong we provide an editing method ala' Sitework functionality to modify the line
  * Create an Export LandXML dialog that not only allows layer export modification (color/name/inclusion) and include the capability to write it to ConX.




















Happy Path

CAD file contains necessary lines specified as COGO and has three-dimensions


====Links to Test Plan Document====
https://agtek.s3.amazonaws.com/Agtek/I3IsqbHipmgC
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