PlanSwift's icon blinked on his screen like a promise. He tapped it. The interface opened with clean lines, the satellite imagery of the parcel drifting into focus. He imported the topo and the client’s design, and the software began to breathe — contour lines resolving into elevations, cross-sections assembling themselves with a kind of mechanical patience. It suggested swaps, showed how pushing a berm a few feet west could save trucking costs by the dozen. It gave him options he hadn't known the land could offer.
Placing distinct markers on a plan that correspond to specific elevations.
PlanSwift Earthwork Pro V3 balances sophisticated digital terrain modeling with user-friendly accessibility. By automating the math behind contours, subgrades, and material compaction factors, it removes the guesswork from sitework estimation. For businesses already using PlanSwift for their architectural and structural takeoffs, adding this plugin provides a unified platform to estimate projects from the underground utilities up to the roof line.
If you are a grading subcontractor working on commercial pads, residential subdivisions, or site prep for warehouses, v3 is the sweet spot. If you are building a highway interchange or a dam, you need Civil 3D or AgTek.
For those ready to move beyond manual calculations and embrace a more efficient digital workflow, Earthwork Pro V3 provides a reliable, powerful, and professional solution that can help you win more bids and build them more profitably. Start with the 14-day free trial to see how it fits your specific projects, and you'll quickly understand why this upgrade is a standard tool for modern earthwork estimation. planswift earthwork pro v3
The plugin integrates directly into the PlanSwift ribbon bar, providing a dedicated toolset for complex site grading and excavation projects. constructconnect-help.atlassian.net EarthWorkPro V3
Download the 14-day trial of PlanSwift Earthwork Pro v3 from the official PlanSwift website. Import a past project and re-run the numbers. You will likely find errors in your original bid—and that alone will justify the investment.
Before major grading begins, topsoil must usually be stripped and stockpiled. Version 3 allows users to define specific stripping depths across the entire site or within localized zones. It also tracks the volume needed for final re-spreading, helping teams determine if they need to import or export topsoil. 4. Multi-Layer Subgrade Adjustments
Underground utilities require specialized calculations. Earthwork Pro V3 features a dedicated trenching template where users can input trench variables such as depth, width, pipe diameter, bedding depth, and pipe zone backfill. It automatically quantifies the excavated volume, required bedding materials, and backfill totals, directly linking these quantities to the estimating tab for accurate material pricing. 4. Visual Cut and Fill Reporting PlanSwift's icon blinked on his screen like a promise
Upload your existing and proposed grading plans. Use the scaling tool on a known dimension to ensure 100% accuracy. If the plans are separate sheets, use the overlay feature to align them perfectly. 2. Tracing the Existing Grade (Aero-Contours)
PlanSwift Earthwork Pro V3 represents a major step forward for site excavation and grading takeoff technology. Earthwork estimation is historically one of the most volatile phases of a construction project, where minor calculation errors lead to massive budget overruns. This version of the plugin addresses those risks directly by integrating automated volume calculations into the standard PlanSwift interface.
Allows estimators to input multi-layered soil profiles (e.g., topsoil stripping, rock layers, select fill) for highly granular itemized estimates.
Load the site plan PDF or TIFF into PlanSwift. He imported the topo and the client’s design,
: For a visual walkthrough, PlanSwift provides a comprehensive 1-hour and 3-minute full-length overview video on their YouTube channel, as well as a shorter 2-minute highlight video covering the new features in V3.
If you want to dive deeper into maximizing your software setup, let me know. I can provide specific advice tailored to your business needs, whether you are trying to figure out how to configure , export your final data into Excel bidding templates , or manage advanced vertical retaining walls . Share public link
Once spot elevations and contours are digitized, the plugin uses a triangulation algorithm. With a single click, it triangulates the spaces between the points to calculate the topography. This generates an accurate 3D model that immediately highlights areas requiring cut (dirt removal) and fill (dirt addition). 3. Comprehensive Trenching Templates
Using the "Earthwork" ribbon tab, select "Existing Grade." Trace the contour lines. You don't need every minor contour (though more data equals higher accuracy), but you must capture the major topographical changes. v3 allows you to right-click a contour line and assign an elevation quickly.