Hi Folks
Just so you know, I finally dug out that IDF curve from Alabama. Calera, Alabama actually, I get nostalgic just thinking about it.
At my new place of work I have been using Civil 3D a little bit. I was excited to use it as it finishes off my journey of software packages from: LDD > Eagle Point > PDS > Civil 3D. I like to spend a few years on a Civils package before moving on. It’s healthy.
Civil 3D comes equipped with an add-on of Hydraflow for storm sewer design. I haven’t really messed with it yet but I understand I could use it in the UK if I input the IDF curves I came up with below. Although, after comparing the IDF curves below with Alabama’s curve I am wondering if I’ve done this correctly. They seem so extreme in their gradient change!
This brings me to my next piece of news. Civil 3D bought Boss International last fall and I assume they have incorporated Boss’s software into AutoCAD in order to make it the most uber-design package known to man.
A little birdy told me today that Boss will be rolling out a fully functional UK version of their software for drainage design. Could this be the package that gives Microdrainage a run for their money? Up to now we haven’t seen much, so I’m hoping the competition is a little more fierce from Boss. A little competition can go a long way to improving these software packages!
Stuffing the old Boss software into AutoCAD or into Civil 3D won’t necessarily produce a great drainage design package. But as you say, competition is a good thing, so bring it on!
Of course, if there are any improvements you want to see in WinDes, just have a word with the nice people at Micro Drainage – you never know.
David – one of the (hopefully) nice people at Micro Drainage
Hi David, Thanks for the comment! I’m not crossing my fingers for a great design package, especially not from a company that isn’t based in the UK. You can’t really understand the weather until you live in it, right?
As for Microdrainage improvements, I’ve been using it for the past 5 years and I have to say I’m pleased with W12.0! Muliple Networks alone changed our lives overnight.
Something that I’ve been thinking about recently, and will try to put into words soon, is the idea of using Civil CAD software for presentation of drainage design or Civil Hydraulic software for presentation of design. I’ve always used the hydraulics as a back-up to the CAD presentation software.
Recently I’ve seen the two try to merge together. The race is on, it seems, and I’m just trying to figure out what makes life easiest for me.