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FAQ Frequently Asked
Questions
Common Seminar Questions and Answers
General and Content Related Questions . . .
Schedule and Location Related Questions . . .
Prerequisites and Related Questions . . .
Registration, Cost and Payment Related Questions . . .
Other Questions . . .
Answers . . .
Our regional seminars are regularly scheduled training classes held
at hotel conference centers in various cities throughout North America.
They provide students with comprehensive, fast-paced AGTEK software training
in a structured, lecture/demonstration format. The instructor uses
live AGTEK software to walk students through a series of progressive exercises
which have been carefully designed to teach and reinforce both basic and
advanced AGTEK skills. Although individual seminar students do not
work "hands-on" with live AGTEK software, each student receives a very detailed
and generously illustrated seminar technical handbook which clearly documents
the step-by-step procedures covered in class. For hands-on reinforcement
of the seminar applications, students can
download training
files that correspond to the step-by-step handbook exercises and reproduce
the seminar exercises at their own pace on their own AGTEK systems after
attending the seminar. Our
Day 1 and
Day 2 seminars
run from 8:30 am until 4:00~5:00 pm, with a one-hour break for lunch at
noon (lunch is provided by Earthwork Software Services), plus short breaks
at mid-morning and at mid-afternoon. Because our
Day 3 seminar
covers a lot of dense (advanced) topics, it is shorter and runs from 8:30
am until 3:30~4:00 pm (but lunch and breaks are still included).
Our regional seminars set the standard for AGTEK software training in
content, convenience, technical documentation and value. To read comments
from previous seminar attendees,
click here.
Our seminar technical manuals are popular with attendees because the
manuals provide detailed documentation of the various applications covered
in each seminar. Unlike most technical manuals (which are long on
hard-to-understand technical detail, but short on practical applications
described in plain English) our seminar manuals show you (in plain English)
exactly how to use your AGTEK software to get your takeoff and modeling
work done in less time and with fewer mistakes. The manuals mirror
the seminar presentation with illustrated, step-by-step instructions on
how to perform each application as it is performed. By doing so, the
manuals minimize note taking and allow the attendee to focus on the topics
being demonstrated and discussed. After the seminar, when the attendee
has returned to work, the manuals serve as a highly-valued reference.
Seminar students can also practice the techniques they have learned by
downloading
and using a number of data files which correspond to the exercises in the
seminar manuals. To view the table of contents for our seminar manuals,
click on the following links:
Fundamentals
of Takeoff & Modeling,
Working With
CAD & Survey Data or
Strata, Haul
Analysis, Over-Ex & Related Functions.
Our seminar courses are specifically designed for the following Windows-based
AGTEK earthwork modeling products:
Many of our seminar topics also apply to AGTEK's
GradeModel
3D (see next FAQ) and
SiteModel-Highway
software. To view the current seminar schedule,
click here.
Note: Due to insufficient demand, we no longer offer seminars for
AGTEK's legacy DOS-based Sitework Engineering, SitePlan 98 or Sitework 98
programs. For the same reason, we have discontinued our seminar for
the Graphic Grade 3D product.
Although our seminars are not specifically designed for AGTEK's
GradeModel
3D product, GradeModel 3D users can still reap tremendous benefits from
attending our seminars. With the primary exception of scaled manual
digitizing from paper plans (which GradeModel 3D does not support), essentially
all of the
Day 1,
Day 2
and Day
3 seminar topics do apply to GradeModel 3D because the product is simply
an extended version of
SiteModel
3D, including a shared menu structure and user interface. However,
GradeModel 3D also includes the modeling functions of
Highway
3D plus the haul planning functions of AGTEK's new
Trackwork
product and our seminars DO NOT address these extended functions
of GradeModel 3D.
At this time, we do not offer seminars for the Highway 3D product.
However, we have purchased the Highway 3D software from AGTEK and we do
intend to offer regional seminars for it when demand reaches a sufficient
geographic density to justify producing a regional seminar. Availability
of any new courses will be posted on this web site and notifications will
be provided through our normal fax and email announcements (if you do not
already receive our fax and email seminar announcements,
Join Our Mail List).
In the meantime, AGTEK (the software's manufacturer) provides both
live internet training and
classroom seminar training for the Highway 3D product.
For the Fall 2010 - Summer 2011 seminar season, we offer
three one-day seminars.
Our seminar courses are updated every season to reflect modifications
and improvements in the latest release version of the corresponding AGTEK
software (currently Release Version 1.61). Changes for the current
2010-2011 seminar season are outlined below (as always, these changes are
based on direct comments and suggestions from our previous attendees, as
well as on our own observations in conducting the seminars):
-
Day 1 (Fundamentals of Takeoff & Modeling)
Although there will be some content revisions to the
Day 1 seminar
for the 2010 - 2011 seminar season, the essential topics covered will
remain unchanged from last season. (If it has been a few years
since you last attended the Day 1 seminar, you may not be aware that
we now cover digitizing from
raster PDF files*
in this class (since the fall of 2008). Click to view the
Outline
and Handbook
Table of Contents for this seminar.
*Note: Manual digitizing from raster PDF files in Earthwork 3D
and SiteModel 3D requires purchase of AGTEK's optional
PDF Utility (the PDF Utility is included with GradeModel 3D).
-
Day 2 (Working with CAD & Survey Data) Although there
will be some content additions and revisions to the
Day 2 seminar
for the 2010 - 2011 seminar season, the essential topics for importing
CAD and survey data will continue from last season. In addition
to CAD and survey data, the Day 2 seminar will also document importing
and processing
vector PDF files*. To make time for this season's additions
and revisions to the CAD, vector PDF and survey data topics, last season's
brief discussion on Exporting Data for Survey, Grade Control and
Other Uses will not be covered this season (however, the technical
documentation for this eliminated in-class topic will be included as
an appendix in the new Day 2 Seminar Handbook). Click to view
the Outline
and Handbook
Table of Contents for this seminar.
*Note: Importing vector PDF files in Earthwork 3D and SiteModel
3D requires purchase of AGTEK's optional
PDF Utility (the PDF Utility is included with GradeModel 3D).
-
Day 3 (Strata, Haul Analysis, Over-Ex & Related Functions)
Although there will be some content additions and revisions to the
Day 3 seminar
for the 2010 - 2011 seminar season, the essential topics covered will
remain unchanged from last season. Because this class covers some
pretty dense (advanced) topics, it is a little shorter than the other
days, running from 8:30 am until about 3:30 or 4:00 pm. Click
to view the
Outline and
Handbook
Table of Contents for this seminar.
All AGTEK Earthwork 3D/SiteModel 3D/GradeModel 3D users who perform
dirt takeoffs should master the functions covered in the
Day 1
seminar. The Day 1 seminar addresses data entry via manual digitizing
from both paper plans and PDF files (when CAD files are not available) and
covers the vitally important steps of error checking, data editing, "break
line" entry, adjustments for topsoil stripping and design structural sections,
and calculation and reporting of cut/fill volumes. AGTEK users who
want to perform dirt takeoffs using imported CAD files (and eliminate the
need for tedious and time-consuming manual digitizing) should also master
the functions covered in the
Day 2
seminar. Depending on the specific nature of your work, the more advanced
functions covered in the
Day 3
seminar may also be of interest to AGTEK users who perform dirt takeoffs.
Click here to read
about the differences between modeling for takeoff and construction applications.
[Note: If you are using AGTEK's SitePlan 3D program (not Earthwork
3D/SiteModel 3D/GradeModel 3D) for dirt takeoffs, you should attend only
the Day 1
seminar. Click
here if you don't know which
AGTEK
product you are using.]
All Earthwork 3D/SiteModel 3D/GradeModel 3D users who use AGTEK for
GPS modeling should master the functions covered in the
Day 1
and Day 2
seminars. Although data entry for GPS models should not be based on
manual digitizing, the vitally important Day 1 seminar topics of error checking,
data editing, "break line" entry, and adjustments for design structural
sections are critically important to producing accurate and precise GPS
models. Because GPS models should be based on CAD data (data entry
via manual digitizing is too imprecise), GPS model builders must be able
to efficiently import CAD data, identify and eliminate CAD elevation errors,
and convert 2D CAD line work to 3D data lines--all of which is detailed
in the Day 2 seminar. Depending on the specific nature of your work,
the more advanced functions covered in the
Day 3
seminar may also be of interest to GPS model builders.
Click here to read
about the differences between modeling for takeoff and construction applications.
When grading plans are provided in a PDF file, the plan's line work
(contours, curbs, buildings, etc.) will be represented with either raster
or vector data. With raster data, plan line work is represented as
a bit map--a pattern of small dots (a raster PDF file is created when paper
plan sheets are scanned). With vector data, on the other hand, plan
line work is actually defined by mathematical equations (a vector PDF file
is created when plan data is plotted to a PDF file directly from a CAD system).
From the perspective of an AGTEK user that is importing a PDF grading plan,
raster line work will be manually digitized (using the techniques documented
in the Day
1 seminar) and vector line work will be processed like CAD data (using
the techniques documented in the
Day 2
seminar).
Although experienced AGTEK users should already be familiar with most
of the concepts addressed in the
Day 1
seminar, a surprisingly large number of experienced users report that they
have gained invaluable tips, tricks and insights by attending this most
fundamental seminar course. This is perhaps most true with experienced
AGTEK users when they are "self taught" (never had any formal training on
how to properly use AGTEK software) or "hand-me-down taught" (trained by
other, possibly self-taught, AGTEK users in their organization); but it
can also apply to experienced AGTEK users when it has been several years
since they last received any formal AGTEK training (our seminar courses
are updated every year to reflect ongoing changes in the AGTEK software).
Considering the simple fact that it is often difficult to "know what we
don't know", attending the Day 1 seminar can benefit even the most experienced
of AGTEK users.
That depends on the policies and requirements of the organization granting
the continuing education credits. Upon request, we will be happy to
provide the seminar attendee with a letter documenting his/her attendance,
seminar course content, and hours of instruction (a seminar day includes
6.5 to 7.5 hours of instruction).
Regional seminars are offered in numerous cities across North America
from fall through summer every year. Click to view the
current seminar schedule. If you would like to receive our fax
and email seminar schedule announcements,
Join Our Mail List.
The cities in which we offer our seminars can vary from one seminar
season to the next and such variations are inevitably based on regional
demand for our services. Because our time, resources, and energy are
limited, cities with insufficient demand are dropped in favor of other cities
and regions where demand is stronger. We sometimes also rotate our
seminars between different cities in a region (Raleigh, Charlotte and Richmond,
for example) or offer multiple cities in a single region (Orlando and Tampa,
for example) based, again, on strong demand in a particular region.
With all that said, our
seminar schedule is designed to offer enough geographic choice so that
a seminar city is no more than a short drive (or flight) away for most AGTEK
users. If our current schedule does not meet your needs and you would
like to receive future fax and/or email seminar schedule announcements,
Join Our Mail List.
Venue and lodging information is typically available
at least three to four weeks in advance of a specific seminar location's
event date. If your company is already registered for a seminar location,
this information will be emailed to you as soon as it is available.
Access to venue information is also available from the
Seminar Locations and Schedule Page of this website (click on a seminar
city location for venue and lodging information).
If you do not wish to
register for a
seminar at this time, but you would like to automatically receive Seminar
Schedule Announcements and City Location Reminders, you can
Join Our Mail List.
Anyone needing a better understanding of AGTEK software functions and
capabilities will benefit from attending our regional seminars and seminar
attendees typically include:
-
Hands-On AGTEK Users These are the estimators, project
engineers, project managers, and surveyors that routinely use AGTEK
software to do earthwork calculations and build 3D grading models.
In terms of increased knowledge, confidence and productivity, hands-on
users have the most to gain from attending the seminars and it is no
surprise that hands-on users are the most common seminar attendees.
(Prerequisites apply for hands-on users.)
-
Hands-Off AGTEK Users These are the owners, managers,
and pricing estimators that rely on the results of AGTEK software (quantity
reports and supporting documentation) but may never actually use AGTEK
software themselves. Because hands-off users often underestimate
or misunderstand what can be accomplished with AGTEK software, hands-off
users attend the seminars to learn what they can reasonably expect their
hands-on AGTEK users to do for them.
-
Potential AGTEK Users These are individuals considering
a purchase of AGTEK software and who want a better technical understanding
of the product before making their final purchase decision. What
better way is there to make an informed purchase decision than to participate
in an unbiased training session with users that have already purchased
AGTEK software?
It is assumed that all seminar attendees have a basic understanding
of earthwork concepts and that they know how to read grading plans.
For those attending the seminars only to make a product purchase evaluation,
or only to understand what the products are capable of doing, no other prerequisites
apply. However, these fast-paced, lecture/demonstration style seminars
are designed to take other attendees (those who are "hands-on" users of
the products) well beyond the basic training provided to them by AGTEK at
the time of purchase. For hands-on users, the following prerequisites
also apply:
Day 1: Some hands-on experience with Earthwork 3D, SitePlan
3D, SiteModel 3D, or GradeModel 3D is strongly recommended. Students
with no prior experience on these products may be overwhelmed by the volume
and detail of information presented, especially if they will also be registering
for the Day 2 and/or
Day 3 seminars
(for new users with no prior experience, AGTEK's
hands-on training options may be a more appropriate introduction to
the products).
Nothing much beyond a good night's sleep, your AGTEK questions, and
a desire to learn. A yellow highlighter would be useful if you wish
to mark important points in your
seminar handbook.
Attendees that are in the habit of taking notes can bring a notepad and
a pencil or pen, if desired (but the detailed seminar handbook is intended
to minimize the need for taking too many notes). The seminars are
presented in a structured, fast-paced, lecture/demonstration format, so
please DO NOT bring your AGTEK computers and roll-up digitizers to
the seminar meeting room.
To select the seminar(s) appropriate to your needs, it is imperative
that you identify which
AGTEK product
you are using. The surest way to identify your AGTEK product is to
start the AGTEK program on your computer and select Help > About...
from the pull-down menu, which will produce a window identifying the name,
version number and release date of the product.
If you can't do that, then examine the AGTEK product manuals that came
with your AGTEK system or call AGTEK at (925) 606-8197 and ask them to check
their database to identify the products you own.
The easiest way to register is by using our
online registration
system which provides the advantages of (1) an immediate confirmation of
your registration, (2) an instant online invoice, (3) a choice of paper
check and instant online eCheck payment options, and (4) the ability to
check your registration and payment status online at any time.
If you prefer not to register online, please call or email us for manual
registration alternatives (be advised that manual registration may delay
the processing of your registration by up to 2 business days and a $50 processing
fee will be added to our quoted tuition rates). Class size is limited
and seminar registrations are processed on a "first-come, first-served"
basis, so please don't delay in submitting your registration!
The cost of tuition ranges from $540 to $750 per person, per day, depending
on the availability of any applicable
Early Pay
Discount.
Seminar tuition covers only admission to the seminar and a catered lunch.
All other meals, lodging, transportation, and other personal needs are the
responsibility of the attendee.
[Note: For attendees wishing to stay overnight at the seminar hotel,
a group discount is usually available for our students. Information
on any available group discount will be provided with the
venue announcement.]
Yes, and you can also reprint an updated invoice (reflecting any expired
Early Pay Discount and/or payments received). Once you have registered,
simply click any
Customer Support link or "Customer Support" button on this website and
enter the Email Address and WEB Invoice Number corresponding to your registration
(both can be found on your WEB Invoice).
[Note: If the information shown on your copy of our registration
confirmation and invoice are correct (and we have not contacted you about
any late payment), your registration status is in good standing.]
Our online Confirmation/Invoice page uses a pop-up window to display
its information and you will not be able to take advantage of this feature
if your web browser, browser add-ons, or internet security software are
set to block pop-ups.
Click here for technical
tips on how to disable pop-up blockers.
[Tip: The Ctrl key can be used to temporarily override many
pop-up blockers on Windows computers--try holding the Ctrl key down when
clicking the blocked link. If you are still unable to view the pop-up
window, you will need to change your web browser and internet security software
settings to allow pop-up
windows.]
Tuition payment may be made by check or money order, payable to Earthwork
Software Services, LLC and sent to 112 Wisteria Way, Stockbridge,
GA 30281 USA.
[Note: Earthwork Software Services is not affiliated with the software
manufacturer (AGTEK) and we cannot accept checks payable to "AGTEK".]
Your specific tuition Payment Due Date is stated on your registration
confirmation and invoice. In general, the tuition Payment Due Date
is the earlier of any applicable
Cut-Off Date or 30 days from
the date of registration. Please understand that any students who
have not paid their tuition in full will not be admitted to the corresponding
seminar.
Unfortunately, due to an increased number of transaction problems (unjustified
"chargebacks"), we no longer accept tuition payments via credit card.
If you need to make a quick payment because of an approaching
Early Pay Discount Cut-Off Date,
please pay your tuition by "eCheck" Electronic Funds Transfer (see next
FAQ) or by sending a paper check via a next-day delivery service.
Yes, if you select the "eCheck Secure Online ACH Funds Transfer" payment
method when you register. This option allows you to quickly and securely
pay your tuition by direct debit from any business (or personal) checking
or savings account held at a U.S. financial institution. There are
no fees for making an eCheck payment (as long as your bank account has sufficient
funds to cover your payment), and the process works like this: (1) you enter
your check and ID information on a secure online form, (2) your data is
encrypted and submitted to
Electronic Clearing House, Inc. (our ACH payments processor) for validation
and processing, and (3) you print the resulting confirmation message (a
confirmation will also be emailed to you). The tuition payment funds
will typically clear your account in one to three business days. Electronic
check payments are an increasingly common payment method and additional
information about them is available at
www.electronicpayments.org.
Click here to review our policies on seminar cancellations, transfers
and refunds.
Earthwork Software Services does not sell AGTEK software; for AGTEK
sales, please call AGTEK at (925) 606-8197 or visit their web site at
www.agtek.com.
Earthwork Software Services does not provide on-call AGTEK technical
support services; for AGTEK technical support, please contact AGTEK by phone
at (800) 248-3527 or by e-mail at
support@agtek.com.
Earthwork Software Services does not provide quantity takeoff or grade
control modeling services but, as a convenience to our clients, we have
compiled a list of
third-party AGTEK consultants that do provide such services.
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