MicroSurvey InCAD
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MicroSurvey inCAD is a powerful surveying software add-on that integrates seamlessly with your existing AutoCAD platform.
Designed for land surveyors and civil engineering professionals, MicroSurvey inCAD provides robust COGO software, drafting and design tools directly inside AutoCAD, Civil 3D or Map 3D.
This survey CAD software works with native DWG files and supports an efficient field-to-finish workflow including surface modeling, traverse adjustment and staking reports. As a plugin for AutoCAD, it requires a separately purchased Autodesk license.
This construction survey software is ideal for those seeking civil engineering CAD solutions backed by reliable MicroSurvey CAD support and subscription-based pricing.
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Volume discounts may be available, but pricing varies by product, license type and order size.
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Description
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MicroSurvey inCAD, developed by MicroSurvey Software Inc., part of Hexagon, is a powerful surveying software add-on that integrates seamlessly with your existing AutoCAD environment. Designed for land surveyors and civil engineering professionals, MicroSurvey inCAD delivers a comprehensive suite of drafting, COGO and design tools directly inside AutoCAD, Civil 3D or Map 3D—no need to switch platforms or convert file formats.
This survey CAD software offers full compatibility with native DWG files, making it easy to collaborate across teams and disciplines. It supports a complete field-to-finish workflow including traverse adjustment, batch COGO input, surface modeling and staking reports—all within the familiar AutoCAD interface. Whether you’re laying out lots and parcels, preparing construction staking plans or importing data from your favorite collector, MicroSurvey inCAD makes the process intuitive and efficient.
Professionals seeking robust land survey CAD tools backed by MicroSurvey support and subscription pricing will find this construction survey software ideal for maximizing productivity. And because it runs on AutoCAD, inCAD ensures long-term flexibility with your existing civil engineering CAD solutions and processes.
Related products:
- MicroSurvey CAD: Runs embedded with a license of IntelliCAD which is included for FREE.
- MicroSurvey embeddedCAD: Includes a license of embedded AutoCAD (OEM), similar to AutoCAD LT
- SurveyTools for BricsCAD: Runs on top of your separately-purchased license of BricsCAD Professional
- STAR*NET: A standalone software program for Least Squares adjustment and analysis
- FieldGenius: Field Data Collection software for Windows and Android devices
Core Features
- COGO and batch COGO tools for efficient data entry and calculations
- Traverse editing and network adjustment with multiple balancing methods
- Field to Finish diagramming with AutoMap linework automation
- Smart CAD entities including polylines, arcs and labeled points
- Support for all major data collector formats
File Format Support
- Native support for DWG and all Autodesk CAD formats
- Import shape files and GIS data for integration with mapping workflows
- KML export for geodetic applications and visualization
Licensing & Training
- Subscription-based licensing for flexibility and updates
- Includes 1-year maintenance and MicroSurvey support
- Customizable environment with support for LISP routines
| MicroSurvey inCAD (as of June 2025) |
|
|---|---|
| Feature | Subscription |
| Import/Export, Basic CAD and all Cadastral Functions | ✔️ |
| Native support for all Autodesk® CAD formats | ✔️ |
| COGO and batch COGO | ✔️ |
| Lots, Blocks and Areas | ✔️ |
| Building Library and house placement routines | ✔️ |
| All major data collector format import/export | ✔️ |
| Smart Lines, arcs, polylines and labels | ✔️ |
| Geodetic tools, ground to grid scaling, KML export | ✔️ |
| Contours and TINS | ✔️ |
| Site Design | ✔️ |
| Cross sections | ✔️ |
| 3D Least Squares Adjustment | ✔️ |
| Volumetrics | ✔️ |
| Import shape files and GIS data | ✔️ |
| Add to a current Autodesk AutoCAD®, Civil3D® or Map3D® | ✔️ |
| Lot Closures (map check) and metes and bounds descriptions | ✔️ |
| Survey computations | ✔️ |
| Cadastral annotation tools | ✔️ |
| Load aerial imagery and maps from web mapping services and HXGN Imagery | ✔️ |
| Active Drawing Technology grid based editor | ✔️ |
| Staking Reports and QA tools | ✔️ |
| Standard features plus modeling and design | ✔️ |
| Traverse editing and adjustment | ✔️ |
| Field to Finish automated diagramming | ✔️ |
| Aerial imagery and maps from Bing | ✔️ |
| Customize with lisp routines | ✔️ |
| Alignment Design | ✔️ |
| Sewer Design | ✔️ |

Carlson’s desktop software must be installed with a CAD platform such as IntelliCAD, AutoCAD or embedded AutoCAD (OEM). Carlson Software includes a perpetual license of IntelliCAD with their “For CAD” modules but also allows users to install the program on top of your own separately purchased license of a full AutoCAD-based program such as AutoCAD, Map or Civil 3D.
Carlson Survey and Carlson Takeoff are the only 2 programs that can be purchased with an embedded AutoCAD (OEM) license.
ALL Carlson desktop products work natively in the latest DWG format. This means that you create DWG files, you open DWG files and you save DWG files – there is no need to import, export or convert to others using a different CAD-based program.
Your purchase of Carlson includes a perpetual license of the Carlson program and either IntelliCAD or embedded AutoCAD (OEM).
Carlson Software can be purchased as individual modules or by bundling 2 or more products at a discounted price so you only pay for what you need!
Carlson Civil Suite includes the Survey, Civil, Hydrology and GIS modules and compares to Autodesk Civil 3D.
Carlson CADnet is a single module that’s functionality is comparable to Autodesk Raster Design.
You can also use a Select Suite to build your own bundle of a Pick 2, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 or Pick 6 choosing from Survey, Civil, Hydrology, GIS, CADnet and Point Cloud Basic.
Carlson Takeoff Suite and Takeoff with embedded AutoCAD (OEM) is comparable to Paydirt (retired), Quest Construction and Agtek software programs.
All Carlson desktop software products provide a wide range of conversion and import and export functions for other file formats such as Civil 3d, LandXML, Topcon and Trimble.
For Carlson products that run with IntellliCAD and/or your separately purchased license of AutoCAD, Carlson offers users an Annual Maintenance program that keeps the software up to date. The purchase of Maintenance is optional and pricing is calculated at 10% of the retail price of the product per year.
Carlson Software offers free technical support from their main office to all Carlson Software users regardless of customer or license status.
Although users may find it difficult to install older Carlson desktop software on newer machines due to limitations of newer Windows operating systems, Carlson continues offering support for those versions.
Comparable to industry-standard engineering design software, Carlson Civil provides features for layer-based quantity takeoffs, 3D modeling, and construction estimating, including specialized commands like SiteNet for streamlined volume and material quantity calculations.
In addition to the functionality of the CAD-platform it’s running on top of and the identical commands available in the first 7 menus of all Carlson Desktop Software, Carlson Civil offers dynamic design and plan production for site, subdivision and roadway design engineers.
The commands and features in Carlson Civil are comparable to the engineering design components of programs such as: DCA/Softdesk/Land Desktop (retired), AutoCAD Map, Civil 3D, Eagle Point (retired), TerraModel (retired), GeoPak and InRoads.
Carlson Civil also provides users with the tools needed for layer-based quantity takeoffs and model building in the 3D Data and SiteNet menus. The commands in SiteNet are comparable to construction estimating software such as Paydirt, Quest and Agtek.
With Carlson Civil, users are able to:
- import and export data files for Civil 3d, Land Desktop, LandXML, Trimble, Topcon, Google Earth and more
- create and manage points in the drawing or in the CRD file editor
- use a variety of specialized commands to convert 2D linework to 3D using points, text with leaders, surface files, drawing entities and more
- use SiteNet, a layer-based feature that simplifies the process of estimating dirt and topsoil volumes and quantities of other materials such as subgrade volumes, length of curb and number of trees or other structures to be built or demolished
- create and manage surface model triangulation files from field data or importing from Google Earth or other sources
- view and perform quality checks on surface model files in various 3d viewers including a 3D Fly By
- calculate earthwork volumes for pads, stockpiles or between two surfaces and calculate adjustments required to balance cut and fill
- create cut/fill labels and color maps
- create and manage horizontal alignments
- create and manage profiles of ground elevations, roadways, sewer pipes and crossings
- design ditches and trenches
- calculate and report quantities and depths of pipe installation projects
- create and manage cross-sections
- dynamically design a network of roads with intersections and cul-de-sacs that automatically adjust and provide dynamic, real-time cut and fill volumes
- design and map single parcel boundaries or networks of subdivision lots that dynamically adjust to accommodate building footprint and setback restrictions.
FAQ: I’m a land surveyor. What software do I need?
FAQ: I’m a civil engineer. What software do I need?
FAQ: What are the latest improvements in Carlson Software?
FAQ: What features & menus are in Carlson Civil?
FAQ: What features & menus are in ALL Carlson Software desktop programs?
FAQs: Installation and Technical Support
All Carlson Software purchases will be fulfilled electronically by a download link that will be emailed to you (along with your new serial number) within two business days of your order being processed. The download link and serial number can be used to install and register your software immediately.
For delivery to addresses within the United States, we can also ship you a flash drive via UPS Ground for an additional charge. Please note that the physical shipment DOES NOT include manuals.
Your box shipment will arrive approximately 14 business days after your order has been processed. Be aware that software purchases outside the United States will be fulfilled by download only. If you pay the extra charge for the physical shipment we will only provide a download link and will then refund the shipping charge.
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Additional information
| License Term | 1 Year Subscription |
|---|---|
| License Type | Single, Floating |







