Industry

Civil Engineering & Land Development

Core Technologies

Autodesk Civil 3D (2025 and future releases)
.NET Framework (C#)
AutoCAD .NET API & Civil 3D .NET API
WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation)
XML/JSON Configurations for Parameter Persistence
Automated Validation & Error Handling
Real-Time Volume & Earthwork Reporting

Project Solution

At Chetu, we partnered with a civil engineering firm specialized in stormwater management to create a .NET Civil 3D plug-in that automates detention basin design, grading surface creation, and earthwork reporting. Within a guided interface, engineers can specify parameters, create compliant 3D geometry, validate inputs, and generate detailed reports —all within Civil 3D, without the need for external tools.

The Client

Our client, a civil engineering and land development company specializing in stormwater management, faced growing inefficiencies due to manual calculations and disconnected workflows. These manual steps not only slowed project delivery but also introduced costly delays. Partnering with our team at Chetu, the client developed a more innovative, Civil 3D-native solution to automate these repetitive tasks, allowing internal teams to focus on design.

The Approach

Our goal was to help the client transition away from repetitive, manual basin calculations that slowed projects and introduced inconsistencies. By developing a Civil 3D-based automation plug-in, we enabled engineers to perform parameter-driven basin modeling, validation, and real-time reporting.

How We Built It

User-centric input design principles in Autodesk Civil 3D

automated basin generation and drainage computation workflows

smart validation and error handling with real-time input checks

real-time reporting and data extraction for documentation

design improvements with repeated validation

The Solution

The final result was a seamless Civil 3D experience for basin design, which ensured:.

Ease of Use

The guided interface reduced training needs and streamlined grading workflows for all engineers.

Automation & Accuracy

Automated surface creation eliminated the need for manual recalculations, ensuring consistent and error-free results.

Reporting & Transparency

Real-time earthwork and volume outputs improved design visibility and strengthened client deliverables.

Flexibility & Iteration

Parameters could be adjusted at any time, enabling quick refinements during design review.

Integration & Scalability

Native integration with Civil 3D enabled the support of complex grading projects without external dependencies.

The Impact

The plugin delivered measurable business improvements across engineering workflows:

70% faster design iterations, resulting in reduced overall project delivery timelines.
Improved grading accuracy through automated validation and reporting.
Reduced rework costs, cutting down on errors and delays.
Consistent outputs across multiple projects for greater reliability.
Enhanced client confidence with faster delivery and higher-quality reports.

Ready to get your engineering automation project off the ground?

At Chetu, we help construction and civil engineering teams eliminate manual processes and expedite project completion through our proprietary ConstructionAI Framework, which predicts, automates, and delivers.

Automating Basin Design & Earthwork Reporting with a Civil 3D Plugin