Use this guide when you want to create a preliminary earthwork design in Propeller CAD, such as a road, ramp, pad, or trench, using your survey terrain as the starting point. It walks through how to give Propeller CAD spatial context, describe what you want to build, refine the result, and publish or export the design for the next stage of review.
| ℹ️ Note: Propeller CAD doesn't produce a civil engineer-approved deliverable (or local equivalent). Use it to move quickly from an idea to a concept or preliminary design, then have a licensed professional review any output before it informs construction, field operations, or a regulatory submission. |
Start a new design session
- Open your site in the Propeller Platform.
- Select the CAD tab from the left-hand navigation panel.
- Start by giving Propeller CAD spatial context for the design:
- Draw a sketch using the pencil icon in the Sketch toolbar.
- Use an existing design from the Designs tab if you already have a design surface or linework to reference.
- Use an existing measurement on the site if you want to reference an area that is already marked up.
- Pick the sketch type that fits your design:
- Polygon: Draw a closed outline to define an area, such as a pad footprint, pond, pit rim, or works boundary.
- Point: Mark a single location. This is useful as a "put it here" anchor when you describe the size in your prompt.
- Line: Draw an open path for linear features, such as a road centreline, ramp alignment, or trench.
| 💡 Tip: To apply site-specific design standards, attach a document using the + button in the chat input. Propeller CAD will use it as context for the session. |
- After drawing, use the sketch toolbar to adjust your sketch:
- Select: Choose a sketch point, line, or shape.
- Move: Reposition sketch points after drawing.
- Undo / Redo: Step back or forward through your sketch changes.
- If you have an existing measurement or area on the site, turn it on before or during your CAD session so you can reference it while building the design.
Describe your design
Once you have drawn a sketch or selected a design reference, describe what you want Propeller CAD to create.
- Type your design request in your plain native language inside the chat window.
Example: "Create a stepped pit inside this outline with 10 m benches and 1.5:1 batter slopes."
- To include specific design details, site standards, or parameters, attach a PDF using the + button in the chat input.
- Propeller CAD reads your terrain elevation data and generates a 3D design surface on your site.
- The design appears on the map as a colour-coded mesh. Hover over any element to see its label.
| ℹ️ Note: The more specific your prompt, the better the result. Include details from a spec, standard, or planning document, attach it as a PDF so Propeller CAD can use it as context. Propeller CAD can't search the internet, so include site-specific requirements in your prompt or attached file. |
Refine your design
After Propeller CAD generates a design, you can adjust it without starting over.
- Use the adjustment controls that appear for your design type to tune values interactively. The available controls depend on the design you create.
- To adjust the design manually, select the Move icon and reposition the design points you want to change. To make a more specific change, type a follow-up instruction in the chat.
Example: "The batter on this side is overlapping. Can you fix that?"
- To undo your last change, use Undo in the toolbar, or ask in the chat window: "Undo the last step."
To change how the design appears on the map, select the eye icon in the top-right corner of the CAD panel. From there, you can turn labels, vertices, and wireframe on or off, or adjust the design opacity.
Output your design
Designs built in the CAD tab stay inside your CAD session and do not automatically appear in your site's Designs tab. To use Propeller's standard measurement tools against a CAD design, you need to publish or export it first.
| ℹ️ Note: Before using a published or exported design for construction, field set-out, or a regulatory submission, have it reviewed and approved by a licensed professional. |
Option 1: Publish to Propeller
Publishing is the fastest way to measure against a CAD design using Propeller's standard tools.
- Select the download icon at the bottom of the chat input to open the output menu, then choose Publish as design. You can also ask the AI in the chat:
"Publish this design in Propeller"
- The design is published as a layer directly to your site and appears in the Designs tab.
- From there, use Propeller's measurement tools, including elevations, distances, volumes, and cut/fill, against the published design surface.
- If the layer does not appear immediately, check the uploads panel. It shows publish progress.
Option 2: Export as a file
Export when you need to use the design in another tool.
- Select the download icon at the bottom of the chat input to open the output menu, then choose Download as DXF or Download as TTM. You can also ask the AI to export the files you need.
- Save the exported file and import it into your chosen software.
| ℹ️ Note: DXF files export as a wireframe surface. If you open a DXF in Civil 3D, you need to convert it to a TIN surface before using it for analysis. If you need a surface that opens directly, use TTM or ask the AI for contours. |
Import an existing design
After you create or sketch a design on the map, you can bring in an existing design surface or linework from the Designs tab to use as a reference.
- Select Import design when the option appears in your CAD session, or ask the AI: "Import from designs."
- Choose the design surface or linework you want to reference.
- The imported design appears on the map. You can ask Propeller CAD to build on it:
"Read the imported design and tell me the grade along the centreline."
Frequently asked questions
Can Propeller CAD convert a PDF/IFC drawing into a design?
Not yet. Propeller CAD can reference an uploaded spec document, like an engineering standard, as context when you describe a design. It can't convert a PDF planset or IFC drawing directly into design geometry.
Can I export as LandXML?
Not yet. DXF and TTM are the current export formats. LandXML support is in progress.
Can I get a cross-section report from my design?
Not yet. Cross-section reporting isn't available from Propeller CAD designs today.
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