By Pat McLarin – Civil Segment Director, Seequent
Our understanding of ground conditions evolves with the project, so geotechnical design teams need a reliable way to work with the latest information.
Seequent’s OpenGround Civil 3D Extension creates a direct connection to a master geotechnical database, giving civil teams access to current, trusted data inside their design environment.
Instead of relying on static imports, teams can refresh models and profiles with a click, helping reduce manual rework and improve confidence in every design decision.
The extension also brings rich geotechnical information including lithology, lab results, and groundwater data directly into Civil 3D, making it easier to understand site conditions and manage risk.
Why a true database connection changes everything
Still relying on basic connectors and static data? Manual geotechnical workflows are time-consuming, error-prone, and quickly outdated when interpretations change and new investigations are added.
When you compare a standard, disconnected workflow to a true database connection, the differences in efficiency, risk management, and data governance become obvious:
OpenGround provides a direct, dynamic connection that sets it apart from other solutions. For civil teams, this means access to current, trusted data for more confident design decisions.
For ground engineering leads, it means retaining complete control over the master database while safely sharing validated insights – no more throwing data over the wall.
Going beyond basic pins to stream rich data
Basic tools only give you pin data. A true integration allows you to connect directly to your OpenGround cloud project and stream comprehensive geotechnical data – including lithology, lab results, and more – directly into your Civil 3D environment.
This deep visibility helps teams assess ground conditions more effectively and manage risk with greater confidence.
High-quality workflows depend on being able to visualise detailed lithology and full log strips directly in Civil 3D, so teams can understand the full geotechnical context before finalising design decisions.
A Civil 3D model showing proposed roadway and drainage pond design integrated with borehole data from OpenGround, giving geotechnical context to support alignment and grading decisions.
Create detailed profiles directly from interpretations
Bring database interpretations directly into Civil 3D to generate and update detailed geological profiles for complex ground conditions. This connected workflow reduces hours of manual drafting and produces clear, accurate cross-sections of your site.
When ground conditions change, a simple one-click refresh instantly syncs your profiles and models with any updates in the OpenGround database whenever you choose.
Discover what true integration looks like
See how a direct connection to your geotechnical database goes beyond basic connectors, file-based workflows, and limited API integrations.
Watch our technical session to discover how the OpenGround Civil 3D Extension helps teams work with connected, up-to-date geotechnical data and design with greater confidence.
- Move beyond static imports and work with a dynamic geotechnical model that you synchronise whenever you choose.
- Leverage rich data to de-risk your projects and design with confidence.
- Automatically draw comprehensive geotechnical profiles from your interpretations, saving hundreds of design hours.