Cornerstone Graphic Systems Inc.

Since 1994, CGSI has been providing innovative customized software tools, solutions and training for data collection, maintenance and analysis to CAD users. We specialize in:
Survey Mapping
Data Conversion
Utility Networks
Repetitive Task Automation
Architectural and Engineering Visualization
CAD Training

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Industry Experience

Survey Mapping

CGSI has worked closely with Survey Engineering firms to help them develop their CAD workflow in order to increase productivity without increasing manpower. We also jointly developed innovative methods of managing and publishing survey data.

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Municipal Utilities

Data Conversion
CGSI undertook the conversion of over 37,500 manually-drawn engineering block profile drawings to CAD format, while simultaneously populating an Oracle GIS database with 3-dimensional network information. The resulting database contained up-to-date positional information on over 250,000 distinct lines, including street elevations, storm and sanitary sewer inverts, waterlines, and miscellaneous other utilities. A major no-cost side benefit of the conversion project was the automatic conversion of archival Imperial-unit drawings to the conventional Metric standard currently in use (a conversion project worth an estimated $5M on its own!).

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Utility Networks
Taking an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary approach to the challenge, CGSI developed a network maintenance environment that has allowed municipal utility engineering departments in the water and wastewater disciplines to simultaneously create and maintain their graphical CAD information together with the non-graphical asset information associated to the maps. Each utility's ~8000km of linear data is mapped to a seamless and referentially integral network that is maintained real-time by the CAD operators.

Other tools that have been developed to work with these networks can regenerate thematically symbolized network mapping data from the database based on user-defined criteria.

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Repetitive Task Automation
Using planning techniques that directly involve the end user in the design, CGSI has developed numerous customized software tools that eliminate or radically reduce the number of repetitive mundane tasks involved in day-to-day operations. Some examples of this are the tool that reads simple ASCII data files and creates intelligent plan & profile CAD data derived from the XYZ point data, and another that was written for a light-rail-transit operation for the placement of the electrical wires on the profile view.

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Architectural and Engineering Visualization

One of our special areas of expertise is in the development of 3-dimensional models for visualization, both as presentation-quality images, and as animations for presentation or analysis.

Projects have included:
  • Grand Littoral Mall, Marseille, France
  • White-Kennedy Office Bldg., Penticton, B.C.
  • Stephen Avenue Revitalization Design, Calgary, Alta.
  • James River residential suburb., Olds, Alta. (3D model)
  • Hwy. #2 / Deerfoot Tr. Extension, Calgary, Alta (3D model)
  • Proposed overpass at Leduc, Alta. (3D model)
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CAD Training

Since its inception, CGSI has been recognized as a premier trainer of MicroStation CAD 2D and 3D. The strength of our training philosophy lies not just in the technical 'how-to' of the software tools, but more importantly in the 'why-to' and 'when-to' concepts that matter most to businesses and their bottom lines. We have recently included real-time online training as an offering, which allows up to 9 participants at a time to participate in live online training with our instructor. Our diverse list of clients include:

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