Geo-Surface FAQ
What is Geo-Surface Designer, and how does it differ from other drainage design tools?
Geo-Surface Designer is a powerful web-based drainage design platform that combines high-resolution LiDAR data with advanced tools to help users plan both surface and tile drainage systems efficiently. Accessible from any web-connected device, it eliminates the need for expensive field surveys in areas with LiDAR coverage, providing a cost-effective and time-saving solution for agricultural drainage planning.
What sets Geo-Surface Designer apart is its usability, flexibility, and innovative features:
- LiDAR Integration: Access high-resolution LiDAR data for Canada, the USA, and the UK, or import your own GeoTIFF data.
- Online Accessibility: As a cloud-based tool, work on drainage designs from anywhere without installing software.
- Comprehensive Design Tools: Features include best-fit grade lines, flow mapping, automatic connection detection, depth offset adjustments, and earthmoving estimates to create practical, efficient designs.
- Learning Resources: Unlike many tools, Geo-Surface Designer provides video tutorials, a detailed user guide, and access to a supportive membership community.
- Real-Time Validation: Tools like snapping and connection validation give immediate feedback, ensuring designs are field-ready and practical.
- Satellite Imagery Integration: Incorporate seasonal satellite images to identify water stress zones and refine designs.
Geo-Surface Designer is more than just software—it’s a complete drainage design solution, combining advanced functionality with in-depth educational resources, making it accessible for users of all experience levels to create sustainable and effective drainage systems.
Do I need to be a drainage expert or have prior experience to use it?
No, Geo-Surface is user-friendly and designed for people of all experience levels. It includes online training resources to guide you through the tools and workflows, so even first-time users can confidently create effective drainage designs. As you gain experience using Geo-Surface and working with drainage planning, you’ll become more proficient and confident in designing efficient farm drainage systems.
What devices and browsers are compatible?
Geo-Surface is accessible from any internet-connected device, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. While larger screens are ideal for detailed design work, phones and tablets are great for quick tasks like checking a profile or following design routes in the field. For the best experience, we recommend using Chrome, though Geo-Surface has been tested across multiple browsers and performs well on various platforms.
How does the Best Fit feature work, and when should I use it?
The Best Fit feature calculates an optimized grade line between the inlet and outlet of your drainage run, accounting for elevation changes to minimize cuts and fills. This makes it ideal for creating smooth, efficient drainage profiles when starting a new design.
Similar to the best-fit function used by machine grade control systems, this tool allows you to accurately estimate earthmoving requirements for surface drainage. It also helps you verify depths and assess the feasibility of both surface and tile drains, ensuring your designs are practical and efficient.
What is the Offset New Lines tool, and how can it help with tile drainage design?
The Offset New Lines tool allows you to quickly create multiple parallel lines at regular intervals (e.g., every 50 feet) based on an existing run. This is particularly useful for laying out tile drainage systems with consistent spacing, saving time and effort.
How does Geo-Surface Designer handle depth constraints for tile and surface drainage?
Geo-Surface Designer allows you to set custom minimum and maximum depth guides directly on your profile graph. These visual indicators help ensure your designs meet practical requirements, such as avoiding shallow tile installations or excessive excavation. By displaying these depth limits, you can easily see if your proposed profile line stays within the ideal range, ensuring optimal performance and feasibility for your drainage system.
What happens to my projects if I cancel my subscription?
If you cancel your subscription, access to Geo-Surface and its features will no longer be available. However, your saved projects are stored as JSON files, which you can back up and keep indefinitely on your own hard drive or cloud storage. If you decide to renew your subscription in the future, you can easily import your saved project files back into Geo-Surface and continue where you left off.
It’s important to note that Geo-Surface JSON files are proprietary and specifically designed for use within the platform. They cannot be opened or used in other software or applications. To ensure continued access to your work if needed, we recommend saving your project files securely before canceling.
Can Geo-Surface Designer be used for both surface and tile drainage projects?
Yes, Geo-Surface Designer is built for both surface and tile drainage projects. Its tools and workflows are particularly well-suited for targeted drainage systems and smaller pattern tile projects, making it an excellent choice for farmers, consultants, and land managers managing specific field areas. While it can handle pattern tile layouts, it’s not specifically designed for large-scale pattern tiling, which is typically planned and installed by contractors using specialized equipment. Instead, Geo-Surface Designer focuses on empowering users to create efficient, customized drainage solutions tailored to their unique needs.
How do I ensure my drainage design will 'work' in the field?
Geo-Surface Designer provides a range of powerful tools—including connection validation, customizable depth guides, and earthmoving estimates—to help you create practical and efficient drainage designs tailored to your field conditions. These features allow you to visualize your design in detail, ensuring it aligns with real-world constraints such as equipment capabilities, soil depth, and terrain challenges.
While any design might seem viable in theory, Geo-Surface Designer bridges the gap between concept and reality. By using the software, you can assess feasibility before heading to the field, identifying potential issues like excessive cuts, unreachable depths, or problematic slopes. This proactive approach saves time, prevents costly surprises, and ensures your design is not only technically correct but also field-ready and achievable with your available resources.
Can I export my project designs? What formats are supported?
Yes, you can export your project designs as JSON files, allowing you to re-import them into Geo-Surface for further editing or share them with your team. This also enables seamless access and editing across multiple devices.
Additionally, complete projects—including all drawn lines—can be exported as KML files. These KML files are compatible with tools like Ditch Assist, SMS, and other GIS software. If needed, they can also be easily converted to shapefiles using software like QGIS, providing flexibility for further analysis, sharing, or integration with other workflows. This ensures your designs remain accessible and usable across multiple platforms and applications.
Is there a limit to the number of projects I can create or store?
There is no limit to the number of projects you can create or store with Geo-Surface. Each project—typically representing one field per project—can be saved as a JSON file on your device or cloud storage, allowing you to keep as many as needed. Whether you manage a few fields or dozens, you can organize and store projects without restrictions, ensuring they are always accessible whenever you need them.
Can you see my data and information when I am designing drainage?
No, Geo-Surface runs entirely in your web browser, and no identifiable information is transmitted. When you request elevation data—such as clicking a point on the map or drawing a profile route—the request is sent anonymously to a GIS server, which returns the elevation data directly to your browser.
All project data is stored locally on your device. When you save a project, it is stored as a JSON file on your device or chosen storage location, not on our servers. This means we do not see or have access to any of your data, designs, or activities, ensuring you have complete privacy and control over your work.
Who is Geo-Surface Designer designed for? Can beginners use it?
Geo-Surface Designer was developed with farmers in mind, giving them the tools to analyze their own fields and design drainage solutions tailored to their unique needs. It’s ideal for those who want a hands-on approach to drainage planning without relying on costly outside services. With an intuitive interface, step-by-step video tutorials, and comprehensive training materials, even users with no prior drainage design experience can confidently create effective plans.
While it’s an excellent fit for farmers, Geo-Surface Designer is also well-suited for agronomists, consultants, and land managers looking for a flexible, powerful tool to streamline their work. It’s not specifically designed for full-time tile contractors handling large-scale commercial projects, but rather for those who need a practical, user-friendly system to manage drainage for their own fields or clients.
With Geo-Surface Designer, you don’t need to be an expert—you just need to know your goals, and the software will guide you through the rest.
What areas are covered by the built-in LiDAR data?
Geo-Surface provides high-resolution LiDAR data for regions of Canada, the USA, and the UK, covering over a billion acres of agricultural land! This coverage is continually expanding, giving users access to accurate elevation data without the need for field surveys in many regions. For the latest coverage information, check the specific region page for your area.
Can I import my own elevation data into Geo-Surface? What file formats are supported?
Yes, you can import your own elevation data if your area isn’t covered by Geo-Surface’s built-in LiDAR in the Explorer and Designer versions. The software supports GeoTIFF files, a widely used format for elevation and GIS data, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your custom datasets. If needed, you may require assistance in formatting your data correctly or adjusting the projection—contact us for more information.
How accurate is the LiDAR data used by Geo-Surface?
The built-in LiDAR data generally has a 1-meter resolution and was captured within the last 5–10 years, with a stated vertical accuracy of approximately ±15 cm (6 inches). However, real-world testing on agricultural fields has shown it to be highly reliable—in many cases, comparable to RTK GPS for precision drainage design. This ensures dependable terrain models and precise designs tailored to your field conditions.
Does Geo-Surface work in areas without LiDAR coverage?
Yes, in areas without built-in LiDAR coverage, you can upload your own GeoTIFF elevation data to take full advantage of Geo-Surface’s tools and features. This flexibility allows you to design drainage systems anywhere, as long as you have suitable elevation data.
In Canada, where high-resolution LiDAR isn’t available in some areas, and if you haven’t provided your own data, Geo-Surface defaults to medium-resolution elevation data. While not as precise or detailed as LiDAR, this data still serves as a valuable reference for surface drainage planning, helping you create effective designs even in less detailed regions.
Are updates included in my membership?
Yes, all subscribers always access the latest version, ensuring you always have access to the latest tools, features, and improvements.
How often is Geo-Surface updated with new features?
Geo-Surface is continuously updated with new features, improvements, and data enhancements based on user feedback and technological advancements. Many updates run in the background, ensuring the software remains efficient and reliable, while new tools and functionality are introduced periodically—giving you noticeable improvements and expanded capabilities that enhance your workflow.
Can Geo-Surface Designer calculate earthmoving estimates for drainage projects?
Yes, Geo-Surface Designer provides estimated earthmoving requirements for surface drains, helping you plan for the volume of material that needs to be moved to implement your design efficiently.
What is the Reverse Outlet feature, and why would I need it?
The Reverse Outlet feature lets you swap the inlet and outlet of a drainage run when the software’s automatic identification doesn’t match real-world conditions. This ensures your designs align with the actual flow direction needed in the field.
Does Geo-Surface require a fast internet connection?
A standard internet connection is sufficient for most tasks, but faster speeds will improve performance, especially when working with larger datasets or loading LiDAR maps.
What happens if I lose my internet connection while using Geo-Surface?
Because Geo-Surface is web-based, an internet connection is required to access the software and save your work. To avoid losing progress, ensure your connection is stable before starting a session. If you’re working in an area with unreliable internet, it’s a good practice to regularly back up your work by saving your project as a JSON file.
Keep in mind that if your internet connection drops and reconnects, your browser may automatically refresh the page, causing unsaved progress to be lost. Regular backups help protect your work, allowing you to quickly reload your project if needed.
Do I 'own' the designs I create in Geo-Surface Designer?
Yes, all designs you create in Geo-Surface are yours to keep, use, and manage as you see fit. While you’ll likely need Geo-Surface to view, edit, or use the geolocation function in the field, your designs remain your property. You can also export your designs as KML files for use in applications like Google Earth or to create custom maps in tools such as Google Maps.
However, the intellectual property (IP) behind Geo-Surface, including the software, tools, and algorithms, remains proprietary. While the platform itself is protected technology, the work you create with it belongs entirely to you.
Where does the LiDAR and other data come from, and is this a permitted use of it?
Most of the data used in Geo-Surface comes from publicly available government sources under open government or similar licenses. This data is permitted for mapping, analysis, and design applications in accordance with its licensing terms. All data utilized in Geo-Surface is fully compliant with applicable license restrictions, and proper attributions are provided where required.
Additionally, some data is proprietary to GIS4Ag, where we have created derivative products based on open-licensed data. These derivatives are specifically designed to enhance accessibility, usability, and accuracy for drainage applications. By combining licensed public data with proprietary enhancements, Geo-Surface ensures that all data is both legally compliant and optimized for practical use.
Who Owns Geo-Surface and What is GIS4Ag?
Geo-Surface is a product developed under GIS4Ag.com, a business owned by Simon Knutson, who is also the creator and owner of its intellectual property (IP). Due to the need for dedicated hosting, server resources, and membership control, Geo-Surface was deployed on its own site and server, rather than being integrated directly into GIS4Ag.com. This ensures optimal performance, scalability, and user experience while maintaining a seamless connection to GIS4Ag’s broader suite of geospatial solutions.
Why does my credit card statement show GIS4AG.com and not Geo-Surface.com for my membership payment?
Your credit card statement shows GIS4Ag.com instead of Geo-Surface.com because Geo-Surface is a product of GIS4Ag, and both share the same payment processing account. Since GIS4Ag.com is the parent business owned by Simon Knutson, all membership payments, subscriptions, and transactions for Geo-Surface are processed under the GIS4Ag brand.
Although Geo-Surface operates on its own dedicated website and server to ensure efficient hosting, user management, and membership control, it remains part of the GIS4Ag ecosystem. This structure allows for seamless integration with other GIS4Ag services, including many of the data sources used by Geo-Surface, ensuring users can benefit from ongoing updates, proprietary data enhancements, and expanded mapping capabilities while maintaining a streamlined billing process.
Rest assured, your membership payment is for Geo-Surface, and your access to its features and tools remains unaffected. If you ever have questions about billing or need assistance, feel free to reach out for support.