Select all features. Click "Earthwork Pro v3 → Compute Volumes." The software overlays a grid, calculates the difference between existing and proposed surfaces, and displays the color-coded map (Red = Cut, Blue = Fill).

Draw the building footprint (proposed subgrade at EL 98). Draw the pond bottom (EL 95) with side slopes at 3:1. Draw the parking lot with a 2% slope using the "Slope Plane" tool.

The report shows 15,000 CY Cut and 5,000 CY Fill. You have 10,000 CY of excess. In v3, you can drag a "Borrow/Waste" pit onto the plan. The software updates the haul distance and disposal cost instantly.

Use the "Contour Trace" tool. Click on each existing contour line (EL 100, EL 102, etc.). The software stores these as a 3D surface. Alternatively, import a CSV of survey points.

Using manual grid and scale methods, the estimator bid the project at 22,500 CY cut and 18,000 CY fill, requiring haul-off of 4,500 CY at $10/CY ($45,000 cost).

But what exactly makes version 3 so special? Is it worth the upgrade? And how does it stack up against manual methods or generic estimating tools? In this comprehensive guide, we will dissect every feature, workflow, and benefit of PlanSwift Earthwork Pro v3, ensuring you understand why this tool has become the gold standard for earthwork estimators. At its core, PlanSwift Earthwork Pro v3 is a specialized add-on module for the renowned PlanSwift digital takeoff software. While standard PlanSwift handles general quantities (linear feet of piping, square feet of drywall, counts of light fixtures), the Earthwork Pro v3 extension is tailored specifically for the complex geometry of land.