New Blog Series: The Tipster

Want some handy hints and tips for using 12d Model software?

We’re kicking off a new ‘blog series to answer some of our most frequently asked questions about 12d Model.

Our Support teams worldwide answer lots of user queries every day, and they’ve compiled a list of some that come up often; keep an eye on this space for a new ‘Tipster’ post every week, and stay ahead of the game!

Long-term 12d Modellers may remember The Tipster from our early Dirt Digger newsletters; we decided it was time for a revival!

[Image credit: OpenClipart-Vectors]

Blog Post – Dirt Digger 47

We recently released the 47th Issue of our 12d newsletter, The Dirt Digger!

This issue features…

12d Model Updates

12d Model 15c1u is a major upgrade, and includes new functionality for:
– 12d Field
– Water
– GIS
– IFC 4×3
– MTF
– 12d Culverts
…and much, much more!

12d Synergy Updates

The highly anticipated V6 release brings powerful new capabilities to the platform.

12d Synergy 6 introduces:
– Forms
– BIM Viewer
– Issue Tracking
– CDE Connect
– New Integrations
…and more!

12d Tech Forum 2026

The 12d Tech Forum 2026 will highlight 12d Model 15 C1u, which will be released before the 12d Tech Forum so you can use all the new features straightaway. The event will also feature exciting updates about 12d Synergy 6.

12d Innovation Awards 2026

The 12d International Innovation Awards recognises inspired thinking and innovative solutions in civil engineering, surveying, and data management.

International Updates

2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for international growth. Read about 12d Synergy’s expansion into the USA, and a new 12d Model/12d Synergy office in Vietnam!

Updates: The Civil and Surveying Institute

The Civil and Surveying Institute (CSI) is an authorised 12d Model training centre offering training programs for novices through to experienced 12d Model users.

You can view this issue online at: https://www.12d.com/Newsletter/dd47/index.html

12d Tech Forum 2026

The 12d Tech Forum offers a fantastic opportunity for engaging in educational sessions, fostering valuable connections, and networking (sometimes over dinner and drinks!) with other members of the 12d community. 

The 12d Tech Forum is the top destination for 12d Model and 12d Synergy customers and partners to gain knowledge and become a part of a thriving community of industry leaders and enthusiasts. It’s where the infrastructure industry’s finest minds come to learn and share, and it aims to fuel creativity, offer practical expertise, and connect. 

The 12d Tech Forum 2026 will highlight 12d Model 15 C1u, which will be released before the 12d Tech Forum so you can use all the new features straightaway. The event will also feature exciting updates about 12d Synergy 6. 

When and where  

Dates: Sunday 26th, Monday 27th, and Tuesday 28th July 2026 
Venue: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) – Plaza Level 

Cost 

The Full Tech Forum Package for $1,350 +GST  includes: 

• Welcome Event for one person 
• Tech Forum Gala Dinner *for one person 
• 3 Full Days of Tech Forum Main Sessions 
• Any ‘Birds of a Feather’ Sessions 
• Award-winning food at all Morning/Afternoon Tea Breaks and Lunches 
• 12d Polo Shirt and Other Goodies! 
*Includes the 12d International Innovation Awards 2026 Ceremony 

Credit card payments are accepted through our online store. Day passes are also available through the 12d Tech Forum website

What to expect 

At this three-day event, 12d Solutions will be highlighting exciting features in 12d Model including new sub-versions, as well as new developments in 12d Synergy, and more! We will continue the ever-popular ‘Birds of a Feather’ breakout sessions on Design, Surveying, 12d Water, and Information Management…PLUS a new Special Interest room which will include sessions on 12d Model Macros, and a variety of other speciality topics from 12d Model and 12d Synergy. 

This event will be an invaluable learning and networking experience for users of 12d products and other industry professionals, in all areas of civil design, surveying and construction, water engineering, data management, and project collaboration. This event is suitable for users of all levels of expertise. 

We’ll also have an expanded Exhibition space this time, since we’re in a bigger area—this will feature stands from suppliers such as: 

·  Abtrac
·  Civillo 
· C.R. Kennedy 
· Aptella
· 4D Prisma 
· Digital Enginuiti 
· ManGoes Mapping 
· CHCNav 

Brought to you by our Sponsors: 

Gold sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

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Coffee Cart Sponsor

Gala Dinner Sponsor

The 12d Tech Forum offers: 

• A great opportunity to increase your 12d Model/12d Synergy skills 
• The ability to interact with the developers of 12d products 
• The chance to network with, and learn from, other 12d users. 

Reasons to attend the 12d Tech Forum 2026 

#1 Gain Invaluable Education and Training 

Whether you’re a tech newbie or a super user, the 12d Tech Forum is the perfect place to equip your team with invaluable tips and tricks that will boost efficiency and productivity. Discover the latest software updates, industry trends, and best practices to help your team stay ahead of the curve. 

#2 Expand Your Network  

The 12d Tech Forum isn’t just about education and training – it’s also a fantastic opportunity to connect with other professionals in your field. Rub shoulders with industry peers, make valuable connections, and exchange ideas that could take your career or business to the next level. 

#3 Get Inspired by Industry Leaders 

Elevate your knowledge and gain valuable insights from the 12d Model and 12d Synergy leaders themselves. Learn about the latest technological trends and advancements that will shape the future of the industry. Discover innovative solutions and strategies to help you take your business to the next level. 

#4 Unleash Your Potential  

The 12d Tech Forum offers a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth, with access to the latest industry trends, practices, and innovations. Expand your knowledge and network with like-minded individuals who share your passion for technology. 

#5 Join the 12d Community and Thrive Together 

The 12d Tech Forum is more than just an event, it’s a chance to join a thriving community. Connect with the 12d Model and 12d Synergy teams, including executives, to share your knowledge and gain valuable insights from experts in the field. Make lifelong friends and be a part of a community that has been growing and thriving for over 30 years.  

#6 Celebrate the Industry’s Achievements and Have Fun! 

Our Innovation Awards Ceremony is the highlight of the event. Attend the Tech Forum Gala Dinner to applaud the ground-breaking work and extraordinary achievements of the global 12d Community. 

Registrations have been rolling in; let’s get excited together…register today! 

New Blog Series: The History Files

Coming soon…

This new series of blog posts will delve into some of our favourite customer case studies from throughout the history of 12d products.

Real-world scenarios are always a good way of understanding the context of how 12d Model has been used. 

From its inception in 1988, 12d Model software has seen 12d Modellers use the software for a variety of projects; we’ve always loved to showcase these interesting stories – on our website, in our long-running newsletter The Dirt Digger, and sometimes in industry publications.

This series will take you back through case studies from the past 38 years – join us in ‘brushing the dust off’ these stories worthy of another read!

Look for the ‘History Files’ in https://blog.12d.com/ in coming weeks – we’ll share a “new old” story each week!

[Image credit: Clker-Free-Vector-Images]

12d Tech Forum 2026 – What to Expect

We’re hosting a webinar soon to take you through an exciting preview of our most anticipated event for 2026 – the 12d Tech Forum!

 19 May, 2026   

   1:00 PM AEST        

This webinar will outline some of the many things you can see and do at the 12d Tech Forum 2026 – updates to 12d Model and 12d Synergy, networking opportunities, our Sponsors, our exhibition, and the all-new Training and Special Interest Room!

This session will be presented by 12d Solutions Managing Director, Dr Lee Gregory.

You can register for this webinar at:

https://www.12d.com/community/WebinarRegistration.aspx?WebinarID=147159755

Design Quick Start in 12d Model

I caught up with Dylan Revell of 12d NZ earlier this week to chat about the Design Quick Start options and Design Quick Tools in 12d Model.

The 12d Model Design Quick suite of options allows Users to create a 3D design Model with a one-button selection on a 3D string.

Users can utilise the pre-installed design profiles and pavement styles or create custom profiles to their own Company or Regional standards and place them on a user defined toolbar.

Quick Tools can populate and dynamically measure start and end positions for designs, remove unwanted links through intersections and turn sub-surface pavements on and off.

It truly means you can have your Apply Functions and MTF files created and running with a single click and ready to start editing.

You can watch the video here.

–Lisa Stewart

Updates to 12d Model 15’s Automated Catchment Delineation

I caught up with 12d Model Programmer Callum Peaker yesterday to chat about updates to the Automated Catchment Delineation functionality in 12d Model 15 (a feature available from c1r onwards to 12d Modellers on Maintenance who have the Drainage String and Drainage Analysis modules activated).

First showcased at the 2024 12d Tech Forum, Automated Catchment Delineation has received many improvements over the past six months. This webinar aims to showcase some of the new features and changes to the tool, as well as a brief overview of catchment creation from start to finish. Auto Catchment Delineation receives ongoing development informed by user feedback and suggestions.

The video of our chat is available here.

12d Model’s 2D Water Analysis Tools

Building on the user-friendly GUI of 12d Model’s 2D Quick Analysis, the 2D Water Analysis tool extends the features and commands available for 2D modelling in 12d Model.

Dylan Revell of 12d NZ takes you through this functionality to demonstrate how it can work for you!

You can watch the video here:

The sold-out 12d Tech Forum 2024 was a raging success, and we were thrilled to see so many of you there in person! There was only one problem from our perspective, and that was a pretty good one really – we had more content than we could showcase in three days! So we’ll be running these webinars until that excess material is exhausted – a “Director’s Cut”, if you will!

Mark-Up and Review Tools in 12d Model

I caught up with Dylan Revell of 12d NZ yesterday to chat about some new functionality in 12d Model – the Mark-Up and Review Tools.

Available in both 12d Model 15 and 12d View 15, the Mark-Up and Review Tools are designed to work with your existing Quality Control Systems, and are flexible enough to incorporate into your QA/BIM workflow – a digital solution to an often manual process.

Dylan Revell of 12d NZ took us through these tools in an informative presentation demonstrating how they can work for 12d Modellers across multiple disciplines.

You can watch a video of Dylan’s presentation here.

The sold-out 12d Tech Forum 2024 was a raging success, and we were thrilled to see so many of you there in person! There was only one problem from our perspective, and that was a pretty good one really – we had more content than we could showcase in three days! This webinar series brings you some of this extra content to you that was too good not to share.

Auto Catchment Delineation

I caught up with 12d Model Programmer Callum Peaker yesterday to chat about a new feature in 12d Model 15 – Automated Catchment Delineation.

First showcased at the 12d Tech Forum last year, Automated Catchment Delineation is a new tool aimed at aiding in catchment creation. This webinar will cover the process of catchment creation from start to finish, as well as provide glimpses into the tool’s ongoing and future development.

The sold-out 12d Tech Forum 2024 was a raging success, and we were thrilled to see so many of you there in person! There was only one problem from our perspective, and that was a pretty good one really – we had more content than we could showcase in three days! So we’re conducting a webinar series to bring you this amazing content that was too good not to share.

–Lisa Stewart