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Piritahi is a large scale construction alliance in Auckland, New Zealand, delivering the civil engineering and infrastructure needed to support thousands of new state homes. Working for Kāinga Ora, Piritahi is undertaking one of New Zealand’s largest urban regeneration programmes, a five year, approximately NZ$1 billion programme spanning around 52 square kilometres across six established Auckland neighbourhoods. The project involves replacing ageing infrastructure and enabling the redevelopment of thousands of state homes, all while working within complex brownfield environments and around existing homes, services, roads and residents.

With a project of this scale, effective collaboration and data management are essential. 12d Model and 12d Synergy have played a key role in helping Piritahi manage the volume and complexity of its design, survey and construction information. 12d Model has been used across multiple disciplines to develop 3D designs for roads, stormwater and sewer networks, existing services and intersections, while also integrating with GIS platforms, Revit, XP SWMM, 3D scanning and drone survey data. 12d Synergy provides a central platform for around 500 users across the alliance, enabling teams to securely access, manage and collaborate on project information from anywhere. Its cloud-based setup became particularly valuable during COVID 19 lockdowns, allowing teams to continue working remotely while maintaining a single source of truth and a clear audit trail.

Together, these digital tools have helped Piritahi create a more connected and efficient approach to design, construction and data management. From 3D modelling and clash detection to GIS visualisation, augmented reality and construction survey data, information can be shared between teams and fed back into the design process. By using technology to support collaboration throughout the project lifecycle, Piritahi is not only helping to deliver complex infrastructure more efficiently but also contributing to a broader goal: creating safe, warm and dry homes for communities across Auckland.

Master Shares provide a practical way to share models and TINs between projects when using 12d Model with 12d Synergy. To access the Master Share Manager, go to Project > Sharing > Share Manager, or use the sharing toolbar. Before creating a Master Share file, the required models and TINs must first be made available for sharing. This can be done through the Share Manager or through the Share Models Out and Share TINs Out options. Once the required data has been selected, save the changes and check in the project through Project > 12d Synergy > Check-in Project so the updated sharing information is synchronised with the Synergy server.

When creating a Master Share file, use the Share Out tab and select Add New Master Share. It is recommended to store Master Share files in a dedicated Master Shares folder rather than inside individual working projects. This makes the files easier for users to locate and manage, particularly in a Synergy environment where projects are regularly checked in and out. When adding the source project, 12d Synergy users should select Access by 12d Synergy Data Management Server and browse to the required project. Avoid selecting Store Relative Path, as this can cause the Master Share to reference workspace data rather than the Synergy-managed project data. For easier management, it is also recommended to use one project per Master Share file, even though multiple projects can be included.

To add a Master Share to another project, go to the Share In tab and select Add New Master Share. Browse to the dedicated Master Shares folder, select the required file and save it to synchronise the data. The models and TINs included in the Master Share can then be added to the project. Once a project is subscribed to a Master Share, any additional models or TINs added by the Master Share owner will become available after the next synchronisation. This provides an efficient way of keeping shared project data up to date without manually transferring individual files between projects.

The Master Share logging and status information is also a useful tool for checking that data is being referenced correctly. A green status indicates that everything is working correctly, while orange indicates a warning and red indicates an error. When using 12d Synergy, users should check that the Master Share is referencing a Synergy path. If a local or workspace path is displayed instead, the Master Share may not have been shared correctly through Synergy, potentially resulting in outdated data or synchronisation issues. The logging information can also be expanded to identify the source file, models and TINs included, while options such as Edit File and Explore Folder can help users investigate and troubleshoot Master Share issues.

Watch the video here:

The Civil and Surveying Institute (the largest and most experienced provider of authorised 12d Model training courses) offers a variety of training courses in multiple formats. In partnership with the Association of Land Development Engineers (ALDE), this Self-Paced Online Training (SPOT) course is designed for those starting out, transitioning to, or upskilling in the Land Development industry.

Enrol in the entire course for $2,000 (AUD) excl GST. $1,500 for ALDE members excl GST.

This Self-Paced Online Training course includes 36 hours and 33 minutes of on-demand video training, allowing you to learn at your own pace with structured guidance.

As a part of the course, trainees access:

– ALDE Unit 1 – Introduction to Land Development Design (0:13:55)

– ALDE Unit 2 – Road and Finished Surface Design (21:04:58)

– ALDE Unit 3 – Stormwater Design (15:14:43)

– 12d Model Software licence for 12 months, and data

– Practical and engaging quizzes

– Certificate of Completion

The ALDE Introduction to Land Development Design Course provides a comprehensive learning experience, combining practical industry guidance with hands-on 12d Model training. The course includes the ALDE Land Development Design document, which covers typical land development procedures, key input documents and standards, Functional Layout Plan submissions, and advanced design theory and scheduling. Participants also receive access to a 12d Model training licence for the duration of the course, along with more than 100 industry-tailored training videos aligned with authority requirements such as EDCM, Melbourne Water, and AustRoads.

The course also provides in-depth training in key 12d Model design areas, including Road and Finished Surface Design and Stormwater Design. Topics covered include survey data preparation, super alignment design, stormwater coordination, lot grading, pavement design, stormwater networks, catchment assignment, Rational Method hydrology, pipe grading and sizing, services, gap flow calculations, and outputs and plotting.

Enrol Today: Civil and Surveying Institute. Self-Paced: ALDE Introduction to Land Development Design – 12d Model 15

The 12d Tech Forum 2024 Directors Cut webinar series highlights valuable technical content that could not be fully included in the original face-to-face event. One featured session focused on the markup and review tools available in 12d Model 15 and 12d View 15, presented by Dalin Ve, Regional Sales Manager for 12d. The session demonstrated how these tools provide a digital alternative to traditional manual review processes while supporting existing quality assurance (QA) and BIM workflows across design, construction, and survey projects.

The markup and review tools were developed to improve collaboration, accountability, and traceability throughout project workflows. Available in both 12d Model and 12d View, the tools allow designers, reviewers, and field teams to review data without requiring every user to have a full 12d Model license. Each markup or review automatically records important information, including who created it, when it was issued, who is responsible for changes, the progress of those changes, and whether the completed work has been verified. This information is stored as object attributes, ensuring that review data remains connected to the project information throughout the process.

The webinar introduced three key components of the system: markup tools, 2.5D review tools, and true 3D review tools. The markup tools provide a familiar approach for drawing-based reviews, allowing users to create digital annotations such as rectangles, lines, text, revision clouds, and pointers. The 2.5D review tools are designed for digital workflows, enabling users to identify issues through smart review areas that capture comments, dates, and user information. The 3D review tools take collaboration further by allowing users to pinpoint issues spatially with X, Y, and Z coordinates, making them valuable for BIM coordination and federated model reviews.

A major advantage of the tools is the built-in workflow tracking system, which uses status gateways to manage progress from creation through verification. Reviews move through defined stages, including unassigned, in progress, completed, and verified, ensuring that changes are properly managed and documented. Additional features such as publishing, importing review data, view favorites, status tables, and HTML reporting help teams share information efficiently, prepare for meetings, and maintain clear records of project decisions. By combining digital markups, automated tracking, and BIM-ready data management, 12d Model 15 provides a flexible solution for improving quality control across the entire project lifecycle.

Watch the video here:

How Did the City of Newcastle Achieve Rapid Digital Transformation During COVID-19 with 12d Synergy?

The City of Newcastle’s journey with 12d Synergy is a story of rapid transformation driven by opportunity and necessity. A series of organisational changes—including new leadership, modern design tools, a technology-enabled workplace, and flexible working practices—created the foundation for a digital shift that would reshape how the engineering team worked.

When COVID-19 forced the team to work remotely, managing large engineering datasets became an urgent challenge. 12d Synergy provided the solution, enabling the City of Newcastle to maintain productivity with secure data management, faster file access, version control, and seamless collaboration. Remarkably, the platform was implemented across the design and survey teams within just four weeks.

What started as a response to remote working evolved into a long-term transformation. Through phased adoption, the City expanded its use of 12d Synergy for project data management, email organisation, task tracking, and collaboration. The result was a more connected, efficient, and future-ready approach to managing engineering projects.

As a key contractor within the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT), SCIRT (https://scirtlearninglegacy.org.nz/) leveraged 12d Model to help deliver one of New Zealand’s largest post-earthquake infrastructure reconstruction projects, restoring critical roads, water networks, and essential services across Christchurch.

The $2 billion rebuilding of Christchurch is one of the biggest and most complex civil engineering projects New Zealand has ever seen.

The city was hit by four major earthquakes over 10 months, the magnitude 6.3 quake in February 2011 being the most destructive.

The earthquakes resulted in the loss of 181 lives, and caused unprecedented damage that left the 376,000 residents without even basic infrastructure and services.

The massive rebuild task has started, and the design teams at work on restoring the devastated infrastructure needed to choose the right civil software.

They chose 12d Model — because it provides the best integrated package for surveying, preliminary and detailed design, construction and producing as-built drawings.

The project is being carried out by the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT), an alliance involving Christchurch City Council, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), City Care, Downer, Fletcher Construction, Fulton Hogan, and MacDow New Zealand. It will also see major involvement from GHD, URS, Sinclair Knight Merz, Beca Opus and Eliot Sinclair.

And 12d Model will be helping the SCIRT teams across the alliance tackle a huge amount of work, in a project that will take at least five years.

An estimated $2.5 billion worth of replacements or repairs are needed to more than 200km of roads and 800km of pipes for water, wastewater and stormwater, as well as a large number of water reservoirs, bridges and public parks.

“12d Model is being used as the civil engineering database and for all the civil engineering functions including the surveying, drainage and sewer design and road design,” 12d Solutions Managing Director Lee Gregory said.

To help with the vast rebuild effort, 12d NZ are currently conducting “train the trainer” courses for drainage and civil design, and training for the SCIRT 12d Lead Designers.

“All the surveying is being done for SCIRT by consultants using 12d Model,” he said.

New Zealand government Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, said Canterbury had been amazingly resilient over recent months, with residents willing to make changes to meet the challenges of the devastated areas.

“Through earthquakes and snowstorms the city is still getting up and going to work,” Mr Brownlee said.

“Despite all they‘ve been through I believe confidence is growing among Cantabrians, and with good reason.”

Download this Case Study as a PDF HERE

In this short tutorial, we show you how to create and manage Env_configs.4d in 12d Model to simplify license management across different workflows. By creating multiple environments within a single configuration file, you can quickly switch between licenses for surveying, road design, drainage, GIS, and other disciplines without changing your software setup.

Each environment overrides only the required settings, primarily the nodes.4d and dongles.4d files. While the nodes.4d file typically remains the same across all environments, the dongles.4d file changes depending on the license required. Once configured, the file can be stored on a shared server, allowing users to select the appropriate environment when opening a project.

When 12d Model starts, it automatically references the license associated with the selected environment, whether it is hosted locally or on a network. Users can verify the active environment and license through the startup output window or the Help > About 12d Model dialog.

Watch the full tutorial to learn how to create Environment Configuration files, switch between license environments, and streamline license access in 12d Model.