Land forming in progress — scraper grading a 3D-designed field surface
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Mode 03 · Land Forming

Put your 3D field design on the ground — RTK grade control for Geo-Surface™, AGD, LandXML, and other popular land-forming design software.

Bring the field design from Geo-Surface, other popular land-forming design software, or your drainage designer into Ditch Assist®. Import AGD, LandXML, or XYZ/XYZP surface files, calibrate to a benchmark, and grade the whole field with RTK machine control, a live cut/fill map, and Auto-Nudge™ pass staging. Filling in low areas and grading the entire field to the outer bounds? Geo-Surface builds exactly that design — fast, affordable, and exported ready to run in Ditch Assist.

Required hardware → Get a quote
New to Ditch Assist?

Ditch Assist turns centimeter-level RTK positioning into grade control and guidance for field machines — one kit, one Android tablet, any compatible RTK source. Land Forming is an included workflow. Buy the kit for this job and every other implement workflow comes with it — surface drainage, terraces, tile drainage, single-grade work, levees, leveling — at no extra cost, no per-mode activation. Land Forming runs on the Full Automation Kit, the Guidance Only Kit, and Ditch Assist Lite, which puts only a GPS on the blade, no wires, on any machine or implement, and runs Land Forming as guidance: you work the blade, and Auto-Nudge™ sets each pass’s target.

What is Ditch Assist? →
What it is

3D grade control for the whole field.

3D land forming fits the grade to the field instead of holding one plane across it. A variable-slope surface moves less dirt, keeps the productive topsoil where it belongs, and sheds water to the outlets your designer picked.

Ditch Assist implements 3D land-forming and land-leveling designs every day across North, Central, and South America. Import from Geo-Surface, other popular land-forming design software, or your specialist designer in AGD, LandXML, or our native XYZP format. Ditch Assist processes the surface, sets it as your grading target, and builds a high-resolution cut/fill map — coverage fills in on the map as you work.

Land Forming walkthrough

Complete 3D land-forming how-to: import, calibrate, Auto-Nudge, and grade to design.

This is the in-app workflow an operator follows in the field: check module and RTK GPS status, set swath width for coverage, switch Land Forming to metric, import the 3D design file, generate the cut/fill map, calibrate GPS elevation to a benchmark or unchanged area, enable Auto-Nudge, then grade the surface with RTK control and live coverage feedback.

Import the 3D design

Set swath width, confirm metric units, select the AGD, LandXML, or XYZP file from the tablet, then let Ditch Assist build the design surface and cut/fill map.

Calibrate GPS elevation

Use an imported benchmark or an unchanged green area on the cut/fill map so the current RTK setup matches the original survey elevation.

Grade, stage, and resume

Run Auto-Nudge for deeper cuts, use Hold for manual guidance, watch color-coded coverage, then resume the saved job later if the field is not finished in one session.

What the Land Forming walkthrough covers

This walkthrough simulates the full advanced 3D Land Forming flow in the Ditch Assist app, matching what an operator does when importing and implementing a variable-slope design surface.

  • 1. Pre-flight checks Connect the tablet to the Ditch Assist control module Wi-Fi, run preflight checks, and confirm GPS, latitude, longitude, and elevation are green and updating.
  • 2. Swath width and metric setup Set swath width so coverage matches the implement, then confirm metric units because imported 3D land-forming designs and calculations run in metric.
  • 3. Import the design file Open Land Forming, choose the design import path, select the AGD, LandXML, or XYZP file from the tablet, review the verification screen, and apply it.
  • 4. Build the surface and cut/fill map Ditch Assist builds the design surface, generates the cut/fill map, and can enable Auto-Nudge when the file includes both original and final design surfaces.
  • 5. Calibrate GPS elevation Calibrate to an imported master benchmark or drive to an unchanged green cut/fill area, lower the implement to the ground, and average GPS elevation for five seconds.
  • 6. Verify calibration Drive to a few unchanged green areas, press Start, and confirm the blade settles on the ground instead of digging below or riding above the design.
  • 7. Grade the 3D target Use the cut/fill map to plan passes, press Start, and let Ditch Assist read the current and final elevation targets from the imported design surface.
  • 8. Stage cuts or run guidance only Auto-Nudge limits heavy cuts pass by pass, while Hold pauses hydraulic commands so the operator can move bulk material manually and return to automation for final grade.
  • 9. Track coverage and resume later Green coverage shows finished grade, red/orange/yellow show remaining passes, and saved progress can be resumed after recalibrating if the RTK setup changes.
Before Land Forming

Before you load a 3D land-forming design.

The setup walkthrough covers the app and machine checks that should happen before importing or implementing a variable-slope land-forming surface.

  • Cache satellite imagery and save available LiDAR so the operator has field context after switching to controller Wi-Fi.
  • Confirm the tablet can connect to the control module and read valid RTK GPS before importing AGD, LandXML, or XYZP design data.
  • Verify hydraulic control and plan benchmark calibration before starting automation on the design surface.
Setup video
Before and after: a field with ponding areas reshaped by a 3D land-forming design
Before and after: every ponding area gone — and far less dirt moved than most operators expect.
Design import compatibility

Bring your 3D land-forming design. Ditch Assist will grade it.

Land forming starts with the surface your designer created. Ditch Assist focuses on execution: import the design, lock it to the field with a benchmark, then drive the implement to the 3D target.

Design software

Popular design software

Import surfaces from well-known land-forming and land-leveling design software through AGD, LandXML, or compatible surface exports supplied by your designer.

Geo-Surface

Simple designs: Geo-Surface.com

Geo-Surface.com builds simple land-forming designs and exports them ready for Ditch Assist. Filling in low areas and grading the entire field to the outer bounds? It is the fast, affordable way to get that design done.

Grading software

Land grading software

Ditch Assist works with designs from land grading software such as Ezigrade: bring them in through AGD/Agguide, LandXML, or XYZ/XYZP handoff paths.

AGD

AGD files with benchmarks

Import AGD designs and use embedded benchmark information where available, then drive to the benchmark and calibrate in the cab.

LandXML

LandXML surfaces

Use LandXML when your designer, civil package, or land-forming workflow exports a surface that needs to run on field equipment.

XYZ / XYZP

Simple surface text files

Use Ditch Assist’s native XYZ/XYZP text format for straightforward surface handoffs from custom workflows or specialist designers.

In the cab

Cut/fill map generated on import

Once the file is processed, the tablet shows the target surface, cut/fill map, benchmark calibration, and live coverage as you grade.

Land leveling and 3D land forming

When a field needs more than one plane.

One plane is the right call when the job really is flat or one constant slope — Ditch Assist runs those in Leveling and Simple Grading. Whole-field drainage is different: the best design often changes slope across the field so water leaves without moving more soil than necessary.

That is where Land Forming fits. Your designer builds the variable 3D surface in popular land-forming design software such as Geo-Surface, or in another design workflow; Ditch Assist turns that surface into the in-cab grade target.

Pick by the job
Flat pads.

Leveling is for one elevation: pads, yards, sheds, arenas, and bins.

One plane.

Simple Grading is for one slope across the job.

Engineered field surface.

Land Forming is for a variable 3D design that drains the field while limiting dirt moved.

The workflow

Typical land-forming workflow.

Import the design, calibrate to a benchmark, then auto-grade. The cut/fill map fills in as you cut — green where you’ve reached grade, gradients elsewhere showing exactly how much material is left to move and where it goes.

Imported land-forming design summary in Ditch Assist Benchmark calibration dialog confirming a locked design Active land-forming grading with coverage filling on the cut/fill map
In the cab

Design loaded. Cut/fill map ready.

Once the import is processed, the Land Forming screen shows your design as a high-resolution cut/fill map — colour gradients tell you exactly where to move material and how much. Tap Start and the implement begins following the design.

Land Forming screen with loaded design and computed cut/fill map ready to grade
Staging the cut

How Ditch Assist grades a deep 3D surface in passes.

When the design calls for more cut than one pass can take, Ditch Assist stages the depth across passes, each one held to the max cut you set. This feature is called Auto-Nudge.

Auto-Nudge™ pass staging

Auto-Nudge™ — for the deep cuts in a 3D design.

A land-forming design rarely cuts evenly across the field — some areas may only need a few centimetres, others 30 cm or more. Auto-Nudge™ stages those deeper areas pass by pass, sized to what your tractor and scraper can pull. Set your max cut per pass; the system limits target depth across the whole surface and you advance when each pass is complete.

Illustration: one slice through the field. Vertical scale exaggerated.
AUTO-NUDGE
Max cut2.0 in
Pass 1of 6
This pass, up to2.0 in
Left to final grade11.0 in
SET

Set your max cut

Configure the deepest single-pass cut your scraper and conditions can handle. Auto-Nudge™ respects that limit everywhere on the field, even where the design calls for the heaviest cuts.

STAGE

System stages each pass

Auto-Nudge™ computes the target surface for the current pass — never more than your max below the current ground. The cut/fill map shows what’s been graded and what’s still pending, so you can see the field filling toward final grade.

ADVANCE

Tap to advance, pass by pass

After covering the field, tap Pass + in the sidebar. The system sets the next target, the cut/fill map updates, and you keep grading until the entire field is on final grade.

Equipment

Grade control for the machines you land-form with.

Land-forming jobs run mostly on land levelers and hydraulic blades, which cut and fill to the 3D design and finish the surface. Pull-type scrapers do the bulk earth moving when the design shifts a lot of soil from high spots to low. On all of them we recommend the Full Automation Kit: our valve on the implement, and Ditch Assist works raise/lower to the 3D design. Pick yours below for setup and compatibility details.

Land levelers

Grade Control for Land Levelers

On a 3D land-forming job, a land leveler’s broad cut and even weight smooth the surface in fewer passes than a typical blade, and its long wheelbase holds a steady line under automatic raise/lower. The Full Automation Kit adds our valve to any hydraulic land leveler, and Ditch Assist works raise/lower to the 3D design. The Guidance Only Kit shows the cut/fill on screen while you work the hydraulics yourself, following the arrows, and you can add our valve later to make it the Full Automation Kit.

Ditch Assist works with the raise/lower function only. Tilt and side-wing functions stay manually operated. For tilt-capable units, keep the tilt angle constant from setup through to grading — changing it mid-job shifts the GPS height offset and pulls the leveler off the design.

Auto-Nudge™ splits the deepest cuts into passes no deeper than the max cut you set, and the cut/fill map shows what’s left to move at all times.

The control module talks to the tablet over Wi-Fi, so no harness goes through the cab door and the kit moves quickly between machines. Works with any compatible RTK GPS; the Emlid Reach RS3 or RS4 is our affordable starter option.

Hydraulic blades & pull-type dozer blades

Grade Control for Hydraulic Blades and Pull-Type Dozer Blades

Hydraulic blades and pull-type dozer blades give you tight depth control, low ground pressure, and the manoeuvrability to work the slope changes in a 3D design. The Full Automation Kit and the Guidance Only Kit both fit any hydraulic blade, pull-type dozer blades included.

The Full Automation Kit adds our PWM valve, hoses, fittings, and a manual-bypass circuit, and Ditch Assist works raise/lower to the design. The Guidance Only Kit is the control module and harness only, no plumbing: you work raise/lower yourself following the arrows on the screen, and can add our valve later to make it the Full Automation Kit.

Either way, Ditch Assist works with the raise/lower function only — tilt and side-wing functions stay manual. Keep the tilt angle constant from initial setup through to grading; changing it alters the GPS height offset and pulls the blade off the design.

Auto-Nudge™ stages the deepest passes to the max cut you set, sized to what the blade and tractor can handle. The cut/fill map fills in as you work.

Wi-Fi from the control module keeps cab wiring minimal and allows fast machine swaps. Works with any compatible RTK GPS; ask about the affordable Emlid Reach RS3 or RS4 bundle.

Pull-type scrapers

Grade Control for Pull-Type Scrapers

Pull-type scrapers do the bulk earth moving in land forming, when the design shifts large volumes from high spots to low. The Full Automation Kit adds our valve to any hydraulically operated pull-type scraper, and Ditch Assist works raise/lower to the 3D design. Rather work raise/lower yourself? The Guidance Only Kit shows the cut/fill on screen while you work the existing hydraulics, following the arrows, and you can add our valve later to make it the Full Automation Kit.

Many operators run a scraper for the bulk earth moves, then switch to a blade or land leveler to finish — the same kit moves between both in as little as 20 minutes. Min Valve DC and Max Valve DC (duty cycle) settings in the app let you tune hydraulic responsiveness to your scraper size; high-flow valve spool upgrades are available for extra-large scrapers.

Auto-Nudge™ stages deep cuts to the max cut you set, even in the heaviest areas of the design. The cut/fill map fills in as you go, so progress is always visible.

Ditch Assist works with any compatible RTK GPS. Starting without RTK? Ask about the affordable, reliable Emlid Reach RS3 or RS4.

More than land forming

Same kit. Every other job too.

Whichever kit you buy for land forming — Full Automation or Guidance Only — unlocks every other implement workflow in the Ditch Assist app. No extra cost, no per-mode activation. Same kit, same tablet, same operator.

Mode 01

Ditching

Surface drainage runs — survey, design, auto-grade. Curved, multi-grade, kilometre-long.

See Ditching → Mode 02

Terracing

Simple Maintenance uses one survey. Standard Terracing keeps channel + berm surveys for construction.

See Terracing → Mode 04

Simple Grading

Single-slope grading or a sloped plane: type a grade percent and go, or survey a centerline first and fit one grade to the ground.

See Simple Grading → Mode 05

Tiling

Sub-surface tile drainage with depth-constrained design and Automatic Rock Hit Recovery.

See Tiling → Mode 06

Leveling

Flat pads for grain bins, machine sheds, riding arenas, and equipment yards.

See Leveling → Mode 07

Levee

Drive elevation contours for levees, paddy dikes, and contour berms — lightbar guidance with no automation valve or hydraulic plumbing.

See Levee →
In practice

Land Forming, in detail.

“I only need one complete system to use across multiple pieces and it is so easy to move from piece to piece. The learning curve was about as easy as anything I have used, it’s so simple and easy to use. I have used it on our grader blade, dirt pan and even used it for building lakes, which was so much faster than the old laser.”

Ross Boarman Specialty Ag Work Inc. — Calhoun, Kentucky

“It is so simple and easy to use, I really enjoy the results we get with it — much better than eyeballing it like I used to.”

Adam Northern Kansas
Feature highlight

Operators are often surprised at how little material has to move to drain every ponding area — once you grade to a proper 3D design, you’re not chasing low spots with a ditch.

Problem solved

Bring the design file you already have. We import supported AGD, LandXML, and XYZ/XYZP surfaces, honor benchmark data where available, and turn them into calibration targets you can drive to.

In the cab

As you cut, the cut/fill map colors the ground you cover by your current elevation: green where you’ve reached grade; red, orange, and yellow where passes remain. No more guessing how many passes are left.

Quick fit check

Is Land Forming the right mode for the job?

Best for

Operators running a land leveler, hydraulic blade, pull-type dozer blade, or pull-type scraper who have — or can get — a 3D land-forming design in AGD, LandXML, or XYZP and want RTK grade control to put it on the ground. On a dozer or self-propelled scraper, Ditch Assist Lite runs Land Forming as guidance.

Different job?

A single flat pad with one target elevation — see Leveling. A single-slope job with no imported 3D design — see Simple Grading. Excavator bucket guidance — see Excavator and DIG™.

Land forming FAQ

Common design-import and grade-control questions.

These are the questions operators and designers usually ask when they want to turn a 3D land-forming or land-leveling design into finished ground.

Design software

Can Ditch Assist import designs from popular land-forming software?

Yes. Ditch Assist can run surfaces from popular land-forming and land-leveling design software through supported design handoff formats such as AGD, LandXML, and compatible XYZ/XYZP surface exports. Once imported, the tablet builds the grading target and cut/fill map for field execution.

Geo-Surface

What if I only need a simple design?

Use Geo-Surface.com. It builds simple land-forming designs and exports them ready for Ditch Assist — the fast, affordable way to fill in low areas and grade the entire field to the outer bounds. For complex designs, work with your designer or popular land-forming design software.

Design file handoff

Which file should my design software export?

AGD when it can. Most land-forming software can create an AGD file, and it carries the grade points, benchmarks, and balance-section boundaries in one file. Use LandXML or XYZ/XYZP when that is the clean export path.

AGD

What happens to AGD benchmarks?

When benchmark information is present, Ditch Assist turns it into a drive-to calibration target. Drive to the benchmark, tap Calibrate, and the imported surface is locked to the field before grading starts.

LandXML

Does Ditch Assist support LandXML?

Yes. LandXML is a common way to move surface data between design software and field systems. Ditch Assist imports supported LandXML surfaces and turns them into the same in-cab grading target and cut/fill map.

XYZ / XYZP

What is Ditch Assist’s XYZ/XYZP file format?

XYZ and XYZP are Ditch Assist’s native point-file formats for simple surface handoffs. XYZ rows are latitude, longitude, and existing elevation; XYZP adds a fourth column for proposed elevation, which unlocks cut/fill, volume summaries, and Auto-Nudge™ pass staging. Rows can be comma, tab, or whitespace delimited, and the file should contain numeric rows only — no header row.

Equipment

What machines can grade a 3D land-forming design?

Most operators use land levelers, hydraulic blades, pull-type dozer blades, and pull-type scrapers. On those, the Full Automation Kit adds our valve and Ditch Assist works raise/lower to the design. With the Guidance Only Kit you work raise/lower yourself following the arrows on the screen, and can add our valve later. Ditch Assist Lite runs Land Forming as guidance on any machine you can put a GPS on, dozers and self-propelled scrapers included: only a GPS on the blade, no wires, and you work the blade while Auto-Nudge™ sets each pass’s target. Already own a compatible RTK GPS? Ask us about the Guidance Only Kit instead; we review each machine first.

RTK GPS

Can I use my existing RTK GPS?

Yes. Ditch Assist works with any RTK GPS that can provide position data to the tablet and control module. Many customers bring their existing RTK source; others start with an affordable Emlid Reach RS3 or RS4 bundle.

Design file handoff

How to get your land-forming design into Ditch Assist.

Ask your designer or software to export an AGD file when possible. AGD is the preferred handoff because most land-forming software can create it, it is widely used, and it can carry grade points, benchmarks, and balance-section boundaries in one file. Copy the design onto the Android tablet, then open Land Forming → Import AGD File (or Import XYZP File / Import LandXML).

Land Forming is metric-only.

Set the Ditch Assist app to Metric before importing or running a Land Forming design. Design elevations, benchmark calibration, cut/fill values, and 3D surface calculations are handled in metric units for this mode.

01 Export the design

Choose AGD when available; use LandXML or XYZP when that is the clean export path.

02 Copy to tablet

Use Downloads, Documents, USB storage, or a synced folder.

03 Import in Land Forming

Review points, area, benchmarks, sections, and cut/fill.

04 Benchmark and grade

Calibrate to the BM, then let the cut/fill map guide the job.

AGD / Agguide

AGD design CSV

Use AGD when you can. It is the most universal Ditch Assist handoff because most land-forming design software can create it and it keeps the design surface, benchmarks, and balance sections together. Ditch Assist recognizes AGD when the first row includes Existing, Proposed, and Code. Keep it comma-delimited and leave blank cells in place where the format requires them.

Expected columns

Latitude, longitude, existing elevation in meters, proposed elevation in meters, cut/fill, code, comments.

Latitude (deg), Longitude (deg), Elevation Existing(m), Elevation Proposed(m), CutFill(m), Code, Comments
49.123456,-97.654321,246.82,245.96,0.86,3GRD,
49.123900,-97.654900,246.50,246.50,0.00,0MB,Main BM
49.124500,-97.655500,,,,2BAL1,North section
  • 3GRD rows are the grade points used to build the 3D surface.
  • 0MB rows become imported benchmarks. The app uses the existing elevation as the known surveyed ground elevation, lists the BM in the calibration dialog, and lets the operator drive to it for a 5-second GPS calibration.
  • 2BAL{n} rows become balance-section boundaries drawn as dotted loops on the map. They help the operator finish one section before moving to the next.
.XYZ / .XYZP

Simple point files

Use XYZ or XYZP for simple point handoffs, custom exports, or software workflows that do not export a clean AGD file. Use decimal WGS84 latitude and longitude; if your export is easting/northing, convert it first or use LandXML with a coordinate system.

Required columns

XYZ: latitude, longitude, existing elevation. XYZP: latitude, longitude, existing elevation, proposed elevation. Use numeric rows only: no headers.

XYZ 
49.123456,-97.654321,246.82
XYZP 
49.123456,-97.654321,246.82,245.96

Delimiter: comma, tab, or whitespace are accepted for XYZ/XYZP. Every row should start with numbers. XYZP includes the proposed grade in the fourth column, which allows cut/fill, volume summaries, and Auto-Nudge™ pass staging.

LandXML

LandXML TIN surfaces

Use LandXML for Civil 3D, Trimble Business Center, and other civil/survey exports. The file should contain at least one <Surface> with TIN points and faces.

<P id="1">5543210.23 612345.67 246.82</P>
<F>1 2 3</F>
  • LandXML point order is northing, easting, elevation.
  • Include a coordinate system when possible. EPSG codes are preferred; recognized WKT, State Plane, and UTM definitions are also handled.
  • The importer converts meter, international-foot, and US-survey-foot elevations to meters internally. Multi-surface files let you pick the surface before applying the design.
In the app

Import checklist

Before heading to the field, put the design file somewhere the tablet file picker can reach: Downloads, Documents, USB storage, or a shared folder synced onto the device.

  • Open Land Forming, tap Import AGD File, Import XYZP File or Import LandXML, select the file, then review the point count, area, elevation range, benchmarks, sections, and average cut/fill.
  • Large files take longer to triangulate. Designs above roughly 50,000 points should usually be simplified before field use.
  • After import, calibrate the benchmark before starting automation. AGD benchmarks are best; otherwise use a stable zero-cut/fill point or known elevation.
Already have a design?

Send the file before you commit to a system.

If your designer, surveyor, or software has already produced a land-forming surface, send us the export before you buy. We can test the handoff, confirm whether Ditch Assist can load it, and flag any format, coordinate, unit, benchmark, or file-size issues while there is still time to fix them.

Files to send

AGD, LandXML, XYZ, or XYZP.

Send the exact design export you expect to use in the field, plus any benchmark notes, units, coordinate system information, and the software or designer it came from.

What we validate

Can Ditch Assist build the surface?

We check whether the file imports, whether the surface and cut/fill map make sense, whether benchmarks are usable, and whether the design is too dense for practical field use.

If it needs work

We help you fix the file.

If the design does not load cleanly, we will look for the practical fix: a different export, simplification, coordinate-system correction, unit cleanup, or conversion through a better handoff format.

Excavator using the Ditch Assist DIG™ Kit for bucket-tip guidance Ditch Assist DIG
Excavator guidance

Have an excavator or backhoe too?

Add the Ditch Assist DIG™ Kit, a separate kit for excavators and backhoes: bucket-tip elevation, trench design, and dug-earth mapping. It runs in Excavator mode of the same Ditch Assist app you use on the implement.

See Excavator mode → DIG™ Kit
RTK GNSS receivers for 3D land forming grade control
RTK GPS bundles

Need RTK for imported 3D designs?

Land Forming needs stable RTK height for benchmark calibration, live cut/fill maps, and grading to the imported design surface. Bring your existing receiver, or quote Emlid RS4 / RS3 receivers with Ditch Assist when you want an affordable base-rover setup. The Ditch Assist-only bundle can include the tripod, extender, mounts, and Emlid RTK GPS cable needed for the machine.

RTK GPS options →Get a quote
Compatible equipment

Automation or guidance for the implements you already land-form with.

Land Levelers Hydraulic Blades Pulldozer Pull-Type Scrapers (any brand)
Try it live

See the real app before you talk hardware.

Try the Land Forming workflow yourself: design import, benchmark calibration, and cut/fill grading, all in your browser.

Open the app simulator →
Ditch Assist app home screen in the browser simulator