GuidSIGN - Detailed Review

NEW! MUTCD 2009 STANDARDS SUPPORT
GuidSIGN now features support for the latest MUTCD 2009 edition. Work with new the color set, updated panel styles (for guide, street, exit, regulatory, warning, and construction), as well as new updated libraries for route markers, shields, arrows, and symbols.

NEW! MUTCD 2009 SIGN TEMPLATES
Together with current MUTCD 2009 support, GuidSIGN also has over 200 new sign templates created specifically for the new guideline. Create your own signs to standards by simply choosing the appropriate template and changing existing objects and text to suit.

NEW! ARROW TYPES AND IMPROVED CUSTOM ARROW CREATOR
GuidSIGN includes new multi-headed diagrammatic arrow types for Roundabouts, Thru-Turn, Split, and, Left-Thru-Right directions. In addition, the custom arrow creator has been updated with dimension locators which show the arrow parameter being edited.

NEW! ADDITIONAL EXIT PANELS STYLES AND UPDATES
GuidSIGN now includes new exit panel libraries with full color symbol support for HOV (High Occupancy Vehicles), Toll, Exit Number, and Exit Only sign design. And now when a locked panel is updated, all the objects within the panel retain their set positions.

NEW! MOVING AND PLACING PANEL OBJECT FEATURES
Point-to-point snap in GuidSIGN allows users to choose key points on fixed objects to accurately position the object being moved. Multiple objects can also be selected and centered between a vertical short line and a border within a panel.

UPDATED! PLACEMENT OF SHORT LINES
The new version of GuidSIGN completely overhauls the original feature by allowing short lines to span panels as dividers or to dynamically resize with the panel while maintaining a fixed distance from the panel borders.

UPDATED! CHEVRON PANEL DESIGN
Chevron panel design has improved with radius input so that panel tips can designed for either rounded or sharp ends. As well, chevron symbols can now be placed offset perpendicularly from the edge of the slanted geometry of the chevron panel.

AutoCAD® 2012 and MicroStation® V8i COMPATIBILITY
GuidSIGN is now fully compatible with the latest CAD platforms from Autodesk® (AutoCAD 2012 and Bentley® (MicroStation V8i). Plus, GuidSIGN also supports both 32 and 64-bit operating systems.

CREATE SIGN FROM TEMPLATE
Design with consistency using guide or street signs from MUTCD standard or your own custom templates. Create a new sign by simply replacing text and available objects (shields, symbols, etc) within the panel.

BUILD TEMPLATE FROM SIGN
After you have designed your sign, you can save to a library and then later select it to become your regular sign template for traffic signing plans (block or cell). No more having to recreate your signs from scratch.

MULTIPLE STREET SIGN DESIGN
Create multiple street signs in a single operation from a selected template and list of street names, street types, sections of the city, ordinal endings, and block numbers.

CUSTOM ARROW DESIGN
Need an arrow meeting requirements for a specific region or a unique project? User-defined directional arrows (straight, down, 45°- 90° turns, and custom types) can be designed with filleted bends and end points.

ALIGN TEXT COMPONENTS IN A PANEL
Pick a text component of a multi-part string to be positioned in reference to another text string sitting above or below. This saves from having to manually adjust each line to fit properly.

NAME LOOKUP
Save even more time with the ability to search and select names from a list of standard feature names by state (USGS Datasheets) or from a list of AASHTO US Control Cities.

PANEL STYLES
You can quickly and efficiently create and modify custom sign panels to fit strict project requirements. An extensive library of the latest national MUTCD panel styles combined with GuidSIGN’s font flexibility allows you to develop the exact signage required.

PANEL DESIGN
GuidSIGN makes panel design easy and intuitive. The program automatically re-dimensions dynamic panels as you add new elements. A sign can utilize design symbols from a library including multiple arrows.

FONT SELECTION
You can produce signage to meet any font requirements because GuidSIGN supports the FHWA standard typeface family, the ClearviewHwy® font system, and all true type fonts.

REPORTING
Reporting in GuidSIGN is fast and simple. Placing a panel into a drawing sheet, dimensioning the design, and generating a report takes a few mouse clicks. After a report is generated, GuidSIGN will dynamically update it if you modify a design property.

CAD ENVIRONMENTS
GuidSIGN offers designers the choice of creating signs in the AutoCAD or MicroStation environment. The CAD environment support makes it possible to easily print signs or integrate them into roadway design drawings.

FILE PORTABILITY
Our proprietary exchange file format (.gsx) makes GuidSIGN files portable and easily transferable between versions. Due to portability, you can create and validate sign designs in your preferred software environment.

WINDOWS APPLICATION
You don’t have to be proficient with CAD software to use GuidSIGN for Windows. This standalone program retains all of the functionality of the CAD based version and works smart in the sign shop or on your laptop.