Our recent webinar in German, “AutoTURN – Basisfunktionen für einsteiger” (AutoTURN Basic Functions for Beginners), brought together civil engineers and transportation planning professionals for an in-depth exploration of one of the most essential tools in vehicle swept path analysis – AutoTURN.Led by Silvio Scholz, a freelance civil engineer working with Transoft Solutions, the session provided both theoretical foundations and practical demonstrations of real-world applications. Silvio’s extensive experience in geometric design and traffic engineering made this an invaluable learning opportunity for professionals seeking to master the fundamentals of vehicle turning simulation.
Here’s a recap of the key takeaways and highlights from the session:
Understanding Vehicle Swept Path Analysis Fundamentals
Vehicle swept path analysis is the simulation of design vehicle movement, representing vehicles through dimensional and technical parameters including steering behaviour.
AutoTURN delivers comprehensive swept path analysis capabilities by seamlessly integrating into your existing CAD environment. The software provides everything needed for professional vehicle movement simulation:
- Native CAD Integration – AutoTURN operates directly within AutoCAD, Civil 3D, BricsCAD, MicroStation, and ZWCAD, maintaining familiar design workflows while adding powerful analysis capabilities.
- Built-in Vehicle Libraries – AutoTURN includes extensive libraries of FGSV-compliant vehicles, municipal vehicles, and specialized transport options, with tools for creating custom vehicle configurations tailored to specific project requirements.
- Multiple Analysis Methods – From simple geometry-following simulations to sophisticated interactive steering control, AutoTURN offers flexible approaches suited to different design scenarios and accuracy requirements.
Vehicle Parameters and Library Management
Silvio demonstrated the extensive vehicle parameter options available in AutoTURN’s library system:
- Physical Characteristics: Length, width, height, wheelbase configurations, and multi-unit vehicle combinations for articulated vehicles and trailers
- Steering Behaviour: Configurable steering parameters, turning radii, and inter-vehicle relationships for complex vehicle combinations.
- Visual Representation: Detailed vehicle graphics including realistic tire representation, loading configurations, and customizable envelope curves.
- Specialised Features: Tracking points for specific analysis requirements, sight line definitions for reverse driving scenarios, and mirror vision capabilities for logistics applications.
The webinar highlighted AutoTURN’s powerful search and filtering capabilities, allowing users to quickly locate specific vehicle types and organize libraries according to project requirements.
Vertical Analysis
A standout segment focused on AutoTURN’s vertical simulation capabilities using a parking garage scenario. Key features demonstrated included:
- Dynamic height clearance checking with real-time conflict detection
- Customisable safety margins for both upward and downward clearances
- Interactive geometry modification with immediate feedback on clearance violations
- Detailed vehicle profiling in elevation view for comprehensive spatial analysis
This functionality proves invaluable for parking structure design, loading dock planning, and any application where vertical clearances are critical.
Practical Implementation Insights
Throughout the session, Silvio also addressed common implementation challenges:
- Library configuration and troubleshooting for proper vehicle display
- Speed parameter effects on simulation behaviour and available options
- Custom vehicle creation through modification of existing library vehicles
- Project workflow optimization using saved configurations and templates
And Much More…
The session also addressed platform compatibility across AutoTURN’s ecosystem, explaining the differences between Basic and Pro versions, and featured an extensive Q&A session covering practical implementation challenges including installation troubleshooting, custom vehicle creation workflows, speed parameter configurations, and strategies for managing complex vehicle scenarios across different CAD environments.
This comprehensive approach ensured participants gained both theoretical understanding and practical skills for immediate application in their transportation design projects.
Stay Connected!
Thanks to everyone who joined us for this introduction to AutoTURN’s fundamental capabilities. If you missed the session or want to revisit specific demonstrations, you can view the complete webinar recording with English subtitles here.
For questions about AutoTURN implementation, licensing options, or technical support, please contact our team at Transoft Solutions. We’re committed to helping you leverage these powerful tools for more effective and efficient transportation design projects. To stay up-to-date about upcoming webinars, in different languages, follow us on LinkedIn!