What Files Do I Need to Send for Survey CAD Drafting?
A practical checklist of field files, references and standards so your first drawing comes back right.
The quality and speed of outsourced drafting depend heavily on what arrives in the first upload. A complete package avoids back-and-forth questions and gets your drawing back sooner.
1. Field data
- Point files – CSV, TXT, PNEZD or coordinate files exported from your data collector.
- Raw files – RW5, JOB, FBK or similar when you want us to process figures and linework.
- Point clouds – LAS, LAZ, E57 or RCP for scan-to-CAD and LiDAR projects.
- Code list – your description key or field code library so linework connects correctly.
2. Reference documents
- Deeds, legal descriptions and title commitments (essential for ALTA/NSPS and boundary work).
- Recorded plats, previous surveys and easement documents.
- Field sketches or photos of anything unusual on site.
3. Your drafting standard
- A DWG template with title block, layers, text styles and dimension styles.
- A recent example drawing you consider "perfect" – this is the single most useful file you can send.
- Any state, provincial or council requirements specific to the job.
4. Scope notes
A short note covering sheet size, scale, contour interval, required Table A items or certification wording saves a revision round.
Accepted formats and size limits
Our secure portal accepts DWG, DXF, PDF, CSV, TXT, LAS/LAZ, E57, SHP, KML, ZIP and more, up to 200MB per file. Larger point clouds can be split or sent by secure link. Read how we protect your data on our security page.
Country-specific references
- USA – deeds, recorded plats, title commitments and Schedule B documents for ALTA work, plus FEMA flood maps for elevation certificates.
- Canada – registered plans, parcel registers and provincial standards such as Ontario reference plan conventions.
- UK – HM Land Registry title plans, OS mapping extracts and your topographical survey layer standard.
- Australia – deposited plans, title searches and council DA requirements for feature and level surveys.
Common mistakes that slow jobs down
Missing code list
Without your field code library we have to guess which points are kerbs, fences or trees. Sending the code list once saves hours on every future job.
Outdated template
If your title block has changed, send the latest version. Drafting on an old template means rework before the drawing can be issued.
Mixed coordinate systems
State plane, UTM, MGA and local grids should be stated clearly. A one-line note about datum and units prevents misplaced linework.
Unclear deliverables
Say whether you need a DWG only, a plotted PDF set, or both, and at what sheet size and scale.
How to package your upload
- Create one folder per job, named with your job number.
- Put field data, references and notes in separate subfolders.
- Zip the folder and upload it through the client dashboard.
- Add any special instructions in the project notes so the drafter sees them first.
What you get back
Every delivery includes the native CAD file on your template, a plotted PDF for quick review and a short note of any assumptions or questions raised during drafting. Your surveyor reviews, requests changes if needed, and then signs and seals the final drawing.
Ready to send a job?
Create a free account and upload through the client dashboard, or start with an estimate using the quote calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Can you work from handwritten field notes?
Yes. Scanned field books and sketches are fine, though coded digital data is faster and cheaper to process.
What is the maximum upload size?
Each file can be up to 200MB through the secure portal. Larger datasets can be zipped in parts or shared by secure link.
Do I need to send my CAD template?
It is strongly recommended. With your template we match your layers, title block and text styles exactly.