Book a demonstration of Level AI and request a tailored quote from Civix. Level.AI integrates with your preferred design software, turns early layouts into detailed 3D civil designs, and lets you assess feasibility in hours, not weeks. When inputs change, you can update parameters and regenerate designs with a single click. 

Alongside the AI powered design workflow, we offer add ons that strengthen delivery, including layout development workshops, flood modelling, and engineering estimate preparation. These can be integrated into your scope for a customised, end to end solution.

We are driven by precision, innovation and results. Talk to us today about how we can help bring your development vision to life.

To get started, we need a site layout. You can supply one from your urban designer or architect, or we can prepare layout options for you. Level.AI works from simple 2D layouts and produces detailed 3D civil models, so DWG, RVT or clean PDF files are fine.

If you do not already have a layout, we can run a workshop with your project team to confirm goals, constraints and servicing strategy, then work with the right professionals to produce fit for purpose layout proposals that align with council expectations and market reality.

What we need (typical inputs)

• Base information (topographical survey, title, easements, contours)

• Any planning overlays and key rules, preferred yields or staging

• Draft building footprints or red lines for roads, lots and open space

• Known constraints (flooding, geotech notes, existing services)

What you receive

• One to three layout options with a short rationale and trade offs

• A servicing concept and high level feasibility signals

• Clear next steps to move into detailed design with Level AI

To generate accurate designs, we set your project standards, load the base data, and add any optional layers that improve precision.

Grading questionnaire, required
When you sign up we send a short grading questionnaire. It captures default parameters and standards to use in the design, for example road crossfalls, minimum grades, berm and footpath widths, lot typologies, earthworks limits, target levels, staging, and any client or council standards.

Existing surface, required
The only essential input alongside the layout is the existing ground surface. A recent topographic survey is preferred, as it delivers the best accuracy for design. If a topo survey is not available, we can build an initial surface from publicly available LiDAR and proceed for feasibility. Note that LiDAR is less accurate than topo, so a topo survey is recommended before detailed design.
Accepted formats include LandXML, DWG with 3D faces, 12d strings, LAS or LAZ, and CSV point files. Please provide the coordinate system and vertical datum.

Drainage and sanitary networks, optional but recommended
Level.AI can account for required levels to connect to existing networks, which improves the accuracy of the proposed surface and servicing. If you have data for stormwater and wastewater, please provide pipe sizes, materials, inverts, cover levels, manhole locations and known constraints. GIS files, LandXML, CAD, PDFs or council extracts are all fine. Where public data exists, we can source and load it.

Geotechnical reports, optional
Level.AI can model soil layers and apply design restrictions at each borehole location. If available, provide the geotechnical report, borehole logs, groundwater information, CBR values, liquefaction or settlement assessments, and any recommended restrictions. We will translate these into model rules for fine grained control.

What happens next
We validate the inputs, resolve any gaps, then run a baseline model. You receive initial outputs for review, along with any assumptions and suggested next steps for detailed design.

With the layout and inputs confirmed, we build the initial Level AI model using your agreed default parameters. Where useful, we seed the model from our parameter library based on a comparable completed project, then tune it to your site and objectives.

What we set up

• Design controls and targets, for example road crossfalls and grades, berm and footpath widths, minimum cover, earthworks limits, access and vehicle tracking checks

• Servicing logic, for example pipe directions, inverts, outfalls, detention assumptions and overland flow paths

• Geotechnical rules, for example soil layers, restrictions at borehole locations and groundwater considerations

• Staging, temporary works and any site specific constraints

Standards and compliance
If the project is in a location that is new to us, we load and apply the local codes of practice and engineering standards, including council design guides and any relevant national guidance. Any departures are clearly recorded for review and approval.

Quality checks
We run a baseline and sanity checks to confirm the model behaves as expected. Typical checks include cut and fill balance, maximum grades, sight distance flags, pipe cover, flood path continuity and conflicts between disciplines.

What you receive

• A calibrated baseline model with key assumptions listed

• Preliminary earthworks and servicing quantities

• Annotated plans and a short note on risks, trade offs and recommended next steps

After review, we capture your feedback and proceed to the first optimisation pass.

With the build complete, we run the Level AI model to generate a first pass. We start with target grading parameters only, and we deliberately avoid adding break features like batters or retaining walls. The AI then attempts to grade and balance the site while meeting all agreed rules such as minimum lot grades, road crossfalls, driveway limits, cover to services and overland flow paths. On flat or near flat sites this baseline run is often viable and can return a balanced design.

If the baseline does not comply, the system switches to What If mode. In What If mode the AI tests design adjustments to find a compliant solution, for example:

• Introducing retaining walls where necessary

• Increasing or smoothing grades on lots and roads

• Adjusting platforms and tie in points

• Shifting local high and low points to improve drainage and cover

• Proposing minor alignment or vertical changes that unlock compliance

The AI returns a clear set of proposals to the designer, ranked by impact and trade offs. You see what changed, why it helps, and which rules it satisfies. Nothing is committed without human review. Your designer locks accepted elements, rejects those that are not acceptable, and sets any extra constraints for the next pass.

What you receive

• A compliance summary against the agreed rules

• A change list from WhatIf mode with rationale and estimated effects on quantities and constructability

• Updated plans and a 3D model showing proposed walls, platforms and revised grades

• Cut and fill balance, preliminary costs and any new risks or assumptions

Quality guardrails

• No proposal that breaches council or client standards is applied without flagging

• Retaining wall heights, driveway gradients, pipe cover and overland flow continuity are checked on every pass

• All departures are listed for decision and sign off

When we stop
We iterate until the model meets the acceptance criteria you set at Step 3, for example compliance achieved, cut and fill within tolerance, retaining under the agreed limits, servicing feasible with headroom. At that point we lock the baseline and move to optimisation.

Once the model run produces a viable baseline, we hold a design workshop with your project team to review the results, test options, and agree refinements. The session is structured, fast moving, and focused on cost, compliance, constructability, and urban design objectives. Decisions are captured in a simple log so everyone leaves with the same understanding.

What we cover

• Earthworks strategy, including staging to balance subareas or the whole site

• Placement and height of grade breaks to manage cost and support the urban design intent

• Minor layout adjustments that unlock balance, servicing headroom, or better buildability

• Lot grading requirements by typology, including platforms and driveway controls

• Retaining strategy, overland flow continuity, and pipe cover checks

• Risks, assumptions, and any proposed departures from standards

Typical modifications

• Add earthworks staging rules to balance cut and fill in targeted areas

• Refine grade break locations and elevations to reduce volumes and wall heights

• Tweak road and lot geometry to achieve balance and maintain servicing constraints

• Update lot grading targets so common house types remain buildable across the site

What you receive

• An updated Level.AI model reflecting agreed changes

• Revised quantities for earthworks and servicing, with a short note on cost drivers

• Annotated plans and a decision log of what changed and why

• Clear actions for the next optimisation pass or detailed design

Who should attend

• Developer or client project manager, civil lead designer, surveyor, planner, and geotechnical representative as required

When we stop iterating
We cycle through rapid passes during or after the workshop until your acceptance criteria are met, for example compliance achieved, cut and fill within tolerance, retaining within agreed limits, servicing feasible with headroom. At that point we lock the baseline and move to optimisation or detailed design.

Once the project team is satisfied with the model, we export everything you need for the next stage. You receive clear drawings for review and consent, machine readable files for design tools, and a short report that captures quantities, assumptions and compliance.

Drawings

• Cut fill plans, earthworks sections and details

• Retaining wall plans and profiles

• Roading plans and long sections, intersections and vehicle tracking checks

• Lot grading plans and platforms, driveway controls, overland flow paths

• Servicing concept plans for stormwater and wastewater

Reports and schedules

• Schedule of quantities generated directly from the model run

• Optional pricing to create a draft engineer’s estimate

• Assumptions, departures from standards and a compliance summary

• Design change log showing what changed, why it changed, and the effect on cost and risk

Digital files

• Online 3D model viewable in any modern browser

• LandXML for surfaces, alignments and pipes

• DWG for CAD workflows, 12d and Civil 3D ready exports

• IFC for BIM and Revit coordination

• Optional GIS layers (SHP or GeoPackage) and CSV schedules

Handover standards

• Readme with coordinate system and vertical datum, file versions, layer naming and print scales

• Versioned deliverables so your team and council know exactly what they are looking at

Next steps
We lock the baseline, confirm any final tweaks, then move directly into detailed design, consent documentation or pre application engagement with council, depending on your programme.