When it comes to choosing the right CAD program, two software solutions stand out from the crowd: Bentley MicroStation and AutoCAD. While both have similarities, the differences between the two software solutions are crucial to your company’s design needs. This article draws a comprehensive comparison and weighs the pros and cons.
As specialists in the intelligent management of CAD engineering data and our award as Bentley Gold Channel Partner and ELO Certified Business Partner, we have the necessary expertise to give you deep insights from practice.
By the way: We would also be happy to advise you personally and help you find the right software setup for your individual requirements and processes.
Key Takeaways:
- If you work a lot with 3D models or geodata, MicroStation is the better choice
- For small teams and projects with less complex data, AutoCAD may be the better solution
- Do you have complex workflows and want a solution that can be completely customized to your requirements? Then Microstation is the way to go
- AutoCAD is generally cheaper than MicroStation, but can be more expensive for large teams, as additional license costs may apply for multiple users.
What do you actually have to pay attention to?
Choosing the right CAD software is critical to the success of your projects and can vary greatly depending on your industry and application. Here are some essential factors to consider when making your selection:
Project requirements: Analyze the specific needs of your projects. Do you need advanced 3D modeling capabilities or is a simple 2D drawing enough?
Team collaboration: Consider how many people will be working on the projects and how important file sharing and editing is.
Budget: Consider not only the initial cost but also the long-term licensing and maintenance costs.
Functionality and adaptability: Check whether the software offers the features you need and how well it adapts to your workflows.
Support and training: Make sure there is adequate vendor support and training resources for your team.
Microstation or AutoCAD – when is which software better?
Depending on the project requirements and team size, each software has its strengths and weaknesses. Below we show which software is better suited for which requirements
Project size and collaboration
MicroStation shows its strengths especially in large projects in which many different parties are involved. If there is a lot of project-specific data from different sources, you can keep track of everything much better with Microstation.
AutoCAD: it’s easy to get lost in Microstation’s many functions. If this scope is not required, AutoCAD is the better choice. This solution scores particularly well in small projects with lean teams.
Costs and pricing
AutoCAD is cheaper than MicroStation, but MicroStation offers flexible options. AutoCAD may incur additional costs for multiple users, while MicroStation does not charge additional fees for shared use by default. Large teams often get a better deal with MicroStation.
Another advantage: MicroStation licenses can be exchanged for other Bentley software licenses at no additional cost, offering maximum flexibility.
3D workflows
The 3D features in MicroStation are more extensive and easier to use. If your work relies heavily on 3D modeling, MicroStation is the better choice.
Visualization:
AutoCAD: Autodesk has outsourced the visualization functions and offers a comprehensive, powerful visualization product with 3ds Max. This can be seamlessly integrated into AutoCAD, but is associated with additional costs. AutoCAD’s internal visualization functions are rather limited.
MicroStation offers a good visualization function and also includes a license for LumenRT. A tool with first-class usability for real-time visualization. Vue, Bentley’s powerful visualization software, can also be seamlessly integrated – this is the counterpart to Autodesk’s 3ds Max.
Geodata
Working with geospatial data in Autodesk can be very tedious because imported geospatial data must be aligned manually. In MicroStation, this alignment is done automatically.
If you work with geospatial data a lot, you will probably enjoy MicroStation more.
User interface and learning curve
While AutoCAD’s interface may be easier to understand at first, MicroStation allows you to customize your toolbars. The personal setting is particularly helpful for large projects and is highly valued by many users.
Learning the programs should be about equally difficult unless you are a first-time CAD user. However, both programs are suitable for first-time users, as there are numerous training options and tutorials.
Practical AutoCAD functions and tools at a glance
- Snapping tool
AutoCAD has a faster snapping tool than MicroStation, which is about automatically connecting the corners of objects. For example, two lines should meet at exactly a 90 degree angle – the moment the lines approach, they are pulled together like magnets at the right angle.
- 4 different 3D models
AutoCAD can model a 3D model in four different ways. Solid modeling is suitable for sections and masses, surface modeling is particularly useful for editing curves, mesh modeling allows the user to smooth, fold and model a model in any way they like, and wireless structural modeling is suitable for environmental planning of buildings and more.
- Scaling
In AutoCAD, objects are scaled depending on the solar system, i.e. based on floating point values. This makes it possible to plan very small objects as well as large construction projects to scale and makes it easy to insert other drawings.
- Automated tasks
In AutoCAD, tasks such as counting objects and comparing drawings can be automated by the user.
- Cooperation
The plans can be shared with teams involved in a construction project. Sections, floor plans and views are synchronized and allow quick collaboration on the current plans.
Practical MicroStation functions and tools at a glance
- Parametric and constraint-based planning
A time-saving tool in MicroStation is the ability to link different parameters within a plan. Let’s say you are planning an airport or a hospital and the wall structure needs to be changed again at an advanced stage of planning. It would be time-consuming and risky to check and rework all the ceiling connections to the wall again. With the parametric tool, you can link the objects so that the dimensions change automatically.
- Line styles
MicroStation allows you to create custom line styles including grids. Repeating symbols, graphics or objects can be placed and scaled over 2D and 3D plans. This is particularly useful for large projects in the public works, infrastructure including roads and industry, where there is often a much greater requirement for routes, links and symbols than in smaller projects. In addition, grids do not have to run in a single line, they can follow different paths such as circles and freehand shapes.
- Automated documents
For smaller projects, it is unlikely that hundreds of different plans, detailed drawings and developments will be created. However, when a project reaches a certain size, an overview of the documents is essential. Both tools have a sheet manager, with MicroStation having built-in automation: for example, the program takes the information and stamp header data from the main sheet for associated sheets and links them to the 3D model.
- Search tool
While AutoCAD requires you to enter an exact matching term, MicroStation’s search tool is a bit more intelligent. Similar terms can also be used here. So if you can’t remember the exact name of a tool, you can still find the right tool.
- Mesh tool
MicroStation has also developed an intelligent tool here: landscapes are analyzed using satellite images or drone footage, allowing the program to create a mesh independently.
This is not only practical as a comparison aid for your own surveying or as a planning basis for the area around a building site, including roads, bridges and buildings, but also extremely time-saving. In addition, the planner has a design aid right away, even if, for example, the survey data is not yet available.
- Item Types
When it comes to 2D drawing, MicroStation has come up with something clever in comparison: lines can be provided with prefabricated object types, the properties of which are transferred to the 3D formats.
AutoCAD’s lines are the same for the program, regardless of whether it is a window opening or a water pipe.
- Cell tool
A so-called cell can take on various forms in MicroStation and there is a large selection of already modeled cells in the MicroStation library. This means that you can quickly insert pipes, connections and more into your drawing. With the specified data, you can continue working on static calculations.
- Problem detection
MicroStation detects collisions and disruptions to objects at an early stage. The provider Bentley is therefore more proactive than AutoCAD and can avert costly problems during the planning stage.
Compatibility and Hardware of Bentley MicroStation and AutoCAD
- AddOns
AutoCAD is used by a variety of different industries and therefore offers users a wide range of additional software and add-ons. MicroStation offers fewer add-ons due to the smaller number of users, but has some add-on functions already integrated.
- Interoperability
MicroStation makes it easy for users and allows them to work on a file in a wide variety of formats. In concrete terms, this means that you can export a file from one program, edit it in MicroStation and then seamlessly open it again in the same program. This makes collaboration much easier.
Comparisons with AutoCAD are difficult to draw, as the Autodesk software is designed for AutoCAD formats. This makes conversion before and after editing essential.
- Hardware
AutoCAD works better with a dedicated graphics card, but can also get by without one. MicroStation, on the other hand, requires a dedicated graphics card.
AutoCAD is also available as a Windows and Mac version; MicroStation can currently only run on Windows computers.
- Performance and output
MicroStation has better rendering options than AutoCAD thanks to high-quality 2D and 3D output. With the latter, the file is often exported and further processed with another rendering software.
Customer support, service, prices and user reviews
AutoCAD is cheaper than MicroStation. This is due, for example, to its ability to handle extremely large amounts of data.
Both software solutions offer impressive support: AutoCAD benefits from a large number of users and a correspondingly large number of resources. However, Bentley’s community is currently flourishing and has a lively exchange of ideas in the forum. Both programs also have good reviews with many satisfied users worldwide.
Advantages of the two programs
MicroStation | AutoCAD |
---|---|
Handling large amounts of dataSuitable especially for large projects and infrastructureExcellent 3D planning | User-friendly interfaceNumerous add-ons and plug-insMore resources through worldwide user popularity |
Our recommendation
AutoCAD is a popular choice for many users, especially for smaller projects and teams. But when it comes to large plans and large projects, MicroStation from Bentley offers significant advantages. Thanks to its excellent interoperability and the ability to efficiently process large amounts of data, MicroStation is particularly suitable for companies working on large infrastructure projects. These features make MicroStation a powerful solution that other CAD programs often cannot offer.
Managing CAD data on large projects
For large projects with large amounts of data, the optimized management of this CAD data is of central importance. Large companies usually rely on a modern document management system (DMS) or enterprise content management system (ECM). These systems enable efficient management and tracking of all project data and should therefore definitely be considered.
Especially for the management of CAD data in demanding projects, the combination of ELO, a leading DMS/ECM system, and CME BElink2ELO, which was specially developed for Bentley engineering data, is recommended.
The combination of MicroStation with CME BElink2ELO not only optimizes project planning and implementation, but also promotes efficient and secure collaboration across platform boundaries.
We would be happy to look at your individual processes and requirements and advise you on choosing a suitable software combination. >> Contact us here