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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Autodesk AEC Collection

    Score8.1 out of 10
    N/AThe AEC Collection provides a set of BIM and CAD tools supported by a cloud-based common data environment that facilitates project delivery from early-stage design through to construction. The bundle includes popular Autodesk tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, FormIT, and Navisworks Manage, with access to 12 integrated CAD and BIM tools.

    $435

    per month

    MicroStation

    Score6 out of 10
    Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
    Bentley Systems offers the MicroStation application and product family as a 3D and 2D modeling and computer-aided design (CAD) solution for engineers and designers.

    $250

    Per User Per Month

    Pricing
    Autodesk AEC CollectionMicroStation
    Editions & Modules
    AEC Collection - Monthly Subscription
    $435
    per month per user
    AEC Collection - Yearly Subscription
    $3,465
    per year per user
    AEC Collection - 3-Year Subscription
    $10,395
    3 years per user
    Microstation
    $250.00
    Per User Per Month
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Autodesk AEC CollectionMicroStation
    Free Trial
    YesYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoYes
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Best Alternatives
    Autodesk AEC CollectionMicroStation
    Small Businesses
    Onshape
    Score10 out of 10
    Civil 3D
    Score9.5 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Onshape
    Score10 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Enterprises
    PTC Creo
    Score5.4 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Autodesk AEC CollectionMicroStation
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.4
    (3 ratings)
    7.2
    (8 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    2.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Autodesk AEC CollectionMicroStation
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Autodesk
    If you are a commercial contractor or subcontractor, Autodesk AEC Collection, along with other Autodesk software is a must. There is no other way to design estimate and plan large construction. For residential construction, It may not be as necessary but it could still be useful if your primary construction projects are new builds rather than renovations.
    Incentivized
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    Bentley Systems
    MicroStation is THE program to use for roadway and corridor modeling. Most departments of transportation and municipalities in my region require that the models be delivered in the dgn format, so it is MicroStation or bust. It is an absolute pain to use some of the add-in features though. Things that are easy in other programs like making smart tables that update with the latest information usually necessitate the use of Axiom or similar outside programs/add-ins. I design storm sewer systems, and it takes us 6 months to train up new hires on this software, because it is NOT intuitive. You need to know which buttons to press, since it is not designed to be easily command-based like AutoCAD Civil 3D.
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    Pros
    Autodesk
    • Collaboration with multiple users and
    • Software for Computer Assisted Design
    • Saving and Documentation of Plans and Blueprints
    Incentivized
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    Bentley Systems
    • Plethora of design alternatives to choose from right from design to completed models
    • Detailed approach towards parametric, mesh and surface modelling
    • Well integrated modelling workflows
    • Intelligent parametric components with 2D and 3D designs
    Incentivized
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    Cons
    Autodesk
    • Revit is limited in its use for civil engineering and landscape architecture.
    • There are bugs due to the complex nature of the software.
    • Use of software requires the latest high-tech computers.
    Incentivized
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    Bentley Systems
    • Some of the more complex models have had a few issues exporting.
    • We've struggled with external consultants using the custom Autocad engineering tools, and it plays nicely with MicroStation.
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    Likelihood to Renew
    Autodesk
    I gave a rating of 10 because, thus far, Autodesk AEC Collection Seems to be on the leading edge for what is required for the construction planning, implementation, and continued of real-world assets. Autodesk has been a great benefit for our organization and has allowed us to continue to improve not only ourselves but the people we work with. We have been using Autodesk AEC Collection for a number of years and hope to continue for a long time coming.
    Incentivized
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    Bentley Systems
    No answers on this topic
    Usability
    Autodesk
    The software has a significant learning curve. You also must know and understand construction standards and codes. Each member of our BIM team has spent 10+ years in construction and has had years of software training. The software also requires powerful computers to render the models. Without a BIM focused gpu and processor, the software will seem less usable when in reality, the computer is not capable of running the software properly
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    Bentley Systems
    MicroStation is very hard to use for our newest employees. It is not intuitive, and you need to know where to find the buttons to perform the commands you would like to perform instead of typing in the commands like other similar modeling programs. Also, it has no good traffic turning add-ins. We continue to run ALL our turning in Autoturn, since this is not a usable feature with MicroStation.
    Incentivized
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    Support Rating
    Autodesk
    No answers on this topic
    Bentley Systems
    We haven't had to use it for many years, so not able to comment.
    Incentivized
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    Alternatives Considered
    Autodesk
    Other products that have been used include Civil Designer and Model Maker for civil services. Other products for structural designs include aq product called "SEDA" These products are not included in the listings.
    Incentivized
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    Bentley Systems
    The only general purpose CAD program that you can compare MicroStation with would be AutoCAD. MicroStation, in my opinion, is a superior product in every way but one. That one issue is that there are just more people who have and know how to use AutoCAD than there are ones who know MicroStation. This makes AutoCAD easier to get up and running for most firms.
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    Return on Investment
    Autodesk
    • Positive impact on collaboration between disciplines.
    • Products are the industry standard, which allows for collaboration with other firms.
    Incentivized
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    Bentley Systems
    • MicroStation usage is primarily necessitated by our major client who also uses the program.
    • Without using MicroStation there would be many times where we would not be able to provide our clients with what they need.
    • Therefore, MicroStation has had an incredibly positive impact on the business I work for as its usage has continued to secure contracts.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    MicroStation Screenshots

    Screenshot of Take advantage of built-in support for 100+ common formats and data types for 2D and 3D raster and vector geometry and associated BIM information, including trusted RealDWGScreenshot of Supporting hundreds of coordinate systems and dozens of geospatial data types, users can reliably integrate existing data quickly and confidently.Screenshot of Produce better documentation, faster, with fully integrated 2D and 3D workflows, creating a single integrated model that allows you to view drawings and other model information directly immersed within the 3D modelScreenshot of You can ensure your design intent while speeding modeling with extremely powerful and flexible constraints and a range of solid, mesh, surface, and topological modeling toolsScreenshot of MicroStation's native support for an unmatched range of file formats and data types means you can leverage any data you have to speed drafting and modeling and decision-makingScreenshot of Turn your models into polished professional presentations to win stakeholder buy-in and speed approvals on your design projects.