I am trying to figure out how many DOTs use AutoCAD, plain or C3D. It appears that almost all state DOTs are using Microstation to the point I am worried I am getting left behind using C3D exclusively. The problem is that Microstation with all the bells and whistles is very expensive even before talking about training costs and learning curve. I find that my private clients use AutoCAD products, but I am wondering about just the DOTs, federal, state, and local.
Not a DOT but I just found out that the United States Air Force uses Civil 3D as well as Map 3D and other Autodesk software.
Allen
Allen Jessup
CAD Manager - Designer
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The last design survey we did for the Air Force Academy was done in Civil 3D, and the engineer was also using Civil 3D. And we were even on the same version of C3D! Made that nice.
I agree Chris,
In Oregon we still us Microstation for a few Cities, ODOT, and Washington County. However, training is almost impossible to find, unless going through the DOT or traveling to the east coast. There are no user groups or reseller support systems. For Autodesk products we have resellers and training facilities locally.
We have leveraged NavisWorks to enhance our collaboration efforts and had lots of sucess using Revit to convert InRoads corridors. (Navis Rocks!)
Why haven't discussed the costs? Microstation / InRoads is 40% more than Civil 3D and you pay extra for GIS Tools with Bentley products. Additionally, the Autodesk Design Suites you will get much more for your money.
At the end of the day we will use what we are paid to.
FYI, Power InRoads and Power Geopak cost about $8,000 per seat. They are stand alone apps that include Microstation and Bentley Map. They have all the functionality of Roadway Designer, Site Modeler, Bentley Map and Microstation of course.
As Neil mentioned Power InRoads is very comparable in price to cIVIL3d
You will have to fill me in on how much more civil design suites gives you... Im guessing you mean than stand alone Civil3D, as there is nothing in the design suite that cannot be done using Power InRoads or PowerGEOPAK (with the exception of "Recover" DGN does NOT corrupt)
As for Training, Bentley offers remote training if you have no live training in your area.
Regards
Mike Barkasi
Bentley Civil
more info on the Autodesk suite: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=16594483&siteID=123112
DarrenP
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Mike,
The suites give you access to 3D Studio Max Design and NavisWorks both very useful Viz and Collaboration tools. 2013 could include the other "Civil" apps. Hopefully Autodesk Infrastructure Modeler, please, please, please.
If I am not mistaken, the Design Suites were offered at a discount as a promotion to get users onboard. I don't know what their cost is for a new seat but that should be taken into account when comparing costs.
I don't know if Bentley's Power products have all the functionality of the Design Suites as I have not compared them in detail, but Microstation has the Luxology rendering engine which might be comparable to 3ds Max. I don't know enough about the 2 products to say.
there is a promo going on now to take your 2012 products to the new suites
DarrenP
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more info on Promos: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=17571381&siteID=123112
there is also a 0% finacing promo going on also
DarrenP
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El Dorado County in California only uses C3D.
Power InRoads and PowerGEOPAK contain both Rendering (Luxology) and Annimation toolset also inc. are MAP, Navigator, Point clouds, connection to Sketch up (IE work with sketch up models)...
As for Infrastructure modeler... with SS3 I can create a better prilimanary design using the Civil design tools in virtually the same ammount of time - and the Rendering and annimation outputted would be the same quality as 3D studio...
The following have switched to Civil 3D, in the process of making the switch or allow multiple deliverables:
Some other Gov't Agencies worth mentioning:
I love the banter that always comes up with Autodesk Vs. Bentley products. I believe someone in this thread referred to Bentley as the "Leader" ??? Really? Since when? Maybe a leader in terms of Gov't use but I'd have to leave it there... oh wait, case in point: how long did it take for MicroStation to allow for more than 63 levels that you couldn’t even name??? Leader? I think not!
Saying Caltrans chose Civil 3D because they didn't allow Bentley to compete should've been an indication of what will probably become a growing trend... It was a no compete because they were using CAiCE they even chose CAiCE over GEOPAK or InRoads. Why would Caltrans want to move backwards by selecting InRoads or GEOPAK?
And asking if Autodesk supports 10 yr old software? What software company, other than Bentley does that? What company needs to? Maybe a vanishing one...
I've personally used Autodesk (LDD, C3D) and Bentley (GEOPAK and InRoads) for well over a decade. The future in engineering design applications will be based on how quick one can get information out of a particular design.
Since it takes so long using any Bentley product to produce a desired design, then report calcs/analysis and produce sheets, it makes sense that the Gov't agencies are switching. Civil 3D can do it quicker --information is real-time at every instant of the design process dynamic --modeling is the key.
I’m sure this will get a few comebacks from the naysayers but you really have no legs, err… model to stand on! Like how I threw that in there? I crack me up sometimes!
I'm in Denver Colorado where CDOT uses MicroStation / InRoads. I'm a long time user of MicroStation and InRoads but have 6 years experience using Civil 3D find it very useful. Our submittals to CDOT are electronic PDF's, some produced in MicroStation, some produced in C3D. CDOT has a strict CADD Standard for the way plots should look which we follow in both platforms so they look identical when PDF's are produced. Exchanging data files with other consultants is usually in the form of XML files that are imported or exported through either platform.
ballen ( I would use your name but I can see why you would want to reveal it with the piece of Fiction you posted)
Regarding your summary of Cal trans- First its obvious you have NO inside information
FYI - Both InRoads and GEOPAK outscored Civil 3D in the benchmark held by Caltrans a few yrs back. The deal never moved forward because of a dispute over O&M software Bentley was also providing.
C3Ds score in the last Caltrans Benchmark where they competed against NOONE shows very little improvement over the score where both InRoads and GEOPAK outscored them (public record)
You asked what software other than BENTLEY supports 10 Yr old software
There is a little company out there you ma have heard of "Microsoft"
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/2530
Someone like yourself who may never have worked on a major project would NOT see a need to support legacy data, however the largest of projects such as T-REX were not designed and built in a 3 yr Autodesk format release cycle.
And I question how much you worked with Bentley Products when both Roadway designer Coridor Modeler) and GEOPAK Site have been creating 3D models well before C3D was even a product.
I have no doubt YOU can do it quicker on C3D, But I also have no doubt I can keep up with you on those small jobs with Bentleys products. Eventually though a project size will exceed C3D and coridor modeler will excel... PS Site Modeler is 12 yrs old and C3D still cannot grade a site like we can ;-). Bentley Civil was designed for thos difficult projects... of couse they can do tthe smaller ones.
Mike Barkasi
Bentley Civil
Is there a Bentley forum you should be advertising on?
Sorry I prefer to get info from Civil D users on this forum.
My advise would be jump on the civil D train now while you can. With state and local budgets the way they are, local DOT's will be outsourcing all of there work to the private sector and if most private companies us Civil D they will most likely follow suit. I feel for Bentley users but I would advise you to learn civil D.
Just my thought becuz us gobment workers taint smart!!!
7/29/2011 the day the largest DOT in the World choose Civil 3D....
So Mike how many of your old coworkers are now working for Autodesk?
How many colleges outside of TN are using/teaching Geopak? How many if any are teaching your Civil Site?
How quickly could we get someone on site to help out with a project we might have?
How many days of training does to take to learn how to design roads? Survey, surfaces, alignments, Profiles, templates, xsections.........earthworks....... how many was that again? And you said it was easier than C3D.... and what about intersections?
How many total users do you really have? 47 DOT's heck we have 47 companies just in MN....
How local resellers does Bentley have in the USA? Outside FL? How much is the shipping and handling.....
And when like Eagle Point will you guys come out with a Civil 3D interface/tool like Eagle Point did a few years ago? (Our number one competitor up here in MN is Eagle Point selling C3D)
And why do you guys support not one, not two, but three road design packages? Geopak,Inroads, MXROADS....
Mike file out your resume and send it in! I'm sure there are one or two ex. Bentley employees at Autodesk that could help you learn C3D!
Bill Neuhauser P.E.
Bill
Good to hear from you .. I thought maybe you got the memo from Autodesk not to talk with me 😉
I believe unless something has changed VDOT (Virginia) is organizationally the largest DOT. They us GEOPAK
Is it really a win (CalTrans) when Bentley wasnt allowed to compete?... besides ask one of those ex Bentley (the red haired guy) employees who won Caltrans when we did compete...
I kinda dont have much respect for those people who were lured away By Autodesk... Besides the cream still remains with Bentley...
If your in the neighborhood next week I will be at the MNDOT surveyors conference at Breezy Point... would love to meet you.
Mike Barkasi
Bentley Civil
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