what is Map 3D like?

[Anonymous]

I have been using 2009 3d land desktop and now want to upgrade. Is Map 3D similar to regular autocad or is it complicated like Civil 3D?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I just noticed that you asked a similar question in the Developer Forum.

"I am looking to purchase autocad and don't know if I need Map 3D or just standard autocad. I used to use 2009 3D Land desktop for creating a surface, creating contours, importing shp files and labeling contours is all. What can Map 3D do for me and is it similar to straight autocad or more like Civil 3d with all its  styles etc. (I have limited knowledge of of civil 3D and don't want to have a steep learning curve to get going)  "

Map cant do any surfaces. Map is primarily a GIS extension to AutoCAD. 

If you just need surfaces and functionality around it I don't think using Civil is that complicated. 

 Rob

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

I have always preferred using autocad map 3d whenever it was an option - going on 8 yrs now.  The additional GIS functions make it handy for working with data from/to other standalone GIS software. It can query data from other dwgs without opening  to copy/paste by simply attaching the dwgs.  If you know autocad, not much will be a mystery in autocad map 3d.  

But to create and work with surfaces, I use an add-on with similar functionality to Civil 3D - a big disadvantage for what you are  looking for.