Difference between AutoCAD and AutoCAD civil

[Seantan5697]

Why AutoCAD has a larger file as compared to AutoCAD civil?

[M_c3d]

when you say file do you mean actual drawing file size?

[BushW]

Hi @Seantan5697

Welcome to the Autodesk Community, and I'm glad that you for posting here in the AutoCAD Civil 3D forum!

Do you want to know what the differences are between AutoCAD or AutoCAD Civil 3D programs or file sizes? 

Can you give a little more information on what software you are using because file sizes will depend on what information is in the drawing.

Here to help!

[Seantan5697]

Hi, thanks for the reply. 🙂 By larger file, i mean the app. AutoCAD 2018's installer is around 5gbs while AutoCAD civil 3D 2018 is around 3gbs. If AutoCAD-Civil has more feature shouldnt it be a larger file as compared to AutoCAD-Basic?

[Seantan5697]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. 🙂
I want to know about the difference between the programs. Which one has more features?

By larger file, i mean the app. AutoCAD 2018's installer is around 5gbs while AutoCAD civil 3D 2018 is around 3gbs. If AutoCAD-Civil has more feature shouldnt it be a larger file as compared to AutoCAD-Basic?
Im not sure which one to download yet.
Or should I download both?

[M_c3d · Accepted solution]

What one you download depends on what you want to do. They are both completley different packages.

• Vanilla AutoCAD is a 2d and basic 3d drafting package that is used for basic drawings that are 
• AutoCAD Civil 3d is built on top of AutoCAD Map 3D and Vanilla AutoCAD and has all the features of these, civil 3d is a dynamic modelling software that does roads, ground and drainage modelling.

In terms of file size this isn't really relevant, it may just be file compression

[olakunleajayitokunbo]

Thanks for the comment,

Can you please explain more on the relationship between AutoCAD and AutoCAD Civil 3D applications.

Is it possible to adapt or change the interface (workstation) from AutoCAD - AutoCAD Civil 3D or whichever one you want to work with as it is with AutoCAD 2D and 3D workstation?

Thanks.

[M_c3d]

So civil 3d is an autodesk product that is built on top of two products, vanilla autocad (full version) and map 3d. It has all the commands and facilities of both pieces of software.

Yes you can change workspaces to either vanilla autocad, civil 3d or map 3d.

When you install civil 3d you also get an install of 'Civil 3D as AutoCAD' which lets you run full autocad without any of the features of civil 3d.

[olakunleajayitokunbo]

Thanks!

[olakunleajayitokunbo]

Hello,

I have been trying to download AutoCAD Civil 3D from the Education and learning link but I was able to download 64bit and my system is 32bit, so i tried to download the 32bit but the drop-down only has 64bit option on system requirement.

Is there any other way around this please?

[M_c3d]

civil 3d 32 bit stopped being supported in r2014 I'm afraid

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-civil-3d/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticl...

[lauren.cwiklo]

Is it bad practice to work on a .dwg in AutoCAD one day and work on the same exact .dwg file the next day in AutoCAD Civil 3D? Sometimes my .dwg is automatically opened in either app. I haven't noticed any issues thus far. Just wanted to confirm. 

[rl_jackson]

In general by default if your opening a drawing using Widows Explorer it will open in the application last used. In general from my personally experience it is bad practice to open drawing in that manner, I always open the application and then select File Open to browse to the drawing I want.