ArcGIS CityEngine vs. Autodesk Civil 3D

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ArcGIS CityEngine
Score 10.0 out of 10
N/A
CityEngine is 3D modeling software for creating huge, interactive and immersive urban environments, according to the vendor in less time than traditional modeling techniques. The cities created using CityEngine can be based on real-world GIS data or showcase a fictional city of the past, present, or future. CityEngine is part of the ArcGIS suite of products, from Esri, the geomapping software specialist company headquartered in Redlands, California.
$2,000
per year
Civil 3D
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Autodesk's Civil 3D is a computer aided design (CAD) application designed to support a variety of civil infrastructure projects including rail, roads and highways, land development, airports, drainage, storm and sanitary, and civil structures.
$335
per month
Pricing
ArcGIS CityEngineAutodesk Civil 3D
Editions & Modules
ArcGIS CityEngine Term License Subscription
$2000
per year
ArcGIS CityEngine Single Use Perpetual License
$4000
one-time fee
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ArcGIS CityEngineCivil 3D
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYes
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsCan be licensed monthly ($305), Annually ($2,430), or every 3 years ($6,560).Available free for one year on a student license.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ArcGIS CityEngineAutodesk Civil 3D
Top Pros

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Top Cons

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Best Alternatives
ArcGIS CityEngineAutodesk Civil 3D
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User Ratings
ArcGIS CityEngineAutodesk Civil 3D
Likelihood to Recommend
-
(0 ratings)
9.7
(7 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
ArcGIS CityEngineAutodesk Civil 3D
Likelihood to Recommend
Esri
No answers on this topic
Autodesk
Well suited:
  1. Simple and self-explanatory user interface.
  2. Inter usability between other software such as MicroDrainage and Bentley CivilStorm.
  3. Autodesk customer service.
  4. Easily customizable.
Not suitable: The software is still very resource intensive on the machines and often crashes when too much data is being shown. Though significant improvements have been made in other Autodesk software like Revit, older applications like AutoCAD and C3D seem to be stuck on old, inefficient source codes.
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Pros
Esri
No answers on this topic
Autodesk
  • Ease of functionality
  • Templates make design and drawings easier to complete
  • The ability to design and setup drawings simultaneously, where the drawings will be updated as the design is updated should there be changes
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Cons
Esri
No answers on this topic
Autodesk
  • The processing of huge sized files in such in big projects, the delay of opening a sheet in Civil3D would burn time
  • Sometimes, it crashes while opening or processing
  • The vast number of tools and functions which make it difficult to use at times hence decent amount of training may be required
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Support Rating
Esri
No answers on this topic
Autodesk
They have a vast open community, which has helped us understand Autodesk Civil 3D from the beginning. They have provided many templates and tutorials videos to our team due to that we can learn every new feature from them. Autodesk Civil 3D has also helped us to interconnect all its software in an internal bridge, which helps us switch between software as we need.
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Alternatives Considered
Esri
No answers on this topic
Autodesk
Nothing compares to the ease of learning for Autodesk Civil 3D. It is very intuitive and easy to pick up. However, most DOTs require the use of MicroStation for roadway and transportation modeling. Autodesk Civil 3D does NOT integrate well with GIS or Bentley products. However, most aviation jobs and land development firms use the software and most students learn to model on a student trial of the software.
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Return on Investment
Esri
No answers on this topic
Autodesk
  • Possibility to analyze different scenarios of underground infrastructure design
  • Fast material volumes and quantities reports
  • Easiest way to achieve BIM mandate's objectives
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ScreenShots

Civil 3D Screenshots

Screenshot of Civil 3D - Infrastructure Software from AutodeskScreenshot of Civil 3D - Rail Alignments