Autodesk Civil 3D vs. Vectorworks Fundamentals

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Civil 3D
Score 8.5 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
Vectorworks Fundamentals
Score 9.5 out of 10
N/A
Vectorworks headquartered in Columbia offers Fundamentals, a computer-aided design (CAD) application supporting 2D and 3D design and drafting.
$108
per month
Pricing
Autodesk Civil 3DVectorworks Fundamentals
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Subscription
$108.00
per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Civil 3DVectorworks Fundamentals
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesYes
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.$108/M: Pay only for what you need, 2 GB of cloud storage, Basic tech support, Immediate access to new versions $90/M: $1080 billed annually | Save $216, Pay only for what you need, 2 GB of cloud storage, Basic tech support, Immediate access to new versions
More Pricing Information
Best Alternatives
Autodesk Civil 3DVectorworks Fundamentals
Small Businesses
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Score 8.8 out of 10
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Medium-sized Companies
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Score 8.8 out of 10
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Score 9.0 out of 10
Enterprises
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Score 8.8 out of 10
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All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Autodesk Civil 3DVectorworks Fundamentals
Likelihood to Recommend
9.7
(7 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Autodesk Civil 3DVectorworks Fundamentals
Likelihood to Recommend
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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Vectorworks, Inc.
It is perfectly suited for residential work, and work where the project requires integrated 2d and 3d. It is terrible for integrated energy modeling. This needs to be fixed immediately.
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Pros
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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Vectorworks, Inc.
  • 3D modeling - no need to start in SketchUp or other more rudimentary programs.
  • Seamless import/export with other programs - ideal communication with consultants.
  • Superb customer service, training, and tech support.
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Cons
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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Vectorworks, Inc.
  • The program is getting a little 'fat', and needs to be slimmed down. It is starting to bog down a bit when doing certain functions. The program of late is more buggy then we are used to seeing.
  • I like how smooth Sketchup is in 3D. It would be great to get VW's to be more responsive in 3D.
  • The space tool is very clunky.
  • I would be great if a texture map could be a video and not just a still image. We could really use that.
  • PLEASE get the energy modeling capabilities up to speed. It needs to be much more intuitive and NOT based on Passive House standards. Please include a clear output for a projects Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and how a project is doing relative to the 2030 Commitment.
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Support Rating
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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Vectorworks, Inc.
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
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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Vectorworks, Inc.
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
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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Vectorworks, Inc.
  • Subscription model ensures we always have the latest versions - per-seat license is very affordable.
  • Training costs are low (i.e. new hires get up to speed quickly).
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ScreenShots

Civil 3D Screenshots

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