Bentley PLAXIS 3D vs. OpenRoads Designer

ORD is really focused on modeling of roads infrastructure projects, but includes a few design workflows that are in other disciplines such as stormwater and drainage design and site modeling tools for developments. This is really handy because you don't need a third-party application that you have to transfer your design files over to to carry on with the project. Including LumenRT for free with ORD is by far the most helpful feature because of the visualisation capabilities which most software does not include. ORD is well-suited for what the name of the product says - designing roads. I wouldn't say there are any scenarios in road design that it is less appropriate for.

Incentivized

• Creating linear models, since the app is based on alignment models and templates to extrude along the alignment.
• Precise long section/profile along horizontal alignment. The app practically flatten the horizontal alignment for profile generation.
• Template control. Though the template creation takes a bit of effort to create due to the point rulings. However when done right allows the model to be specifically modified with use of functions like super-elevation, point control, widening, parametric etc.

Incentivized

• Buggy at times and crashes
• Requires a lot of training to use the tools effectively
• Model management requires some work

Incentivized

We would not use ORD if is was not for clients' contract requirement to use ORD.

ORD is a lot faster and a lot more modern than Civil 3D even though they're essentially the same product under different names (in terms of workflows). I find that the DGN file format used by ORD is far better than the DWG file format used by C3D because DGNs can contain much more information and multiple models per file. C3D is very heavy on memorizing keyboard inputs while ORD is a much more modern interface that relies mostly on using the mouse for inputs.

Incentivized

• Drawing creation from model have speed up drawing delivery by 80%
• Model creation for linear project based on simple design speed up model delivery by 80%
• Capturing model change due to alignment change have help speed up change capture by 80%

Incentivized