TrustRadius: an HG Insights company

Save this comparison

Save this comparison

Add Product

Recommended Comparisons

    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Blender

    Score9 out of 10
    N/ABlender is a free and open source 3D creation suite available in under the GNU General Public License. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, video editing and 2D animation pipeline. Blender Cloud is a related service accessible via subscription, and is a training and content platform providing access to expertise from the Blender Institute for advancing one's use of Blender.

    $11.50

    per month

    ETAP PS

    Score9 out of 10
    N/AETAP, headquartered in Irvine, offers ETAP PS, their suite of power system modeling. simulation and optimization software, supporting power management, grid transmission analysis, and other electrical systems.N/A

    Navisworks

    Score9.1 out of 10
    N/AAutodesk's Navisworks is a 3D model and construction project review and coordination software allowing the user to combine design and construction data into a single model, and identify and resolve clash and interference problems before construction.

    $135

    per month

    Pricing
    BlenderETAP PSNavisworks
    Editions & Modules
    Blender Cloud Membership
    $11.50
    per month
    No answers on this topic
    Navisworks Simulate - Monthly
    $135
    per month per user
    Navisworks Manage - Monthly
    $335
    per month per user
    Navisworks Simulate - Yearly
    $1,080
    per year per user
    Navisworks Manage - Yearly
    $2,670
    per year per user
    Navisworks Simulate - 3 Year
    $3,240
    3 years per user
    Navisworks Manage - 3 Year
    $8,010
    3 year per user
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    BlenderETAP PSNavisworks
    Free Trial
    NoNoYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesNoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptionalNo setup fee
    Additional Details———
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    BlenderETAP PSNavisworks
    Considered Multiple Products
    Open Source
    No answer on this topic
    ETAP - Operation Technology
    No answer on this topic
    Autodesk
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    100%
    Would buy again
    26 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Would buy again
    17 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    26 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    15 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    26 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    94%
    Happy with the feature set
    16 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    22 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    12 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    25 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    14 Answers
    Best Alternatives
    BlenderETAP PSNavisworks
    Small Businesses
    Autodesk Maya
    Score8.3 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Autodesk Maya
    Score8.3 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Navisworks
    Score9.1 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Blender
    Score9 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Navisworks
    Score9.1 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    BlenderETAP PSNavisworks
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.9
    (25 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    10.0
    (16 ratings)
    Usability
    8.1
    (2 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    7.4
    (9 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    BlenderETAP PSNavisworks
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Open Source
    Blender is an excellent tool for everything from simple to complex 3D animations, the creation of 3D images, etc. It performs excellently in all of these areas. In the realm of 3D modelling, animation and rendering, there is very little that Blender is not suited for.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ETAP - Operation Technology
    ETAP is highly recommended for evaluating static conditions in electrical power systems, whether in high or medium complexity networks. For example, study of load flow, analysis of frequency harmonics.
    On the other hand, I would not recommend ETAP for the simulation of highly complex control systems that require a dynamic analysis of the variables.
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    Navisworks is a key tool if doing any 3D model coordination with other trades. It will allow you to view your model content with others to know for certain that your design is accurate and can be assembled. Navisworks also comes with a lot of additional tools to make this process easy.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Open Source
    • Creating complex polygonal geometries is very easy in Blender.
    • Edit Mode and Sculpt Mode helps in creating non uniform surfaces for objects like rocks, surfaces, terrains etc.
    • Blender can use various external plugins to make it work in more smoother way. For example to import any 3d object one can use sketchfab plugin and easily import the free assets from web after logging in.
    • Blender has a better rendering engine known as Cycles, it is far more better than any other stock rendering engine which can generate realistic lightning, shadows and reflections.
    • The animations can easily be generated with blender animation toolbar and also it incorporate any other animations made in any other software.
    • The bone generation and its behavior of animations can be achieved easily in blender.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ETAP - Operation Technology
    • Excellent facility for the design of electrical systems, since it has multiple options and configuration.
    • Truly intuitive, it is easy to adapt to the user interface, so the learning curve is very fast.
    • It offers a wide variety of electrical studies that can be carried out, therefore it is very versatile for multiple applications.
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    • Model Viewing, the navigation tools are really easy to use for walking through the model, especially if viewpoints are set up for key locations.
    • The take-offs work really well and can be very quick and easy if the model was built right.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Open Source
    • It's really a hard question, but it could be: a game engine. Older versions used to have it; I would use it to simulate machines game-like.
    • I'm struggling to find another one; maybe the fact that it is so powerful and has so many features that learning it can be daunting; better documentation WITH examples and/or a map of Blender capabilities would help to know where you are in terms of knowledge and the planning the roadmap to where you want to go.
    • Precision modeling. Coming from CAD and using Blender as part of my design workflow, I'd love to be able to model inside Blender as I model with CAD tools. At this moment, it's simply impossible.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ETAP - Operation Technology
    • Perhaps the interface is somewhat confusing the first time you use the program.
    • It offers a wide configuration, which can be overwhelming.
    • Sometimes the program can freeze depending on the size of the electrical grid that is being simulated. This also depends on the software requirements.
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    • A link to BIM 360 Model Coordination is a serious shortcoming. It used to be easy to link to models loaded to BIM 360 Glue for more in depth clash detection.
    • I would have liked the ability to export a simulation created in Navisworks to 3DS Max for a more immersive animation with decent material mapping and better animation tools.
    • I would like to be able to view/create BIM 306 Docs/Field issues directly in Navisworks. In the current workflow we have to use other file formats to work within BIM 360. It would be more productive to be able to navigate the model through Navisworks and to create viewpoints and issues from within Navisworks.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Open Source
    Because while it's a pretty good piece of software, the default built-in commands, the interface layout, and certain functions aren't as logical in their way of being arranged and executed. This, of course, doesn't diminish its use or effectiveness in your field of work, but it is quite awkward at first. A big advantage is that Blender lets you customize the interface however you want as well as keyboard shortcuts and several general program parameters.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ETAP - Operation Technology
    ETAP PS is really easy to use. When recreating the power system to be simulated, it is easy to obtain a result close to reality due to the multiple components offered in the interface. As for the electrical studies available, they are simple to execute and require really little configuration to make them work, always offering a wide variety of options to adjust the program to the simulation of the desired condition.
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    Users are very happy with it and hear no complains from them
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Open Source
    No answers on this topic
    ETAP - Operation Technology
    Sometimes when the program crashes for a random reason, it is difficult to find a direct solution to the problem. I think better documentation is needed for this type of case. Still, more and more people are sharing their work on the web, making it easier to orient yourself when these issues occur.
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    Autodesk owns Navisworks, and it seems to have a pretty good support network. A lot of the troubleshooting or support information is provided through an online database, so you most likely would not be getting any personal attention with your issues. Since there are so many users for Navisworks, there is a lot of information on the web.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Open Source
    We've only used the consumer (non-pro) version of SketchUp, which we love, but is very limited in features and output capabilities compared to Blender. While Blender's learning curve is MUCH steeper than SketchUp, it feels like truly complete, professional design software.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ETAP - Operation Technology
    Simulink allows to analyze and simulate different variables with respect to time in an electric power system, but it is more focused on visual programming On the other hand, ETAP is better designed for static simulation of power systems, offering options and studies in a very more direct and easier to execute.
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    Navisworks is a master tool if we want to do any 3D model coordination with any trade of a building. It allows us to view our model content with all elements to visualize and understand for certain where our design stands in terms of accuracy and how all things can be assembled on site. Navisworks also comes with a lot of additional tools to make BIM process easy.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Open Source
    • As it is a beginner-friendly software with increasing demand in the animation sector again, it positively impacts the business.
    • Except in some specific cases, no one will use Blender on their own at a professional level.
    • When I was a beginner, it took me a lot of time to learn, consequently designing the creation. But if we want to learn to master Blender, we can do it. As long as we have time and a lot of willpower, since, we repeat, it is not a simple program and hides thousands of tools and possibilities.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ETAP - Operation Technology
    • Improves the reliability of the electrical system.
    • Study of the system operations, allowing a better adjustment of the facilities that are in production.
    • Provides results that allow you to select solutions for energy saving.
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    • It helps in coordination on BIM projects. We have had major project coordination saving millions on jobs.
    • Helps us win more projects as we can coordinate them
    • Used to use the animation tools for site logistics. Now we use game engines.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots