CATIA vs. MicroStation

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
CATIA
Score 7.7 out of 10
N/A
CATIA from Dassault Systemes is a 3D product modeling and design tool used across multiple industries.N/A
MicroStation
Score 8.4 out of 10
Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
Bentley Systems offers the MicroStation application and product family as a 3D and 2D modeling and computer-aided design (CAD) solution for engineers and designers.
$250
Per User Per Month
Pricing
CATIAMicroStation
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Microstation
$250.00
Per User Per Month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
CATIAMicroStation
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYes
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details——
More Pricing Information
Best Alternatives
CATIAMicroStation
Small Businesses
Rhino
Rhino
Score 9.1 out of 10
AutoCAD
AutoCAD
Score 8.7 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Rhino
Rhino
Score 9.1 out of 10
AutoCAD
AutoCAD
Score 8.7 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 9.1 out of 10
AutoCAD
AutoCAD
Score 8.7 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
CATIAMicroStation
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(8 ratings)
7.2
(8 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
2.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
7.8
(3 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
CATIAMicroStation
Likelihood to Recommend
Dassault Systemes
When it comes to modelling a product using multiple parts, CATIA becomes tedious. One need someone to sit with and learn with the experience from a frequent user. If switching from any other software to CATIA, it can be intimidating as learning curve is lengthy. For example, when working with complex shape in a knuckle joint, more steps are needed in part modelling. This cause part modelling lengthier and consume time more time, in comparison to SOLIDWORKS. However, CATIA is tremendously helpful in generating really complex features. Surface modelling is way easier when one know how to use it. It becomes really handy to make changes to the design later as well. The design history tree is also very well organized, which save time in later modifications
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Bentley Systems
MicroStation is THE program to use for roadway and corridor modeling. Most departments of transportation and municipalities in my region require that the models be delivered in the dgn format, so it is MicroStation or bust. It is an absolute pain to use some of the add-in features though. Things that are easy in other programs like making smart tables that update with the latest information usually necessitate the use of Axiom or similar outside programs/add-ins. I design storm sewer systems, and it takes us 6 months to train up new hires on this software, because it is NOT intuitive. You need to know which buttons to press, since it is not designed to be easily command-based like AutoCAD Civil 3D.
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Pros
Dassault Systemes
  • Surface modeling module is extremely developed and successful.
  • 2D drafting module is doing the job effectively (AutoCAD is no more required).
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Bentley Systems
  • Plethora of design alternatives to choose from right from design to completed models
  • Detailed approach towards parametric, mesh and surface modelling
  • Well integrated modelling workflows
  • Intelligent parametric components with 2D and 3D designs
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Cons
Dassault Systemes
  • The software is pretty heavy, even with computers designed for heavy-duty loads, resulting in long wait times to load files and make changes, reducing productivity.
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Bentley Systems
  • Some of the more complex models have had a few issues exporting.
  • We've struggled with external consultants using the custom Autocad engineering tools, and it plays nicely with MicroStation.
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Usability
Dassault Systemes
No answers on this topic
Bentley Systems
MicroStation is very hard to use for our newest employees. It is not intuitive, and you need to know where to find the buttons to perform the commands you would like to perform instead of typing in the commands like other similar modeling programs. Also, it has no good traffic turning add-ins. We continue to run ALL our turning in Autoturn, since this is not a usable feature with MicroStation.
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Support Rating
Dassault Systemes
We got frequent updates on CATIA. There are lots of update notes. Also, there are lots of lots of videos online to solve the issues that you can stumble upon. It also has a built-in help manual, which helps occasionally. I have gotten my education through a physical class on CATIA, so there are opportunities like that as well.
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Bentley Systems
We haven't had to use it for many years, so not able to comment.
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Alternatives Considered
Dassault Systemes
You can create solid or 3D figures more easily and efficiently using Catia than in other programs or in specific AutoCAD. You can also create different pieces to later assemble them and thus create figures even more complex or in greater detail. In the same way, you can make 2D drawings without much complication.
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Bentley Systems
The only general purpose CAD program that you can compare MicroStation with would be AutoCAD. MicroStation, in my opinion, is a superior product in every way but one. That one issue is that there are just more people who have and know how to use AutoCAD than there are ones who know MicroStation. This makes AutoCAD easier to get up and running for most firms.
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Return on Investment
Dassault Systemes
  • If designing large assemblies or very complex ones, especially in the aerospace industry, CATIA is the way to go.
  • The graphics are really good, and the software offers many possibilities to view a design: 2D, 3D, bird's eye view...
  • Controls pan zoom rotate are easy.
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Bentley Systems
  • MicroStation usage is primarily necessitated by our major client who also uses the program.
  • Without using MicroStation there would be many times where we would not be able to provide our clients with what they need.
  • Therefore, MicroStation has had an incredibly positive impact on the business I work for as its usage has continued to secure contracts.
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ScreenShots

MicroStation Screenshots

Screenshot of Take advantage of built-in support for 100+ common formats and data types for 2D and 3D raster and vector geometry and associated BIM information, including trusted RealDWGScreenshot of Supporting hundreds of coordinate systems and dozens of geospatial data types, users can reliably integrate existing data quickly and confidently.Screenshot of Produce better documentation, faster, with fully integrated 2D and 3D workflows, creating a single integrated model that allows you to view drawings and other model information directly immersed within the 3D modelScreenshot of You can ensure your design intent while speeding modeling with extremely powerful and flexible constraints and a range of solid, mesh, surface, and topological modeling toolsScreenshot of MicroStation's native support for an unmatched range of file formats and data types means you can leverage any data you have to speed drafting and modeling and decision-makingScreenshot of Turn your models into polished professional presentations to win stakeholder buy-in and speed approvals on your design projects.