CSI ETABS vs. SketchUp

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
CSI ETABS
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
ETABS, from Computers and Structures, Inc headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, is an integrated software package for the structural analysis and design of buildings that offers a single user interface to perform modeling, analysis, design, and reporting. There is no limit to the number of model windows, model manipulation views, and data views.N/A
SketchUp
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
SketchUp is 3D modeling software with an emphasis on usability. SketchUp is a Trimble product.
$119
per year
Pricing
CSI ETABSSketchUp
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Free
$0.00
per year
For Schools (free with G Suite or Microsoft education account)
$0
For Students
$55.00
per year
For Educators
$55.00
per year
Studio for Students / Educators (Desktop version)
$55
per year
Shop
$119.00
per year
Pro
$299.00
per year
Professional
$299.00
per year
Studio (Windows only)
$699
per year
Studio
$1199.00
per year
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
CSI ETABSSketchUp
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
CSI ETABSSketchUp
Considered Both Products
CSI ETABS
Chose CSI ETABS
The only reason where I would hose the E-tabs is its commands which are easy to use and it also probide rebar shedule for whole project and also provide the model of rebar which gives me clear idea and helps from manual calculations.
SketchUp

No answer on this topic

Top Pros

No answers on this topic

Top Cons

No answers on this topic

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CSI ETABSSketchUp
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User Ratings
CSI ETABSSketchUp
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(1 ratings)
7.8
(46 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(14 ratings)
User Testimonials
CSI ETABSSketchUp
Likelihood to Recommend
Computers and Structures, Inc
For High Rise Buildings I would prefer E-tabs only, as the other scope are projct situated in earthquake peone zone will be easy to design a and analysis the sesmic waves with recent input data. Also for steel structures, as E-tabs provide most details in RCC.
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Trimble
Real estate is not really the most likely use for Sketchup, since it has so many choices and possibilities. But, it is an innovative way to differentiate yourself from the competition. The program is very well-suited to the myopic seller or buyer who can't visualize future changes and their effect on value.
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Pros
Computers and Structures, Inc
  • Loads distributation as it is our main concern
  • Providing rebar quantity as well as providing a full 3d model object of rebar's
  • Providing quanttity sheets and material specification in final output
Read full review
Trimble
  • Quickly exploring solutions in 3D: We get a lot of "what if" and "what would that look like" questions. While hand-sketching and hand-drafting can be fairly quick, SketchUp allows me to quickly create 3D and 2D views of a detail or solution, change dimensions and materials in a flash, and show a client or installer the plan in minutes.
  • Creating professional design documents in LayOut: Projects of any scale need good documentation. Using a combination of SketchUp and LayOut, I can create a Design Intent Set, plans for permitting, a set for mechanical trades to mark-up, etc. Having clear, appropriately-scaled drawings with dimensions or notations is a must, and we don't always have the time or budget to get an architect involved!
  • Using live files to guide discussions: Not all clients are "visual" people, so opening their model and orbiting around their space in real time has been extremely helpful. Clients and trades enjoy the perspective views so much that we often include them in the full-sized drawing sets to give a good "overall" view of the project intent. For complex or tight spaces, sometimes un-rendered plans and elevations just aren't enough!
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Cons
Computers and Structures, Inc
  • First E-tabs need to work on ease of load chnaging on an particular object after analysis as it reduce time and confusion between elements
  • The rebaring model on final output should be have more editing options as it will help in understanding and easy to use
  • Need to work on stairs rebar as it is also one of more important
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Trimble
  • Ability to import Revit files and libraries.
  • Ability to export true curved vector linework. There are some workarounds, needs to be refined.
  • Create an OPEN MAPS connection. Since the split from Google, the source for high-quality aerials is limited.
  • Ability to dock all menus to the master window on a Mac
  • Ability to develop dockable menu trays on a Mac
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Likelihood to Renew
Computers and Structures, Inc
No answers on this topic
Trimble
We typically wait a few years in between renewing, as even older versions are powerful tools for modeling, and we make sure the amount of feature changes are worth the re-investment.
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Support Rating
Computers and Structures, Inc
No answers on this topic
Trimble
Sketchup is so intuitive; I can't recall ever looking for official support. However, there are many user forums online that can answer more questions. The usefulness of the online forums is, however, tempered by the fact that there have been many versions of the software under different ownership and support regimes, and thus finding the right information for the right version of the software can be a challenge.
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Alternatives Considered
Computers and Structures, Inc
The only reason where I would hose the E-tabs is its commands which are easy to use and it also probide rebar shedule for whole project and also provide the model of rebar which gives me clear idea and helps from manual calculations.
Read full review
Trimble
It's great to give the customer an overview of how a project will look, but it will never replace the information that a blueprint or engineering drawing can convey. SketchUp is great for the casual user or someone who is just getting started in design work. Other high powered software, such as Solidworks or Inventor is more suited for 3D modeling on a regular basis
Read full review
Return on Investment
Computers and Structures, Inc
  • Well as we alnalysis structure its has positivite effect for continuing the project further.
  • Expected Data @ times leads to disappointment as we need more details to save time
  • Working on E-TAb s in a customize organisation helps to provide result
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Trimble
  • SketchUp has definitely had a positive impact on the customer experience with our company. The model can be generated to give the owner a good idea of the final product before actually committing the resources to complete the project.
  • Having simple models created before the work gets started in the field means that issues with elevations or odd angles can be ironed out beforehand and solved with the design team. This has greatly reduced the rework on our more complex self-perform concrete structures!
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