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GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued) vs. Vectorworks Spotlight

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)

    Score5.7 out of 10
    N/AGrabCAD Workbench was a CAD collaboration solution that helps designers to manage files and engage partners in the design process. Since August 2022 it has been discontinued.N/A

    Vectorworks Spotlight

    Score10 out of 10
    N/AVectorworks Spotlight is a solution used to design, document, previsualize, and produce shows and events. With an extensive suite of drawing, modeling, database, documentation, and collaboration tools, Spotlight helps users go from concept to fully created model within a single workflow. Evolved to meet the needs of entertainment industry professionals, Vectorworks Spotlight 2025 opens a new world of visual understanding and communication, delivering features implemented to address the most-used…

    $153

    per month per user

    Pricing
    GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)Vectorworks Spotlight
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    Annual Subscription
    $127.50
    per month per user
    Monthly Subscription
    $153
    per month per user
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)Vectorworks Spotlight
    Free Trial
    NoYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
    Additional Details—$153/M: Monthly, 2 GB of cloud storage, Basic tech support, Immediate access to new versions $128/M: $1530 billed annually | Saves $306 over monthly billing, 2 GB of cloud storage, Basic tech support, Immediate access to new versions
    More Pricing Information
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    GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)Vectorworks Spotlight
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    User Ratings
    GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)Vectorworks Spotlight
    Likelihood to Recommend
    7.4
    (4 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Support Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)Vectorworks Spotlight
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Discontinued Products
    GrabCad Workbench is well suited for group projects, where all my team members can view the designs at the same time, and by integrating it with CAD software like SolidWorks, all my team members can see the live changes in the projects based on the recommendations received. I can also do conversations with my team, which are project-specific, thus reducing time in email and video conferences. For assemblies, I can generate a Bill of materials with a single click. However, there are some drawbacks like every member needs to have an account in order to sync files with everyone, and the platform requires good internet connectivity otherwise file uploading will be time-consuming.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Vectorworks, Inc.
    No answers on this topic
    Pros
    Discontinued Products
    • GrabCAD is the source of truth for the files being used
    • GrabCAD is free
    • Easy to use and get started
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Vectorworks, Inc.
    No answers on this topic
    Cons
    Discontinued Products
    • The software is not intuitive.
    • You must have an account to share files.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Vectorworks, Inc.
    No answers on this topic
    Support Rating
    Discontinued Products
    Never needed.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Vectorworks, Inc.
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    Discontinued Products
    It’s the bottom of the barrel.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Vectorworks, Inc.
    No answers on this topic
    Return on Investment
    Discontinued Products
    • GrabCad Workbench is the best in terms of integration with other CAD software like SolidWorks where live changes can be made to a product.
    • GrabCad Workbench has a common parts library, which allows us to use repetitive parts without redesigning them again and again. Hence saving a lot of time.
    • I can do all the conversations in the file itself, reducing time in email and other modes.
    • It automatically generates BOM for my assembly files.
    • It tracks versions, all the files are updated automatically for all members once a new version is created.
    • It would be good if it can be updated to read drawing and sketch files.
    • The team needs to improve the stability of the platform.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Vectorworks, Inc.
    No answers on this topic
    ScreenShots

    Vectorworks Spotlight Screenshots

    Screenshot of Vectorworks Spotlight 2025Screenshot of a real-time previsualization, available directly inside Vectorworks to bring live control of lighting fixtures and the ability to test run a show without leaving the model. Users can explore countless lighting and scenic possibilities and then experiment, edit, and adjust to based on any previsualization.Screenshot of GDTF Mapping, which gives users accurate fixture information to avoid errors. Map GDTF files to fixtures with direct access to GDTF-Share to download and import the files in one action from within Vectorworks. Automatically update all GDTF profiles with one command and store assigned GDTFs within their lighting devices