MicroStation vs. NX CAD

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
MicroStation
Score 8.3 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
NX CAD
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
Siemens NX software is an integrated product design solution that helps deliver products faster and more efficiently. NX delivers design, simulation, and manufacturing solutions that enable companies to realize the value of the digital twin.N/A
Pricing
MicroStationNX CAD
Editions & Modules
Microstation
$250.00
Per User Per Month
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
MicroStationNX CAD
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
MicroStationNX CAD
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
MicroStationNX CAD
Computer-Aided Design Software
Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Product A and Product B
MicroStation
-
Ratings
NX CAD
7.7
1 Ratings
0% above category average
3D Modeling00 Ratings8.21 Ratings
2D Drafting00 Ratings7.31 Ratings
Parametric Design00 Ratings7.31 Ratings
Compatibility with other software and formats00 Ratings7.31 Ratings
Assembly Design00 Ratings8.21 Ratings
Documentation and Annotation00 Ratings8.21 Ratings
Customization and Extensions00 Ratings7.31 Ratings
Best Alternatives
MicroStationNX CAD
Small Businesses
AutoCAD
AutoCAD
Score 8.8 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
AutoCAD
AutoCAD
Score 8.8 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.0 out of 10
Enterprises
AutoCAD
AutoCAD
Score 8.8 out of 10
Rhino
Rhino
Score 9.1 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
MicroStationNX CAD
Likelihood to Recommend
7.2
(8 ratings)
8.4
(24 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(7 ratings)
Usability
2.0
(1 ratings)
6.8
(6 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
7.3
(3 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
7.4
(3 ratings)
User Testimonials
MicroStationNX CAD
Likelihood to Recommend
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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Siemens AG
NX CAD is very good when it comes to three dimensional modelling and rendering and visualization. Furthermore, the export to jt function together with import into other Siemens software packages, such as Teamcenter, is a major reason why I am using NX. However, it can be a little more computationally expensive compare to other CAD packages.
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Pros
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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Siemens AG
  • Seamless interaction across multiple departments.
  • The software allows you to create a very high level of control and organization within your engineering staff. This reduces the companies mistakes and maximizes productivity.
  • The software makes it very easy to track your product through every phase of the production cycle.
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Cons
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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Siemens AG
  • Keeping the colors of surfaces if volume bodies are linked
  • Show and keep symbolic threads
  • For me, I miss more information why a surface can't be deleted or a radius is not possible. And maybe a solution, how could it look like, if NX CAD adds a new surface.
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Likelihood to Renew
Bentley Systems
No answers on this topic
Siemens AG
possibility of integration and customization
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Usability
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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Siemens AG
Siemens NX CAD has been has been simple in design & user interface. It is best among the competitors. It can develop heavy models & designs with very ease. It has Layers options for arranging multiple assemblies in the same file. It does not require heavy system investment & works fine on professional PCs
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Support Rating
Bentley Systems
We haven't had to use it for many years, so not able to comment.
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Siemens AG
NX CAD version is going out of support after only 12 months. Changes will not be implemented after 12 months from prodcution
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Implementation Rating
Bentley Systems
No answers on this topic
Siemens AG
the manitenance period is too small for our implementation timeline
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Alternatives Considered
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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Siemens AG
The only reason why NX was chosen was due to the process management, and revision control that's built-in. And being able to limit access to files and if they can be modified.
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Return on Investment
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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Siemens AG
  • The software itself is pretty expensive compared to other CAD-systems.
  • Implementation is not out of the box, it requires a lot of consulting and iteration cycles.
  • On the positive side is to mention the seamless of downstream functionalities, from product development to manufacturing and visualization, etc.
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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.

NX CAD Screenshots

Screenshot of NX technology can generate multiple design options. (It's like having an extra employee dedicated to "trying out" different designs.) Then Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) can be used to generate the part.Screenshot of Studies show an inordinate amount of time can be spent by designers as they look for previous or similar parts. The software can search for similarly-shaped parts.Screenshot of NX has the ability to validate a part (or assembly) and its adherence to standards, collisions, and manufacturability.Screenshot of Virtual inspection and mark up full sized assemblies.Screenshot of a rendering created from the actual product design. Notice the lighting and surface realism.