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MicroStation

MicroStation

Overview

What is MicroStation?

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.

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

MicroStation has become an essential tool for teaching interior design to students, offering a practical approach with real-world context. …
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A look at MicroStation

7 out of 10
February 01, 2019
Incentivized
Well, MicroStation doesn't solve any real business problems, we don't have any issues like that per se. But only our department in at …
Continue reading
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Pricing

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Microstation

$250.00

On Premise
Per User Per Month

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.virtuosity.com/product/micr…

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Product Details

What is MicroStation?

MicroStation is a 3D computer-aided design and visualization software for the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation of all infrastructure types. It is used by architects, engineers, design professionals, and draftsmen. The vendor states that from individual professionals to multinational design firms, project teams rely on MicroStation to confidently deliver projects, no matter the scale and complexity.

MicroStation provides a range of capabilities: CAD drawing and design, 3D modeling, visualization, component management and mark up, and collaboration across disciplines. It is designed so users can do everything that they need without flipping back and forth through many different applications. While users don’t need to use the cloud services available within MicroStation, they can use them to advance productivity and competitiveness.

MicroStation Features

  • Supported: Create project deliverables (drawings, models, reports)
  • Supported: Design with true 3D parametric modeling
  • Supported: Enforce project and design standards
  • Supported: Lay out and annotate drawings
  • Supported: Design within the context of 2D and 3D imagery
  • Supported: Produce animations and renderings
  • Supported: Visualize and analyze designs
  • Supported: Work collaboratively on designs with geographically distributed teams

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.

MicroStation Integrations

MicroStation Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise
Operating SystemsWindows
Mobile ApplicationNo
Supported LanguagesCzech, German, English, Finnish, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Chinese (Simplified)

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

AutoCAD, Onshape, and BricsCAD are common alternatives for MicroStation.

The most common users of MicroStation are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).

MicroStation Customer Size Distribution

Consumers5%
Small Businesses (1-50 employees)25%
Mid-Size Companies (51-500 employees)35%
Enterprises (more than 500 employees)35%
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(23)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

MicroStation has become an essential tool for teaching interior design to students, offering a practical approach with real-world context. Many organizations, including the majority of the US DOT, rely on MicroStation as their main CAD package for design work. Its excellent 2D capability enables quick production of engineering project drawings, while its easy 3D object modeling allows for high-quality engineering drawings. With the inroads add-in, users can efficiently model storm sewer networks and draw basin maps, while leveraging core features for cutting sheets, annotation, and running corridors. MicroStation is particularly favored in transportation design, especially roadway design, by many DOTs and municipalities. It plays a vital role in opening and converting transmitted drawings to ensure readability and usability for team members. Commonly used by transportation design teams, MicroStation serves as the required CAD program for DOT use and is also applied in civil applications like transportation, site, drainage, and structural bridge drawings. While it may not directly solve specific business problems, MicroStation is chosen by departments and offices that require compatibility with their local DOT's use of the software.

Wide range of design alternatives: Users have praised MicroStation for offering a wide range of design alternatives, allowing for a diverse set of options throughout the entire design process. Multiple reviewers have noted this aspect positively.

Comprehensive parametric mesh and surface modeling: Reviewers have commended MicroStation for its detailed approach towards parametric mesh and surface modeling. This comprehensive toolset provided by the software has been appreciated by multiple users.

Streamlined design workflows: The well-integrated modeling workflows in MicroStation have been highly appreciated by reviewers, as they streamline the design process and enhance productivity. Several users have highlighted this aspect as one of the strengths of the software.

  1. Unintuitive workset configuration and design file settings: Users have frequently mentioned that the workset configuration and design file settings in MicroStation are unintuitive and difficult to understand. This has been a common frustration for many users, making it challenging to efficiently set up their projects.

  2. Lack of modern and intuitive design: Several reviewers have expressed disappointment with MicroStation's outdated and non-intuitive design. This can be particularly problematic for beginners who struggle to navigate through the software easily. The lack of a modern interface adds complexity to the learning curve and hampers productivity.

  3. Difficulty managing multiple versions: Many users, especially those working in large organizations, have found it challenging to keep up with multiple versions of MicroStation. This issue becomes more pronounced when different teams or departments within an organization use different versions, leading to compatibility issues and potential inefficiencies in project collaboration.

Users have made several recommendations based on their experiences with MicroStation:

  • Many users recommend using MicroStation for handling different file formats without data loss. They also suggest using it to create CAD and BIM services, as well as providing plan sets to clients.
  • Users find MicroStation to be a valuable tool in the design industry, particularly in the transportation sector. They recommend it for drafting, modeling, and designing purposes. Some users even mention its usefulness in the restaurant industry.
  • Users believe that MicroStation is worth considering for productive and efficient design or manufacturing environments. They suggest using the newest version of MicroStation and comparing it with other CAD software options. Additionally, they recommend being open to rethinking design workflows to take full advantage of MicroStation's capabilities.

Overall, users find MicroStation to be a solid product with good support. They appreciate its easy navigation, user-friendliness, powerful features, and versatility. The integration with ProjectWise is another aspect that users commend.

While acknowledging that MicroStation can be a powerful program that requires time to learn, users highlight its ease of use and advanced 3D features.

Some users compare MicroStation favorably against Autodesk for large complex projects and recommend using it for basic drafting and 2D drawings. They advise taking trainings to overcome any initial difficulties and staying organized to solve smaller issues before they become recurring problems.

While many users feel that MicroStation is a complete CAD software, some suggest considering Solid Works as an alternative due to cost considerations and better training and customer service options.

It is important for users to have a good understanding of the basics before working on more challenging tasks with MicroStation. They also recommend investing time in customizing the software to suit individual needs. Some users prefer the v8i version over the Connect edition, but once users become familiar with it, they find that Connect edition works similarly.

In summary, users recommend MicroStation for its capabilities in handling different file formats, providing plan sets, and supporting efficient design workflows. They also appreciate its ease of use, powerful features, and versatility. However, users suggest considering alternatives like Solid Works and emphasize the importance of training and customization.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-8 of 8)
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Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Microstation is the product we use most often for transportation design-specifically roadway design-at my organization. I use the inroads add-in very often in my position to model storm sewer networks and draw out basin maps, though I also use Microstation's plain jane features for cutting sheets, annotation, and running corridors too. Microstation is the preferred program for most DOTs and municipalities in my region, so this is why I use it over AutoCAD Civil 3D.
  • roadway and corridor modeling
  • storm sewer and utility layout
  • cutting sheets and production
  • plan and profile annotation
  • adding smart tables to the plans is difficult-I always end up using Axiom
  • tying utilities to a surface-rims, grates, and other features typically need to be assigned elevations manually
  • profiles for pipes are difficult to draw and do not update automatically like they would in ssa
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.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
MicroStation is used as an alternative platform apart from AutoCAD to teach students interior design. MicroStation's infrastructure designing with the real-world context helps students to better understand the subject thereby creating a solution which has a practical approach.
  • 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
  • Expensive software
  • Workset configuration and design file settings should be more intuitive and easy to understand
  • Lacks intuitive and modern design
MicroStation is well suited for environments where animation and 3D modelling is required for designs. It perfectly fits into scenarios where Building Information Modelling (BIM) is used. One should avoid this platform if the budget is low and the overall length of the project is not huge.
Jackline Julias | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
MicroStation effectively provides amazing 2D capability for quick Engineering project drawings production, as well as easy on 3D object modeling. The features are easy to manipulate and provide the best quality Engineering drawings.
  • Easy view comparison.
  • 2D drafting.
  • Design modeling.
  • 3d rendering functionality.
  • Designing of large projects design slows the entire process.
  • Deployment on Cloud.
Civil Engineering project object design and documentation, annotation ability is amazing and also for design analysis as well as easy annotation capability.
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I have used MicroStation for many years at various levels. In my current office, it isn't the key CAD application. Still, we do have a copy of MicroStation for enabling us to open any transmitted drawings to us truly. Convert them to our current main CAD product easily, as well as check over drawings we're sending out, to ensure that they are fully readable and usable for our other team members.
  • Simple user interface
  • Easy to pick up from using any other CAD tool
  • 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.
MicroStation has been a great tool to use when it was the core application in a previous practice - we found it easy to train users on, and exchange drawings without much fuss. In recent years, and the explosion of BIM, it's keeping up with competitors, and cost-wise / feature set wise seems on-par.
Randall (Rande) Robinson | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
MicroStation is our main CAD package. We, like the majority of US DOT's, use MicroStation and its add-in products for all of our design work.
  • MicroStation, as a stand-alone CAD package, is a great plan production tool.
  • MicroStation makes a very good base to build other applications on top of.
  • It has at least, in my opinion, a very easy to use interface.
  • While it has a very usable interface it contains a lot of commands and can be intimidating to a beginner.
  • MicroStation uses several interfaces (depending on versions) which can complicate its use in large spread out organizations.
  • Multiple versions of the product can be an issue for large organizations to keep up with.
MicroStation and its roadway design packages are the "standard" for Highway and Bridge design. MicroStation is also a great tool for organizations that deal with both Bentley and Autodesk products since it handles both DGN and DWG files interchangeably.
February 06, 2019

My Review of MicroStation

Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
MicroStation is the required CAD program that is to be used by the DOT. Our company uses MicroStation and GEOPAK for civil applications (transportation, site, drainage, etc.) as well as for structural bridge drawings.
  • References are easy to import, do not bog down your computer, and allow the user to interact with them.
  • MicroStation allows you to open multiple instances of the program at once without the lag on the computer that you get with AutoCAD.
  • Smart Lock!! I use this all the time. It is one of my favorite features of MicroStation.
  • Tables: There needs to be a function to insert a table (like AutoCAD has) and the test inside behaves much like Excel.
  • Dimension manipulation. There should be easy commands to break dimension lines when dimensions intersect as well as a command to add a jog. These are all things that are done easily in AutoCAD.
MicroStation is well suited and required by most (if not all) DOT's.
February 01, 2019

A look at MicroStation

Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Well, MicroStation doesn't solve any real business problems, we don't have any issues like that per se. But only our department in at least this office uses MicroStation. We mostly use it for DOT work because our local DOT only uses MicroStation. We use it as our drafting platform, sometimes alongside AutoCAD.
  • Xrefs work extremely well
  • Some of the snap commands and element selection are great
  • Editing references are extremely easy also
  • User Inteface
  • Input commands, key board shortcut keys hard with just numbers
  • Layers could use a better interface
There isn't really a time when it is not suited; it is a great drafting program. It is used because some industries use that program, so we utilize it when working with those specific disciplines. When working with solely MicroStation formatted files it is great. When the need arises to use AutoCAD files within MicroStation or vice versa it is equally troublesome.
January 31, 2019

MicroStation Review

Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
MicroStation is being used by the transportation design team when completing projects for clientele.
  • Microstation is simply set up with both drop-down lists of tools as well as button arrays.
  • Microstation handles large amounts of data decently well.
  • Microstation works well even when many files are referenced together.
  • MicroStation's graphic interface appears data in comparison to other CAD software.
  • MicroStation has a tendency to crash if not managed properly during design.
  • MicroStation's transportation design component is separated from the main system which causes occasional complications.
MicroStation is well suited when being used by both the design company as well as the client company. This allows both parties to easily use the same file without having to translate it other file types. MicroStation is less well suited than other CAD software when completing projects that are constantly changing, necessitating the need for a dynamic software.
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