Name: OpenRoads Designer
Rating: 8.4 (5 reviews)
Author: Bentley Systems

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### 3D Modeling and Design
User feedback on OpenRoads Designer's 3D modeling and design features is generally positive, with many users appreciating the software's dynamic design capabilities and the ease of customizing elements for display. However, some users have pointed out areas for improvement, such as the need for better model management, especially for larger projects, and challenges with report generation using XSL-based formats. Despite some concerns, OpenRoads Designer seems to offer valuable tools for terrain modeling, corridor modification, and the creation of roadway models.

### Terrain and Landscape Modeling
Users consistently praise OpenRoads Designer for its terrain and landscape modeling capabilities. They find that the software allows for easy modification of terrain models, quick visualization of results, and efficient solutions. Additionally, users appreciate the tools provided for corridor modification and roadway modeling, making the process streamlined and effective. The ease and speed of grading roadways to existing terrain and creating cross-sections further enhance the overall terrain and landscape modeling experience with OpenRoads Designer.

### Geometry and Alignment
Opinions on OpenRoads Designer's geometry and alignment features vary among users. While some praise its comprehensive horizontal and vertical alignment capabilities for various road types, others find the lack of direct commands and tedious vertical alignment process to be drawbacks. Users appreciate the software's ability to update geometry based on design intent but express concerns about model management complexities, especially in large projects. Additionally, feedback suggests that terminology inconsistencies and challenges with report customization impact user experience. Recommendations point towards GEOPAK civil engineering suite for its ease in creating horizontal plans, profiles, and cross-sectional curves, enhancing workflow efficiency.

### Civil Engineering Principles
User sentiment regarding OpenRoads Designer's civil engineering principles abilities is generally positive, with many reviewers highlighting the software's robust tools and user-friendly interface for civil infrastructure design. Some users appreciate the software's integration with other platforms like Civil 3D and Microstation, making it easier to work on projects efficiently. However, a few reviewers mentioned concerns about stability issues and the complexity of the civil modeling workflow, which may pose challenges for some users. Despite these drawbacks, OpenRoads Designer seems to be a valuable tool for civil engineers looking to enhance their design and analysis capabilities.

### Construction and Infrastructure
Users generally praise OpenRoads Designer's construction and infrastructure capabilities. They appreciate the software's ability to enhance trading activities through the construction of well-designed roads and bridges. Additionally, users find value in the platform's contribution to improving transport systems and connecting people and places through the development of passable roads. However, some users express concerns about the time-consuming nature of operations and the potential risks associated with mistakes during construction, emphasizing the importance of employing highly skilled professionals and utilizing modernized equipment for optimal results.

### Utility and Structural Engineering
Users consistently highlight OpenRoads Designer's utility and structural engineering features as key strengths of the software. The ability to diagnose complex problems, conduct clash detection with subsurface utilities, and create 3D models of various structures have been particularly lauded by engineers. Despite some users mentioning the need for further development and integration with other software tools, the overall sentiment leans towards positive experiences with the utility and structural engineering functionalities of OpenRoads Designer.

Users have found that software like InRoads, GEOPAK, and OpenRoads Designer are highly beneficial for increasing efficiency and productivity in engineering jobs. These software solutions allow users to complete tasks in a shorter amount of time, saving them from tedious calculations and manual modeling processes. They are particularly useful for highway design, land development calculations, and visualizing designs in the surrounding environment. With features like 3D modeling, these tools provide a visualization of designs, enabling modifications based on the model. Additionally, they assist with road drainage and stormwater management, roadway design, and verifying super elevation runouts. By eliminating redundancy and design errors, these software solutions make project setups cleaner and more efficient. Users also find them helpful in reviewing what-if scenarios and quickly updating profiles and ditch grades. Overall, engineers have experienced significant time savings and improved design capabilities by utilizing these software solutions in their projects.

Users commonly recommend the following three suggestions for improving and utilizing InRoads software: 

1. Compare and Evaluate: Users suggest taking a thorough look at the software and comparing it to competitors before making a commitment. They emphasize the importance of understanding its functions and capabilities in relation to other options available.

2. Training and Exploration: There is a strong recommendation to undergo proper training to fully comprehend and utilize all the functions of InRoads. Users also emphasize exploring the multiple tools and features it offers, especially when transitioning from other software platforms.

3. Good CAD Manager and Configuration: It is recommended to have a knowledgeable CAD manager who can effectively set up configuration variables and workspaces within InRoads. This ensures optimal performance and a tailored experience for each project.

Lack of Development: Users have mentioned that elements of the program are lacking and in need of further development. Some users find it challenging to format the workspace effectively and extract maximum value from the product. They also mention that tools for subsurface utilities could be improved.

Difficulty Learning and Using: Several users have expressed difficulties in learning and using the software. They find it challenging to learn without investing in training, with many steps to remember. The lack of direct commands like AutoCAD makes vertical alignment tedious, and operations in the software can be time-consuming and prone to mistakes, leading to poor construction outcomes.

Software Issues: Many users have reported various issues with the software itself. They have experienced frequent crashes, glitches, and file corruption problems. The software is slow at times, hangs frequently causing annoyance and consuming time. Additionally, some tasks that were easy to do in previous versions are much harder now, causing frustration among users.

Reliable Performance: Many users have praised the product for its reliable performance. They state that it consistently meets their expectations and performs well over time. Whether it's handling demanding tasks or running smoothly during extended use, users appreciate the product's ability to deliver consistent and dependable performance.
User-Friendly Interface: Several reviewers mention the user-friendly interface of the product. They appreciate how easy it is to navigate and use, making their experience enjoyable and hassle-free. The intuitive layout, clear menus, and responsive controls make it effortless for users to quickly access features and customize settings according to their preferences. This streamlined interface enhances overall usability and ensures a positive user experience.
Good Customer Support: Some users express satisfaction with the customer support provided by the company. They find the support team helpful, responsive, and prompt in addressing any queries or concerns. Whether through email, phone calls, or live chat, customers report receiving timely assistance from knowledgeable representatives who go above and beyond to resolve issues effectively. The quality customer support adds value to their overall experience with the product

Bentley Systems offers OpenRoads Designer, their civil engineering and design platform which replaces the former GEOPAK Civil Engineering Suite, InRoads, MX, and PowerCivil.

Autodesk's Civil 3D is a computer aided design (CAD) application designed to support a variety of civil infrastructure projects including rail, roads and highways, land development, airports, drainage, storm and sanitary, and civil structures.

AutoCAD is a CAD product from Autodesk. It allows designers to work in 2D and 3D, and is available on Windows and Mac, but with extensive online collaboration tools.

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OpenRoads Designer

Civil Engineering

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Bentley Systems is a global leader in providing architects, engineers, geospatial professionals, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive software solutions for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure. Bentley users leverage information mobility across disciplines and throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to deliver better-performing projects and assets. Bentley solutions encompass MicroStation applications for information modeling, ProjectWise collaboration services to deliver integrated projects, and AssetWise operations services to achieve intelligent infrastructure – complemented by worldwide professional services and comprehensive managed services. Founded in 1984, Bentley has more than 3,000 colleagues in over 50 countries, more than $600 million in annual revenues, and since 2008 has invested more than $1 billion in research, development, and acquisitions.

Senior Project Manager

OpenRoads Designer 2022-08-25 07:11:29

Engineer

OpenRoads Designer 2021-03-19 01:41:49

Project Manager and Business Development Lead

OpenRoads Designer 2021-03-21 18:02:03

BIM Manager

OpenRoads Designer 2019-02-12 21:23:10

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Lot of training

South africa

Training to use

Product support

Manage large

Need a lot

Tedious task

Creating data

System resources

Create data

File format

Single file

3d model

Template creation

Existing features

One uses

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Civil Engineering Software

We design highways. I feel ORD is a failure and it does not allow you to predicted time and cost. From my experience, you have a working model one day then the next day the model is corrupted upon opening. We feel we spend more time debugging and fixing problems than we spend on actual production. We open a model to preform a 5 minute task and due to ORD failures it will take 8 hours to get the model fixed before you perform your 5 minute task. In my opinion ORD is garbage. Stay away.

I feel ORD fails at being reliable.
I feel ORD fails at being useful
I feel ORD fails at controlling production time
I feel ORD fails at controlling production cost

Reliability
not corrupting work
having a UI that does not require a minor in computer science

at this point we have not found reliable features.

In my opinion, negative impact on schedule
I feel negative impact on production cost
In my experience negative impact on reputation

determine existing sidewalk slopes for ADA analysis

OpenRoads Designer is used at SMEC South Africa in the design and modelling of roads and highways projects. We use it to develop the entire design from concept through to detail design, plans production, and visualisation.
OpenRoads Designer is used almost exclusively by the Roads and Highways Function at SMEC, although we are trying to expand its usage into Urban Development and Construction &amp; Pavements.
OpenRoads Designer addresses the issue of being required to develop multiple feasible design solutions rapidly without as much effort as a simple CAD package would require.

Integration with other disciplines. If one uses Bentley's companion products like OpenBridge Modeler or OpenSite Designer, there is no need to export any design information to other disciplines as the .dgn files can be directly referenced into other applications.
Visualisation - ORD comes bundled with a free version of LumenRT which produces amazing engineering and architectural renderings and can even be used in VR applications.
Design Environment. Being based on the DGN file format is brilliant - being able to have multiple models within a single file has so many advantages over the DWG file format.

This may only be applicable to South Africa, but training and product support definitely need a lot of improvement.
Some tools are over complicated and no simpler tool is provided. There is a bit of an obsession with preserving design intent to the point that making simple geometry edits is a really tedious task.
Usage of hardware. The software has mostly been programmed for single thread operations - so if you have 8 cores, only 1 will be used. It's a real shame of system resources to not use all of those cores to cut production time!
Drawing production - especially exporting drawings to DWG format is a massive pain.
Graphics Engine - seeing what game engines are capable of in their 3D working environments makes me wonder why all engineering software can't perform similarly.

Efficiency in designing (and visualising) alternative designs. Huge positive as clients are expecting this to be standard now.
A negative would be the learning curve (as mentioned, training material is a bit lacking). The time taken to learn the software when the pressure to produce designs is on sometimes hurts the bottom line.
It's helped us win projects where we were competing against other consultants who didn't have software that could produce alternative designs to the same level of detail as quickly.

We are using it for all the infrastructure (road) projects we work on. We use it for design, analysis, and plan production of the infrastructure projects from start to end of the design period.

Comprehensive Design and Modeling tool
Model Centric Plan production connecting 3D model to 2D Plans
Great tool for Digital Design Delivery to Construction
Great Clash detection with all proposed and existing features

Buggy at times and crashes
Requires a lot of training to use the tools effectively
Model management requires some work

Positive definitely as all projects I work on require OpenRoads Designer
Helps us meet the deliverable requirements set by our clients

Product Features
Product Usability
Prior Experience with the Product

Due to client requirement for an Infra project to be done using the Bentley system, only some in the Infra team have picked up OpenRoads (with the rest still stay on Autodesk products). Though it took a fair bit of trying to understand the workings methods and environment of OpenRoads (especially for those transitioning from older versions), once familiar was quite helpful in speeding up modelling works. However adding linked geometric data (e.g. volume, area etc.), non-geometric data (e.g. material type, grade etc.) and "smart" structural openings to model components is still heavily manual and a pain when there's changes.

Creating linear models, since the app is based on alignment models and templates to extrude along the alignment.
Precise long section/profile along horizontal alignment. The app practically flatten the horizontal alignment for profile generation.
Template control. Though the template creation takes a bit of effort to create due to the point rulings. However when done right allows the model to be specifically modified with use of functions like super-elevation, point control, widening, parametric etc.

Creating data. Currently will need to create data tag (e.g. volume, length, material type, material engineering criteria etc.) of component manually. Some of the commonly use data in AECOsim should be preset in OpenRoads.
Ability to link geometric data values to geometric properties. Currently not linked (e.g. volume value, length value etc.) and had to be keyed in and/or changed manually.
Opening (eg. for MEP interface) creation and modification still manual. There should be a smart opening creation that would create openings at interface location and auto enclose the mesh opening so that the volume will take into account the opening(s) created.

Drawing creation from model have speed up drawing delivery by 80%
Model creation for linear project based on simple design speed up model delivery by 80%
Capturing model change due to alignment change have help speed up change capture by 80%

OpenRoads Designer

Overview

What is OpenRoads Designer?