Microstation-good for roadway and corridor model, bad for new users
November 10, 2021
Microstation-good for roadway and corridor model, bad for new users
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with MicroStation
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
- corridors! We use this feature constantly
- surface modeling and triangulation
- the inroads add-in for modeling storm sewer and utilities-trickle tool is invaluable
- The trickle tool saves us hours of time and headache
- The surface tracking tool saves us effort, time, and money in running quick calcs and annotation
- We constantly fight with manipulating text. It takes hours in production time and a lot of effort to force our text to look/print correctly.
Microstation is not intuitive. It is almost impossible for our newest employees to use effectively, and I strongly prefer to start them with Civil 3D, where possible. With MicroStation, you really need to be an intermediate to advanced user to use the program and know where the buttons to do what you want are located. They need to make their program more command based. Things like snapping to a near point or correcting text size universally are not intuitive like they are in Civil 3D or SOLIDWORKS. For other programs you can just type in commands like "LINE" and draw a line. In Microstation, you need to select between a polyline or smartline from the tools>geometry menu. Why does it need to be so complicated? We ONLY use this program, because we are required to deliver our models in the DGN format to our client. Otherwise, we would use Civil 3D for everything.
Do you think MicroStation delivers good value for the price?
No
Are you happy with MicroStation's feature set?
Yes
Did MicroStation live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of MicroStation go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy MicroStation again?
Yes
Using MicroStation
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
None | Do not like to use Unnecessarily complex Difficult to use Requires technical support Slow to learn Cumbersome Feel nervous using Lots to learn |
- roadway and corridor modeling
- surface creation, surface grading, and triangulation
- converting to DWG and other formats
- drawing basic features like lines or circles
- updating drainage and utility profiles automatically
- adding "smart" tables that update automatically when inverts/elevations change