AutoCAD
2013 vs. MicroStation V8i
A
comparison between Autodesk’s AutoCAD and Bentley’s MicroStation—two of the
most popular CAD software applications in the drafting industry—is like
bringing fans of two different football teams to pass a vote on which team is
the best. Needless to say that argument is one that will never meet a glorious
end and so it is when comparing two CAD software applications with very large
user bases.
So,
I would not be attempting to hurt the sensibilities of those who swear by the
features and tools of either software by conducting a full scale comparison but
I shall at least place the specifications and capabilities of each on record so
each person can come to his or her own educated opinion.
Differences in the Terms of Operating Systems
The
AutoCAD CAD software is generally all encompassing when it comes to their use
with operating systems while Bentley has been known to be more conservative
when it comes to the use of MicroStation on diverse operating systems. The different operating systems they run on
are:
• AutoCAD
2013—the Mac OSX 10.6, Windows 7, and Windows XP. For one reason or the other
it doesn’t run on Windows Vista
• MicroStation
V8i —Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP but does not run on Mac operating
systems.
Differences in Terms of Supported Languages
Since
its inception, AutoCAD has been built and re-built to fit users from all
countries and with every new version made, there is usually a new language
option added to its already impressive list of supported languages. While the
MicroStation has been more limited with its language options and the V8i is no
different. The languages they support are:
• AutoCAD
2013—English, Chinese, Chinese (Simplified), Czech, French, German, Hungarian,
Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian and Spanish.
• MicroStation
V8i —English, and French
Differences/Similarities in Functionality
The
AutoCAD and MicroStation CAD Software are both 2D drafting tools with an
extensive array of 3D modeling tools that is in no way as advanced as the
average 3D animation software but can accomplish basic 3D modeling and
renderings. In terms of functionality, they possess the following features:
• AutoCAD
2013—an extensive 2D drawing tool set to accomplish all types of 2D drafting
projects, it also allows users handle 3D modeling with the use of extrusion
tools, color palettes for coloring, customizable command logs, extrude 2D
designs to generate 3D models, generate 2D designs from 3D models, hatching
editor which makes a design easier to read and allow for easy communication
amongst designers, allows users import existing designs and also helps users
achieve realistic photorealistic renderings and animations.
• MicroStation
V8i—the functional features of the MicroStation are not much different from the
AutoCAD and they include; 2D/3D CAD software for designing, color palette,
command log, hatching editor, provides users with the ability to extrude 3D
models from 2D drafts and vice versa. It also lets animators achieve
photorealistic renderings and animations.
Differences in File Support and Readability
For
a long period of time, Autodesk refused to compromise on its stance to
integrate other file formats on its workspace except its DWF and DWG file
formats and until recently while MicroStation has always allowed the use of
different file formats on its workstations. The file formats they support are:
• AutoCAD 2013—supports and reads; 3DS,
DWG, DWF, DGN, BMP, DXF, FBX, PDF, DWT and WMF
• MicroStation
V8i—the MicroStation CAD software supports and reads the following file
Formats; DGN, DWG, DXF, IGES, PDF, Sketchup, STEP, DXF.
Differences in Pricing
AutoCAD
and MicroStation are both advanced dedicated CAD platforms used for 2D/3D
Drafting which makes their prices fall a bit on the high side.
• AutoCAD
2013—comes at approximately $4,000
• MicroStation
V8i—goes for approximately $5,000
Guest Authors Bio: Ethan Franks is a cad designer and writer at IndiaCADworks. His favorite
blog subjects are cad conversion and cad services. He loves sharing his knowledge with others.
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Kunal Ganglani: I am a Passionate Blogger, a Computer Science Engineer, Internet Marketer and an Entrepreneur at heart. I am the founder and Admin at KGTricks.
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