About MicroStation

MicroStation is an architectural CAD solution designed to help businesses in the construction, petroleum, mining and other sectors create, modify and visualize 2D and 3D designs. Administrators can create annotations, paper plots, 3D physical models and PDFs on a unified interface. The platform lets designers add 3D reality meshes, geospatial information and point clouds to create construction models. MicroStation allows creators to use built-in templates and include dimensions, symbols, lines and texts in drawings based on project-specific standards. Additionally, teams can analyze various properties of the object including slope and aspect angle to visualize designs in a centralized dashboard. MicroStation enables operators to select time-based animations, produce realistic movies and preview lifelike visualizations in real-time. Pricing is based on monthly subscriptions and support is extended via FAQs and online portal.
MicroStation Software - MicroStation design creation
MicroStation Software - MicroStation dimensions
MicroStation Software - MicroStation variables
MicroStation video
MicroStation Software - MicroStation design creation - thumbnail
MicroStation Software - MicroStation dimensions - thumbnail
MicroStation Software - MicroStation variables - thumbnail

MicroStation pricing

MicroStation does not have a free version but does offer a free trial. MicroStation paid version starts at US$2,284.00/year.

Starting Price:
US$2,284.00/year
Free Version:
No
Free trial:
Yes

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MicroStation Reviews

Overall rating

4.3
Write a Review!

Feature rating

Value for Money
4.1
Functionality
4.2
Ease of Use
4.0
Customer Support
4
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All MicroStation Reviews

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175 reviews
James
James
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 18/07/2018

MicroStation is no doubt the best software working for the development of 3D models.

Pros

The file sizes in MicroStation is great. One can easily control the dimension styles, references, text styles and line styles.It is very stable.For daily production it is the main platform.Integrating with the advancement of new technologies, the future of MicroStation software is very bright. MicroStation software allows us to open and covert AutoCad files.

Cons

The price of MicroStation license is very high but I know it is absolutely because of its quality. So there are no specific cons but there should be some different line styles and font styles.There should be some improvements in word editor. Whatever any thing is, this software no doubt improves our modelling skills.

Craig
Craig
  • Industry: Civil Engineering
  • Company size: 501–1,000 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

4.0
Reviewed on 23/01/2018

Easy to use with lots of other capabilities

The easy creation of a 3D model has helped convey design aspects to non-engineers and the public.

Pros

They have a lot of support videos of community forums that have been really helpful on resolving issues or finding best practices for each particular use. The file format makes opening and switching between files much quicker than autocad.

Cons

No complaints about microstation itself but they have been making a lot of improvements and changes to their 3D package. It's been a difficult to keep up with the all the changes as an original geopak user. Once I got used to the new tools it an helped my efficiency working on projects.

Verified Reviewer
  • Industry: Entertainment
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
3
Features
4
Ease of Use
3
Customer Support
3

3.0
Reviewed on 17/01/2018

Good alternative to Autodesk but not great

Pros

Microstation is very comparable to AutoCAD. I have been a long time user designing schools and government facilities. Many years ago states were standardized on Microstation and our firm has stayed with it.

Cons

I wish there were more support from manufactures. Most all manufacture have full cell library's for Autodesk but there is very little designed for Autodesk. Pulling cad file into Microstation that were produced in other software packages is not as great as it could be.

Natalia
Natalia
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
4
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 13/07/2018

This software is really a blessing in my work, and it has made my work every time easier for...

Pros

Easy to use with the friendly users. It's multiple screens helps the user to copy items andΒ  find stuff on the screen. MicroStation is the best software which allows us to open and convert Autocad files. Dialogue box and reference manager are the great features that this software has. So I would say this is versatile with many functionality.

Cons

If i talk about the cost license of MicroStation is a little high but i also know that is because of its quality.There are no complaints about itself even they are improving and bringing some innovations about 3D packages .

Barb
Barb
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

4.0
Reviewed on 23/01/2018

I have been working with MicroStation for over 8 years now. I really like the program.

Pros

Easy to use
help is easy to use and get the help you need
the features it has are exactly what I need to complete my day to day activities
Easy to search for features
snapping is great
functions to what I need
Able to bring in almost any format that I have access to

Cons

Not able to export to Excel
Not able to export to ArcMap
sometimes it drops tags, I have had it delete every tag in a project, and have it unrecoverable.
Some other glitches like, changing something, saving it. Then later going back and having it not save it at all.

Alice
Alice
  • Industry: Staffing & Recruiting
  • Company size: 201–500 Employees
  • Used for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 8/12/2018

The most user friendly software with excellent visualization.

It is really easy to use software. I like all its features as it is making my work easier day by day. I would say it is the most preferable software for performing multiple tasks.

Pros

I love everything about MicroStation. Its most interesting features include text styles plus dimension styles as well as references and line styles can be easily controlled through this software. There are fantastic ways of designing highways along with complete construction designs. It is the most reliable and excellent software. The best part of this software is that it never crashes.

Cons

This software works perfectly. I can hardly find cons in it. One of the cons is that MicroStation license is quite expensive but if we look at its quality and output, it surely deserve high price. One thing I want to suggest is that it should include some different line styles as well as font styles.

Mike
Mike
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 23/01/2018

I have enjoyed (and cursed) MicroStation for many years. Since the DOS days, to be specific.

It is a very versatile and efficient mapping software.

Pros

It is very versatile with a lot of functionality. For just about anything you can think of, there are two or three (or more) ways of doing it. I like that you can build in a virtual real-world environment and that there a lot of tools to help with that.

Cons

Because of its versatility it's also quite complicated. Trying to do something that is not familiar can be quite the challenge.

Veronica
Veronica
  • Industry: Construction
  • Company size: 501–1,000 Employees
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 19/08/2022

Effective Construction Project Management System.

The effective CAD functionalities allows easy 3D model designing and modification of other Engineering designs and documents.

Pros

The CAD functionalities on this platform is the best and the data import and export is easy.

MicroStation has multiple Construction project management functionalities and the editing of Engineering drawings is simple and great coordination platform.

Cons

None i can recall, MicroStation is easy to deploy and start manipulating the features.

EK
EK
  • Industry: Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
  • Company size: 10,000+ Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
4
Ease of Use
3
Customer Support
4

4.0
Reviewed on 28/04/2020

Quality Drawing through Microstation

I feel Good about my daily using experience with Bently Microstation

Pros

Microstation is very good software to make drawings Specially for Brown filed projects.It is Very easy to attach maps,Coordinates and Feeling satisfaction towards by producing Quality drawings.

Cons

Software need to improve in areas like keyboard commands and tools selection window to meet user friendly requirements.

Boris
Boris
  • Industry: Shipbuilding
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
4
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
0

4.0
Reviewed on 5/12/2018

Microstation v8i

Pros

It is an old program version for DGN drawings but it is fast and good alternative to other software.
You can open DWG drawing, import AutoCAD files.
It is programmable by adding more functionalities using MACRO VB Scripts.

Cons

When comes to programming, not that resourceful documentation. That is, with this version.

Chad
  • Industry: Architecture & Planning
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
1
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
2

5.0
Reviewed on 24/01/2023

Too Expensive

Love the software. The support is great. The license management is way to cumbersome and complicated. Way, way too expensive for a small company

Pros

Ease to use. Work with it for over 20 years. Support has always been helpful.

Cons

Way too expensive for a small company. It is a shame becasue I do like the software.

Verified Reviewer
  • Industry: Accounting
  • Company size: 1,001–5,000 Employees
  • Used Daily for 6-12 months
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
0

5.0
Reviewed on 11/11/2022

The best design tool for Architects

I will continue to test this cool and amazing application that suit me for my project.

Pros

MicroStation is one of the modern software you need for architecture related projects, MicroStationoffers you features like 2D and 3D design, estimation and it is suitable for many professionals.

Cons

I think the software is a bit expensive for small businesses.

Alternatives Considered

LightningCad

Switched From

LightningCad
Verified Reviewer
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
3
Ease of Use
2
Customer Support
5

4.0
Reviewed on 26/01/2018

Can be very cumbersome transitioning from Autodesk products

Ease of 3D modeling, ability to handle complicated graphics with little disruption. Access to the Bentley website and access to product support and training is fantastic. All and all it is a good software package just is cumbersome to get started in.

Pros

Mostly the add on software, Descartes, GeoPac, etc. The 3D modeling is fantastic, if they could apply these concepts to the 2D seeds and access to tools, etc. the software would be much better.

Cons

Text editor is garbage, keyboard shortcuts are very cumbersome, to many options for setting up workspace, almost have to understand programing just to start drafting.

Verified Reviewer
  • Industry: Architecture & Planning
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
3
Ease of Use
3
Customer Support
2

4.0
Reviewed on 29/01/2018

MicroStation is fairly simple to use and is highly adaptable to our uses (Landscape Architectur...

It is easy to learn and works well with State Agencies (DOT, Colleges, Etc).

Pros

It is built at "actual scale" so scaling onto sheets is very simple. It's well integrated into GIS and most state entities use it. Because the plans are geolocated, if you merge adjacent areas, they fit seamlessly

Cons

Addressing tech issues is extremely burdensome. Most of the first level IT is in the far east and responses can take a day. This means low priority issues can drag on forever.

Barbara
  • Industry: Civil Engineering
  • Company size: 10,000+ Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
4

5.0
Reviewed on 15/02/2022

Software complete

The best CAD that I used

Pros

it is light, fast and has a good view. I can show all project fast.

Cons

little publicized. need to be more widespread.

Verified Reviewer
  • Industry: Architecture & Planning
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
4
Ease of Use
3
Customer Support
0

4.0
Reviewed on 5/04/2019

User friendly Engineering software

Coming from a background of using AutoCad, it was a little bit of a learning curve. This program is necessary for state/city projects in our location.

Pros

3 years ago I made a switch to a new company that solely used MicroStation and I have an AutoCAD background. Once I was acquainted with the general layout and set up my toolbars, it's been very easy to learn the program. I love the autosave feature, that it accepts AutoCAD files, and the way the select function works.

Cons

That they do not have efficient quick keys. AutoCAD quick keys make the workflow easier. In MicroStation, they are not user-friendly, so I draft without. Also, beware of the way they work the network licenses if you accidentally go into a version you do not have extra seats for, it will allow you to work in it and you'll receive a HUGE bill.

Steve
  • Industry: Architecture & Planning
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 23/01/2018

Extremely stable CAD platform for professional level production.

It's the main platform for our daily production, so it's essential to us getting our work done.

Pros

Very stable. Never crashes.
Getting started is easier than some of the competition, you can be up and drawing very quickly.
Some of the features are more intuitive than other software in the same class. You can get your drawing to look how you want it to look more quickly.
Software will let you go as in-depth as you want. If you wish to use it for basic tasks you can, but if you want to dig deep and become a power user, there are many many levels of depth.
Integration with newly acquired technologies, points to a bright future for the Microstation platform.

Cons

Some of the more powerful features of the software require you to spend some time looking under the hood and learning the inner workings.
There is not absolute consistency within every aspect of the GUI. Not every menu etc behaves in the same way, but this is a small nitpick, not a big deal.

Lorys
  • Industry: Civil Engineering
  • Company size: 501–1,000 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
3

5.0
Reviewed on 27/01/2018

I have been using microstation everyday for nearly 30 years since intergraph days till todate

Geographic coordinate accuracy, compatibility with many other software platforms in multidicipline environments. ie survey, mapping, civil drafting, 3d modelling

Pros

Of the all the CAD programs I have tried over the years Microstation is the most :-
Customisable to user needs and multiply workflows.
Intuitive dialog tools.
Easy to learn.
Prepackaged with excellent tools to improve workflows and can emulate Autocad and work with DWG files in a Microstation environment.
Comes with 2d & 3d tools and some GIS features,
Backward compatability of old files, that is to say you can open DOS version DGN files from 25 years ago and they still work in the current version.

Cons

The latest version CE has moved away from the traditional interface and adopted the MS Ribbon bar, which I don't like , the change is too radical and looks too much like Autodesk. I'm sure will get used to it eventually but for now I find it clumsy and time consuming.

Alula
Alula
  • Industry: Utilities
  • Company size: 10,000+ Employees
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
3
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
2

4.0
Reviewed on 20/05/2019

very useful

pretty awesome love using the software for drawings.

Pros

this software have a lot of futures that you can use. i love how its ease to move items copy and past, the 3D option of the function is very useful and helpful for drawings.

lots of short cuts that you can use with keyboard and its very helpful once you understand it and master the way how the product work.

Cons

for beginners the software is very complicated and hard to use . need to develop friend user options

Valarie
Valarie
  • Industry: Construction
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Daily for 6-12 months
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 20/09/2021

Powerful Engineering 3D Design Product.

Excellent 3D modeling experience with MicroStation, easy document editing and construction drawings management.

Pros

Ability to manage various Engineering document and coordination for the construction project team with MicroStation is incredible. The CAD capability that MicroStation has is productive, and the tool reporting functions are perfect.

Cons

MIcroStation is an easy Engineering solution and easy to learn and their technical team is active and reliable team.

Miguel
  • Industry: Entertainment
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for Free Trial
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
3

4.0
Reviewed on 13/06/2021

Why use MicroStation

in general a well made application, easy to use and quite good for the price it has.

Pros

MicroStation is a very practical application compared to others, it is also too easy to use and guides you to know how to use it better.

Cons

I saw very few cons, but one of them is that they should improve the interface a bit, it is already a bit outdated.

Jovan
  • Industry: Civil Engineering
  • Company size: 10,000+ Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
4

5.0
Reviewed on 21/10/2019

Microstation is the best CAD platform

Large scale infrastructure projects where some disciplines use AutoCAD & others use Microstation, the speed and advanced functionality (such as dealing with reference files) becomes clearly evident.

Pros

Speed and interoperability. Microstation supports many different file types and provides additional software for a wide range of engineering design disciplines.

Cons

Administration can seem confusing as there are so many different options.

Garrett
  • Industry: Packaging & Containers
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
0

4.0
Reviewed on 4/11/2022

Good option for 3d CAD

Pros

Microstation is a great program for 3D CAD. The program is quick to get a hang of and has alot of features including rendering.

Cons

It only works on Windows computers making it hard to deploy in a multi OS environment.

Brian
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 23/01/2018

I have several copies of usta and it is very versatile.

The use in a civil and structural design firm is invaluable for the daily design of projects.

Pros

The ability to interact with autocad and other cad systems directly. The system can interconnect with other programs that are available for highway design, structural design, drainage, etc.

Cons

As with any cad system, there is a learning curve. With each new version that comes out, they rearrange the location of the tools and they must be relearned.

Tyler
  • Industry: Civil Engineering
  • Company size: 10,000+ Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
3

5.0
Reviewed on 7/12/2020

Great for Civil Engineering

very positive

Pros

Microstation is a great CAD platform for civil engineering. When used with design software I much prefer microstation to autocad. I feel it fits civil engineering much better from everything from file structure to button assignments.

Cons

One con would be how button keyins change when design software is loaded. This can be worked around by changing your task but it seems there could be a better way

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