Which package for grading?

Hello all.

I'm trying to figure out what Bentley offering will best fit my needs for grading so I figured I'd ask the experts.  It looks as though Bentley now offers an overwelming selection of product that do the same thing so I would appricate any comments.

I currently use MicroStation V8i. In the past I used TDP (VAX) and InRoads up to Version 5.

What I will be doing.

  • Grading small sites, parking, drives, etc.
  • Small Subdivisions + Cut and Fill
  • Small storm sewer designs.  Easy enough to do "by hand" but would like abiltiy to cut surface profiles and crossections.
  • Possible need to coordiantion with AutoCAD Civil 3D projects.

What I won't be doing.

  • Major Highway work.  I.E.  Pushing templates, Mass haul, Interchanges etc.
  • Large storm and sanitary sewer design.
  • Bridges

Thanks,

DavidG

Parents
  • Do not forget the learning curve and setup times. Sometimes you can grab a DOT preference file (or GEOPAK D&C Manager file) to avoid some setup times. But you will need to get comfortable. Your old InRoads experience will help, but the new Roadway Designer will be just that - new. However, it allows you to build one composite surface within it from many roads or corridors. A corridor can be along an alignment or a feature, so you can grade ponds and parking lots as well as subdivision streets. I've been beating on it for over a year and am still learning new things. InRoads Site only includes the template editor and the ability to run a template along a feature. You would have to build up your own surface manually with it. 

    One thing to look at is the Civil Extensions - they can run in a GEOPAK mode or InRoads mode. You can check a little of their workflows, even though most design tools are missing from them.

    I'm also pretty sure either package can export and import LandXML files to work with Autodesk civil products.


    Charles (Chuck) Rheault
    CADD Manager

    MDOT State Highway Administration

    • MicroStation user since IGDS, InRoads user since TDP.
    • AutoCAD, Land Desktop and Civil 3D, off and on since 1996
Reply
  • Do not forget the learning curve and setup times. Sometimes you can grab a DOT preference file (or GEOPAK D&C Manager file) to avoid some setup times. But you will need to get comfortable. Your old InRoads experience will help, but the new Roadway Designer will be just that - new. However, it allows you to build one composite surface within it from many roads or corridors. A corridor can be along an alignment or a feature, so you can grade ponds and parking lots as well as subdivision streets. I've been beating on it for over a year and am still learning new things. InRoads Site only includes the template editor and the ability to run a template along a feature. You would have to build up your own surface manually with it. 

    One thing to look at is the Civil Extensions - they can run in a GEOPAK mode or InRoads mode. You can check a little of their workflows, even though most design tools are missing from them.

    I'm also pretty sure either package can export and import LandXML files to work with Autodesk civil products.


    Charles (Chuck) Rheault
    CADD Manager

    MDOT State Highway Administration

    • MicroStation user since IGDS, InRoads user since TDP.
    • AutoCAD, Land Desktop and Civil 3D, off and on since 1996
Children
  • Site Modeler? Roadway Designer? Civil Extensions? Man I've been out of this game to long. Are these products or parts of or what? It was bad enough when it was GeoPak vs InRoads with a little Eagle Point thrown in. 10 years ago I would have thought the best of each would have been merged into one by now, not dividing like bacteria.