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
  • You may want to look at PowerCivil...

    However if you like the functionality you have with Inroads Site You may opt to stay with something you know. Depending on when you last used it you may see some new features in the current and future releases.

     

    Basicaly any of our software that holds the complete Site Modeler will provide the most dynamic workflow. Additionally if you need some drainage and utility functionality PowerCivil includes GEOPAK Drainage and Water Sewer.

    It is not intended to be used on large scale road design where a tool like Roadway designer dominates.

    Check out the site http://www.powercivil.com/ and the YouTube links below.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Hc3drZexgg

    Mike Barkasi

    Bentley Civil

    Professional Services

    Michael Barkasi

    Application Engineer 

    Reality Modeling



  • Mike, OK, What software holds the complete Site Modeler? Have you guys ever thought of having a Civil Product Matrix that compares feature or doesn't Excel support grids that large. :-)
  • Ok..

    Since noone else from Bentley has responded...

    There are basically 3 major Civil design solutions inside Bentley Systems, Inroads, GEOPAK and MX Road.

    I am mostly familiar with Inroads and GEOPAK (PowerCivil in America is an offshoot of GEOPAK Site).

    If you are on Select and using the latest versions of these products you will see new tools that are common in all 3 , such as Round a bout design, Civil Accudraw, Civil GPS. Roadway designer is now in both Inroads and GEOPAK (not sure about MX).

    I clear roadmap for these products has been laid out at various Bentley conferences. Your best bet would be to contact Bentley Sales 1-800-BENTLEY and speak with an account rep.

    Currently only GEOPAK Site and PowerCivil contain Site Modeler. This is not to say site design cannot be done using the other software Bentley offers. It is however the most dynamic modeling tool specific to site design currently offered.

    Feel free to email directly if you would like to see a brief demonstration. mike.barkasi@bentley.com

     

    Mike Barkasi

    Bentley Civil

    Professional Services 

    Michael Barkasi

    Application Engineer 

    Reality Modeling



Reply
  • Ok..

    Since noone else from Bentley has responded...

    There are basically 3 major Civil design solutions inside Bentley Systems, Inroads, GEOPAK and MX Road.

    I am mostly familiar with Inroads and GEOPAK (PowerCivil in America is an offshoot of GEOPAK Site).

    If you are on Select and using the latest versions of these products you will see new tools that are common in all 3 , such as Round a bout design, Civil Accudraw, Civil GPS. Roadway designer is now in both Inroads and GEOPAK (not sure about MX).

    I clear roadmap for these products has been laid out at various Bentley conferences. Your best bet would be to contact Bentley Sales 1-800-BENTLEY and speak with an account rep.

    Currently only GEOPAK Site and PowerCivil contain Site Modeler. This is not to say site design cannot be done using the other software Bentley offers. It is however the most dynamic modeling tool specific to site design currently offered.

    Feel free to email directly if you would like to see a brief demonstration. mike.barkasi@bentley.com

     

    Mike Barkasi

    Bentley Civil

    Professional Services 

    Michael Barkasi

    Application Engineer 

    Reality Modeling



Children
  • Mike, Thanks for the response. OK I think I get it, at least the what part not the why? part. You offer "3 major ..." Each parted out into smaller packages that offer the same solution using some dissimilar and some common functionality. It still remains unclear to me how PowerCivil, being a standalone product and not part of the "Big 3" fits in with MicroStation. How are contours generated in PowerCivil/GeoPAK site displayed in vanilla MicroStation? Do you write them out to a DGN file or are they stored as some sort of object like C3D? I haven't been to an conferences in a few years. Ironically I was going to go this year but it was canceled. Sales rep is supposed to contact me tomorrow. Thanks, DavidG