MicroStation CONNECT Edition vs PowerDraft CONNECT Edition

Many folks have asked what is the difference between MicroStation CONNECT Edition and PowerDraft CONNECT Edition.

PowerDraft is basically a subset of MicroStation.  PowerDraft does not include:

  • Advanced rendering (Luxology) - PowerDraft does have editable Display Styles
  • Animation
  • Batch Convert
  • Batch Processing
  • 3D Solid Modeling Tools
  • 3D Surface Modeling Tools
  • Mesh tools

You can edit 3D models in PowerDraft with the Detailing Callout tools, so you can use it to create and work with Dynamic Views, but you cannot edit the 3D graphics (except manipulation ... move, copy, delete).

You also get the following in PowerDraft:

  • Full configuration and access to variables
  • 2D Constraints are also available in PowerDraft allowing you to create powerful 2D parametric cells. 
  • Geographic Coordinate systems
  • Full Import and Export of standard formats including all DWG versions
  • Design History
  • Full Reference, Raster, Point Cloud and Reality Mesh functionality
  • Tables, Reports, Databases and Item Types
  • Named Boundaries, Drawing Boundaries and Place Label
  • Named Expressions, MDL apps and Macros
  • and all your 2D creation, manipulation and modification tools!

Its quite a powerful piece of software for 2D drafting.  Enjoy!

Samir Haque

  • In V8i the basic 3D Object Creation functions (Toolbox) is available. In CE this is gone. The functions keyins (e.g. create slab) are removed as well.

    I also vote for the batch functions to be available under PD!!

    All those users never needing 3D functionality don't understand why they need to pay that premium for batch processing, imho. You need it ever so infrequent... It is a too limited arguement for your purchasing dept./deciders.

    For majority of  applications drafting (PD) is the right choice (schematics/layout/floor plans and the like "drawing production business".


    In all "hybrid" projects - without comprehensive CAD/BIM coordination aka. "Reality" -  most exchange/work is done 2D (...what a pity...) Although constituens might be modeling their lot/craft  you will get a flattended plan - the least common denominator.
    That gap appears to actually accrete, for all the multitude of efforts.Why? My best guess isthe restoring forces of "The Topor" interplaying with cost-containment.

  • >Can you explain how it is more restricted than V8i?

    As already mentioned in Powerdraft CE we are missing simple 3D element creation. I do not get it why we need 3D Point Cloud attachments(and at the same time option to attach point cloud to 2D is removed) when there are no 3D tools? Powerdraft is like an advertisement for Microstation but if there are no 3D tools then how users could ask for them? If they never tried 3D and wouldn't know that you can ask for more and get them in Microstation. Very strange move indeed.

    It is totally ok, that Powerdraft don't have photorealistic vizualization or animations, or complex solid modeling but do not remove Bsplines, Multi-lines or other 2D elements. Autodesk did this in AutoCAD LT that there are or was no mlines and so you don't have a common 2D drawing environment or CAD standards.

    You can't expect for customers to buy heavy artillery "To shoot sparrows with a cannon"(or to crack a nut with a sledgehammer)  and then learn step by step the all heavy artillery possibilities. Or for example buy expensive Openroads because maybe some time later or probably not will use some of its minor functions. Real learning curve is to learn how to use and implement basic 2D and 3D tools and then later move to heavy artillery, if there are no 3D tools then it won't happen.

  • Why can't PowerDraft have the one tool that every PowerDraft user really, desperately wants

    How do you quantify a level of desperation?  How much time would a single seat of MicroStation save, compared to a single seat of PowerDraft?  That way you can use MicroStation for those times that you need batch processing, but the seat remains valid for design work when it's not batch processing.

    Divide delta license cost by time saved to obtain a cost benefit value.

     
    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions

  • Sorry, but this comment sort of comes 'out of the blue' with no explanation for which software, version or explanation of the issue, other than it crashes. Could you supply details of the software / version and maybe provide more details raging if there are error messages, logs etc.

    Regards
    Andrew Bell
    Technical Support
    Bentley Systems