### Contents - [**Articles**](#resources-articles) - [**Glossary Terms**](#resources-glossary_terms) - [**Discussions**](#resources-discussions) - [**Reports**](#resources-reports) # Civil Engineering Design Software Resources ##### Articles, Glossary Terms, Discussions, and Reports to expand your knowledge on Civil Engineering Design Software Resource pages are designed to give you a cross-section of information we have on specific categories. You'll find [articles](#resources-articles) from our experts, [feature definitions](#resources-glossary_terms), [discussions](#resources-discussions) from users like you, and [reports](#resources-reports) from industry data. [ContentsExpand/Collapse Contents](#) - [**Articles**](#resources-articles) - [**Glossary Terms**](#resources-glossary_terms) - [**Discussions**](#resources-discussions) - [**Reports**](#resources-reports) ## Civil Engineering Design Software Articles [![What Is Environmental Engineering? It's Important Role in Health](https://learn.g2.com/hubfs/G2CM-FI126_Learn_Article_Images-%5BEnvironmental_Engineering%5D_V1a.png "What Is Environmental Engineering? It's Important Role in Health")](https://www.g2.com/articles/environmental-engineering) [ ### What Is Environmental Engineering? It's Important Role in Health ](https://www.g2.com/articles/environmental-engineering) We think we live in a world where clean air is as abundant as sunlight, where pristine waters flow freely, and where ecosystems thrive undisturbed. [ ![Sagar Joshi](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Sagar Joshi") SJ ](https://learn.g2.com/author/sagar-joshi) by Sagar Joshi [![Computer-Aided Design (CAD): State of Category](https://learn.g2.com/hubfs/houses-businessman-man-hands-110469-1.jpg "Computer-Aided Design (CAD): State of Category")](https://www.g2.com/articles/computer-aided-design-cad-state-of-category) [ ### Computer-Aided Design (CAD): State of Category ](https://www.g2.com/articles/computer-aided-design-cad-state-of-category) Computer-aided design (CAD) software was developed as part of a project delivered in 1960 by MIT’s Electronic Systems Laboratory, in collaboration with the United States Air Force. [ ![Michael Gigante](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Michael Gigante") MG ](https://learn.g2.com/author/michael-gigante) by Michael Gigante [![Building Energy Modeling: The Future of Sustainability](https://sell.g2.com/hubfs/low-angle-photography-of-metal-building-on-grayscale-175771.jpg "Building Energy Modeling: The Future of Sustainability")](https://www.g2.com/articles/building-energy-modeling-bem-sustainability) [ ### Building Energy Modeling: The Future of Sustainability ](https://www.g2.com/articles/building-energy-modeling-bem-sustainability) In my previous column, we explored the various ways building information modeling (BIM) software has impacted sustainable architecture. Expanding on the theme of sustainability, this month’s column examines a new trend in sustainability software called building energy modeling (BEM). [ ![Michael Gigante](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Michael Gigante") MG ](https://learn.g2.com/author/michael-gigante) by Michael Gigante [![What Is Civil Engineering? (+Best Software For The Job)](https://learn.g2.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/3D%20group%20of%20corporate%20buldings.%20Isolated%20over%20white%20background.jpeg "What Is Civil Engineering? (+Best Software For The Job)")](https://www.g2.com/articles/what-is-civil-engineering) [ ### What Is Civil Engineering? (+Best Software For The Job) ](https://www.g2.com/articles/what-is-civil-engineering) From interstate roads to international canals, civil engineering has had a direct impact on our evolution as an increasingly urbanized society with constantly expanding infrastructural needs. [ ![Michael Gigante](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Michael Gigante") MG ](https://learn.g2.com/author/michael-gigante) by Michael Gigante Show More ## Civil Engineering Design Software Glossary Terms [![Civil Engineering](https://www.g2digitalmarkets.com/hubfs/G2CM_GI846_Glossary_Article_Images_%5Bcapital_project_management%5D_V1a.png "Civil Engineering")](https://www.g2.com/glossary/civil-engineering-definition) [Civil Engineering](https://www.g2.com/glossary/civil-engineering-definition) Civil engineering involves designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining infrastructure projects in the public and private sectors. See more on it. by Anindita Sengupta [![Smart City Infrastructure](https://learn.g2.com/hubfs/G2CM_GI831_Glossary_Article_Images_%5Bsmart_city_infrastructure%5D_V1b.png "Smart City Infrastructure")](https://www.g2.com/glossary/smart-city-infrastructure-definition) [Smart City Infrastructure](https://www.g2.com/glossary/smart-city-infrastructure-definition) Smart city infrastructure uses connected technology to improve how cities deliver everyday services. Learn how it works, its components, and benefits. by Shreesh Singh [![Structural Calculations](https://learn.g2.com/hubfs/G2CM_GI842_Glossary_Article_Images_%5Bstructural_calculations%5D_V1a.png "Structural Calculations")](https://www.g2.com/glossary/structural-calculations-definition) [Structural Calculations](https://www.g2.com/glossary/structural-calculations-definition) Structural calculations help engineers determine the resources needed to complete work. Read on to learn about the benefits and structural calculations. by Sagar Joshi [![Building Information Modeling](https://learn.g2.com/hubfs/G2CM_GI696_Glossary_Article_Images_%5BBuilding_Information_Modeling_BIM%5D_V1a.png "Building Information Modeling")](https://www.g2.com/glossary/building-information-modeling-definition) [Building Information Modeling](https://www.g2.com/glossary/building-information-modeling-definition) Building information modeling (BIM) is an all-inclusive process of generating and handling information for a constructed asset. Learn more about its types. by Sagar Joshi [![Rapid Prototyping](https://learn.g2.com/hubfs/G2CM_GI586_Glossary_Article_Images_%5BRapid_Prototyping%5D_V1a.png "Rapid Prototyping")](https://www.g2.com/glossary/rapid-prototyping-definition) [Rapid Prototyping](https://www.g2.com/glossary/rapid-prototyping-definition) Rapid prototyping is a product development method where engineers iterate and refine a product after seeking user feedback. Learn about its benefits. by Sagar Joshi ## Civil Engineering Design Software Discussions 0 Question on: Bentley InRoads [New Grad](/discussions/new-grad) Just how difficult is Inroads to jumping into using on a scale of 0 to Act of God, 0 being easiest? Recently graduated and might have to be learning it real fast. If you are trying to learn this on your own, you will need some how to videos or tutorials because it isn't intuitive in any way,shape, or form. Grab some Redbull and gummy worms because you are going to need them to stay engaged. Answered: Brad Chambers on February 18, 2015 It is not as difficult as you would think. I myself had the same question when I first learned to use InRoads. I mainly self-taught myself InRoads using the CODOT InRoads Training Guide which is the best and free Inroads guide available out there for public use. It took me a few days to be familiar with the tools. Once you get a hang of it, you will master it in no time. Answered: Tri Tran, PE on January 9, 2020 [See more answers (1)](javascript:void(0);) [Your answer](/discussions/new-grad/comments/new?remote=true) 0 [What civil engineering design platforms give project engineers the best mobile access for reviewing drawings and markups on site without carrying a laptop to the field?](/discussions/what-civil-engineering-design-platforms-give-project-engineers-the-best-mobile-access-for-reviewing-drawings-and-markups-on-site-without-carrying-a-laptop-to-the-field) Hi G2, some context from my research before anyone buys anything based on this thread. I went looking for [civil engineering design software](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) with real field access, and the category's core design suites are desktop workstation software; nothing in the recent reviews of MicroStation, Civil 3D, or the drainage tools describes phone-based field review of the design environment. So what civil engineering design platforms give project engineers the best mobile access for reviewing drawings and markups on site without carrying a laptop to the field? Within this category, the honest shortlist is two products, which is why this post is narrower than usual. The short list looks like this: - [**SkyCiv Structural 3D**](https://www.g2.com/products/skyciv-structural-3d/reviews): Because it runs entirely in a browser with no installation (vendor-stated), it's the only tool here where opening the actual model on a tablet is plausible rather than theoretical. The scope limit is the same one from every angle: it's structural analysis, so a project engineer reviewing site grading or roadway sheets gets nothing from it. - [**Autodesk InfraWorks**](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-infraworks/reviews): Autodesk pitches it for viewing, analyzing, and sharing infrastructure information anywhere, on any device, through the cloud (vendor-stated). Page reviewers characterize it as a visualization and preliminary design layer for civil projects, which maps well to showing a stakeholder the model on site, less well to redlining a construction sheet. Its G2 Editing feature rating sits below the category average, consistent with viewing over markup. If field markup of issued drawings is the actual job, the answer probably isn't a civil design platform at all; that workflow lives in construction document tools that pair with whichever design suite produces the sheets. Where the products above earn a place is the step before that, checking the design model itself against what you're standing in front of. What are your field engineers actually opening drawings in right now, phone PDFs, a viewer app, or something better? Honestly, most field teams I’ve seen are still working off PDFs, not live models. Mobile access sounds great, but usability in sunlight, connectivity, and speed matter more than features. Have you seen any tool that field engineers actually prefer over marked-up PDFs, or is that still the default in practice? Answered: Shubham Gupta on July 24, 2026 [Your answer](/discussions/what-civil-engineering-design-platforms-give-project-engineers-the-best-mobile-access-for-reviewing-drawings-and-markups-on-site-without-carrying-a-laptop-to-the-field/comments/new?remote=true) 0 [Which civil engineering design software gives smaller firms the most value for money with professional-grade features at a price point that does not require an enterprise license?](/discussions/which-civil-engineering-design-software-gives-smaller-firms-the-most-value-for-money-with-professional-grade-features-at-a-price-point-that-does-not-require-an-enterprise-license) I'm comparing notes for a roundup on which [civil engineering design software](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) gives smaller firms the most value for money with professional-grade features at a price point that does not require an enterprise license, and recent small-business reviews mostly point at tools that never used enterprise licensing in the first place rather than cut-down versions of the big suites. Meanwhile the priciest name in the category has recent reviewers describing licensing as a barrier for smaller teams and individual users. Here are my top picks: - [**ZWCAD**](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews): The most consistent value story in recent reviews. Reviewers describe the same functions they had in AutoCAD at a lower price, easier license management, and a purchase option for firms that refuse subscriptions on principle, with one reviewer saying they moved company software to other vendors over exactly that issue. Cons stay practical: occasional lag on large files and weaker advanced 3D. - [**ActCAD BIM**](https://www.g2.com/products/actcad-actcad-bim/reviews): The deeper-discount version of the same trade. Reviewers highlight excellent functionality at an attractive price, flexible license types down to a single seat, and enough AutoCAD similarity that existing customizations carry over. The recent con pattern is a steep learning curve on advanced features and documentation that could be more comprehensive. - [**GeoHECHMS**](https://www.g2.com/products/geohechms/reviews): A different kind of value case. It is not cheap, but one reviewer writes that the cost "can usually be justified within 1 hydrology model." For a small firm billing hydrology work, tools that pay for themselves per project beat cheap tools that don't do the work. - [**SkyCiv Structural 3D**](https://www.g2.com/products/skyciv-structural-3d/reviews): The no-capital-outlay option for structural analysis, browser-based with nothing to install (vendor-stated). A reviewer's title calls it a great program for small firms. Small review base, and it covers structural work only. The way it shakes out in the reviews, value for a small firm means either paying less for the drafting seat, or paying properly for a specialist tool that bills its cost back within a project or two. The trap reviewers describe is the middle, an expensive generalist license mostly used for drafting. What's the one tool your small firm pays for that you'd defend without hesitation at renewal time? And has anyone regretted going perpetual-license when an update or OS change broke things? This is where a lot of small firms get stuck in the middle, paying for capability they don’t fully use. Either go lean for drafting or commit fully to design workflows. Have you seen firms regret going with perpetual-license tools when updates or OS changes started breaking compatibility down the line? Answered: Shubham Gupta on July 24, 2026 [Your answer](/discussions/which-civil-engineering-design-software-gives-smaller-firms-the-most-value-for-money-with-professional-grade-features-at-a-price-point-that-does-not-require-an-enterprise-license/comments/new?remote=true) - ‹ Prev ‹ Prev - 1 - [2](/categories/civil-engineering-design/resources?discussions_page=2) - [3](/categories/civil-engineering-design/resources?discussions_page=3) - [4](/categories/civil-engineering-design/resources?discussions_page=4) - [5](/categories/civil-engineering-design/resources?discussions_page=5) - … - [19](/categories/civil-engineering-design/resources?discussions_page=19) - [20](/categories/civil-engineering-design/resources?discussions_page=20) - [Next › Next ›](/categories/civil-engineering-design/resources?discussions_page=2) ## Civil Engineering Design Software Reports Mid-Market Grid® Report for Civil Engineering Design Summer 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Grid® Report for Civil Engineering Design Summer 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Enterprise Grid® Report for Civil Engineering Design Summer 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Momentum Grid® Report for Civil Engineering Design Summer 2026 G2 Report: Momentum Grid® Report Small-Business Grid® Report for Civil Engineering Design Summer 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Enterprise Grid® Report for Civil Engineering Design Spring 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Small-Business Grid® Report for Civil Engineering Design Spring 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Mid-Market Grid® Report for Civil Engineering Design Spring 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Grid® Report for Civil Engineering Design Spring 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Momentum Grid® Report for Civil Engineering Design Spring 2026 G2 Report: Momentum Grid® Report