# ArcGIS CityEngine, Autodesk InfraWorks vs MicroStation Comparison

| | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.0 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 22 | 42 | 412 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (45.0% of reviews) | Mid-Market (44.4% of reviews) | Small-Business (33.9% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | $2,135.00 Per Year | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### ArcGIS CityEngine

**Not enough data**

### Autodesk InfraWorks

**Not enough data**

### MicroStation

Pros:
- Ease of Use (44 reviews)
- 3D Modeling (35 reviews)

Cons:
- Difficult Learning (13 reviews)
- Learning Curve (13 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.9 (16 reviews) | 7.2 (32 reviews) | 8.2 (357 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.8 (16 reviews) | 7.8 (33 reviews) | 7.7 (363 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | Not enough data | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 7.6 (169 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | Not enough data | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 7.0 (83 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.4 (16 reviews) | 6.8 (32 reviews) | 7.7 (325 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | Not enough data | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 7.7 (86 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.9 (17 reviews) | 7.9 (33 reviews) | 7.2 (349 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### ArcGIS CityEngine

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Autodesk InfraWorks

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### MicroStation

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: MicroStation 12-month Subscription

Price: $2,135.00 Per Year

Description: Get access to software that comes with training – fast! Bentley’s eStore, Virtuosity, offers a convenient way to lease a 12-month license of Bentley software for a low, upfront cost. Every online purchase through Virtuosity comes as a Virtuoso Subscription that includes training and auto-renewals. Local currency pricing available.

Key Features:
- Training via Virtuosity Keys
- Flexible for your project needs
- Named-User license

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### 3D Modeling

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ArcGIS CityEngine** | N/A | N/A |
| **Autodesk InfraWorks** | N/A | N/A |
| **MicroStation** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Sculpting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Topology** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Brush Variety ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Effects** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Move

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Animate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Render** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Views** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Store & Manage

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Pipeline ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Controls** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Template library ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Civil Engineering Design

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ArcGIS CityEngine** | 8.8/10 | 50 |
| **Autodesk InfraWorks** | 7.1/10 | 6 |
| **MicroStation** | 7.7/10 | 70 |

#### Plan

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Documentation ** | 8.9 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.2 (58 reviews) | 
| **Sequence** | 8.6 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.6 (49 reviews) | 
| **Annotate** | 8.8 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.2 (56 reviews) | 
| **Collaborate ** | 8.3 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.7 (52 reviews) | 

#### Design

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D Modeling** | 9.4 (12 reviews) | 7.7 (5 reviews) | 7.4 (53 reviews) | 
| **3D Rendering ** | 9.4 (12 reviews) | 7.0 (5 reviews) | 7.2 (48 reviews) | 
| **Drawing** | 9.7 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.7 (62 reviews) | 
| **Editing ** | 8.6 (12 reviews) | 6.7 (5 reviews) | 8.7 (60 reviews) | 

#### Construction

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Fabrication** | 8.2 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.3 (44 reviews) | 
| **Reinforcement** | 8.8 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.3 (42 reviews) | 
| **Clash Detection** | 8.3 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.0 (39 reviews) | 
| **Grading** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.6 (44 reviews) | 
| **Earthwork** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.5 (45 reviews) | 

#### Engineering

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hydraulic engineering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.2 (38 reviews) | 
| **Hydrologic engineering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 6.9 (38 reviews) | 
| **Transportation engineering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (48 reviews) | 
| **Structural engineering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.0 (37 reviews) | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ArcGIS CityEngine** | N/A | N/A |
| **Autodesk InfraWorks** | N/A | N/A |
| **MicroStation** | 8.2/10 | 121 |

#### Design

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.9 (95 reviews) | 
| **Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (92 reviews) | 
| **Visualize ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (90 reviews) | 
| **Rendering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.6 (80 reviews) | 

#### Edit

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (97 reviews) | 
| **Push/Pull** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (79 reviews) | 
| **Views** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (86 reviews) | 
| **Grips ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (84 reviews) | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (87 reviews) | 
| **Documentation ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (86 reviews) | 
| **Data Extract** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (82 reviews) | 

### Urban Planning and Design

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ArcGIS CityEngine** | N/A | N/A |
| **Autodesk InfraWorks** | N/A | N/A |
| **MicroStation** | N/A | N/A |

#### Plan

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Documentation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Sequence** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Annotate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Collaborate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Design

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **3D Rendering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **2D Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Editing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Analysis

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Sustainability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Liveability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Movement** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Civil Engineering Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design)

**Unique to ArcGIS CityEngine (2):** [Urban Planning and Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/urban-planning-and-design), [3D Modeling Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-modeling)


**Unique to MicroStation (1):** [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | ArcGIS CityEngine | Autodesk InfraWorks | MicroStation | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 20.0% | 30.6% | 33.9% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 45.0% | 44.4% | 32.1% | 
| **Enterprise** | 35.0% | 25.0% | 33.9% | 

### By Industry

#### ArcGIS CityEngine

- **Information Technology and Services:** 15.0%
- **Higher Education:** 15.0%
- **Government Administration:** 15.0%
- **Architecture & Planning:** 15.0%
- **Construction:** 10.0%
- **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 5.0%
- **Mining & Metals:** 5.0%
- **Internet:** 5.0%
- **Design:** 5.0%
- **Consumer Services:** 5.0%
- **Other:** 5.0%

#### Autodesk InfraWorks

- **Civil Engineering:** 44.4%
- **Construction:** 22.2%
- **Architecture & Planning:** 11.1%
- **Computer Software:** 5.6%
- **Utilities:** 2.8%
- **Renewables & Environment:** 2.8%
- **Oil & Energy:** 2.8%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 2.8%
- **Machinery:** 2.8%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 2.8%

#### MicroStation

- **Civil Engineering:** 39.9%
- **Architecture & Planning:** 10.9%
- **Construction:** 8.5%
- **Design:** 6.6%
- **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 3.5%
- **Oil & Energy:** 3.5%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 3.2%
- **Utilities:** 2.9%
- **Telecommunications:** 1.9%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 1.9%
- **Other:** 17.3%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to ArcGIS CityEngine

- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews)
- [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (304 reviews)
- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews)
- [Unity](https://www.g2.com/products/unity/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (364 reviews)
- [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (349 reviews)
- [GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohecras/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (348 reviews)
- [Meshy](https://www.g2.com/products/meshy/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (2684 reviews)
- [Recraft](https://www.g2.com/products/recraft/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (455 reviews)
- [Archicad](https://www.g2.com/products/archicad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (291 reviews)
- [Lumion Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/lumion-pro/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (109 reviews)

### Alternatives to Autodesk InfraWorks

- [AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/products/autoturn/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (50 reviews)
- [OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/openroads-designer/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (139 reviews)
- [Carlson Civil](https://www.g2.com/products/carlson-civil/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (22 reviews)
- [GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohecras/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (348 reviews)
- [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (349 reviews)
- [GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohechms/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (124 reviews)
- [Site3D](https://www.g2.com/products/site3d/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (36 reviews)
- [RoadEng Civil Engineer](https://www.g2.com/products/roadeng-civil-engineer/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (17 reviews)
- [OpenFlows WorkSuite](https://www.g2.com/products/openflows-worksuite/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (44 reviews)
- [ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/products/actcad-actcad-bim/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (50 reviews)

### Alternatives to MicroStation

- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1934 reviews)
- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews)
- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (304 reviews)
- [AutoCAD LT](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad-lt/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (285 reviews)
- [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (191 reviews)
- [DraftSight](https://www.g2.com/products/draftsight/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (208 reviews)
- [AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/products/autoturn/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (50 reviews)
- [Carlson Civil](https://www.g2.com/products/carlson-civil/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (22 reviews)
- [Octave BricsCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/octave-bricscad/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (135 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### ArcGIS CityEngine

- Title: [What are the system requirements for CityEngine?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/system-requirements-7bd7ef04-09ae-4da9-9b4d-06eb8f244811) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "See CityEngine system requirements here: http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/cityengine/latest/get-started/esri-cityengine-system-requirements.htm "
- Title: [What exactly is procedural modeling?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/procedural-modeling-2bf52bf5-0cb9-4a42-abd9-f000a3c5b23c) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Procedural modeling means that 3D geometries and textures are constructed using rules (procedures) instead of labor-intensive manual modeling.

A single..."
- Title: [What is CGA?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/procedural-modeling) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "CGA (Computer Generated Architecture) is a unique programming language specified to generate architectural 3D content. The idea of grammar-based modeling is..."
- Title: [Can I use CityEngine to generate 3D buildings out of LiDAR data?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/capabilities-c46c9eee-74ae-4628-aefe-479010904657) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "No. CityEngine does not support LiDAR data nor are tools provided for the automatic extraction of surfaces out of point clouds. However, based on ArcGIS Pro..."
- Title: [Does CityEngine support the creation of 3D KML files?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/capabilities-4b2d36fd-4c4d-4ff6-852e-3a74e63e5630) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Yes. The ability to import and export KML is available in CityEngine. Industry-standard 3D object properties such as advanced materials and multiple textures..."

### Autodesk InfraWorks

- Title: [What is InfraWorks used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-infraworks-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Infraworks is used to create a 3D environment of a city, neighborhood or area for a project. In it you can integrate roads, buildings and additional 3D..."
- Title: [how accurate is the model builder data sets](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-accurate-is-the-model-builder-data-sets) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi there!

You can visit this site for details regarding Model Builder data..."
- Title: [how accurate is theinfraworks data](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-accurate-is-theinfraworks-data) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "model builder in infrawoks 360 use SRTM dem 90 m for establishing existing ground, and being imagery from digital globe and OSM data for center line of road..."
- Title: [Where does model builder get it's data?  What are the accuracy levels optained?  Why is this data so hard to find?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/infraworks-data-sources) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi there,

You can find Model Builder data sources here:..."

### MicroStation

- Title: [Microstation](https://www.g2.com/discussions/33530-microstation) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "We'd be happy to answer any questions you have!  Let us know what additional details you're looking for."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/arcgis-cityengine-vs-autodesk-infraworks-vs-microstation)