# ArcGIS CityEngine vs Civil 3D Comparison

| | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 22 | 304 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (45.0% of reviews) | Mid-Market (44.2% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | $275 per Month | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### ArcGIS CityEngine

**Not enough data**

### Civil 3D

Pros:
- Design Development (2 reviews)
- Tools (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Data Loss (2 reviews)
- Large File Handling (2 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.9 (16 reviews) | 8.6 (246 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.8 (16 reviews) | 7.3 (247 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | Not enough data | 6.4 (69 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | Not enough data | 6.4 (58 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.4 (16 reviews) | 7.4 (214 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | Not enough data | 7.4 (56 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.9 (17 reviews) | 8.2 (245 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### ArcGIS CityEngine

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Civil 3D

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Civil 3D Subscription (Monthly)

Price: $275 per Month

Description: Flexible options available, talk to sales at: (818) 797-9909

Key Features:
- Access to the latest version
- Use software anywhere
- Access previous versions

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ArcGIS CityEngine** | N/A | N/A |
| **Civil 3D** | 8.8/10 | 45 |

#### Design

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Visualizing** | Not enough data | 8.6 (39 reviews) | 
| **Rendering** | Not enough data | 8.2 (35 reviews) | 
| **Drawing** | Not enough data | 9.2 (38 reviews) | 
| **Editing** | Not enough data | 8.8 (38 reviews) | 
| **Sequence Steps** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Dynamic Updating** | Not enough data | 8.8 (15 reviews) | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Multi User** | Not enough data | 8.4 (35 reviews) | 
| **File Import/Export** | Not enough data | 9.1 (39 reviews) | 
| **Annotating ** | Not enough data | 8.9 (38 reviews) | 
| **Document Storage** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Construction

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Fabrication** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Reinforcement Tools** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Clash Detection ** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Grading** | Not enough data | 8.9 (16 reviews) | 
| **Earthwork** | Not enough data | 9.1 (15 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Common Data Environment (CDE) - Building Design and Building Information Modeling

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Role-Based Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Centralized Data Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Cost Estimation - Building Design and Building Information Modeling

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Lifecycle Cost Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Quantity Takeoff & Cost Estimation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Electrical & Circuit Design - Building Design and Building Information Modeling

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Clash Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Electrical System Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **MEP Coordination** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Load Calculation & Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Interoperability with BIM & CAD** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Circuit Design Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### 3D Modeling

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ArcGIS CityEngine** | N/A | N/A |
| **Civil 3D** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Sculpting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Topology** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Brush Variety ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Effects** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Move

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Animate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Render** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Views** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Store & Manage

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Pipeline ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Controls** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Template library ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Civil Engineering Design

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ArcGIS CityEngine** | 8.8/10 | 50 |
| **Civil 3D** | 8.2/10 | 126 |

#### Plan

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Documentation ** | 8.9 (12 reviews) | 8.5 (109 reviews) | 
| **Sequence** | 8.6 (12 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 
| **Annotate** | 8.8 (12 reviews) | 8.3 (114 reviews) | 
| **Collaborate ** | 8.3 (11 reviews) | 7.6 (105 reviews) | 

#### Design

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D Modeling** | 9.4 (12 reviews) | 8.5 (99 reviews) | 
| **3D Rendering ** | 9.4 (12 reviews) | 7.4 (84 reviews) | 
| **Drawing** | 9.7 (12 reviews) | 9.1 (118 reviews) | 
| **Editing ** | 8.6 (12 reviews) | 8.8 (118 reviews) | 

#### Construction

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Fabrication** | 8.2 (12 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 
| **Reinforcement** | 8.8 (11 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 
| **Clash Detection** | 8.3 (11 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 
| **Grading** | Not enough data | 8.4 (38 reviews) | 
| **Earthwork** | Not enough data | 8.5 (36 reviews) | 

#### Engineering

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hydraulic engineering** | Not enough data | 7.8 (57 reviews) | 
| **Hydrologic engineering** | Not enough data | 7.7 (58 reviews) | 
| **Transportation engineering** | Not enough data | 8.2 (63 reviews) | 
| **Structural engineering** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

### Urban Planning and Design

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ArcGIS CityEngine** | N/A | N/A |
| **Civil 3D** | N/A | N/A |

#### Plan

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Documentation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Sequence** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Annotate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Collaborate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Design

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **3D Rendering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **2D Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Editing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Analysis

| Feature | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Sustainability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Liveability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Movement** | 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 Civil 3D (1):** [Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/building-design-and-building-information-modeling-bim)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | ArcGIS CityEngine | Civil 3D | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 20.0% | 29.5% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 45.0% | 44.2% | 
| **Enterprise** | 35.0% | 26.3% | 

### 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%

#### Civil 3D

- **Civil Engineering:** 64.0%
- **Construction:** 5.9%
- **Government Administration:** 4.2%
- **Utilities:** 3.8%
- **Architecture & Planning:** 3.5%
- **Environmental Services:** 2.4%
- **Design:** 2.4%
- **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 1.7%
- **Renewables & Environment:** 1.7%
- **Oil & Energy:** 1.4%
- **Other:** 8.7%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to ArcGIS CityEngine

- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1325 reviews)
- [Autodesk InfraWorks](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-infraworks/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (42 reviews)
- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (317 reviews)
- [Unity](https://www.g2.com/products/unity/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (364 reviews)
- [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (414 reviews)
- [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (350 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 (2764 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)

### Alternatives to Civil 3D

- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1325 reviews)
- [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (414 reviews)
- [Archicad](https://www.g2.com/products/archicad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (291 reviews)
- [OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/openroads-designer/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (139 reviews)
- [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (350 reviews)
- [GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohecras/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (348 reviews)
- [AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/products/autoturn/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (50 reviews)
- [OpenFlows WorkSuite](https://www.g2.com/products/openflows-worksuite/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (44 reviews)
- [Site3D](https://www.g2.com/products/site3d/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (36 reviews)
- [Carlson Civil](https://www.g2.com/products/carlson-civil/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (22 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..."

### Civil 3D

- Title: [Is Civil 3d free for students?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-civil-3d-free-for-students) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "yes"
- Title: [Is Civil 3d a BIM?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-civil-3d-a-bim) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "It can work with BIM"
- Title: [What is Civil 3D used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/civil-3d-what-is-civil-3d-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Topografia, Caminos, Redes de drenaje, Redes de conducciòn a presión."
- Title: [What is new in Civil 3d?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-new-in-civil-3d) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Grading optimization is the best feature in Civil 3D"
- Title: [What can civil 3d do?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-can-civil-3d-do) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Workflows for various civil engineering projects, such as those involving rail, roads, bridges, and tunnels, as well as site development and storm and..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/arcgis-cityengine-vs-civil-3d)