AutoCAD Map 3D Reviews

I like the way I can combine Geo-spatial mapping with CAD.

I think that when editing shape files to create new amended data it is not as intuitive as other GIS packages (like QGIS or Global Mapper).

AutoCAD Map is an excellent solution for working with GIS Geo-spatial information in a CAD environment,

The ability to create Geo-referenced solutions and then to be able to add AEC CAD data to them is very beneficial from a business perspective.

I use this software for 10+ years. Very intuitive tools and relativity easy to use.

Software has limitation of flexibility as ArcMap which I also use. If customer need dwg files I can convert mxd to dwg and back. AutoCAD crashes without reason relatively often. Better safe your edits consistently to avoid loosing data. Can not make profile for wastewater lines or any - you need to buy AutoCAD Civil 3D, because AutoCAD Map 3D is a part of Civil 3D.

I am using this software for utility data such as water, wastewater, street, transportation, irrigation, storm water and other infrastructure purposes.

I have been in drafting and design for 25+ years. I have used other platforms such as Microstation. The company I currently work for, also uses ESRI products for our GIS mapping. However, out of all of the drafting products that I have tried, ACAD is the most user friendly and easiest to use drafting software on the market. The interface is very logical. It is easy for even a newbie to figure out. like other AutoCAD products it is used friendly

The software crashes sometimes without any warning making it risky to lose data.

Great Product, as with most other AutoDesk Products

We use Map for Civil Engineering Projects, Using imported backgrounds for exhibits

Now Autocad has everything in it. This makes me excited. This is the first software as a mechanical engineer/designer i learned and from then AutoCAD has transformed in a better way.

It has become more versatile.

The software has model-based GIS mapping capability that provides access to CAD and GIS data to support planning, design, and management.

The software crashes sometimes without any warning making it risky to lose data.

AutoCAD Map 3D is a must recommendation for the factory, plant layout for industries.

Access and manage GIS imagery, point cloud, and other data.

Helps in creating or modify data with powerful modeling tools.

Can create maps, and build topologies, factory , plant layouts.

The relative simplicity, as opposed to Civil, which has gone off the deep end, in my opinion. Sometimes it's just good to be able to create and edit drawings, and communicate them, without knowing everything in the universe about everything in the universe.

Map3D bridges the gap between a more complex 3D software I use; Vulcan, and the world of printing and sharing nice maps/diagrams.

The near impossibility to understand any of the 3D solid functions? I make 3D solids left and right and have no idea to translate them into Map3D. The "jargon used" for solids involves "rendering", "extrude faces" (wholly cow!), meshes, "faces-and-edges", NURBS (lol, again).

A solid is a solid or a triangulated set of faces, yes? A single face is not a solid, nor are several faces unless they have coincident points (triangles at least, eh? I noticed the meshes are triangles, eh?

If it stops now and avoids the "train crash" that Civil has become. Please leave a single, useful, simple ACAD for those of us who need a drawing and mapping medium to accomplish real world tasks.

Transferring real data between software to get it to software that can be used, QUICKLY, to solve real world problems. I work in mining.

I like that I can do most GIS activities and import SID, shp files to my existing Autocad files. Without needing an ESRI package.

It seems to crash and lockup sometimes, when loading large SID files. A few bugs in the 2017 version.

This is a great resource, in lue of ESRI products and a much lower cost. It will enable you to merge your GIS datasets into your exisitng Cad models, without relearning a new software.

Autocad GIS usage for an International Airport. Were behind the curve in implementing GIS, and this will suffice until we can on-board the ESRI products.

This software does just about everything you would want to do using a product like ESRI arcGIS. You can bring in data from multiple sources like WMS servers, SHP files and even FDO connect to SQL access. You can perform all kinds of GIS analysis while still in your familiar AutoCAD environment. An added benefit is that being in the Engineering and land surveying field we purchase Civil 3D, this software MAP 3D comes with it. So we already have this software and only need to actually use it.

The software can have some issues if you are working with a proxy connection. County coordinate systems in WI and MN make things tough when sharing data with ArcGIS users. As far as i know there are no classes or training on this software at the local colleges. I also teach at a local college in the Civil Engineering Land Surveying filed and i try to cover some aspects of this software but the focus is very much on Civil 3D, which is MAP 3D's big brother per say.

Look into training on the functionality and use of the software. If you already use AutoCAD then i say go for it as there are so many benefits to being on the same platform.

This software allows a lot more of our Civil 3D users whom then have MAP 3d, access to more data and resources without having to purchase the ArcGIS software. We have been able to expand our capabilities without having to expand our software costs. We can have Civil technicians performing ArcGIS type duties without changing software or too much additional training since the software is running on the same AutoCAD platform.

AutoCAD Map 3D is definitely more user friendly than other popular mapping program (Arc). For what our company does, it’s the perfect program. It also has a 3D program already built into the program.

Unlike Arc, AutoCAD Map 3D is not for analyzing data. It is not good for establishing geographical relationships between objects. It is mostly good for utilizing GIS data while drafting.

By integrating GIS with computer aided drafting technology, we are giving our customers a more geographically accurate estimate on building estimates, obstacles, etc.

AutoCAD Map has the most value for your dollar of any of the Autodesk products. It is rich in GIS features, such as the ability to use all GIS filet types as layers in your drawing. Conversion to DWG isn't necessary to use these features in your files, but conversion options are also included. This program will allow you all the access you need to work with GIS data. AutoCAD Map also contains a rich editing engine with features not available in standard AutoCAD. Including the ability to directly edit GIS files without importing them first as well as tools to cleanup your AutoCAD drawing data on a whole file basis. It also includes the ability to work with image files that contain location information and position them properly in AutoCAD Map. See the full feature list here: http://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad-map-3d/features/all/gallery-view!

This is a very good product with not much too dislike. If I have to pick something I would say that it gets sluggish if you use too much DWG data in a file. You are much better off working with GIS file type as feature data objects (FDO). All DWG data can be converted to GIS file types (SDF is Autodesk's native GIS file type) and is much faster to access in GIS format.

The typed in command names are long so you'll want to get use to the ribbon quickly.

AutoCAD Map gives your CAD users a great tool to access and edit GIS data, as well as a full-featured editing tool for maps that are in AutoCAD.

AutoCAD Map provides many solutions. The first is the ability to have your CAD users making direct edits to GIS files through AutoCAD Map. This frees up your GIS people to work on more complex issues that need to be done in the GIS software. The second is that the tools within AutoCAD Map provide a way to mass edit your AutoCAD data. This is much more efficient than traditional AutoCAD editing methods. Third, AutoCAD Map is easy to learn because it is based on AutoCAD and is therefore an interface that is familiar to many users. Which makes training very cost effective.

AutoCAD is the most widely used engineering software that most engineers are familiar with. AutoCAD Map 3D specializes in the ability to incorporate aerial or GIS data, to create a spatial model that can be used with standard AutoCAD features. What makes the program unique and functional for me, is the ability to create a spatial representation for future project sites, and importantly, allows me to import models to the spatial project site created by AutoCAD Map 3D.

The specialization of this software is a fine niche that may not be effective or appropriate for all engineers. Particularly on a cost perspective, it may not be necessary to pay for the additional AutoCAD if your company already has Civil 3D.

Perform a cost analysis on AutoCAD Map3D versus your current aerial spatialization software. If integrating models to terrain maps are commonplace in your workplace, then proceed. Otherwise I would consider the heavy costs of this program.

Specific to my company, we design air emission stack exhausts in the power industry. The design height and altitude of stacks are critical, and the location and design of the stack are heavily influenced by the project location's terrain. AutoCAD Map3D allows easy integration of our stack models to be included in terrain spatial models.

Some of Map 3D's tools work very smoothly, even better than arch GIS. I like the similarity to CAD, it gives more freedom in the commands and better translates skills gained from AutoCAD drafting. Not to mention the community surrounding Map 3D is great to talk to and very insightful on problems that arise .

My issues with Map 3D aren't exactly Autodesk's fault at all, It's a smooth user friendly program. That being said, the issues begin with having to deal with state and small municipalities having older editions. Map 3D does it's best to match the older content, as well as transfer things from ArchGIS. But falls short sometimes when data doesn't import well.

I would defiantly recommend to others, Map 3D works better in my opinion than ArchGIS. It gives you quicker design features.

Natural gas line design.

I have been in drafting and design for 20+ years. I have used other platforms Such as Microstation and LaserCAD. The company I currently work for, also uses ESRI products for our GIS mapping. However, out of all of the drafting products that I have tried, ACAD is the most user friendly and easiest to use drafting software on the market. The interface is very logical. It is easy for even a newbie to figure out. I like that it has many different options for command entry, unlike some of the competition (Microstation). The system for layer control is Awesome and gets better with each new release. It also handles PDF's well. The new (I say new... but it has been around for a few years), Block editor is great!! and I like how it handles OLE (windows objects). We have a very large set of Custom tools that WE wrote ourselves. We didn't have to hire a programmer to do our customizations for us. This set of tools is invaluable because it makes everything easier and thus cuts costs. Year after year Autodesk LISTENS to it's customers and makes improvements base on USER input. It's not just a bunch of programmers sitting sround making random improvements that THEY think will help.

Nothing. There is absolutlely nothing that i dislike about this software...

Ditch the other products and go with ACAD.

I don't realy think that this is applicable

Is a better AutoCAD with a great set of tools that help you to do more

Nothing, is a great software, better than using just plain AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT

Make sure that you get training on it, so you can gain a better understanding of the great tools that you have and they can improve your productivity

You work on an AutoCAD environment with GIS data, your work is properly georeferenced and you have access to a more robust source of information that just CAD work.

I believe that this version of AutoCAD has the most user-friendly tools, functions, and functionality of the current products Autodesk has. Map is great for working with GIS and going back and forth to ArcGIS

The only complaint I would have is that bringing in survey data is pretty limited. You can't do 1/10th of what you can do in Civil 3d. If that was upgraded, this would be an even better program

If you are using this for any type of GIS mapping (everything is going there isn't it?) this is the AutoCAD product to use. Was great for creating maps that can be exported to ArcGIS.

I was able to use AutoCAD Map 3d to create utility maps with object data and export those to ArcGIS and create a GIS for 6 different utilities for a city government. This was really easy to do and was such a great tool to be used by many city departments.

A key feature is the ability to "attach" literally hundreds of files representing a large geographic area and query only selected features is critical. This is an ideal way of creating thematic maps such as color coding water lines based on diameter and/or material. The drawing cleanup tools are unsurpassed. Find and eliminate duplicates, weed polylines, break lines at intersections etc make this the ideal tool for cleaning up historic drawings for loading into a GIS.

The basic functions in AutoCAD Map have remained unchanged for years. It takes advantage of base imporvements in AutoCAD but the UI changes are often just fluff that requires retraining and slows deployments. Bloat is a real issue as Autodesk introduces links to other applications that are not required for the core functions provided by Map.

Excellent tool if you are a CAD user and need to access multiple drawings. Easily imports and export Esri files.

Many public works agencies and utilities manage 100's of infrastructre map sheets covering their service area. AutoCAD map allows users to connect to and query from these maps treating them as a single coverage of the entire service area. Map cleanup tools allow you to identify and correct errors. Users can easily load data from a vareity of data sources including Esri and to export data to these sources. It easily integrates CAD and GIS technology allowing users to continue to use CAD while supporting the GIS requirements of an organization.

Each next version of Auto CAD Map 3D is more flexible and closer to ArcGIS, even better in some areas. But for me more fun to work with Auto CAD Map 3D even recently I got the certificate of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional (GISP). I work 50X50 on both software's. So, I can tell about more flexibility and integration both software's.

Would be better if you send your DWG automatically your Plot Style would be send, also. Some like SHP in ArcGIS. I would like to see more integration of AutoCAD 3D (dwg file format) with other programs and file formats. I would like to attend on more meetings and seminars of AutoCAD in Austin Texas more often to find more new tolls and tricks with new release versions, even with CADLearning for AutoCAD Map 3D 2015 DVD disk helps a lot. I also would like to make print options more easier and have use more file formats to print from screen. Just like "Export" command in ArcGIS.

Nice and solid product. Useful to order "CADLearning Map 3D 2015 which I did a few month ago with a discount for government. :)

I work for the government - City of Georgetown, TX- water, waste water, roads Helping internal, external customers in maps, analysis, map books.

I have realized some benefits: there is very nice option to work with SHP and DWG together to help customers who has only one product in use.

I believe that this version of AutoCAD has the most user-friendly tools, functions, and functionality of the current products Autodesk has. Map is great for working with GIS and going back and forth to ArcGIS.

The only complaint I would have is that bringing in survey data is pretty limited. You can't do 1/10th of what you can do in Civil 3d. If that was upgraded, this would be an even better program.

If you are using this for any type of GIS mapping (everything is going there isn't it?) this is the AutoCAD product to use. Was great for creating maps that can be exported to ArcGIS.

I was able to use AutoCAD Map 3d to create utility maps with object data and export those to ArcGIS and create a GIS for 6 different utilities for a city government. This was really easy to do and was such a great tool to be used by many city departments.

I mostly work with GIS data like shapefiles and geodatabases. I like how easy it is to import these into the AutoCAD drawings, along with converting the data into DWG format. Being able to bring in this data is very helpful for many jobs that I work on. Also, by downloading ArcGIS for AutoCAD I am able to bring in and share what I do between the GIS and AutoCAD environment.

Unless I am missing something, I am not a fan in Map 3D how you need to manually rotate text to match a straight line. There should be (if there isn't already) a way to do this automatically.

Its a great product, but may need a few more tools to help with automation.

By using the Cogo tools, I have been fixing up many tax maps that were digitized into the dwg incorrectly, from previous hand drawn drawings.

Each next version of Auto CAD Map 3D is more flexible and closer to ArcGIS, even better in some areas. But for me more fun to work with Auto CAD Map 3D even recently I got the certificate of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional (GISP). I work 50X50 on both software's. So, I can tell about more flexibility and integration both software's.

Would be better if you send your DWG automatically your Plot Style would be send, also. Some like SHP in ArcGIS. I would like to see more integration of AutoCAD 3D (dwg file format) with other programs and file formats. I would like to attend on more meetings and seminars of AutoCAD in Austin Texas more often to find more new tolls and tricks with new release versions, even with CADLearning for AutoCAD Map 3D 2015 DVD disk helps a lot. I also would like to make print options more easier and have use more file formats to print from screen. Just like "Export" command in ArcGIS.

Natural gas line design.

I have realized some benefits: there is very nice option to work with SHP and DWG together to help customers who has only one product in use.

It has a very intuitive interface, it is relatively easy to use if you know some basics

It seems more like niche software, so it can be critical those who need it, and useless for those who do not.

AutoCAD makes sure you are able to draw with reliable accuracy and scale.

I deal with a wide assortment of GIS and survey professionals and having a knowledge of AutoCAD even for viewing purposes is important

It's easy to create standardized drawings and isolate specific elements

Sometimes it takes a while to load on my laptop

Analyzing floor plans and comparing those of similar plants

I love the different ways that I can customize my workspace, and that I didn't have to get used to a new way of functions being displayed.

The shortcut commands are not all extremely user friendly. Some important functions can only be found from searching through the entire ribbon.

Great at putting together visual concepts! Turns an amateur sketch into something that looks professional!

This software is quite user friendly and easy to use for mapping software. . The interface is laid out in a very manageable fashion. The street view is awesome as well. This is the best product on the market for doing cad work that requires any kind of urban planning.

Nothing, this software is great for it what it is designed to do.

The best product in this category.

I used this when I worked for CDOT. This program makes mapping and planning of roadways through towns much easier. Used it in conjunction with city planners.

AutoCAD Map 3D is similar to ArcGIS, it is the better option for users who prefer the CAD environment. There are specialized workflow extensions that automate some analysis processes, which save you time to build your own. And georeferencing is easier in AutoCAD than in ArcGIS.

GIS files are better to work with in ArcGIS. It's faster and more straightforward.

Use ArcGIS when you are working with GIS files.

I use ArcCAD Map 3D to georeference flood maps and other images that are not projected.

Ease of use, good GUI, precision detailing

Navigation on toolbar is not intuitive for simpler design.

Our company uses AutoCAD Map 3D for CAD data to support planning, design, and data management. It has been beneficial as an analysis tool to support business decisions.

Ability to modify DWG drawings in 2D for many techs.

many attribute date is unavailable but most had to do with 3D.

Keep updating features to function like civil3D. Many toolbars and commands carry over so well.

Revising plans and markups for techs, has been a very ideal substitute for a full 3D licence.

easy and user friendly software

easily export to other Autodesk product

a little bit expensive, sometime there s some issue in installation.

n/a

working with GIS field, providing some consultancy advice

It is a very versatile and intuitive drafting product that produces high quality products.

Often there are simpler ways to do things, but they are not obvious - shortcuts could be more intuitive.

Make sure staff is trained on all the product features, often it is not used to its full potential.

Producing design drawings for traffic planning, design, operations and safety projects.

I like how easy it was to navigate through the program

It would sometimes, very rare, would be hard to delete previous work on it

Its a great way to get an introduction to civil engineering

We were solving water basin routes and it allowed us to easy construct and safe and affordable connection

Link up to GIS and other modeling software's that I use every day

Nothing That I came across, no complaints yet may be if i use it more will have

ease of use