# Bentley View Reviews **Vendor:** Bentley Systems **Category:** [CAD Viewers](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-viewers) **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 18 ## About Bentley View Bentley View is the industry’s most powerful free viewer. In addition to being the most popular AutoCAD reader, you can view over 50 file formats, including CAD and raster images as well as Bentley’s uniquely powerful iModels. Newly Added Format Support: SRealDWG 2018 Point-cloud streaming Bentley civil terrain models JT format Rhino V5 IFC viewer 3SM scalable meshes created with ContextCapture Advanced Viewing Features: Navigate drawings and models using a new streamlined CONNECT Edition user interface Dynamically explore models with Clip Volume to slice through models Leverage display rules in DGNs to view geometry based on embedded properties Easily navigate using touch screen support in Windows 10 Analyze models by changing their visual display based on object attributes (height, slope, aspect angle) View and navigate Bentley’s groundbreaking hypermodels and their embedded plans, sections, and elevations You can also use Bentley View as a MicroStation viewer, a free DXF viewer, and to open CAD files directly ## Bentley View Reviews ### 1. Construction CAD tool **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ramakrishnan K. | Executive Business Consultant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 24, 2023 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** Connection client support and 8 Model view where we can see multiple area of the drawings by just moving or chaning a tab. This feature is very helpful when you view a large drawing. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** Very old look on interface, need to enhanced with digital colours. Shortcuts not available, basic CAD requires shortcut to ace the actions, If shortcuts displayed while hovering it will be awesome. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is easy and quick when opening the dwg drawings and this is want a consultant wants, just a quick check on multiple views at a same time without a lot of navigation. ### 2. Free and Easy CAD File Compatibility **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ratiu V. | Geodetic Engineer with focus on Laser Scanning and Scan-to-BIM process, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 21, 2026 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** It’s free, and it works very easily with CAD files. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** Sometimes it crashed, and it cannot take very big cad files. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** Price cost of Autocad platform ### 3. Extremely Satisfied with the User Experience **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ahmet Savaş G. | Board Member, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 07, 2023 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** Bentley View is a pleasant software that is easy on the computer and allows us to open and review DWG files with ease. It allows us to view complex 2D and 3D designs in great detail, thus making it a hassle-free experience in examining our CAD modules. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** It would be good if it guides us in the field of performance optimization while using complex models. An improvement in this area would be beneficial. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** It also helped us in time management by preventing problems as we can work on various file formats including DWG and work smoothly with different CAD software. ### 4. Best free CAD tool **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Vaibhav B. | Subject Matter Expert (Computer Science), Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 27, 2023 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** It lets us view, explore, and print 2D and 3D design files created with Bentley's design and modeling software. Bentley View provides a range of functionalities for visualizing and analyzing design data. Itoffers advanced features such as clash detection, which helps identify potential conflicts between different design elements, and visualization tools for rendering realistic images and animations of the design. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** Bentley View has a few limitations. It lacks advanced features compared to full-fledged CAD software, making it less powerful. Compatibility issues may arise with files from other CAD programs. Performance can be slower for larger models. There is a learning curve, particularly for new CAD users. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** Bentley View solves the problem of easy access to design files by providing a platform for users to view and explore CAD files without needing a full license of Bentley's software. This benefits users by allowing them to quickly access and review design data, facilitating efficient collaboration and communication within project teams. Additionally, Bentley View offers a cost-effective solution as a free CAD viewer, enabling users to save on licensing costs while still being able to effectively analyze and annotate design files. The software enhances collaboration by providing a common platform for stakeholders to share and discuss design information, improving overall project efficiency and coordination. ### 5. The Power & Design Elegance of 3D Visualization **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Higher Education | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 22, 2023 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** It allows users to view & navigate complex 3D models & design with ease while handling a wide range of file formats commonly used in Architecture, Engineering & Construction industry. This is very much helpful in sharing design to different stake holders. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** While working on extremely large and intricate models, sometimes it slows down or lag impacting its ability to smoothly navigate & interact with the design. Those who are new to CAD will find learning a challenge impacting adoption of software to new users. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** It offers markup and annotation tools which allows users to directly add comments or notes directly onto the designs. This enables team members to communicate ideas, changes easily among themselves, Thus making discussions more active and more clarity in feedback. ### 6. Good for inquiries **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Manuel S. | Ingeniero industrial, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 27, 2023 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** Simple and intuitive tools for use. If you are looking for software to view 3D in any of its neutral formats, this could be a good option. Free **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** Whenever you use these software, you are left wanting them to have more features. Logically, it is not as complete as design software. This one is for visualization. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** Visualization of plans. It is fast and very intuitive, extensive training is not necessary for correct use. Recommended for bringing designs closer to people inexperienced in the 3D world. ### 7. Bentley View: Exceptional 3D Visualization Tool **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 25, 2023 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** The user interface of the Bentley View is very intuitive and well-designed, allowing users like me to navigate easily through complex 3D models. It has tolls and options to view, zoom, pan, rotate and section any 3D CAD model. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** The drawback of using this software is that the user should know 3D visualization. Some features are also advanced for new users and might take time to master. With the Bentley View's extensive set of features, it will take much more RAM and might lead to occasional performance issues. However, these limitations are minor compared to the overall benefits of the software. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** The Bentley View is an excellent 3D visualization software that helps engineers like me in 3D modeling and review. It helped me in reviewing 3D models and finding clashes between architectural and structural plans. It makes collaboration among team members easy and is a great team asset. ### 8. CAD viewer to view 2D and 3D design files **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Automotive | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 28, 2023 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** One thing that I like the most about Bentley View is its measurement capabilities; it allows users to measure distances, angles and volumes within the design files. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** It's just a CAD viewer, similar to other CAD viewers, so it works pretty well as per its use case. Tools similar to this also provide slicing options and options to choose 3d printing parameters. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** Previously, I used to measure the dimensions and angles of the CAD design files; the software is quite smooth, so after generating CAD files in any modelling software, I export them to Bentley View. Hence, at the time of manufacturing, it becomes quite handy for the team to refer to the design dimensions and angles. ### 9. Best free tool to view DGN **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Santosh K. | Senior Engineer I4.0, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 24, 2023 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** Its a good and perfect free tool for viewing cad files **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** Need frequent updates and require a desent user interface **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is useful tool for viewing cad files ### 10. Another Choice for Viewing Cad Models **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 27, 2023 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** Bentley View supports wide range of files used on construction, it can work with DGN, DWG, DXF, IFC, etc. It can also integrates with other Bentley applications, such as ProjectWise and MicroStation. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** The user interface can be a steep learning curve, especially for new users, or anybody not familiar with Bentley interface. Bentley View is designed as viewing and analysis tool, not much can be done for editting. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** Bentley View provides us with speed and performance unlike other CAD viewing software like those of Autodesk's. It also provides collaboration tools for other users (members, stakeholders) ### 11. Redundant Software **Rating:** 1.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Civil Engineering | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 02, 2022 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** I like that you can double-click CAD files and just view them read-only. Makes it fool proof. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** There is no need for Bentley view software. They can use Microstation for the same thing. **Recommendations to others considering Bentley View:** It's nice free software with limited use. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** Just viewing CAD files. ### 12. Bentley View Review **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Rishabh B. | BIM Coordinator (MEP), Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 12, 2021 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** it is a very good software & powerful free viewer. Because in addition to being the most popular AutoCAD reader. It helps us to view multiple or almost 40-50 formats. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** It sometimes gets hang & takes time to load the formats which we have to see in the viewer & sometimes does show anything if net speed is slow. So, it reduces productivity due to this issue. **Recommendations to others considering Bentley View:** Yes, i will recommend this software to others for their utilization & customer satisfaction through it. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** We are solving our day-to-day problem for viewing any model through it. Because we can see & check all the models through it & it's free for all to view multiple file formats. ### 13. Simple Software for Outdoor Venues **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Max R. | RF Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 13, 2021 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** Simple Software for RF Design creation Allows to map distances & predict coverage Free basic design account creation OpenDWG & DXF design files Allows to create accurate 3D models based on surveying. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** Software is heavy & files sometimes take time to load It utilizes a lot of Computer RAM & needs high memory to run efficiently Limited file format & extension support **Recommendations to others considering Bentley View:** A good alternative to Mapinfo & other 3D mapping software **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** Efficient Mapping & Survey Software Easy RF Design creation & export to PDF/DOC files Cartographic map creation Map field terrain & venue data into software Predicting coverage ### 14. Nice Software **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mahmoud o. | Mechanical Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 21, 2021 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** Easy to use, open different files formats which makes it reliable **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** It lags sometimes when you are opening a big file which becomes really irritating. Also, to use the correct orientation you need to select the item and re-orient your screen thus time-consuming **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** View different elements " already created" and adding the dimensions effortlessly. Help to pre-viewed the project for a client or contractor with decent amount of details. ### 15. project engineer **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Civil Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 01, 2019 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** mostly used for all the stage of drafting and 3D layout **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** new stuff is difficult to learn. though the videos are available for limited and customer service is not good **Recommendations to others considering Bentley View:** its a good software and in comaprision with the other softwares available in market **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** drafting and 3D layout using geopak ### 16. The best software to verify dimensions **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Miguel E. | Manufacturing Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 06, 2020 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** You can easily and quickly verify dimensions and create DXF files **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** Can not read all the formats, copy and paste to another file **Recommendations to others considering Bentley View:** This software is friendly user and can resolve your tasks in no time **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** I can create drawings with dimensions in no time, I love it ### 17. Great tool for civil engineers **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Saran A. | Research scholar, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 22, 2019 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** - easy to edit maps and RCC detailing - easy to take print outs - make task easy for design detailing - easily import files from other design software **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** - difficult to handle large project files **Recommendations to others considering Bentley View:** should use in projects and for proper designing **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** - edit RCC designs and proper detailing ### 18. Easy To Use **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 23, 2019 **What do you like best about Bentley View?** The fact that you could manipulate things even with such a simple program. **What do you dislike about Bentley View?** I didn’t like how limited the manipulation tools were. **Recommendations to others considering Bentley View:** It’s a valuable tool, but it has very limited capacity. **What problems is Bentley View solving and how is that benefiting you?** Easy to look at a file without dragging down your computers memory. ## Bentley View Discussions - [What is Bentley View Connect edition?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/bentley-view-what-is-bentley-view-connect-edition) - 1 comment - [What is Bentley View Connect edition?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-bentley-view-connect-edition) - 1 comment - [How do you use a Bentley View?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/bentley-view-how-do-you-use-a-bentley-view) - 1 comment - [How do you use a Bentley View?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-you-use-a-bentley-view) - 1 comment - [What is MicroStation software used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/bentley-view-what-is-microstation-software-used-for) - 1 comment - [View Bentley View pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/bentley-view/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-14+10%3A38%3A40+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=2bdc8ef6-6b79-473c-a0ef-d7f5c9f207e2&secure%5Btoken%5D=83eac2d73df7e34671cb2496aa19705bc6ddd4ca88f426f2f8d33b397c827133&format=llm_user) ## Bentley View Integrations - [TopoDOT](https://www.g2.com/products/topodot/reviews) ## Bentley View Features **File Options** - View 2D files - View 3D files - Batch convert files - File size ## Top Bentley View Alternatives - [Autodesk DWG TrueView](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-dwg-trueview/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (73 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (628 reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) - 4.7/5.0 (682 reviews)