MicroStation

MicroStation

Bentley Systems
RIB SpecLink

RIB SpecLink

RIB Software
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About

MicroStation is the trusted CAD software purpose-built for the design, modeling, and management of global infrastructure projects. Known for its extreme scalability, MicroStation empowers engineering professionals to deliver precise 2D and 3D deliverables for projects of any size or complexity. A key differentiator is its industry-leading interoperability; users can integrate a massive variety of data types, including DWG, IFC, and SHP, without the need for risky data conversions or translations. By providing a single environment for various project elements, it ensures secure and effective deliverables across the entire project lifecycle. Whether you are an engineer, architect, or GIS professional, MicroStation provides the flexibility and power needed to turn a vision into a sustainable reality while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity.

About

No other specification software helps you work smarter or faster than SpecLink. Save time. Save money. Get it right. Every phase. Every time. Enhance the specification process at every stage. SpecLink specification software—improves efficiency and accuracy in the building design process. And with SpecLink now in the cloud, you can produce specifications even faster by collaborating across teams. Streamline every phase of your construction project with the industry’s best building specification content. SpecLink is intuitive specification-writing software that helps you make more informed decisions, faster, through every phase of the design process. SpecLink combines the industry’s best content with the most advanced software on the market. Our master guide specification writing, management, and production system with built-in intelligence is designed to help you dramatically speed up editing tasks and reduce specification production time while minimizing errors and omissions.

Platforms Supported

Windows
Mac
Linux
Cloud
On-Premises
iPhone
iPad
Android
Chromebook

Platforms Supported

Windows
Mac
Linux
Cloud
On-Premises
iPhone
iPad
Android
Chromebook

Audience

Architects, engineers, construction professionals, CAD managers, BIM managers, project managers, drafters, documenters, visualization experts. Anyone who uses CAD to design, build and operate infrastructure assets, marine/naval, or industrial/plant drafting.

Audience

Engineering, architecture, construction professionals seeking a solution to manage and improve their projects

Support

Phone Support
24/7 Live Support
Online

Support

Phone Support
24/7 Live Support
Online

API

Offers API

API

Offers API

Screenshots and Videos

Screenshots and Videos

Pricing

$1,208 per year
Pricing details:
MicroStation on SELECT
Starting Price: $1,208 per year
Best For: Organizations requiring flexible licensing and continuous support.
Key Features: This subscription includes license pooling, which allows users to share licenses across multiple computers. It provides access to software upgrades, technical support, and the ability to use "Term Licenses" to pay for additional software as needed without upfront perpetual costs.

MicroStation Virtuoso (Practitioner License)
Starting Price: $2,656 per year
Best For: Individual practitioners or teams that need both software and expert training.
Key Features: This 12-month named-user license is sold through Bentley’s Virtuosity eStore. It includes two "Virtuosity Keys" per license. These keys are credits that can be redeemed for expert services, such as 1-on-1 mentoring, customized training courses, and tailored on-demand learning to help users "hit the ground running."

MicroStation Enterprise 365
Starting Price: Custom Quote
Best For: Large organizations requiring comprehensive access to the Bentley portfolio.
Key Features: This program provides unlimited access to Bentley’s infrastructure applications. Licenses are typically managed on a "per-day" basis for named users or unique machines. It is designed to scale with the organization, offering global pricing and simplified administration for multidisciplinary teams.

MicroStation for Education
Starting Price: $0 for Students / $1,500 for Institutional Units
Best For: Students, educators, and academic institutions.
Key Features: Individual students and faculty members can generally access MicroStation for free through the Bentley Education portal. For university departments, an annual flat fee provides unlimited installations for use in labs and administrative units.
Free Version
Free Trial

Pricing

$1695.00 per year
Free Version
Free Trial

Reviews/Ratings

Overall 5.0 / 5
ease 5.0 / 5
features 5.0 / 5
design 5.0 / 5
support 5.0 / 5

Reviews/Ratings

Overall 3.0 / 5
ease 3.0 / 5
features 3.0 / 5
design 3.0 / 5
support 3.0 / 5

Pros from Real Users

Pros

  • Integrated package with lots of features and a tremendously more intuitive and user friendly interface and lots of power in modeling, and it reads and works on so many other software formats. I can open a DWG, do my work, save t, and nobody knows I did it on MicroStation. They just see the work done. Although expensive, it is not more expensive than the other serious packages but so much more efficient. It saves me hours and my productivity is paying off so quickly against the cost.

Pros & Cons from Real Users

Pros

  • The time savings alone makes it worth it. It's so easy to use and the output is consistent for every project.
  • No pros at all. I could redline it faster than this software

Cons

  • Nothing that I can think of, but more of a feature request. I wish the Revit integration would drive keynotes back into the model. I understand why it's not setup this way, but it would be great consider this for any future updates.
  • Doesn't Spell Check even the word Architect Formatting is so basic I have to clean up afterword to make it look decent Have to wait forever for it to update before exporting Just plain inferior to MasterSpec

Training

Documentation
Webinars
Live Online
In Person

Training

Documentation
Webinars
Live Online
In Person

Company Information

Bentley Systems
Founded: 1984
United States
www.bentley.com/

Company Information

RIB Software
Founded: 1961
Germany
bsdspeclink.com

Alternatives

ActCAD Software

ActCAD Software

Jytra Technology Solutions

Alternatives

iC3D

iC3D

Creative Edge Software
OpenBuildings Designer

OpenBuildings Designer

Bentley Systems
AutoCAD

AutoCAD

Autodesk
OpenSpec

OpenSpec

Fission AI
SkyCiv Structural 3D

SkyCiv Structural 3D

SkyCiv Engineering

Categories

Categories

Architecture Features

2D Drawing
3D Modeling
Bills of material
BIM Modeling
Building Information Modeling
Client Management
Contact Management
Contract Management
Document Management
Drafting
Manufacturing Design Data
Presentation Tools
Project Management
Proposal Management
Quotes/Proposals
Visualization / Presentation

3D Architecture Features

2D Drawing
Animation
BIM Modeling
Component Library
Data Import / Export
Landscape Design
Virtual Tour

3D Modeling Features

2D Drawing
Animation
Annotations
Bill of Materials
Character Modeling
Collaboration Tools
Component Library
Data Import / Export
For 3D Printing
For Architects
For Manufacturers
Reference Management
Simulation

Architectural CAD Features

2D Drawing
3D Modeling
Architectural Symbol Library
Automatic Formatting
BIM Modeling
Comparison View
Design Templates
Drafting

CAD Features

2 1/2-Axis Milling
2D Drawing
3-Axis Milling
3D Modeling
4-Axis Milling
5-Axis Milling
Civil
Collaboration
Database Connectivity
Design Analysis
Design Export
Document Management
Electrical
Hole Making
Mechanical
Mechatronics
Presentation Tools
Simulate Cycles
Spiral Output
Structural Engineering
Toolpath Simulation
User Defined Cycles

Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Features

CAD/CAM Compatibility
Finite Element Analysis
Fluid Dynamics
Import / Export Files
Integrated 3D Modeling
Manufacturing Process Simulation
Mechanical Event Simulation
Multibody Dynamics
Thermal Analysis

Engineering Features

2D Drawing
3D Modeling
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Collaboration
Design Analysis
Design Export
Document Management
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechatronics
Presentation Tools
Structural Engineering

Public Works Features

Billing & Invoicing
Compliance Management
Contract Management
Customer Database
Document Management
Equipment Maintenance
Fixed Asset Management
Job Costing
Project Management
Service Request Management
Work Order Management

Architecture Features

2D Drawing
3D Modeling
Bills of material
BIM Modeling
Building Information Modeling
Client Management
Contact Management
Contract Management
Document Management
Drafting
Manufacturing Design Data
Presentation Tools
Project Management
Proposal Management
Quotes/Proposals
Visualization / Presentation

Construction Estimating Features

Accounting Integration
Audit Trail
Bid Management
Billing & Invoicing
Building Product Database
Calculators
Change Orders
Contract Management
Cost Database
Customer Management
Customizable Templates
Electrical Estimating
Historical Database
HVAC Estimating
Job Costing
Plumbing Estimating
Price Data / Price Books
Project Management
Quote Management
Reporting/Analytics
Scheduling
Subcontractor Management
Takeoff
What-if Analysis

Integrations

ArcGIS
Cesium
ContextCapture
DWG TrueView
ERDAS IMAGINE
LumenRT
OpenBridge Designer
OpenBuildings Designer
OpenCities Map
OpenRoads Designer
Prevu3D
ProSteel
ProStructures
ProjectWise
Visual Studio

Integrations

ArcGIS
Cesium
ContextCapture
DWG TrueView
ERDAS IMAGINE
LumenRT
OpenBridge Designer
OpenBuildings Designer
OpenCities Map
OpenRoads Designer
Prevu3D
ProSteel
ProStructures
ProjectWise
Visual Studio
Claim RIB SpecLink and update features and information
Claim RIB SpecLink and update features and information