MicroStation AlternativesCAD Software & 3D Modelers like MicroStation

MicroStation is described as 'Want to focus your time and energy on developing designs to build a better world? MicroStation easily models, drafts, maps, renders and documents your projects' and is a CAD software in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 10 alternatives to MicroStation for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and BSD apps. The best MicroStation alternative is FreeCAD, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like MicroStation are LibreCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD, BRL-CAD and Plasticity.

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MicroStation alternatives are mainly CAD Software but may also be 3D Modelers or Digital Painting Tools.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of MicroStation.
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Want to focus your time and energy on developing designs to build a better world? MicroStation easily models, drafts, maps, renders and documents your projects.

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MicroStation alternatives page was last updated Oct 22, 2024
  1. FreeCAD icon
     429 likes

    FreeCAD is a general purpose parametric 3D CAD modeler. The development is completely Open Source (LGPL License). FreeCAD is aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits in a wider range of uses around engineering, such as architecture or other...

    110 FreeCAD alternatives
    FreeCAD screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft

    Properties

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No registration required

    Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Drawing 2D
    3.  Interior Design
    4.  FEM
    5.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
    6.  Parametric
    7.  3d Drawing
    8.  DWG support
    9.  Windows XP Compatibility
    10.  Procedural Modeling
    11.  Bim
    12.  Dark Mode
    13.  Portable Linux
    14.  Support for Layers
    15.  Portable
    FreeCAD iconMicroStation Icon

    FreeCAD VS MicroStation

    Is FreeCAD a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
    Comments about FreeCAD as an Alternative to MicroStation
     
    Guest

    Will not open .DGN file types. This is the standard file type for Mircostation. When opening DFX files that were created with Microstation, they do not open correctly.

    Negative commentApr 3, 2018
    1
    MicroStation Icon
    FreeCAD icon
    • FreeCAD is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to MicroStation.

    • FreeCAD is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to MicroStation.

    • FreeCAD is Free and Open SourceMicroStation is Paid and Proprietary
  2. LibreCAD icon
     163 likes

    LibreCAD is an open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. It is based on Qt, which is a leading cross-platform application and UI development framework.

    112 LibreCAD alternatives
    On Mac

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com

    Properties

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Digital Painting
    2.  Portable
    3.  Bim
    4.  Construction layers
    5.  Parametric Modeling
    6.  Isometric view
    7.  Support for Layers
    8.  Export to SVG
    9.  QT Based
    10.  Export to PDF
    LibreCAD iconMicroStation Icon

    LibreCAD VS MicroStation

    Is LibreCAD a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
    Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to MicroStation
     
    Guest

    only 2d, no 3d models and renderings

    Negative commentJun 15, 2017
    0
    Guest

    Will not open .DGN file types. This is the standard file type for Microstation. When opening a DXF file that was created with Microstation, the file opens blank.

    Negative commentApr 3, 2018
    0
    MicroStation Icon
    LibreCAD icon
    • LibreCAD is Free and Open SourceMicroStation is Paid and Proprietary
    • LibreCAD is LightweightMicroStation is not according to our users
  3. Autodesk AutoCAD icon
     213 likes

    Leading CAD software known for its robust 2D and 3D modeling capabilities, facilitating intricate designs in architecture, engineering, and construction across Mac, PC, and web. Features include a dynamic API for customization, cloud access, and subscription-based service for continual updates and collaborat...

    126 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives
    Autodesk AutoCAD screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Ad-free

    Features

    1.  DWG support
    2.  Drawing 2D
    3.  3D Printing
    4.  Batch plotting
    5.  Parametric Modeling
    6.  Real time collaboration
    7.  Support for scripting
    8.  Cloud Sync
    Autodesk AutoCAD iconMicroStation Icon

    Autodesk AutoCAD VS MicroStation

    Is Autodesk AutoCAD a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
    • Autodesk AutoCAD is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to MicroStation.

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is the most popular commercial alternative to MicroStation.

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is Paid and ProprietaryMicroStation is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. BRL-CAD icon
     55 likes

    BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for...

    73 BRL-CAD alternatives
    PA-63 Extractor

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    BRL-CAD Features

    1.  Image Processing
    2.  Benchmark analytics
    3.  Ray Tracing
    BRL-CAD iconMicroStation Icon

    BRL-CAD VS MicroStation

    Is BRL-CAD a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
    Comments about BRL-CAD as an Alternative to MicroStation
     
    Guest

    This is 3d only software and will not open and standard file types. Not supported: DWG, DGN, and DXF.

    Negative commentApr 3, 2018
    0
    MicroStation Icon
    BRL-CAD icon
    • BRL-CAD is Free and Open SourceMicroStation is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Plasticity icon
     4 likes

    Plasticity is a 3d modelling software for concept artists. Modelling in Plasticity is quick and efficient due to the unique gizmos, shortcuts, and thoughtful workflow.

    19 Plasticity alternatives
    Plasticity screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Portable
    Plasticity iconMicroStation Icon

    Plasticity VS MicroStation

    Is Plasticity a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
  6. CAD Sketcher icon
     3 likes

    CAD Sketcher is a free and open-source project looking to enhance precision workflows in Blender by bringing CAD like tools, features and usability to Blender.

    51 CAD Sketcher alternatives
    CAD Sketcher screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Blender
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Properties

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No registration required
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Blender Integration
    CAD Sketcher iconMicroStation Icon

    CAD Sketcher VS MicroStation

    Is CAD Sketcher a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
  7. MakerSCAD icon
     4 likes

    MakerSCAD is a web-based parametric 3D design software with a block-based programming language to create objects for 3D printing, animations, games and websites.

    107 MakerSCAD alternatives
    MakerSCAD screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS

    Properties

    1.  Ad-free

    Features

    1.  3D Sculpting
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Web-Based
    4.  Visual Programming
    Discontinued

    Site certificate expired. Software itself hasn't been updated in a very long time, is incomplete, and doesn't function

    MakerSCAD iconMicroStation Icon

    MakerSCAD VS MicroStation

    Is MakerSCAD a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
  8. ActCAD  icon
     52 likes

    ActCAD is a 2D & 3D CAD software with the functionality of the industry leaders. We offer two product options:

    • ActCAD Standard for 2D Drafting Power Users
    106 ActCAD alternatives
    ActCAD  screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    ActCAD Features

    1.  Self License Transfer
    2.  IntelliCAD
    3.  Drawing 2D
    4.  Raster to DXF Converter
    5.  Export to CSV
    6.  Global Validity
    7.  Built-in 3D model viewer
    8.  Convert PDF to DWG
    9.  Built-in PDF to DXF converter
    10.  Convert DWG to PDF
    ActCAD  iconMicroStation Icon

    ActCAD VS MicroStation

    Is ActCAD a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
  9. Punch! ViaCAD Pro icon
     1 like

    3D cad software with the perfect blend of conceptual and production design tools.

    37 Punch! ViaCAD Pro alternatives

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Punch! ViaCAD Pro Features

    1.  Rendering
    Punch! ViaCAD Pro iconMicroStation Icon

    Punch! ViaCAD Pro VS MicroStation

    Is Punch! ViaCAD Pro a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
  10. DualCAD icon
     1 like

    Microstation DGN alternative - opens a V8 file, V7, a raster CIT file and a hybrid raster file of the moon. Runs completely standalone, does not use or require Microstation or OpenDesign to be installed on the client machine.

    5 DualCAD alternatives
    DualCAD screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows

    DualCAD Features

    1.  Remote Printing
    DualCAD iconMicroStation Icon

    DualCAD VS MicroStation

    Is DualCAD a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
  11. Punch! ViaCAD 2D/3D icon
     1 like

    Software provides a seamless marriage of 2D and 3D to help you take your sketched ideas to 3D realism.

    49 Punch! ViaCAD 2D/3D alternatives
    Punch! ViaCAD 2D/3D screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Punch! ViaCAD 2D/3D iconMicroStation Icon

    Punch! ViaCAD 2D/3D VS MicroStation

    Is Punch! ViaCAD 2D/3D a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
  12. Draw A Fence icon
     1 like

    Draw A Fence makes it easy for fence companies to generate custom, professional fence, and gate drawings with no CAD skills or software required.

    51 Draw A Fence alternatives
    Draw A Fence screenshot 1

    License model

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  PDF annotation
    3.  Live Preview
    4.  Drawing 2D
    Draw A Fence iconMicroStation Icon

    Draw A Fence VS MicroStation

    Is Draw A Fence a good alternative to MicroStation?
     
    • Draw A Fence is the most popular SaaS alternative to MicroStation.

    • Draw A Fence is Paid and ProprietaryMicroStation is also Paid and Proprietary
    • Draw A Fence is Privacy focused and LightweightMicroStation is not according to our users
12 of 20 MicroStation alternatives