Alternatives to Civil 3d

Crashes a lot?  Might not be a software problem?

I was first introduced to Carlson/IntelliCAD with the 2011 version. It crashed a lot. Recently I've had access to the 2022 and 2023 versions. These are far more stable.  So if you are not basing your opinion on recent experience I suggest that you give it another try.

I have been using carlson for more years than I can remember and it may have crashed 2x total over several decades.  Might need to reinstall or check for updates on your PC (video drivers and such).

I am no cad guy so not very helpful. However i have been researching and talking with different people and Traverse PC seems to be a good platform. Now those that I have discussed that use it are mostly boundary surveys ALTA. Some topos desigb etc. Some of them had extensive background in civil 3d and carlson. Carlson users I know love it.  Mosaics geezers I used software in the usmc and for government. Thats been so long ago it was erdas and other self designed stuff.  I use trimble business center because we have that equipment.  Love it for what I do . We also have civil 3d. I am learning it slowly but not as survey friendly and a different mindset than survey but is very powerful. I was a Terramodell fan big time but that was many years ago.  The micro station folks love it or hate it. I would list what I was wanting to do from it. Is it qa/qc then cad deliverables plats maps. Or what. Esri has mosaic capabilities software as well. Find out what you want and then concentrate on those things. To see who can provide solutions. 

Also, I want to handle big mosaics from aerial photos.

The only problems I've encountered using Carlson crashing a lot was when I was issued an under powered machine with a less than ideal video card. It felt like I was trying to race in the Indy 500 in a go-cart with doughnut wheels. Finally convinced the IT people to build me a souped up machine with tons of extra RAM and haven't had any problems since. Aerial imagery mosaics gobble up the RAM and when it runs short the software gets weally wonky in my experience. Good luck!

Contact Traverse PC for a demo and download a 30 day trial. 

The professional edition does aerial photos! 

@gary_g   Oh wow.  I know they have some good training materials and videos online as well. I have heard from several people the support is top notch as well. I have not tried my 30 day free trial yet on my personal side. I still need a new computer for that. And the big company I work for has no i need for it but what i have read and seen its a great software package for a surveyor.

No mention of Microstation, so far. Probably not cheaper than C3d. But an alternative nevertheless.

I used Microstation early on . Pacsoft actually had a interface so you could pull your work into Micorstation for drafting. 

If your doing boundary/topo work, subdivision/site plan work and not jumping into LIDAR, Photogrammetry work from drones. I would say give Traverse PC a try. 

On this page:

https://traverse-pc.com/learn-more/handle-any-survey-project/

you will see a funeral home site plan we did. 

No mention of Microstation, so far. Probably not cheaper than C3d. But an alternative nevertheless.

I'd recommend hand drafting over this.

I'd recommend hand drafting over this.

So would I. But I know a couple of guys that swear by it.

It has been interesting to see MicroStation wane over the decades.

Twenty years ago it was strong competitor to Autocad, and in many ways a better product.

Now one hardly ever hears of it.

Is it still big with the DoT's stateside?

Is it still big with the DoT's stateside?

Yes.  I know of some that specify (and verify) that all work is done native in MicroStation and not converted from other platforms.

It has been interesting to see MicroStation wane over the decades.

I believe that Civil3d is informed by Microstation's WYSIWYG setup, thereby stealing its thunder.