BIM (Building Information Modeling) is more than just a technology—it’s a comprehensive model that uses building information systems to record and manage all data generated throughout the entire construction process. This supports management across the building’s entire lifecycle. The tools enabling this approach consist of a series of computer software programs that collaborate throughout the lifecycle, managing different stages to ultimately reach the desired efficiency goals.
Currently, the most established international software platforms include Autodesk and Bentley from the United States, Dassault from France, and several 3D visualization software solutions developed in China based on the AutoCAD platform, such as Hongye Louis, Weidi, Tonghao, and EICAD.
Autodesk Platform
Autodesk’s Civil3D and Revit are key software offerings. Civil3D is specifically designed for road engineering but lacks design functions for structures such as bridges, tunnels, and retaining walls, which require modeling through Revit. However, Revit primarily focuses on building structures and has limited application in municipal engineering.
Thanks to the widespread use and profound influence of Autodesk’s AutoCAD software in China’s engineering sector, along with similar operating habits, Autodesk’s software suite quickly captured the majority of the BIM software application market in China.
Bentley Platform
Bentley’s PowerCivil and InRoads are among the most professional municipal engineering software available. Powered by the unique MicroStation core, they offer robust 3D processing and data management capabilities. All Bentley software is developed on this platform with unified data interfaces, embodying the concept of “one platform, one model.”
However, compared to Autodesk’s platform, which is widely adopted in China, Bentley software has lower localization. Its data formats and operating procedures differ significantly from Autodesk’s, leading to higher adoption costs and lower usage and penetration rates in the Chinese mainland market.
Dassault Platform
Dassault’s CATIA software is primarily designed for high-end mechanical manufacturing and has achieved almost full coverage in critical fields such as aerospace. It excels in handling irregular components and complex surfaces, making it highly capable for modeling extremely large projects.
However, CATIA is a typical interdisciplinary software that is difficult to apply directly to architecture and municipal infrastructure. The modeling speed is relatively slow, the learning curve is steep, and the overall software cost is high. Consequently, its adoption remains limited.
Other Domestic Platforms
1. Louis RoadLeader by Hongye Technology is currently a leader in China. Built on the AutoCAD platform with secondary development, it offers a high degree of intelligence, minimal differences from existing CAD workflows, fast modeling speed, and ease of use. However, it has limitations in detailed processing, 3D capabilities, and development potential.
2. HintCAD is a traditional road design software in China, developed on the AutoCAD platform since 1996. It mainly focuses on interchange design and is used by over 90% of Class A design institutes in the national highway transportation industry, making it a well-known highway design tool in China.
3. Tonghao Civil Engineering Consulting (Shanghai) partnered strategically with Yunnan Provincial Transportation Planning and Design Institute in 2017 to develop the “CDIP Conventional Bridge Design BIM Subsystem,” which received high recognition from the Ministry of Transport. Several BIM subsystems have been developed based on AutoCAD and widely promoted in China’s transportation infrastructure industry, primarily serving highway transportation engineering.
4. EICAD 3.0 was developed by Denoni in 2018 based on the AutoCAD platform. It stands as one of China’s few mature 3D design software solutions with secondary development, providing a building information modeling solution for highways and urban roads. EICAD 3.0 supports real-time model data export and seamless model integration within Revit.
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