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DataCAD VS SierraSoft Hydro

Compare DataCAD VS SierraSoft Hydro and see what are their differences

DataCAD logo DataCAD

DataCAD is a computer-aided design and drafting software for 2D and 3D architectural design and drafting

SierraSoft Hydro logo SierraSoft Hydro

BIM software for hydraulic design
  • DataCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-23
  • SierraSoft Hydro Hydraulic BIM design of a pipe
    Hydraulic BIM design of a pipe //
    2025-08-28
  • SierraSoft Hydro Pipes networks
    Pipes networks //
    2025-08-28
  • SierraSoft Hydro BIM design of canals
    BIM design of canals //
    2025-08-28
  • SierraSoft Hydro Canals and intersections customizations
    Canals and intersections customizations //
    2025-08-28
  • SierraSoft Hydro Quantities calculation in BIM
    Quantities calculation in BIM //
    2025-08-28
  • SierraSoft Hydro Final drawings in BIM
    Final drawings in BIM //
    2025-08-28

SierraSoft Hydro is a BIM software for hydraulic design of waterways, canals, ditches, pipes, pipe networks and manholes.

The BIM functions of SierraSoft Hydro allow you to produce, modify, share, and analyze hydraulic information models.

Design and information modeling occur simultaneously with a strong optimization of activities and cost containment.

In one product you have all the tools for design, information modeling and quantities calculation.

SierraSoft Hydro is a powerful software that allows you to integrate land surveying work, infrastructure design and construction within the processes, guidelines and tools used for BIM. Information exchange, information modeling, information analysis, and information verification occur through the functionality of BIM software extensions (SierraSoft BIM Modeling, SierraSoft BIM Exchange an SierraSoft BIM Checking)

With SierraSoft Hydro you can manage big quantities of data. Your projects will have no limits.

SierraSoft Hydro is international by nature and manages different languages (English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French) and several units of measure. You can choose different languages among interface, project data and printouts. So you can work in your favourite language and deliver your work in the language that your client wants.

DataCAD

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

SierraSoft Hydro

$ Details
paid Free Trial โ‚ฌ870.0 / Annually
Platforms
Windows
Release Date
2022 February

DataCAD features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    DataCAD is known for its user-friendly interface. This makes it accessible to both beginners and experienced users, facilitating quick learning curves and efficient work processes.
  • 2D/3D Integration
    DataCAD offers robust support for both 2D and 3D design and drafting. This allows users to work seamlessly between different project stages without needing additional software.
  • Affordability
    Compared to other architectural design software, DataCAD is generally more affordable, making it a cost-effective option for both small firms and individual users.
  • Comprehensive Toolset
    The software provides a wide range of tools for architectural drafting, from basic drawing tools to advanced modeling capabilities, which are essential for creating detailed and accurate designs.
  • Customization
    DataCAD allows for significant customization of its tools and interface, enabling users to tailor the software to their specific needs and preferences.

Possible disadvantages of DataCAD

  • Steeper Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic tools are easy to use, some of the more advanced features can be challenging to master and may require additional training or experience.
  • Limited Collaboration Tools
    DataCAD lacks some of the advanced collaboration features found in other architectural design software, such as real-time co-authoring, which can be a disadvantage for larger teams.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Users have reported occasional compatibility issues when working with files from other design software, which can result in additional steps or software to ensure smooth collaboration.
  • Slower Updates
    DataCAD doesnโ€™t receive software updates as frequently as some of its competitors, which can lead to delays in accessing new features and improvements.
  • Less Industry Adoption
    Although it has a dedicated user base, DataCAD is less widely adopted in the industry compared to other software like AutoCAD or Revit, which can affect interoperability and client expectations.

SierraSoft Hydro features and specs

  • User Interface: Beautiful and functional
    The ergonomic and refined User Interface of SierraSoft Hydro is focused on the userโ€™s experience. The result is a simple and effective Interface with a wider graphic area and the access to functionalities is natural and more intuitive.
  • Graphic engine: Extraordinarily fast
    Based on the special flexible and very high-performance 3D graphic engine, the CAD of SierraSoft Hydro is extremely fast and convenient, even with huge quantities of vector data and images.
  • Database: A stable base for your projects
    SierraSoft Hydro includes a powerful, stable and high-performance database, with an excellent level of data compression, in order to minimize the used space. The security data is ensured by the backup function and SmartSave, which avoid the loss of information in case of unexpected stop of the software (for example a blackout).
  • Memory manager: Everything you need without waste
    SierraSoft Hydro can use all the memory made available by the Windows 64-bit operating system (64GB). It has an optimized management, which uses just the necessary memory and free memory as soon as possible. The memory management is automatic and smart, in order to make the most of the resources of the computer.
  • Data exchange: Fast and accurate data access
    Through the data exchange functionalities SierraSoft Hydro can directly read and write CAD data (DXG and DXF) and data of other formats such as GIS, TXT without any dependence on other software. Data exchange recognizes the entities present in various files and transforms them into its internal entities by reproducing their information.
  • International: Work without boundaries
    SierraSoft Hydro is international by nature and manages different languages (English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French) and several units of measure. You can choose different languages among interface, project data and printouts. So you can work in your favourite language and deliver your work in the language that your client wants.
  • Parametric engine: Automate the impossible
    SierraSoft Hydro allows you to parameterize complex calculation flows in order to make the management of complex processing operations simple and intuitive.
  • Modification and check in real time
    It is possible to control the design like never before, drastically reduce designing time thanks to 3D real time cross-section on planimetry. By changing a parameter everything is updated automatically. The result can be immediately checked even before creating the final project. Maximum control over the entire design and over every detail.
  • Dynamic engine - The results in real time
    SierraSoft Hydro is equipped with a dynamic processing engine, which combined with the parametric engine allows you to obtain complex results in real time and facilitate all design and modeling activities
  • Stereoscopic engine: Improve accuracy with stereoscopic viewing
    Stereoscopy visualization is integrated into the SierraSoft Hydro CAD system. Hardware interfaces are managed such as: NVIDIA Quadro graphics cards, NVIDIA 3D Vision Steroscopic Glasses, or 3DpluraView stereoscopic stations.
  • Point clouds: Upload and manage point clouds in a very simple way
    SierraSoft Hydro easy handle one or more point clouds of any size. Loading and display are really fast, drawing and extraction functions occur in real time. A special tool โ€œSierraSoft Mass Data Converterโ€ converts LAS, XYZ, PTS, XCF, E57 and DEM GeoTIFF files so that you can manage them with ease.
  • Help: Learning by doing
    SierraSoft Hydro is a powerful software that allows you to integrate land surveying work, infrastructure design and construction within the processes, guidelines and tools used for BIM. Information exchange, information modeling, information analysis, and information verification occur through the functionality of BIM software extensions (SierraSoft BIM Modeling, SierraSoft BIM Exchange an SierraSoft BIM Checking)
  • BIM Software: Modeling, sharing, checking
    SierraSoft Hydro is a powerful software that allows you to integrate land surveying work, infrastructure design and construction within the processes, guidelines and tools used for BIM. Information exchange, information modeling, information analysis, and information verification occur through the functionality of BIM software extensions (SierraSoft BIM Modeling, SierraSoft BIM Exchange an SierraSoft BIM Checking)
  • Mega projects: When size matters
    With SierraSoft Hydro you can manage big quantities of data. Only necessary data are loaded into memory and the ones on the disk are automatically compressed in order to create small files. Your projects will have no limits.

Analysis of DataCAD

Overall verdict

  • DataCAD is considered good, particularly for professionals in architecture who need a versatile and robust CAD software that doesn't have a steep learning curve. It effectively balances powerful design capabilities with accessibility.

Why this product is good

  • DataCAD is a computer-aided design and drafting software tailored for architects and engineers. It's known for its user-friendly interface, reliability, and comprehensive toolset designed for architectural tasks. Users appreciate its ease of use compared to other CAD software and the strong support community that provides help and add-on tools.

Recommended for

  • Architects seeking a reliable drafting tool.
  • Small to mid-sized architecture firms.
  • Users who prefer Windows-based CAD software.
  • Those looking for an affordable alternative to more expensive CAD programs.

DataCAD videos

Datacad 11 tutorial - 3d Ranch House

More videos:

  • Tutorial - DataCAD Tutorials - 07 | Using Surveyor Data
  • Tutorial - DataCAD Tutorials - 05 | Link XREF to Go To Views

SierraSoft Hydro videos

No SierraSoft Hydro videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DataCAD and SierraSoft Hydro)
3D
91 91%
9% 9
CAD
90 90%
10% 10
Office & Productivity
83 83%
17% 17
Development
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing DataCAD and SierraSoft Hydro, you can also consider the following products

AutoCAD MEP - AutoCAD MEP software helps you draft, design, and document building systems.

SierraSoft Roads - BIM software for the design of roads and highways

AutoCAD Arch - Design and document more efficiently with the AutoCAD Architecture toolset, created specifically for architects.

Civil 3D - Civil 3D supports BIM for civil engineering design and documentation for rail, roads, land development, airports, water and wastewater, and civil structures.

iConstruct - iConstruct is a business information modeling (BIM) software for Autodesk Navisworks, suitable for a large range of industries worldwide.

OpenRoads Designer - A detailed design application for roadway, surveying, drainage, and subsurface utilities that supersede capabilities previously delivered by InRoads and GEOPAK