Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SierraSoft Hydro VS AutoCAD MEP

Compare SierraSoft Hydro VS AutoCAD MEP and see what are their differences

SierraSoft Hydro logo SierraSoft Hydro

BIM software for hydraulic design

AutoCAD MEP logo AutoCAD MEP

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

  • AutoCAD MEP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-24

SierraSoft Hydro

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

AutoCAD MEP

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

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.

AutoCAD MEP features and specs

  • Integrated Design and Drafting
    AutoCAD MEP provides an integrated environment for designing and drafting mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems within the familiar AutoCAD interface. This ensures seamless coordination among different disciplines.
  • Toolset Enhancements
    The MEP toolset includes specialized features and libraries for MEP functionalities, such as ducting, piping, wiring, and HVAC components, which can significantly save time during the design process.
  • Collaboration and Coordination
    AutoCAD MEP enables better collaboration among project teams by allowing various disciplines to work together in the same model, thereby reducing conflicts and improving project coordination.
  • Customization and Automation
    The software supports customization through APIs and scripting, enabling users to tailor the toolset to specific workflows and automate repetitive tasks, enhancing productivity.
  • Interoperability
    AutoCAD MEP supports interoperability with other Autodesk products and industry-standard formats, facilitating the exchange of information between different software platforms and ensuring consistency across projects.

Possible disadvantages of AutoCAD MEP

  • Learning Curve
    While powerful, AutoCAD MEP can be complex and may require significant time and effort to master, particularly for users who are new to MEP design or the AutoCAD platform.
  • High Cost
    The software can be expensive, especially for small businesses or individual practitioners. The cost encompasses both the initial purchase and ongoing subscription fees for updates and support.
  • Resource Intensive
    AutoCAD MEP can be quite demanding on hardware resources, necessitating powerful computer systems to run efficiently, which can add to the overall cost of implementation.
  • Complex Licensing
    Navigating Autodesk's licensing agreements and options can be complicated, potentially leading to issues with compliance or unexpected costs if not managed carefully.
  • Potential Overhead
    For smaller projects or tasks, the extensive features of AutoCAD MEP might be overkill, introducing unnecessary complexity and overhead that could slow down the workflow.

Analysis of AutoCAD MEP

Overall verdict

  • AutoCAD MEP is considered a good choice for professionals involved in the design and construction of building systems. It offers a comprehensive set of tools that improve productivity and project outcomes. Its efficiency in handling complex MEP requirements and compatibility with other Autodesk products make it favorable among industry professionals.

Why this product is good

  • AutoCAD MEP is a versatile tool developed by Autodesk that provides specialized features for designing and drafting mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. It integrates seamlessly with AutoCAD, providing engineers and designers with familiar tools to streamline their workflows. Its powerful functionalities, such as automated documentation and cross-discipline coordination, make it a robust solution for MEP design. Users also benefit from its ability to produce precise 3D models, which enhances visualization and accuracy in project execution.

Recommended for

  • Mechanical engineers
  • Electrical engineers
  • Plumbing engineers
  • Building services designers
  • Architects involved in detailed MEP layout
  • Drafter professionals working on construction documentation

SierraSoft Hydro videos

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AutoCAD MEP videos

Introducing AutoCAD MEP: Tips & Tricks | AutoCAD

More videos:

  • Review - Maximize AutoCAD MEP
  • Tutorial - AutoCAD MEP Tutorial for Beginners

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SierraSoft Hydro and AutoCAD MEP)
3D
10 10%
90% 90
CAD
11 11%
89% 89
Office & Productivity
19 19%
81% 81
BIM
100 100%
0% 0

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What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

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

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

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

AutoCAD Plant 3D - AutoCAD Plant 3D is a BIM software that lets you create, modify, and manage schematic piping and instrumentation diagrams.