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SierraSoft Roads VS DataCAD

Compare SierraSoft Roads VS DataCAD and see what are their differences

SierraSoft Roads logo SierraSoft Roads

BIM software for the design of roads and highways

DataCAD logo DataCAD

DataCAD is a computer-aided design and drafting software for 2D and 3D architectural design and drafting
  • SierraSoft Roads Designing of a road alignment according to the policy
    Designing of a road alignment according to the policy //
    2025-08-28
  • SierraSoft Roads Axis generation and results
    Axis generation and results //
    2025-08-28
  • SierraSoft Roads Quantities calculation in BIM
    Quantities calculation in BIM //
    2025-08-28
  • SierraSoft Roads Customizing the alignment
    Customizing the alignment //
    2025-08-28
  • SierraSoft Roads 3D design in BIM
    3D design in BIM //
    2025-08-28
  • SierraSoft Roads Managing intersections in BIM
    Managing intersections in BIM //
    2025-08-28
  • SierraSoft Roads Final drawings in BIM
    Final drawings in BIM //
    2025-08-28

SierraSoft Roads is a BIM software for the design of roads and highways

The BIM functions of SierraSoft Roads allow you to produce, modify, share, and analyze road 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, policy control, information modeling and quantities calculation.

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

SierraSoft Roads 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 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-23

DataCAD

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SierraSoft Roads features and specs

  • User Interface: Beautiful and functional
    The ergonomic and refined User Interface of SierraSoft Roads 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 Roads is extremely fast and convenient, even with huge quantities of vector data and images.
  • Database: A stable base for your projects
    SierraSoft Roads supports interoperability with other software systems and formats, facilitating seamless integration into existing workflows.
  • Memory manager: Everything you need without waste
    SierraSoft Roads 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 Roads 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 Roads 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 Roads 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 Roads 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 Roads 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 Roads 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
    Learning tools are included in SierraSoft Roads. The Smarthelp guides the user while working with the software by providing context-sensitive information. The user guide of the product is integrated in the Interface through retractable control panels and always available.
  • BIM Software: Modeling, sharing, checking
    SierraSoft Roads 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 Roads 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.
  • Policy: Free to design where you prefer
    Calculations, checks and policies checks: SierraSoft Roads checks if your project complies with the policy. Check the congruence of the design parameters of the axes with the selected policy. Generate and test the visibility diagram and the speed diagram. Generate the speed diagram. The calculation of the superelevations and widenings takes place automatically. The calculation of the overhangs and widenings takes place automatically. Get a detailed report of the verification, element by element, with the provisions of the policy. The software will suggest, where possible, the maximum and minimum values to be adopted. Several policies are already present in the software, and thanks to an open and intuitive system, you can extend the existing regulations with the new ones you need.
  • Road regulations
    โ€ข Brasil - Manual de Projeto Geomรฉtrico de Rodovias Rurais 1999 โ€ข Brasil - Manual de Projeto Geomรฉtrico de Travessias Urbanas 2010 โ€ข Germany - Richtlinien fรผr die Anlage von StraรŸen, RAS 1995 โ€ข Greece - ฮŸฮดฮทฮณฮฏฮตฯ‚ ฮœฮตฮปฮตฯ„ฯŽฮฝ ฮŸฮดฮนฮบฯŽฮฝ ฮˆฯฮณฯ‰ฮฝ, ฮŸฮœฮŸฮ• 2001 โ€ข France - ICTAAL, Instruction sur les Conditions Techniques d'Amรฉnagement des Autoroutes de Liaison, Octobre 1985 โ€ข France - Amรฉnagement des Routes Principal, Ministรฉre de l'Equipement Direction des Routes, 1994 โ€ข France - ICTAAL, Instruction sur les Conditions Techniques d'Amรฉnagement des Autoroutes de Liaison, Circulaire du 12 Dรฉcembre 2000 โ€ข France - ICTAVRU, Instruction sur les Conditions Techniques d'Amรฉnagement des Voies Rapides Urbaines, 2009 โ€ข Italy - Normativa intersezioni 2006 โ€ข Italy - Normativa stradale 2002 โ€ข Oman - Oman Highway Design Standards 2010 โ€ข Portugal - Norma de traรงado 1994 โ€ข Spain - Instrucciรณn de Carreteras, Norma 3.1-IC 2000 โ€ข Spain - Instrucciรณn de Carreteras, Norma 3.1-IC 2016 โ€ข USA - Geometric Design of Highways and Streets 2004 - Imperial โ€ข USA - Geometric Design of Highways and Streets 2004 - Metric โ€ข USA - Geometric Design of Highways and Streets 2011 - Imperial โ€ข USA - Geometric Design of Highways and Streets 2011 - Metric

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.

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.

SierraSoft Roads videos

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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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SierraSoft Roads and DataCAD)
3D
24 24%
76% 76
CAD
27 27%
73% 73
Office & Productivity
26 26%
74% 74
Photos & Graphics
100 100%
0% 0

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What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

AutoTURN - AutoTURN is used to confidently analyze road and site design projects including intersections, roundabouts, bus terminals, loading bays, parking lots or any on/off-street assignments involving vehicle access checks, clearances, and swept path maneuvโ€ฆ

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

12d Model - 12d Model is a powerful terrain modelling, surveying and civil engineering software package.

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