ArcGIS CityEngine Description
CityEngine is a cutting-edge 3D modeling application that enables the rapid creation of expansive, interactive urban landscapes more efficiently than conventional modeling methods. The cities you design with CityEngine can reflect actual geographical information system (GIS) data or represent an imaginative urban setting from any time period. Instead of constructing each building separately, you can generate a large-scale city model in one go. CityEngine facilitates quick modifications to architectural styles or various aspects of your city, allowing you to explore numerous design options effortlessly. Additionally, you can produce 3D models to illustrate proposed modifications and alternative designs effectively. Your designs can be guided by 3D models that reflect land use regulations and other relevant conditions. You can easily present various design options to your team or stakeholders, soliciting valuable feedback. CityEngine seamlessly fits into your existing workflow, enabling you to incorporate key buildings or other assets to create a comprehensive 3D environment around them. You can also export your work back into high-end visualization tools or game engines for further refinement and presentation. This powerful software not only enhances creativity but also streamlines collaboration among project participants.
ArcGIS CityEngine Alternatives
SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS is a world-leading 3D design, CAD, and product development platform that has defined innovation for engineers and creators for over three decades. Built by Dassault Systèmes, it delivers a unified environment for design, simulation, documentation, and manufacturing—all with the goal of helping users bring ideas to life faster. The 2026 version marks a major leap forward with AI-powered automation, including selective loading for large assemblies, fastener recognition, and AURA AI, an intelligent design companion that boosts productivity. Deep integration with the 3DEXPERIENCE cloud ecosystem allows teams to collaborate securely, access designs anywhere, and connect real-time data from concept to production. With powerful simulation tools, electrical design integration, and streamlined workflows, SOLIDWORKS reduces manual effort and design iteration time dramatically. Its intuitive interface and broad compatibility make it ideal for both professionals and students. Trusted by innovators like Future Motion, Toyota, and Vermeer, SOLIDWORKS continues to shape the future of design and engineering. Whether you’re creating consumer products, vehicles, or complex machinery, it provides everything you need to go from idea to reality.
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AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD is a complete computer-aided design and drafting solution that transforms the way professionals conceptualize, document, and deliver projects. Built for precision and creativity, AutoCAD supports 2D drafting and 3D modeling with intelligent tools for solids, surfaces, and meshes. The AutoCAD 2026 release integrates Autodesk AI, automating repetitive tasks like object placement, markup interpretation, and drawing comparisons to save hours of manual effort. Users can collaborate seamlessly using Autodesk Docs, ensuring consistent document management and version control across teams. With built-in AutoLISP, APIs, and the Autodesk App Store, the software is endlessly customizable for specialized workflows. Its seven industry-specific toolsets—including Architecture, MEP, and Plant 3D—optimize productivity and deliver specialized functionality for each discipline. AutoCAD’s cloud connectivity enables real-time co-authoring and access from any device. Whether for buildings, infrastructure, or products, AutoCAD remains the most trusted platform for professional design innovation.
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ENVI-met
ENVI-met is a three-dimensional microclimate simulation tool designed for various purposes, including urban development, architectural design, and enhancing energy efficiency, by taking into account all relevant climate factors rather than focusing on just one. This software can model different climate scenarios, encompassing both daytime and nighttime temperatures, humidity levels, wind speeds, and solar radiation in urban areas. Additionally, it allows for the exploration of how various building materials, like glass and stone, impact the microclimate of their surroundings. By predicting how alterations in urban design influence both the microclimate and the thermal comfort of urban dwellers, ENVI-met serves as a vital resource for cities around the globe. Given the significant challenges posed by climate change, developing healthier and more resilient urban environments has become increasingly important. Therefore, ENVI-met is instrumental in evaluating the potential impacts of new constructions, green spaces, and urban planning initiatives, enabling stakeholders to make well-informed decisions that promote sustainability and improve community well-being. This capability underscores the software's relevance in fostering innovative solutions for contemporary urban challenges.
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CityCAD
In contrast to other CAD and GIS applications, this software was specifically designed with urban planners in mind from its inception, facilitating the creation of 3D models that utilize established building styles and urban forms. CityCAD provides a streamlined and efficient method for drafting urban masterplans in three dimensions. When routes intersect, junctions are formed with straightforward kerb radii automatically. Moreover, if you adjust the positioning of roads, the surrounding urban blocks are resized automatically. This software also includes an array of advanced analytical tools, offering valuable quantitative insights into your masterplan during the initial conceptual design phases. Users can build a personalized library of land use categories and assign these to different building floors. Additionally, you can input estimates for energy consumption, water usage, and waste generation rates (calculated per person, dwelling unit, or area unit), with total figures being computed in real-time as you develop and refine your design. This capability allows for a more responsive and informed planning process, enabling users to make adjustments based on immediate feedback.
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Company Details
Company:
Esri
Year Founded:
1969
Headquarters:
United States
Website:
www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-cityengine/overview
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Product Details
Platforms
Web-Based
Windows
Mac
Linux
Types of Training
Training Docs
Live Training (Online)
Customer Support
Business Hours
Online Support
ArcGIS CityEngine Features and Options
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