BricsCAD Lite is mainly a 2D drafting program, but it is not limited to flat geometry at a zero elevation. Lite can create and edit basic linework using X, Y and Z coordinates. It can also open and display drawings that contain existing 3D objects.
The main difference is:
BricsCAD Lite can work with basic geometry in 3D space, but BricsCAD Pro is required for true 3D modeling, terrain surfaces and civil design.
Can I draw linework with different elevations?
Yes. The standard LINE command accepts X, Y and Z coordinates. For example, a line can begin at 100,200,10 and end at 150,250,25.
Lite also includes the 3DPOLY command. This creates a connected series of line segments whose vertices can each have different X, Y and Z values.
What civil and survey work can I do in BricsCAD Lite?
| Civil or Survey Task | Available in Lite? |
|---|---|
| Enter X, Y and Z coordinates | Yes |
| Draw lines between points at different elevations | Yes |
| Draw 3D polylines | Yes |
| Create survey breaklines | Yes |
| Draw utility or pipe centerlines in 3D | Yes |
| Connect measured XYZ points with linework | Yes |
| Use 3D object snaps and coordinate systems | Yes |
| Orbit around and view drawings from different angles | Yes |
| Open and view DWG files containing 3D objects | Yes |
| Create individual 3D faces or basic faceted meshes | Yes |
A 3D polyline, 3D face or faceted mesh is still basic drawing geometry. It is not an intelligent terrain surface and does not provide automatic contouring, slope analysis or volume calculations.
What civil and survey work can’t I do in BricsCAD Lite?
BricsCAD Lite does not include BricsCAD’s civil modeling and design tools.
| Civil or Survey Task | Available in Lite? |
|---|---|
| Automatically create a TIN surface from points or breaklines | No |
| Generate contours from a terrain surface | No |
| Calculate cut and fill volumes | No |
| Create intelligent civil points | No |
| Create grading objects | No |
| Create alignments or profiles | No |
| Create corridors | No |
| Create civil section views and labels | No |
| Create or edit true 3D solids and modern surfaces | No |
These tools require BricsCAD Pro or a higher BricsCAD license level.
Can Lite open drawings that contain 3D objects?
Yes. Lite can open and display DWG files containing 3D solids, surfaces and other 3D objects. You can orbit around the drawing, inspect the model and generally move, copy, rotate or scale complete objects.
However, Lite does not include the full tools needed to create or remodel those objects. For example, you cannot extrude a boundary into a solid, push or pull a solid face or cut one solid from another.
Are BricsCAD Lite and BricsCAD Pro separate programs?
No. Lite and Pro are different license levels of the same BricsCAD program. They use the same installer for the same BricsCAD version, operating system, processor platform and language.
The activated license controls which commands and features are available. If you upgrade from Lite to Pro, you generally do not need to uninstall BricsCAD or download a separate Pro installer. You can activate the Pro license in the existing installation and restart BricsCAD if necessary.
Bottom Line
BricsCAD Lite is not strictly 2D. It can create elevated lines, 3D polylines, survey breaklines and other basic XYZ geometry.
BricsCAD Lite may be sufficient when you need to draft or exchange civil and survey linework with elevations; but, choose BricsCAD Pro when you need terrain surfaces, contours, volumes, grading, alignments, profiles, corridors or true 3D modeling.
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