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Bentley Descartes

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Bentley Descartes

Reality modeling data processing software

Bring reality into your modeling

Make the most of your reality modeling data with the ability to integrate point clouds, reality meshes, scalable terrain models, and raster imagery into your infrastructure workflows. With Descartes, you can extend your capabilities to extract value from reality modeling data of any scale.

What is Bentley Descartes?

When infrastructure projects require the conversion of legacy documents, Descartes helps you integrate all imagery in your engineering workflows. To integrate and process reality modeling data for information modeling workflows, you should have in mind Descartes.  

Using Descartes, you can edit and clean up reality modeling data such as point clouds with billions of points, changing their classification, color and removing or editing points.  Integrate any 2D or 3D imagery into your engineering workflows to make well-informed design decisions and improve the overall quality of your project. Easily model geometry from reality modeling data to extract break lines, paint lines, surfaces, planes, cylinder, and cylinder center lines. Descartes lets you create high-fidelity images to support precision mapping and engineering, and you can process raster images to add visualization and context to your infrastructure projects.

Reality Data Processing

Work with reality data such as raster, scalable terrain model, point cloud, and reality meshes to bring context to streamline workflows, simplify decision-making and ensure efficient project completion. Descartes provides high-level tools to work with reality data and extract information from it.

Advanced Processing for 3D Imagery

Raster images in the form of aerial imagery, binary imagery, and raster digital elevation models (DEM) are fully supported in Descartes. It is a comprehensive image management environment with conversion (raster to vector and vector to raster), cleanup, and editing tools that extend the MicroStation raster management tools.

Large Scalable Terrain Models

Produce very large scalable terrain models from many sources including point clouds, breaklines, raster digital elevation models, and existing triangulated irregular networks.

Computer screen of Bentley Descartes showing roadway model

Bentley Descartes

  • Work with all data types, regardless of size
  • Use advanced modeling, clipping, and sectioning tools
  • Extract ground and breaklines from reality meshes and point clouds
  • Enrich, segment, and classify point clouds and combine them with engineering models
  • Produce animations and renderings for presentations

*Prices vary per region. For more options, see licensing and subscriptions section.

User Quote

“The swift creation of the model [using Bentley applications] has proven that during a global pandemic and lockdown, it is still possible to provide services that go above and beyond the expectations of our clients and stakeholders.”

— John Nolan, Program Manager, BIM, Network Rail Wales and Western Region

FEATURED USER STORIES

Reality and Spatial Modeling Software Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Descartes is a very powerful application for integrating and processing reality modeling data such as reality meshes, point clouds, scalable terrain models, and raster data for use in your information modeling workflows and infrastructure projects.

The price of Bentley Descartes varies per region. While there are various types of licensing available, a common choice is the 12-month practitioner license offered through Bentley’s eStore. When you purchase through the eStore, you get a Virtuoso Subscription. This means you get the software and “Keys” (tokens) to redeem for customizable training, mentoring, and consulting services.

Processor
Intel Pentium-based or AMD Athlon-based processor 2.0 GHz or greater

Operating System
Windows 10 (64 bit) – Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education
Windows 8 (64 bit) – Standard, Pro, and Enterprise
Windows 8.1 (64 bit) – Standard, Pro, and Enterprise
Windows 7 SP1 (64 bit) – Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate

Memory
4 GB minimum, 16 GB recommended, (more memory typically results in better performance)

Disk Space
10 GB minimum free disk space

For the most up-to-date system requirements, visit Bentley Communities.

Licensing and Subscription options

Choose What is Right for You

One-year license with training

Virtuoso Subscription – A popular choice for small and medium-sized businesses

Get access to software that comes with training – fast! Bentley’s eStore, Virtuosity, offers a convenient way to lease a 12-month license of Bentley software for a low, upfront cost. Every online purchase through Virtuosity comes as a Virtuoso Subscription that includes training and auto-renewals.

With no contract required, it’s easy to get started quickly.

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One-time purchase with support

Perpetual License with SELECT

A perpetual license of Bentley software is a one-time purchase, with a yearly maintenance subscription, called SELECT. This includes 24/7/365 technical support, learning resources, and the ability to exchange licenses for other software once a year. With SELECT, you will benefit from:

  • License pooling, so you can access your software from multiple computers.
  • Access additional Bentley software with Term Licenses, which allow you to pay for what you use without the upfront cost of purchasing a perpetual license.

Annual renewal quotes are delivered directly to your inbox, and our experienced Renewal Representatives are available to answer your questions and guide you through any changes you’d like to make.

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Enterprise Organizations

We’ve got your back

For larger organizations with in-depth requirements, we offer plans to provide global pricing and access to our comprehensive portfolio of solutions and success plan services. Contact us about how to get access to software, global best practices, implementation services, training, and technical support to help your organization realize its full potential while addressing your unique needs.

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Integrate reality modeling data into your engineering workflows today

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