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3DEC vs CesiumJS

3

3DEC

Software

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CesiumJS logo

CesiumJS

Software

Open-source JavaScript library for creating 3D globes and 2D maps with support

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CesiumJS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 3DEC pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options; CesiumJS the free Community tier does not permit commercial use
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, CesiumJS covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and CesiumJS actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and CesiumJS differ
Attribute3DECCesiumJS
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWeb
Founded1981Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3DEC

  • 3D distinct element analysis
  • Block motion tracking
  • Contact detection
  • Support design
  • Dynamic simulation
  • FLAC3D
  • Leapfrog
  • Vulcan

Only in CesiumJS

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

3DEC

  • Three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materialsnot CesiumJS
  • Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot CesiumJS
  • Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot CesiumJS
  • Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot CesiumJS
  • Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot CesiumJS

CesiumJS

  • Streaming 3D terrain, imagery and building data into web applicationsnot 3DEC
  • Tiling and hosting large geospatial and reality capture datasetsnot 3DEC

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3DEC

  • Pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options
  • A specialist geomechanical tool rather than general purpose simulation, so it assumes the user is a rock mechanics engineer

CesiumJS

  • The free Community tier does not permit commercial use
  • The cheapest commercial plan is $149 a month for an individual and $524 for a team
  • Team accounts are capped at 5 members on both the Commercial and Premium plans
  • Three separate quotas apply at once, being storage, monthly streaming and monthly reality modelling gigapixels, and exceeding any one of them constrains the account
  • Streaming is capped at 15 GB a month on the free tier

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

On request
  • 3DEC Professional$25000/year
    • 3D distinct element analysis
    • Block-to-block interaction
    • Support installation modeling

CesiumJS

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the CesiumJS review.

Which should you pick?

Choose 3DEC if

  • You need 3d distinct element analysis.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want block motion tracking.
3DEC review

Choose CesiumJS if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want user interface.
CesiumJS review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or CesiumJS better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and CesiumJS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or CesiumJS?
CesiumJS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for 3DEC and Free for CesiumJS.
Does 3DEC or CesiumJS run on more platforms?
3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. CesiumJS runs on Web.
Can I use CesiumJS for free?
Yes. CesiumJS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 3DEC starts at On request.
What is 3DEC best used for?
3DEC is most often used for three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials, slope stability and pillar analysis for mining, blast and earthquake dynamic analysis, groundwater flow through fractured rock. Of those, three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials and slope stability and pillar analysis for mining are not what CesiumJS is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that CesiumJS cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. CesiumJS covers Core Functionality, User Interface.
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