Software · head to head
3DEC vs GEOVIA GEMS
GEOVIA GEMS
Software
Comprehensive geology and mine planning solution
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 3DEC pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options; GEOVIA GEMS the GEOVIA portfolio page on 3ds.com lists Surpac, MineSched, Whittle and Services but does not name GEMS or any of its editions, and no page found for GEMS itself publishes a figure or a named tier
- They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, GEOVIA GEMS covers Geological modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which 3DEC and GEOVIA GEMS actually diverge.
| Attribute | 3DEC | GEOVIA GEMS |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (1981).
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 GEOVIA GEMS
- Geological modeling
- Multi-element analysis
- Resource estimation
- Mine planning
- Reserve reporting
- MineSched
- Whittle
- Surpac
Both cover
- Windows support
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 GEOVIA GEMS
- Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot GEOVIA GEMS
- Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot GEOVIA GEMS
- Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot GEOVIA GEMS
- Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot GEOVIA GEMS
GEOVIA GEMS
- Complex deposit modelingnot 3DEC
- Multi-element estimationnot 3DEC
- Strategic planningnot 3DEC
- Reserve calculationsnot 3DEC
- Compliance reportingnot 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
GEOVIA GEMS
- The GEOVIA portfolio page on 3ds.com lists Surpac, MineSched, Whittle and Services but does not name GEMS or any of its editions, and no page found for GEMS itself publishes a figure or a named tier
Pricing, plan by plan
3DEC
On request- 3DEC Professional$25000/year
- 3D distinct element analysis
- Block-to-block interaction
- Support installation modeling
GEOVIA GEMS
On request- GEMS Core$10000/year
- Geological modeling
- Data management
- 3D visualization
- GEMS Professional$18000/year
- Advanced geostatistics
- Mine design
- Multi-element modeling
Which should you pick?
Choose 3DEC if
- You need 3d distinct element analysis.
- You work on Windows, Linux.
- You also want block motion tracking.
Choose GEOVIA GEMS if
- You need geological modeling.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want multi-element analysis.
Questions people ask
- Is 3DEC or GEOVIA GEMS better?
- Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and GEOVIA GEMS at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, 3DEC or GEOVIA GEMS?
- 3DEC starts at On request and GEOVIA GEMS at On request.
- Does 3DEC or GEOVIA GEMS run on more platforms?
- 3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. GEOVIA GEMS runs on Windows.
- 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 GEOVIA GEMS is typically brought in for.
- What can 3DEC do that GEOVIA GEMS cannot?
- 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. GEOVIA GEMS covers Geological modeling, Multi-element analysis, Resource estimation, Mine planning. Both handle Windows support.