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Software · head to head

3DEC vs Google Maps Platform

3

3DEC

Software

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Software

Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 3DEC pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options; Google Maps Platform free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and Google Maps Platform actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and Google Maps Platform differ
Attribute3DECGoogle Maps Platform
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWeb
Founded19812005

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), 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 Google Maps Platform

  • 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 Google Maps Platform
  • Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot Google Maps Platform
  • Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot Google Maps Platform
  • Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot Google Maps Platform
  • Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot Google Maps Platform

Google Maps Platform

  • Embedding dynamic maps, Street View and photorealistic 3D tiles in an applicationnot 3DEC
  • Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot 3DEC
  • Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot 3DEC
  • Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot 3DEC
  • Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot 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

Google Maps Platform

  • Free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • Dynamic Maps cost $7.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Geocoding and the Directions API both cost $5.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Pricing is tiered by volume, so the effective unit price depends on total monthly usage and is hard to predict in advance
  • Billing is usage based with no flat plan, so a traffic spike is a cost spike

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

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

Google Maps Platform

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Maps Platform 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 Google Maps Platform if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
Google Maps Platform review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or Google Maps Platform better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and Google Maps Platform at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or Google Maps Platform?
3DEC starts at On request and Google Maps Platform at On request.
Does 3DEC or Google Maps Platform run on more platforms?
3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. Google Maps Platform runs on Web.
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 Google Maps Platform is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that Google Maps Platform cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, User Interface.
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