Mining & Resources · head to head
3DEC vs Leica Geosystems Mining
3
3DEC
Mining & Resources
3D distinct element code for underground mining
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -

Leica Geosystems Mining
Mining & Resources
Advanced positioning and measurement for mining
- 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; Leica Geosystems Mining the solutions depend on buying Leica measurement hardware and sensors, including LiDAR and airborne laser scanning units, rather than software alone
- They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Leica Geosystems Mining covers GNSS positioning.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which 3DEC and Leica Geosystems Mining actually diverge.
| Attribute | 3DEC | Leica Geosystems Mining |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 1981 | 1921 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining & Resources).
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 Leica Geosystems Mining
- GNSS positioning
- Total station surveying
- 3D laser scanning
- Drone integration
- Real-time kinematic positioning
- CAD systems
- GIS platforms
- Mining software
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 Leica Geosystems Mining
- Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot Leica Geosystems Mining
- Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot Leica Geosystems Mining
- Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot Leica Geosystems Mining
- Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot Leica Geosystems Mining
Leica Geosystems Mining
- Surveying and capturing detailed mine featuresnot 3DEC
- Designing mine infrastructure from measured datanot 3DEC
- Airborne LiDAR capture of mine sitesnot 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
Leica Geosystems Mining
- The solutions depend on buying Leica measurement hardware and sensors, including LiDAR and airborne laser scanning units, rather than software alone
- No price, subscription fee or licensing term is published on the mining solutions page
- Fleet management is handled by the separate Hexagon Mining business rather than by Leica Geosystems
Pricing, plan by plan
3DEC
On request- 3DEC Professional$25000/year
- 3D distinct element analysis
- Block-to-block interaction
- Support installation modeling
Leica Geosystems Mining
On request- Leica Mining Suite$45000/year
- GNSS positioning
- Total station systems
- 3D laser scanning
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 Leica Geosystems Mining if
- You need gnss positioning.
- You work on Windows, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want total station surveying.
Questions people ask
- Is 3DEC or Leica Geosystems Mining better?
- Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and Leica Geosystems Mining at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, 3DEC or Leica Geosystems Mining?
- 3DEC starts at On request and Leica Geosystems Mining at On request.
- Does 3DEC or Leica Geosystems Mining run on more platforms?
- 3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. Leica Geosystems Mining runs on Windows, Ios, Android, 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 Leica Geosystems Mining is typically brought in for.
- What can 3DEC do that Leica Geosystems Mining cannot?
- 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. Leica Geosystems Mining covers GNSS positioning, Total station surveying, 3D laser scanning, Drone integration. Both handle Windows support.
Related pages
More on Leica Geosystems Mining
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