Bentley ContextCapture Enterprise Reality Modeling for Infrastructure & Engineering
Bentley ContextCapture is an enterprise-grade reality modeling software that creates detailed 3D models from photographs and point clouds for large-scale infrastructure and engineering projects.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Bentley Systems
- Category
- Photogrammetry & Mapping
- Pricing
- Subscription
- Starting Price
- $291 /month
- Best For
- Infrastructure and transportation agencies (DOTs)
We use Bentley ContextCapture for professional projects. See our workflow →
What is Bentley ContextCapture?
Bentley ContextCapture is a professional reality modeling solution designed for infrastructure, transportation, and utility projects at scale. As part of Bentley Systems' comprehensive infrastructure engineering ecosystem, ContextCapture transforms photographs and point clouds into precise 3D reality meshes used for design, construction, and operations.
The software is particularly strong in large-scale projects such as highways, bridges, power plants, and city-scale modeling. Its automatic aerotriangulation and multi-GPU processing capabilities allow it to handle datasets with tens of thousands of images, producing georeferenced 3D meshes at engineering-grade accuracy.
At THE FUTURE 3D, we leverage ContextCapture for large infrastructure documentation projects where integration with Bentley's design tools (MicroStation, OpenBuildings, OpenRoads) is required. The ability to produce 3D reality meshes that integrate directly into BIM workflows makes it invaluable for DOT projects, bridge inspections, and utility corridor mapping in Southeast Florida.
Bentley ContextCapture Key Features
Comprehensive capabilities that make Bentley ContextCapture a professional choice for photogrammetry & mapping.
Multi-Scale Reality Modeling
Process datasets from city-scale aerial surveys to detailed close-range captures. Handles projects with 50,000+ images using multi-GPU processing.
Automatic Aerotriangulation
Automatically align thousands of overlapping photos with sub-pixel accuracy. Supports RTK/PPK positioning and ground control points.
3D Reality Mesh Generation
Generate georeferenced 3D meshes suitable for engineering measurements. Adaptive tiling system handles massive datasets without compromising quality.
Bentley Ecosystem Integration
Direct integration with MicroStation, OpenBuildings, OpenRoads, and iTwin platform. Seamless reality-to-design workflows for infrastructure projects.
Hybrid Processing
Combine aerial photographs, terrestrial images, and laser scan data in a single project. Produce unified 3D models from diverse data sources.
Cloud Processing (ContextCapture Cloud)
Offload processing to Bentley Cloud for projects requiring massive compute power. Access results via web-based viewer.
Bentley ContextCapture Pricing & Plans
Bentley ContextCapture offers flexible subscription plans to match your needs.
Virtuosity (CONNECT Edition)
- Full processing capabilities
- Cloud processing tokens
- Bentley Cloud integration
- Standard support
Enterprise (E365)
- Volume licensing
- Unlimited processing
- Priority support
- Full Bentley ecosystem
ContextCapture Cloud
- Cloud-based processing
- No local hardware required
- Pay per project
- Web-based viewer
Don't Want to Buy Software?
At THE FUTURE 3D, we own Bentley ContextCapture licenses and use it for client projects. You get professional photogrammetry & mapping deliverables without purchasing software yourself. Get a free project quote →
Bentley ContextCapture Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Handles extremely large datasets (city-scale projects)
- Engineering-grade accuracy for infrastructure applications
- Deep integration with Bentley design and analysis tools
- Multi-GPU support for accelerated processing
- Proven track record with DOT and government agencies
- Supports diverse data sources including LiDAR and photos
Limitations
- Higher cost than consumer photogrammetry tools
- Complex licensing through Bentley Virtuosity or E365
- Steeper learning curve for non-Bentley users
- Primarily Windows-based
Who Should Use Bentley ContextCapture?
Bentley ContextCapture is Best For
- Infrastructure and transportation agencies (DOTs)
- Large-scale corridor mapping (highways, railways, pipelines)
- Organizations already using Bentley design tools
- Bridge and structure inspection documentation
- Utility companies mapping assets at scale
Consider Alternatives If
- Small firms with occasional photogrammetry needs
- Users not in the Bentley ecosystem
- Simple site surveys better served by DroneDeploy or Pix4D
- Budget-conscious single users
Technical Specifications
System Requirements
- Operating System
- Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- RAM
- 32GB minimum, 64GB+ recommended
- Storage
- SSD with 200GB+ free space
- GPU
- NVIDIA GPU with 8GB+ VRAM recommended
Supported File Formats
Integrations & Compatible Platforms
Bentley ContextCapture Alternatives
Depending on your specific needs, these alternatives may also be worth considering.
How We Use Bentley ContextCapture
Our professional workflow leveraging Bentley ContextCapture for client projects.
Collect aerial imagery using DJI Matrice 400 RTK with Zenmuse P1
Import images and GCPs into ContextCapture
Run automatic aerotriangulation with RTK positioning data
Generate georeferenced 3D reality mesh using multi-GPU processing
Export to 3MX, Cesium 3D Tiles, or OBJ for client delivery
Integrate into Bentley iTwin or MicroStation for design workflows
Deliverables We Produce with Bentley ContextCapture
Related Services Using Bentley ContextCapture
Compatible Equipment
Bentley ContextCapture works with data from these scanners and drones that we use.
Industries Using Bentley ContextCapture
Bentley ContextCapture Services Near You
We provide professional photogrammetry & mapping services using Bentley ContextCapture across Southeast Florida. 1-hour response time.
Bentley ContextCapture FAQ
What is Bentley ContextCapture?
Bentley ContextCapture is enterprise-grade reality modeling software that generates 3D models from photographs and laser scans. It is designed for large-scale infrastructure, transportation, and engineering projects.
How much does Bentley ContextCapture cost?
ContextCapture is available through Bentley Virtuosity starting at approximately $291/month, or through enterprise E365 agreements. Cloud processing is available on a per-project basis. Contact Bentley for exact pricing.
What is the difference between ContextCapture and RealityCapture?
ContextCapture is optimized for infrastructure and integrates with Bentley design tools. RealityCapture is faster for general photogrammetry. ContextCapture excels at city-scale projects and DOT workflows.
Can ContextCapture handle large projects?
Yes, ContextCapture is designed for large-scale projects and can process 50,000+ images using multi-GPU acceleration. Its adaptive tiling system handles city-scale datasets efficiently.
Does ContextCapture integrate with MicroStation?
Yes, ContextCapture produces 3D reality meshes that integrate directly into MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer, and other Bentley applications via 3MX and DGN formats.
What is ContextCapture Cloud?
ContextCapture Cloud is a cloud-based processing option that handles computation on Bentley Cloud servers. It eliminates the need for expensive local hardware and provides web-based viewing of results.
Is ContextCapture suitable for DOT projects?
Yes, ContextCapture is widely used by Departments of Transportation nationwide for highway corridor mapping, bridge inspection documentation, and infrastructure asset management.
Can THE FUTURE 3D deliver ContextCapture models?
Yes, we use ContextCapture for infrastructure documentation projects across Southeast Florida. Our workflow integrates aerial drone capture with ContextCapture processing for engineering-grade 3D reality models.
Need Professional Photogrammetry & Mapping Services?
We use Bentley ContextCapture for client projects across Southeast Florida. Get a free quote for your project—no software purchase required.