Considering a switch to Solid Edge? Find out how you can enhance your CAD and product development software to boost productivity and reduce costs. Contact us today
Switching 3D CAD software platforms might seem daunting, but sticking with your current platform just for convenience can cost you valuable time, money, and resources. If you’ve been thinking about switching or aren’t fully satisfied with your current workflow, here are some compelling reasons to consider Solid Edge:
Solid Edge offers a powerful set of 2D and 3D drawing tools that make it easy to share information between engineers, suppliers, and manufacturers. Whether you’re creating drawings from 3D models or using a hybrid approach, Solid Edge supports model-based definition (MBD) with 3D PDFs that include all necessary PMI and digital data. This means you can access and interact with detailed manufacturing data more easily.
No more wasting time on lost work or slow assembly load times. Solid Edge enables real-time work on large assemblies with a smooth, immersive digital experience. Its high-performance capabilities allow designers to view and manipulate even the largest assemblies without lag, stutters, or buffering. With Immersive View Styles, your 3D models are placed in a real-world environment that updates automatically as the model moves, enhancing realism.
When it comes to sheet metal design, Solid Edge excels with specific features that streamline the process. You can easily add drawing details, automate material relief calculations, and develop models from 2D sketches with fewer steps. Plus, you can make changes at any stage of the design process while maintaining design intent.
Solid Edge is designed to learn your workflows and help streamline the design process with a predictive user interface, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. It predicts the operations you’re likely to need based on your past behavior, which boosts your productivity.
Solid Edge is a modular, scalable CAD application available through monthly or annual Siemens Xcelerator-as-a-Service (XaaS) subscriptions. This flexible licensing option connects you to the cloud, reduces IT overhead, manages costs, and scales with your business. With Solid Edge XaaS, you also gain access to exclusive features not available in traditional licenses.
Solid Edge brings powerful, yet easy-to-use, industrial design tools to mechanical engineers. With its intuitive subdivision modeling toolset, you can create complex, aesthetically pleasing surfaces with ease, regardless of your CAD experience level. This capability allows you to incorporate aesthetic design into your product development process efficiently.
Working with imported data can be a challenge for many CAD users, but Solid Edge makes it simple. It easily handles design data from other CAD applications, thanks to enhanced CAD Direct, Data Translation, and Migration features. Whether you’re switching from another system, reusing legacy data, or collaborating with suppliers, Solid Edge ensures that working with third-party files is as easy as working with native data.
Why spend time re-creating 3D models? Solid Edge, powered by synchronous technology, provides smart tools that work seamlessly with mesh or triangle-based data. You can revise mesh density, fix geometry issues, and use feature-like operations to add elements like holes, rounds, and cuts. It’s easy to create new designs, respond to change requests, and update multiple parts simultaneously. Solid Edge treats multi-CAD data like native files, supporting seamless collaboration with partners and suppliers.
Collaborate instantly, securely, and effortlessly with colleagues, partners, and clients using Siemens’ advanced cloud collaboration tool, Teamcenter Share. It is included in your Solid Edge XaaS subscription and available with eligible Solid Edge portfolio products purchased online. With seamless integration, robust productivity tools, and expanded storage and file support, you can enhance communication and drive projects forward from any location, on any device.
Solid Edge is a comprehensive software suite, offering a wide range of applications and features that make it the go-to choice for professionals across various industries and companies of all sizes. However, its extensive capabilities can be a bit overwhelming for first-time users, even those with prior CAD experience.
To help you get started, we provide a variety of self-guided tutorials that cover everything from the Solid Edge Graphical User Interface (GUI) to the basics of 2D and 3D modeling. New users can learn the essentials in as little as one hour!
For those transitioning from SOLIDWORKS, the Command Finder in Solid Edge is a handy tool. Simply enter a familiar SOLIDWORKS command, and it will show you the equivalent command in Solid Edge, making the switch smoother and more intuitive.
Most CAD companies rely on the "File Open" method for working with non-native CAD data. Solid Edge, however, stands out by being able to open data from a wide variety of systems, including SOLIDWORKS, STRC, ProE, Inventor, CATIA, and AutoCAD. Despite this capability, there are some limitations to this method, which is why we recommend using the SOLIDWORKS Data Migration Tool instead.
Here are some of the benefits of using the SOLIDWORKS Data Migration Tool:
Drawing Migration: When you migrate a drawing of an assembly, all views, balloons, and the bill of materials are seamlessly transferred into Solid Edge.
Subassemblies & Assembly Relationships: The "Assembly Relationship Manager" in Solid Edge provides a summary of all assembly relationships within a particular assembly. You can modify these relationships directly within the Manager, all of which are imported straight from the SOLIDWORKS files. If you check the "Pathfinder," you’ll see that all parts maintain their relationships within the assembly.
Rearrange Drawing Views: You can easily drag any view around within a drawing, and all related views will stay aligned as they should.
Hole Features: The SOLIDWORKS Data Migration Tool migrates hole features specifically as holes, meaning you can easily select and modify them within Solid Edge.
Material & Property Migration: Materials and custom properties migrate from SOLIDWORKS to Solid Edge, allowing you to make edits without having to alter any sketches. You can simply drag faces or enter new values to adjust parts.
Fully Associated Files: Since part and drawing files are fully associated, any changes you make to a part file will automatically update the related drawing files. This eliminates the need to duplicate work or make additional updates manually.
The short answer: YES, many companies are making the switch to Solid Edge. Here are a few real-world examples:
Chantiers de l'Atlantique: This industry-leading shipbuilder uses Solid Edge to refine complex and detailed design concepts. They previously managed the immense complexity of designing and constructing massive cruise ships, like the Wonder of the Seas, using multiple CAD packages and ERP software solutions. To optimize the creation of the cabins, they switched from SOLIDWORKS® to the integrated Solid Edge software, now utilized by their in-house design teams, engineers, and marine experts.
DesignPlan: This multinational urban lighting company switched to Solid Edge after 25 years of experience with other CAD solutions. With Solid Edge's synchronous technology, they can now design customized products quickly and efficiently without compromising on quality.
B&P Littleford: B&P Littleford faced the challenge of delivering designs on time across various machinery projects. They needed to release design drawings cleanly and concisely without requiring excessive engineering change orders (ECOs). The challenge was to speed up the process, become more efficient, and still maintain creativity and innovation. After switching to Solid Edge from SOLIDWORKS, the company has never looked back.
According to Matt Lombard, a well-known CAD blogger and online influencer, Solid Edge has something for everyone, especially SOLIDWORKS users looking for an alternative. Read the full article here.
Siemens exclusively uses the Parasolid kernel for all of our CAD products, including Solid Edge—making us the first in the industry to offer this from a single provider. This allows us to deliver a wide range of capabilities at different price points in a cost-effective, scalable package. Both Solid Edge and SOLIDWORKS operate on the Parasolid kernel, which essentially serves as the operating system for any 3D CAD software platform. Whether you're drawing a line or performing a calculation, it's Parasolid that does the heavy lifting.
Since Siemens owns, develops, and openly shares Parasolid, we can offer unparalleled protection for your company's data and technology investments. This also ensures seamless data migration from other CAD products that operate on Parasolid.
Learn more: The Hidden Cost of Swapping CAD Kernels by Schnitger Corporation
Solid Edge offers unmatched performance when it comes to handling large, complex assemblies. If you're used to dealing with frequent crashes and 20+ minute load times with your current CAD system, you'll be impressed by how much faster and more reliable Solid Edge is compared to other professional CAD solutions on the market.
As designs grow more complex, the number of parts in an assembly often increases. Solid Edge makes it quick and easy to create and manage even the largest assemblies without any lags or crashes. You can create precise digital mockups of all components—including tubes, pipes, wires, weldments, and sheet metal—allowing for more accurate design and analysis. With Solid Edge, you can quickly detect and resolve clashes and interferences, generate assembly instructions, and conduct customer reviews, all of which help reduce the need for costly prototypes.
Solid Edge offers a comprehensive portfolio of affordable, easy-to-use software tools that cover every aspect of the product development process, including 3D design, simulation, manufacturing, data management, and more. It combines the speed and simplicity of direct modeling with the flexibility and control of parametric design, thanks to its synchronous technology.
Solid Edge is updated annually, with each release focused on delivering new features and enhancements that matter most to our customers. Unlike many other CAD tools, Solid Edge ensures that your legacy data remains protected with each update.
As part of the comprehensive Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of software and services, Solid Edge serves as an excellent entry point for small- and medium-sized manufacturers. It offers flexible options to access different Siemens products as your business expands.
More information about what’s new in the latest version of Solid Edge is available here.
Solid Edge is certified to run on a range of operating systems. You can find a detailed list of system requirements here.
Solid Edge is available by subscription on a monthly basis. Select the plan that suits your needs, ranging from – 2D/3D design and automated drawing production to advanced functionality such as assembly design, sheet metal, simulation and engineering libraries – all for a reasonable monthly fee – including maintenance and support.
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