Capabilities
Best-in-class 3D design
Next Generation Design
The future of 3D product development—generative modeling, additive manufacturing and reverse engineering, enabled by Convergent Modeling technology.
Synchronous Technology
Combining the speed and simplicity of direct modeling with the flexibility and control of parametric design.
Sheet Metal Design
Build complete sheet metal design system with support for the entire design-through-fabrication process.
Assembly Modeling & Management
Superior assembly performance, whether you’re dealing with a few components or hundreds of thousands of parts.
Modular Plant Design
Streamline your P&ID workflow process with database-driven access to pipe specifications.
CAD Drawing & Drafting
Drawing layout, detailing, annotation and dimensioning controls that automatically comply with mechanical drafting standards.
Cloud-Ready Design
Easy access across different devices, instant configuration of your CAD environment, and quick sharing of data with team members, suppliers and customers.
Model-Based Definition
Realize significant gains in manufacturing productivity; spend less time on engineering documentation using fully digital processes.
Adaptive UI
Improve productivity with new adaptive user interface capabilities that harness artificial intelligence to predict next steps based on user behavior.
Offer
Siemens Mechanical Design Software
Find out how you can get the most powerful and flexible solution for mechanical design, perfectly tailored to your needs – and your budget.
Parasolid Inside
The engine behind Solid Edge is Siemens Parasolid® software, the most widely used computer-aided geometric modeling kernel in the industry. Parasolid delivers 100 percent 3D model compatibility between product development applications. By enabling the creation and modification of digital 3D models, Solid Edge delivers on the Siemens commitment to provide digital transformation capabilities to its users. Digital transformation allows even the smallest organizations to leverage technology to level the playing field with large enterprises.
There’s a Solid Edge 3D design package that’s right for you.
Choose the features you want at the value you need.
Solid Edge Design and Drafting
Get started quickly with our most affordable 3D CAD package! Solid Edge Design and Drafting includes basic part and assembly design, automated drawings, basic animation and rendering, 3D print preparation and cloud-enabled productivity.
Solid Edge Foundation
Our complete 3D CAD includes all the functionality of Solid Edge Design and Drafting, plus added sheet metal, frame and weldments, surface modeling. 2.5 axis milling and plastic part design functionality. It includes bulk migrators, design configuration and built-in capabilities for basic FEA simulation for stress, motion and vibration.
Solid Edge Classic
Solid Edge Classic is everything you need in a 3D CAD package, including all the capabilities of Solid Edge Foundation, plus advanced features such as design for cost, reverse engineering (3D scanning) an artificial intelligence UI, subdivision modeling, generative design, photo-realistic rendering, dynamic visualization, CAD Direct, a standard parts library, vendor catalog integration and engineering references (springs, gears, etc.).
Solid Edge Premium
Our ultimate and most popular 3D CAD package, Solid Edge Premium includes everything included in the feature set of Solid Edge Classic, with the addition of advanced motion simulation, advanced stress simulation, simulation optimization, point cloud visualization, electrical routing, PCB collaboration and pipe and tube design.
| Solid Edge Features | Design & Drafting | Foundation | Classic | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic part and assembly design | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2D drafting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Import/export to all popular 2D/3D file formats | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Synchronous Technology (intelligent direct editing) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Data management | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mesh modeling (convergent technology) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visualization tools | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cloud enabled | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Prep for additive manufacturing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Basic motion simulation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced part and assembly design | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sheet metal design | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Frame and weldments | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Bulk migrators | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Surface modeling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Simulation for parts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 2.5 Axis milling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Subdivision modeling (advanced surfacing) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Photorealistic rendering | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Standard parts & Libraries (nuts, bolts, etc.) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Vendor catalog integration (CADENAS) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Adaptive UI | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Reverse engineering | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Dynamic visualization | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Engineering reference (springs, CAMS, gears, etc.) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| CAD Direct | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Design for cost | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Generative design | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Pipe and tube design | ✓ | |||
| PCB collaboration | ✓ | |||
| Electrical routing | ✓ | |||
| Point cloud visualization | ✓ | |||
| Linear stress simulation (parts/assemblies) | ✓ | |||
| Advanced motion simulation | ✓ | |||
| Simulation optimization | ✓ |
Offers
Free 3D design software
Free software for your startup
Early-stage startups in business for less than three years can apply to get Solid Edge for free. No application fee!
Download Free Solid Edge for Students
Build the skills you need with Solid Edge Student Edition software—a free version of the same easy-to-use software suite used by professionals.
Videos
Mechanical design in Solid Edge 2025
Solid Edge continues to improve in the area of design with each new release.
Customer Stories
How real companies are seeing the benefits of 3D design
Agricultural equipment manufacturer speeds up product design with Solid Edge
Dramatic improvements in product development using Solid Edge and MACsheet SEG5
Integrated design-through-manufacturing system delivers a custom wooden cell phone case in just three hours; also opens door to new markets
Economic downturn drives change in strategy
Hydraulic power manufacturer cuts down reliance on prototypes
Whales uses Solid Edge to optimize design and cut development time
Integration of project planning, pipe routing and 3D design
