Siemens Solid Edge
Siemens Solid Edge is the mid-market CAD product from Siemens, sitting between the high-end NX and pure cloud entrants like Onshape and Autodesk Fusion. It pairs the Parasolid kernel (shared with NX) with synchronous-technology direct/parametric hybrid modeling and a pragmatic price point for SMB machine-builders, fabricators, and consumer-product designers.
Context
Solid Edge originated at Intergraph in 1996, was acquired by UGS in 1998, and entered Siemens with the 2007 UGS deal. It has remained a separate product line from NX, with annual major releases (Solid Edge 2026 at the time of writing) and embedded simulation, CAM, and PDM modules (Solid Edge Data Management, Solid Edge PLM).
What it implements
- CAD 3D Design — synchronous + ordered hybrid modeling.
- CAD 2D Drafting with the integrated drafting environment.
- CAD Assembly for large-assembly machine designs.
- CAM Programming via the Solid Edge CAM Pro module.
- PDM via Solid Edge Data Management (SEDM) and Teamcenter integration.
Relationships (see sidebar)
- Part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio (mid-market CAD seat).
- Competes with SolidWorks, PTC Creo, Autodesk Inventor, and PTC Onshape.
Vendor
Siemens Digital Industries Software.
Resources
- Solid Edge – Mainstream 3D CAD — official product page
- What is Siemens Solid Edge? — official overview
- Introducing Solid Edge 2025: Innovate without limits — official 2025 launch video
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