# Solid Edge

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Software for 3D computer-aided design

Solid Edge Solid Edge screen Developer Siemens Digital Industries Software Release 1995; 31 years ago (1995) Stable release Solid Edge 2024 / October 11, 2023; 2 years ago (2023-10-11)[1] Operating system Windows Type CAD software License Proprietary Website solidedge.siemens.com

**Solid Edge** is a [3D](/source/3D_computer_graphics) [computer-aided design](/source/Computer-aided_design) (CAD), [parametric feature](/source/Parametric_feature_based_modeler) and synchronous technology [solid modeling](/source/Solid_modeling) software. It runs on [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) and provides solid modeling, [assembly modelling](/source/Assembly_modelling) and [2D orthographic view](/source/Technical_drawing) functions for [mechanical](/source/Mechanical_engineering) designers. Through third party applications it has links to many other [product lifecycle](/source/Product_lifecycle) management technologies.

Originally developed and released by [Intergraph](/source/Intergraph) in 1996, using the [ACIS](/source/ACIS) [geometric modeling kernel](/source/Geometric_modeling_kernel), it changed to using the [Parasolid](/source/Parasolid) kernel when it was purchased and further developed by [UGS Corp.](/source/UGS_Corp.), in 1998. In 2007, UGS was acquired by the Automation & Drives Division of [Siemens](/source/Siemens) AG. UGS company was renamed [Siemens Digital Industries Software](/source/Siemens_Digital_Industries_Software) on October 1, 2007.

Since September 2006, Siemens has also offered a [freeware](/source/Freeware) 2D version named Solid Edge 2D Drafting. Solid Edge is available in Design and Drafting, Foundation, Classic, or Premium. The Premium package includes all features of Classic plus mechanical and electrical routing software, and engineering simulation abilities for [computer-aided engineering](/source/Computer-aided_engineering) (CAE).[2]

Solid Edge is a direct competitor to [SolidWorks](/source/SolidWorks), [Creo](/source/PTC_Creo), [Inventor](/source/Autodesk_Inventor), [IRONCAD](/source/IRONCAD), and others.

## Modeling

### Ordered

The ordered modeling process begins with a base feature controlled by a 2D sketch, which is either a linear, revolved, lofted, or swept extrusion. Each subsequent feature is built on the previous feature. When editing, the model is "rolled back" to the point where the feature was created so that the user cannot try to apply constraints to geometry that does not yet exist. The drawback is that the user does not see how the edit will interact with subsequent features. This is typically called *history* or *regeneration based* modeling. In both ordered and synchronous mode, Solid Edge offers powerful, easy, yet stable modeling in hybrid surface/solid mode, where *Rapid Blue* technology helps to create complex shapes intuitively and easily.

### Direct

The Direct modeling features allows changing model geometry and topology without being hindered by a native model's existing, or an imported model's lack of, parametric or history data. This is very useful for working with imported models or complex native models. Direct modeling features are available in both Ordered and Synchronous mode. If used in Ordered mode, direct modeling edits are appended to the history tree at the point of current rollback, just like any other ordered feature.

### Synchronous

The software combines [direct modeling](#Direct_modeling) with [dimension driven design](/source/Parametric_feature_based_modeler) (features and synchronously solving parametrics) under the name "Synchronous Technology".[3] Parametric relationships can be applied directly to the solid features without having to depend on 2D sketch geometry, and common parametric relationships are applied automatically.

Unlike other direct modeling systems, it is not driven by the typical history-based modeling system, instead providing [parametric dimension-driven modeling](/source/Parametric_feature_based_modeler#Parametric_Solid_modeling_CAD) by synchronizing geometry, parameters and rules using a decision-making engine, allowing users to apply unpredicted changes. This object-driven editing model is known as the [Object Action Interface](/source/Object_Action_Interface), which emphasizes a User Interface that provides Direct Manipulation of objects (DMUI). ST2 added support for [sheet metal](/source/Sheet_metal) designing, and also recognizing bends, folds and other features of imported sheet metal parts.

Synchronous Technology has been integrated into Solid Edge and another Siemens commercial CAD software, [NX](/source/Siemens_NX), as an application layer built on the [D-Cubed](/source/D-Cubed) and [Parasolid](/source/Parasolid) software components.

### Convergent Modeling

With Solid Edge ST10, Siemens introduced Convergent Modeling which adds the ability to work with [polygon mesh](/source/Polygon_mesh) data alongside more traditional solid and surface modelling techniques.

### Assembly

An assembly is built from individual part documents connected by mating constraints, as well as assembly features and directed parts like frames which only exist in the Assembly context. Solid Edge supports large assemblies with over 1,000,000 parts.

Shovel created on Solid Edge

## Features

A draft file consists of the 3D model projected to one or more 2D views of a part or assembly file.

Solid Edge integrates with Windows Indexing, [SharePoint](/source/SharePoint) or [Teamcenter](/source/Teamcenter) to provide product lifecycle management. Solid Edge also integrates with product lifecycle management products from third parties. Solid Edge ST9 brought a new data management capability that leverages the Windows file indexing service to add basic data management functions with no need for an added server or set-up.

Solid Edge provides support for [finite element analysis](/source/Finite_element_analysis) (FEA) starting with Solid Edge ST2 version released in 2009. These functions are based on [Siemens Digital Industries Software](/source/Siemens_Digital_Industries_Software)'s existing [Femap](/source/Femap) and [NX Nastran](/source/NX_Nastran) technologies. From Solid Edge 2019 there were also [computational fluid dynamics](/source/Computational_fluid_dynamics) functions added from [Mentor Graphics](/source/Mentor_Graphics)' FloEFD, and with Solid Edge 2020 Rigid Body Motion, transient dynamic analysis was added.

## See also

- [Freeform surface modelling](/source/Freeform_surface_modelling)

- [Comparison of computer-aided design software](/source/Comparison_of_computer-aided_design_software)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Introducing Solid Edge 2024"](https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/solidedge/introducing-solid-edge-2024/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240207012338/https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/solidedge/introducing-solid-edge-2024/) from the original on 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2024-02-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Solid Edge"](http://structures.aero/products/solidedge/). *Structures.Aero*. SDA. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150715021925/http://structures.aero/products/solidedge/) from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["What is Synchronous Technology?"](https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/global/en/topic/synchronous-technology-ebook/28107). *Siemens Software*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200925074321/https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/global/en/topic/synchronous-technology-ebook/28107) from the original on 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2020-06-01.

## External links

- [Official website](https://solidedge.siemens.com)

v t e Siemens Digital Industries Software Components Synchronous Technology Parasolid DirectModel D-Cubed Applications Teamcenter NX (Unigraphics) NX Nastran NX I-DEAS Tecnomatix Plant Simulation Solid Edge Femap Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Jack Companies Applicon EAI SDRC Tecnomatix UGS

v t e Computer-aided design (CAD) software Free and open-source Mechanical 2D (CADD) LibreCAD QCAD rattleCAD SteamCAD XTrackCAD [uk] 2D/3D (CAx/FEx) BRL-CAD FreeCAD FREE!ship [uk] gCAD3D LeoCAD OpenRocket [uk] OpenSCAD OpenVSP Salome SolveSpace XFLR5 [uk] Architectural (AEC) Sweet Home 3D Electrical Electric FreePCB Fritzing gEDA Horizon EDA KiCad kTechLab Magic ngspice Oregano pcb-rnd QUCS SPICE XCircuit Optical Astree/Foucault2 ATMOS Geopter Inkscape#Ray Optics FreeCAD#Optics Workbench Garment Inkscape#Ink/Stitch Valentina Proprietary Mechanical ABViewer Alibre Design AutoCAD Autodesk Alias Autodesk Inventor AutoTURN BrickLink Studio BricsCAD CATIA Cimatron Cobalt Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Creo Parametric DesignSpark Mechanical FastCAD (EasyCAD) FINE FORAN Fusion 360 GstarCAD IRONCAD KeyCreator (CADKEY) Lego Digital Designer MEDUSA4 MicroStation NX Onshape PDMS Pro/DESKTOP Rhinoceros 3D Grasshopper 3D rattleCAD 4.0 Shapr3D Solid Edge SolidWorks Sonata (RUCAPS) SpaceClaim T-FLEX CAD Tinkercad TurboCAD VariCAD ZWCAD Architectural (AEC) Archicad Autodesk Revit LIRA [uk] List of building information modeling software Electrical Allegro (OrCAD) Altium Designer (Protel (Autotrax (Easytrax, Tango PCB)), P-CAD) AutoCAD Electrical BoardStation, IntegraStation, PADS, Xpedition CADSTAR CircuitMaker CR-2000, CR-3000, CR-5000, CR-8000 DesignSpark PCB DipTrace EAGLE EasyEDA LTspice Micro-Cap Multisim PCB Proteus Pulsonix SolidWorks Electrical TARGET TopoR (Delta Design, FreeStyle) Ultiboard Upverter Optical Aber OSLO Zemax Garment Clo3D Embird File formats 3MF ACIS AMF C3D CKD DSN DWF DWFX DWG DXF IGES OBJ OpenDWG PLY PSpice SES STEP STL Modeling kernels ACIS C3D Digital Geometric Kernel (KernelCAD) IntelliCAD Open Cascade Technology Open Design Alliance (Teigha) Romulus (Parasolid) RGK ShapeManager SMLib Historic DAC-1 (1963) Sketchpad (1963) UNISURF (1968) Italics = discontinued Computer-aided industrial design • Comparison • History Media related to CAD at Wikimedia Commons • Engineering portal • Glossary of terms

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Solid Edge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_Edge) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_Edge?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.