This is a question posed often on different subjects: is Holden better than Ford, are Apple Mac’s better than PC’s, is Solid works better than Solid Edge, or even, is feature based modelling better than direct edit? In reality, the answer given is not usually which is best, but which is most familiar! We all find reasons to justify what we know as being the best solution and because we are familiar with what we know, trying something new always feels harder or less intuitive, because it does things differently to what we are used to. This quite often applies to upgrades too. You will pay for the latest releases under product maintenance, but then not look (or say you do not have time to look at) what is new and what could possibly make you more productive! Many people see software upgrades as purely a way of software companies making sure you keep making your annual payments, but I have seen many enhancement requests implemented in newer versions – certainly things that make you work more efficiently. So why not spend a little bit of time in the short term to save you more time in the future? So how do you decide which style of modelling is better? Back in 2013, Engineering.com wrote an article “Is feature-based modelling now obsolete?” They looked at three different aspects of design, clean sheet design, design re-use and working with imported geometry and the consensus was that direct edit gives you more scope to design freely and make edits more quickly, thus speeding up the design process. I have also found a quote from a group discussion asking “Which is best, direct or history”? I keep hearing people say that the timeline is so powerful because you can go back and edit a sketch or feature and have everything downstream auto update. I'm sorry, but that whole line is a load of crap. 9 times out of 10, changes made to upstream sketches and features breaks most of the model going downstream, unless you spend 20x more time prefiguring everything out. You’re playing the what-if game when designing. So, you spend a ton of time solving all the what-ifs to have a solid stable model. In my view, the real answer is that both will have their own strengths and weaknesses and you will need to decide what is important to your specific needs. The most basic rule of thumb says that if you need to build complex shapes (ie lofts, sweeps or surfaces) then you are best to use history modelling, whereas for most other parts, direct edit will enable you to get the design done faster and make edits quicker. The above quote also talks about one of the biggest drawbacks with history-based modelling - failed features after edits. Once you start modifying features high in the feature tree, you have no idea what effects it will have once the model starts to regenerate and this may leave you with a big task to fix up what has broken. Often, minor failures are left as the design changes need to be completed quickly and will add to the frustrations at a later date, especially when you have no idea what was done to cause it in the first place. How many have been there and done that? When Synchronous Technology was first released, Siemens used a diagram to display the strengths and weaknesses of both history and direct edit modelling, and this has not changed a great deal in recent years. What it does also show is that Synchronous Technology (ST) utilises a lot of the best functionality of both design styles. Despite ST now being over ten years old, it is interesting that none of its competitors have come up with anything closely matching its capabilities. Here is a video I have put together looking at some of the differences of both types of systems and when you learn when to use each, you can certainly become a lot more productive. Matt Lombard published an eBook that gives a good history of the CAD industry and what brought about the feature based modelling revolution and is an interesting read. In summary, what is best and is it possible to decide whether Solid Edge is better than Solidworks or Inventor? A lot comes down to what you base your decision making on (and this can also be skewed by what you know or favour), as all mainstream CAD programs can achieve most of whatever design work you need. Personally, I think that it should mostly come down to whether it can do the job and is it the most efficient design tool, because, let's be honest, timeframes to complete your work are not getting longer? Ultimately, in my view, Solid Edge has to come out on top, as it offers the most flexible solution – either permanent or floating licencing, a large set of integrated tools, such as electrical, plant design, CAM, rendering and simulationbut, the biggest advantage of all, is that you are effectively getting two cad systems for the one price - feature based AND direct edit parametric modelling, meaning that you can use the best system for the job, whatever that may be and therefore get the job done faster! Also, remember that time spent learning new skills, while costing you time in the short term, can save you a lot more time in the long term! For example, would you recommend a tyre mechanic in a Formula 1 pit-stop to use a traditional spanner, as you know it works and that is how it was done in the past or would you use pneumatic tools? Solid Edge - Design Better. All the features you want. All the value you need.

Generative Design seems to be the new buzz-word and is touted to be the technology that is going to change the engineering world, but what is it and is it enough on its own? In the past, designers have worked hard to optimise designs, reducing weight to make their products lighter and less costly to make. I can remember one of my customers going through this process over ten years ago. By making the parts lighter, the customer was able to reduce their manufacturing costs and their customers benefited by having a lighter product that could be used on smaller vehicles – a win-win for both! The process to achieve this involves an engineer using their knowledge and experience to work out how and where the weight of the parts can be cut away and then run it through a FEA study to determine what effect this has. The process is repeated until an optimal design has been reached, but is limited by the inspiration of the engineer, the modelling capabilities of the CAD software and the time and money you wish to spend on it. The new generative design tools that are emerging are running the same process, but in a more automated way. The process starts in the same way you would set up a stress analysis study, by specifying the fixed points and the loads, along with specifying any regions of the model that need to be preserved. The next step is to specify what sort of improvement you are aiming for, whether it be a proportionate reduction in mass or a fixed amount and what are the allowable stress values you are happy to live with. The analysis will work out the low stress points and remove material from where it is not needed, leaving a much lighter part. See the whole process in this video: Obviously, the resultant model is far from what anyone would imagine or design (some of which would be hard to model) and would have only been able to be manufactured in the past by casting, which can be expensive, especially for short runs. Now, the technology behind 3D printing is growing at an amazing rate and is really becoming a viable option for production parts. One of the nice things about the Siemens implementation is that the resultant body has quite a smooth finish – see the following example. One problem that many systems using this process have, is that the model created using the generative design process is a mesh model, similar to what you would get from reverse engineering – great for 3D printing, but how is this used in assemblies when your overall design is built with B-REP (boundary representation) models? What does this mean? Firstly, it means that there are no true “faces” in a mesh model, so you will be unable to build relationships between it and any normal part in an assembly. Secondly, there are no easy ways to make modifications to the model. The following diagram shows this graphically. The next part is the critical bit and shows that Siemens look at the whole picture, not just isolated developments. With the introduction of generative design in ST10, Siemens also enhanced the reverse engineering features and added the ability to add features on to mesh data (named convergent modelling). Both of these techniques enhance the workflow, so that mesh models can become more integrated with B-Rep models in an assembly. This video shows how a mesh model can be modified and B-REP surfaces added so that the mesh model can be used: To round off the whole workflow, Siemens have also made it easier to 3D print models (mesh or B-REP), with new tools to position and select material when printing to your own 3D printers. A portal has also established for you look for providers of 3D printing services, which will quote a price and offer delivery schedules for printing your models. So how do these tools fit in to the current software? Solid Edge Generative Design is available in both Solid Edge Classic and Premium, and allows you to set up and run full generative design studies. This allows for visualization of optimum light weighted/minimal material designs, primarily used as “inspiration”, requiring you to go through the manual process of designing a b-rep part around it. Generative Design Pro (which is an add-on to classic and premium) allows you to not only generate the optimum design, but also to release the mesh body from the study and make edits directly to the model. This includes adding or deleting features, using all reverse engineering tools, and generally having access to all convergent modeling techniques available in Solid Edge. As for the other tools, convergent modelling (mesh data reuse) and additive manufacturing are available in all 3D versions of Solid Edge. So, in summary, Siemens are not only providing the next generation tools, but have the foresight to ensure they are not isolated functions, but truly integrated into a workflow that will ensure maximum benefits.

I recently read an article called “What sets Solid Edge apart from Solidworks” that looks at why Siemens are the leading mid-range CAD provider. In the article, it looks at the use of Synchronous Technology and the forward thinking of using the Surface Pro for design on the go. This is true to a certain extent, but doesn’t explain the why. The latest release of Solid Edge emphasises what makes Solid Edge stand out – the developers. Over the years, the Solid Edge development team have shown that they stay in touch with what the market is doing and actually develop tools that will help designers by working faster and designing better. The first sign of this was sheet metal being introduced as a separate environment back in v3.5 (the only half release in Solid Edge’s history), then surface modelling in v14 (not new, but this brought a totally new approach to improving the way surfaces are built) and Synchronous Technology showed how Direct Edit (parametric) modelling can remove a lot of the headaches that can be found in feature based modelling – understanding other peoples design, no visibility of how updates will affect downstream features and modifying imported files. The new tools in ST10 continue this trend with the introduction of Generative design, reverse engineering and Additive manufacturing and while they are not the final product, they do show how Siemens are moving in the right direction. Generative Design – Find out more Reverse Engineering – Find out more Additive Manufacturing – Find out more

Free 30 day Solid Edge trial Try award-winning Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology and see how you can design better. ​ You’ll get access to the full version of Solid Edge complete with part modelling, assembly design, drafting and simulation with this free trial. ​ So what makes Solid Edge stand out from the rest? ​ Direct parametric modeling (Synchronous Technology) AND feature based modelling (ordered) Best of class production drawing Intuitive user interface with unsurpassed ease of use Free (compatible) 2D only Built on its’ own modelling kernel (parasolid) and geometry solvers Process specific sheet metal 4 different price/capability entry points to cover your needs at the best price and many more ​ Please note that this is Windows software only. Please let us know if you are interested in any of the add-on products, such as CAM, plant design, electrical, etc, as these will need to be handled separately. ​ Have a look at this for more reasons and inspiration for choosing Solid Edge. blog Take the risk free trial and see for yourself and we'll help every step of the way! Register here First Name Last Name Email Phone Company Address City Postcode Comments Thanks for submitting! Submit

Solid Edge Femap Teamcenter Solid Edge​ Speed up product design with the most efficient, easy to use, and integrated 2D and 3D software in the industry. Solid Edge Trial Download your Solid Edge 30 day free trial and see the full benefits of this world leading CAD software first hand. More Info Solid Edge Subscriptions Get the world leading Solid Edge CAD software when you need it with monthly subscriptions from our online store. More Info Download spec sheet “Solid edge has transformed the way we deliver to our customers. When we purchased the package I was apprehensive (being a first time solids drawer) about how long it would take me to learn it. I took to it like a duck to water, finding it incredibly easy to understand and use compared to the other packages we looked at. With CAD Central's exceptional back up service and help, we have easily cut our lead times by more than half and bang for buck I doubt Solid Edge can be beaten. It is a great product." ​ Stephen Besley Gunabros Systems Ltd Femap ​ Analyse your designs for integrity, quality, and physical safety with world class Finite Element Analysis (FEA) from Siemens. Femap Trial Get a free 30 day trial version of Femap with NX Nastran. More Info Femap Subscriptions Get Femap on a monthly subscription basis. More Info Download spec sheet Teamcenter ​ Teamcenter Rapid Start delivers the world's most widely implemented product data management (PDM) solution, preconfigured to leverage common best practices. Download spec sheet “Managing the data and status of many projects was proving too difficult using file based systems, but Teamcenter Rapid Start has helped us to be more focussed, share information more easily and ensure everyone is using the correct information. Knowing that Teamcenter works well with most CAD formats means that we are not locked in to a single CAD solution. Rapid Start gave us the foundation to hit the ground running, with the pre-configured options, but also peace of mind that we can easily customise what we need and expand our solution should the need arise. The new Active Workspace offers a new level of functionality, with its user friendliness and ability to interact with Teamcenter, participate in workflows, etc, all from within you CAD session interface.” -Tony Carpenter, Best Bars Ltd.

Solid Edge SE 2020 Fact Sheet SE 2019 fact sheet Brochures & fact sheets Overview Siemens Solid Edge is a comprehensive 2D/3D CAD system for creating, documenting and managing 3D digital prototypes. It has tailored commands and workflows to accelerate design within specific industries. Accurate fit and function of parts is ensured by designing, analysing and modifying them within the Assembly Model. Solid Edge users regularly create massive assemblies, often with more than 100,000 parts. With lightweight and simplified part representations, and powerful selection and display tools, Solid Edge makes it easy to work with large assemblies. You can build and visualize digital designs, and minimize the need for costly physical prototypes. What's new in Solid Edge 2021 Transitioning from Ordered to Synchronous modelling Transitioning to Solid Edge from other CAD systems Getting started with Solid Edge if you're new to CAD 2D nesting in Solid Edge allows you to optimize cutting patterns--saving time and material costs. With Solid Edge 2D Nesting, generate optimized layouts for the two-dimensional cutting of fabrication materials, including sheet metal, plastic, wood, fabric and textiles. The demand to design more innovative products that meet increasing customer needs, but are simpler to use, cheaper to manufacture, meet regulations and combat your competition has never been so critical. Dan Staples will illustrate how to welcome product development complexity with a toolset that balances breadth and depth, and keeps productivity the priority. Comprehensive Digital Prototyping Top-down and bottom-up modelling techniques are enabled by Solid Edge’s assembly-centric design environment. The original design intent is captured and maintained throughout the design process. Simulation and Optimization Frames and welding Key Features Visualisation Conceptual Mechanisms Electrical Routing Ease of Adoption Solid Edge has minimal dialog boxes, predicts user intent, and makes recommendations based on your cursor position and selected features. The Smartstep ribbon bar guides you through a logical sequence and filters out what can be taken for granted. Unparalleled ease of use means you spend less time fighting the CAD system and more time on your designs. Speed up the design process with Synchronous Technology You no longer have to choose between constraint-driven or history-free modelling. Enjoy the freedom of reusing models, and seamlessly use data from multiple CAD systems. Flexible modelling in Solid Edge Solid Edge enables you to change your designs easily and quickly so that you can adapt to changes as and when they happen. Practical evolution from 2D to 3D Solid Edge’s production proven 2D drafting helps you get the job done today, while moving to 3D at your own pace and with less expense. Text boxes can contain bullets and numbering for flexible drawing production. Complete digital prototyping Support for massive assembly Superior sheet metal tools. Industry leading sheet metal design Solid Edge is known as the best sheet metal designer, but add in synchronous technology and sheet metal design has never been so easy. ROI of Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology How can changing your modeling paradigm really impact your bottom line? Can something as simple as improving drawing creation increase your return on investment (ROI)? For most users, there’s a bigger impact than they think. In this eBook, we examine the ROI of Solid Edge based on feedback from real Solid Edge users. We spoke to hundreds of customers about how Solid Edge with synchronous technology has saved them time, money, and frustration. We compiled their responses in this eBook, which explores how real users are improving their product development processes, and the impact those improvements have on maximizing your returns. With detailed examples from each functional area, quantified time savings and real customer quotes, you can use this eBook to calculate what Solid Edge can do for you. Or, use our interactive Solid Edge ROI calculator linked in the back of the document, and let us do the math for you. One of the biggest advantages users realized was the ability to create and edit 3D CAD models faster and easier through our unique synchronous technology –combining the speed and simplicity of direct modeling with the flexibility and control of parametric design. Synchronous technology allows you to rapidly create new concept designs, easily respond to change requests, and make simultaneous updates to multiple parts within an assembly. With this design flexibility, you can eliminate cumbersome preplanning and avoid feature failures, rebuild issues, and time-consuming rework. The power of synchronous technology also allows you to treat multi-CAD data just like native files, supporting seamless collaboration with suppliers and partners. In this eBook, we’ll look at just a few of the areas where customers say they are seeing ROI from Solid Edge: ​ Design to support new products Re-engineering of existing products Searching for existing CAD data Creating Bills of Materials (BOMs) Planning and conducting design reviews Creating, checking, and editing drawings Editing imported or supplier models Creating documentation “Solid edge has transformed the way we deliver to our customers. When we purchased the package I was apprehensive (being a first time solids drawer) about how long it would take me to learn it. I took to it like a duck to water, finding it incredibly easy to understand and use compared to the other packages we looked at. With CAD Central's exceptional back up service and help, we have easily cut our lead times by more than half and bang for buck I doubt Solid Edge can be beaten. It is a great product." ​ Stephen Besley Gunabros Systems Ltd What people say Download the eBook today, and find out what Solid Edge can do for you. Download here