SolidWorks Electrical 3D
Building design and building information modeling (BIM) software
CAD software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
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What is SolidWorks Electrical 3D
SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D is a CAD add-on that links electrical schematic design with 3D mechanical CAD to plan and route electrical wiring, harnesses, and components in a 3D assembly. It is used by electrical and mechanical design teams to coordinate panel layouts, cable routing, and connection data within product designs. The tool focuses on electromechanical collaboration by synchronizing electrical project data with the 3D model to reduce inconsistencies between schematics and physical routing.
Schematic-to-3D data synchronization
It connects electrical project data (components, wires, connections) to the 3D assembly so changes can be reflected across disciplines. This supports coordination between electrical schematics and physical routing without relying solely on manual re-entry. It is particularly relevant for teams that design both electrical documentation and mechanical packaging in the same workflow.
3D routing within assemblies
It supports planning and routing of wires/cables in the context of the mechanical model, helping designers check fit and path constraints. This can reduce late-stage clashes between wiring and mechanical parts compared with 2D-only electrical documentation. The approach aligns with electromechanical product design needs rather than building-focused modeling.
Integration with SOLIDWORKS CAD
As part of the SOLIDWORKS ecosystem, it works within established SOLIDWORKS assembly and component workflows. This can simplify adoption for organizations already standardizing on SOLIDWORKS for mechanical design. It also enables reuse of existing 3D models and libraries within the same CAD environment.
Not BIM-centric for buildings
Despite supporting 3D electrical design, it is primarily oriented to electromechanical product design rather than building information modeling workflows. Building-specific objects, documentation conventions, and coordination processes common in BIM tools may require separate systems. For AEC projects, teams may need additional software to meet BIM deliverable requirements.
Requires disciplined data management
Effective synchronization between schematics and 3D depends on consistent component definitions, libraries, and project structure. Organizations without standardized electrical parts data may face setup effort before realizing benefits. Multi-user collaboration may require additional process controls and, in some environments, supporting data management tooling.
Learning curve across disciplines
Users often need familiarity with both electrical design concepts and 3D CAD assembly context to work efficiently. Mechanical and electrical teams may need training to align on shared conventions for routing, naming, and change control. This can slow initial rollout compared with simpler 2D drafting approaches.
Seller details
Dassault Systèmes SE
Vélizy-Villacoublay, France
1981
Public
https://www.3ds.com/
https://x.com/3DS
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dassaultsystemes/
