An HD 3D rendering of an office space designed with NX, with multiple workspaces, chairs, computers, monitors, lighting and more.

CAD for industry

Building information modeling with NX CAD

Streamline your construction design process by taking a multidiscipline approach to building information modeling (BIM). NX provides a multidiscipline solution that enables you to design building elements, steel structures, P&ID, piping, HVAC, electrical and more, all within a single design tool.

How does NX CAD help with BIM?

A room designed in NX BIM with a 3-seat couch selected from the BIM Library.

NX CAD for BIM is:

  • An advanced 3D parametric design tool that enables you to quickly create and document buildings​
  • Built on the NX foundation– a multi-disciplinary design tool including algorithmic modeling, freeform, steel structure, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) and many more capabilities​
  • A concurrent, collaborative design environment that helps eliminate mistakes that occur when designing in isolated design silos

Benefits of BIM collaboration in Siemens NX

  • Improved collaboration: Facilitates better communication and collaboration among all project stakeholders
  • Increased efficiency: Reduces design errors, rework and construction delays
  • Enhanced decision-making: Provides accurate and up-to-date information for informed decision-making
  • Cost savings: Helps identify potential issues early, reducing costly changes during construction
  • Sustainability: Supports sustainable design practices by optimizing building performance through simulation and analysis

Leverage a comprehensive solution for the entire building lifecycle, from initial design through construction and into operations, with BIM capabilities integrated into NX. This integration enhances collaboration, improves efficiency and ultimately leads to better project outcomes.

BIM modules in NX CAD

Explore the BIM-specific add-on modules available in NX CAD. For more information, check out the add-on modules fact sheet.

Case Study

Max Bögl Group

Case Study

Building specialist optimizes project planning and manufacturing using NX and Teamcenter

Company:Max Bögl Group

Location:Neumarkt, Germany

Siemens Software:NX, Solid Edge

BIM collaboration with NX CAD

BIM collaboration within Siemens NX software involves integrating the advanced 3D design capabilities of NX with BIM workflows to streamline the design, engineering and construction processes.

Learn more about BIM collaboration works within NX CAD.

Integrate NX models and data into larger BIM workflows used by architects, engineers and construction with support for various BIM standards such as IFC (Industry Foundation Classes), which facilitate the exchange of information between different BIM software and platforms.

Experience the full interoperability that NX offers with other BIM tools like Autodesk Revit, ArchiCAD and Bentley Systems. This interoperability allows for the seamless exchange of models and data, ensuring that all stakeholders can work with the most up-to-date information, regardless of the software they use.

Collaborate in real-time on building projects in NX CAD. Within NX, multiple users can work on the same project simultaneously. This is particularly useful in large projects where different teams may be responsible for various aspects of the design. With NX collaboration tools, you can easily manage changes and ensure that everyone is working on the latest version of the model.

Identify and resolve conflicts between different building systems (e.g., structural, mechanical, electrical) early in the design process with NX tools for model validation and clash detection, which are critical in a BIM workflow and reduce the risk of costly rework during construction.

Leverage Siemens Teamcenter PLM (product lifecycle management) integration with NX to enable robust data management and version control. This integration ensures that all design data is centrally managed, with full traceability and version control, making it easier to track changes and manage project documentation.

Create detailed and accurate models with advanced visualization and simulation tools in NX. Visualize the design in 3D, perform simulations to test the performance of building systems, and generate high-quality renderings for presentations and reviews.

Create intelligent models that automatically update when changes are made with NX automated workflows and parametric design capabilities that are essential for efficient BIM collaboration and ensure consistency while reducing manual effort.

The integration of BIM within Siemens NX extends beyond design and construction to the entire lifecycle of the building. This includes operations and maintenance, where the BIM model serves as a valuable resource for managing building assets and systems over time.

What is the difference between CAD and BIM?

2D and 3D CAD (computer-aided design) tools leverage assemblies and components to enable multiple designers to collaborate between different engineering disciplines. In CAD software, design changes in one discipline are immediately visible by other designers. For instance, if a structural steel beam is moved, those designing the HVAC system will be automatically notified and the change can be immediately reviewed.

BIM (building information modeling) software contains information about all the different components represented in a design model for a building structure, such as materials and equipment. Each BIM discipline typically uses specialized BIM software and saves information into a single part file in a proprietary file format. To aggregate the data, data from each discipline is shared via a neutral file format (such as IFC) or translated directly into another BIM software tool. The aggregated data is then analyzed for changes and necessary design modifications are identified in each discipline. The effort to aggregate this data for design change analysis and document required design changes for each discipline is significant. Further, the inability of each discipline to work with an up-to-date representation of the entire design results in engineers designing in the context of stale data and delays discovery of clashes and interferences. 

A 3D defined model on the left and a building being built with a crane on the right.

Unlock building design innovation

A large building/factory with a teal

BIM has been touted as the most promising solution for the construction industry to improve productivity and efficiency. BIM is a multidiscipline design methodology in which a building's physical and functional characteristics are represented digitally. It’s a collaborative approach to construction project management that allows architects, engineers, contractors and owners to create, manage and share digital models of buildings and infrastructure throughout the entire project lifecycle.

Discover multidisciplinary BIM coordination software

Traditionally, in the BIM industry, many individual, disparate solutions and software have been used for specific workflows. Unfortunately, these tools do not always integrate and work together. This is not efficient when the building aspects themselves must be integrated and connected. Siemens, NX and the digital twin address this issue by providing a single set of integrated tools that allows construction companies to realize their BIM goals and collaboratively design across multiple disciplines.

BIM captures the data in one location with the information needed to flow downstream. The digital twin enables the loop-back mechanism, providing the necessary coordination to prevent issues from occurring since it allows the physical world to be modeled in a digital space. Meanwhile, the digital thread enables the gathered information to flow between all applications. If different applications are being used for different workflows, NX and Teamcenter help ensure that everyone is working on the most up-to-date version of the design.

A laptop with NX CAD software with a design of a factory with an office, including people from NX Human.

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