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

NXとTeamcenterを使用してプロジェクトの計画と製造を最適化した建築専門企業

会社:Max Bögl Group

開催場所:ノイマルクト, Germany

シーメンスデジタルインダストリーズソフトウェア: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.

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.

Related resources