Plus more AI features, a dark mode, and a new name. That and more software news on today’s Engineering Paper.
You’re reading Engineering Paper, and here’s the latest design and simulation software news.
Siemens has released the 2026 version of Solid Edge. You’ll notice a difference right from the splash screen: the CAD software has officially been renamed Designcenter Solid Edge (for more on that moniker, read What is Siemens Designcenter?).
Designcenter Solid Edge 2026 (I won’t write that out every time) includes several new features, but let’s get the obligatory AI ones out of the way first. To start, there’s a new magnetic snap feature for assemblies that uses AI to automatically recognize mates and snap parts into the correct position as users drag them into place.
Solid Edge also uses AI to automatically generate up to 80% of 2D drawing views with minimal user input, according to Siemens. And finally, Solid Edge gets an integrated product support chatbot called Design Copilot that also debuted in Siemens NX this summer.
These aren’t Earth-shattering features, but I appreciate Siemens’ restraint in not overpromising on AI that it isn’t ready to deliver (cf. Is Autodesk’s neural CAD worth getting excited about?)
There are also non-AI updates in Solid Edge 2026. I’m happy to see that there’s now a dark mode, an always-welcome accessibility feature, plus scalable SVG icons and redesigned command bars that should make for a nicer UI.
Solid Edge 2026 also has new features for sheet metal design, including the ability to apply etches directly to curved surfaces, automatic trimming on flanges across multiple edges, new wall thickness support, and a new automated tab and slot command.
Have you ever wanted to navigate your Solid Edge model with an Xbox controller? Solid Edge’s new walkthrough command lets you interact with your assembly as if it were a video game, allowing users to get up close and personal with their designs. You can also record your walkthroughs to quickly create animations.
The 2026 updates also apply to Designcenter X Solid Edge, the new name for Solid Edge X, which is a SaaS counterpart to Solid Edge that Siemens launched with the 2025 release.
You can see a demo of all these new features and more in Siemens’ introductory video for Solid Edge 2026:
Designcenter Solid Edge 2026 and Designcenter X Solid Edge 2026 are both now available.
Q&A with Bentley CEO Nicholas Cumins
On last week’s Engineering Paper I wrote about Bentley’s slew of AI announcements at Year in Infrastructure 2025, which took place this month in Amsterdam.
While there I had the chance to sit down with Nicholas Cumins, Bentley’s CEO, to learn more about the company’s vision and plans for AI. Cumins spoke about why the digital thread is broken in the infrastructure industry, why business models are lagging behind technology, how engineering context is essential for AI, and more.
You can read my full Q&A with Cumins on Engineering.com: AI a “kick in the pants” for infrastructure sector, says Bentley CEO.
Quick hits
- Spatial has launched Analogue 26, the latest version of its Apple Vision Pro app for immersive design. The update adds support for the Logitech Muse, a stylus designed for the Vision Pro, allowing users to sketch and add annotations on top of 3D models. Spatial also released Analogue Portal 26, a companion iPhone app that allows users to collaborate in design reviews without requiring a Vision Pro headset.
- Concepts NREC announced the latest version of its Agile Engineering Design System, v2025.2. The turbomachinery design platform takes a new approach to volute modeling, adds integrations for CFD solvers including ADS Code LEO and Ansys CFX, introduces advanced tools for optimizing 5-axis machining toolpaths, and more.
- WestDev, developer of PCB design software Pulsonix, has announced a new integration between Pulsonix and Adam Research’s TRM analysis software for thermal risk management. The developer says the new integration “provides PCB designers with an efficient, data-consistent workflow for advanced thermal simulation and verification.”
One last link
Last week’s last link was to Design World senior editor Miles Budimir’s new column on engineering ethics. Not satisfied with one column, Miles has launched a second column focused on engineering disasters. Hopefully, readers of the first column can avoid being featured on the second.
Got news, tips, comments, or complaints? Send them my way: [email protected].
