CAD Customisation & Automation — NX, Solid Edge, Creo, CATIA
Eliminate repetitive CAD tasks with native API automation — NX Open, Solid Edge .NET API, Creo Toolkit, and CATIA CAA tools built by engineers who model in your platform, integrated with Teamcenter, Windchill, and 3DEXPERIENCE using the EMUG CARVE Framework.
CAD Customisation & Automation — NX, Solid Edge, Creo, and CATIA
CAD customisation and automation uses the native programming API of each mechanical CAD platform to build tools that execute repetitive engineering tasks automatically — parametric model creation from specifications, drawing automation from 3D data, BOM extraction to PLM, model quality checking before release, and multi-CAD format conversion. EMUG Tech delivers CAD automation tools for automotive OEMs, aerospace manufacturers, industrial equipment producers, and engineering services firms across 20 countries using the EMUG CARVE Framework — developing in NX Open, Solid Edge API, Creo Toolkit, and CATIA CAA with full PLM integration.
The gap between CAD automation potential and CAD automation reality is the API. Journal recordings break on complex geometry. VBA macros fail when model configurations change. Screen-scraping tools stop working with every CAD version update. EMUG CARVE-built automation tools use the native CAD API — NX Open C++, Creo Toolkit, Solid Edge .NET, and CATIA CAA — which gives programmatic access to every model object, feature, and property in a version-stable, upgrade-resilient way that surface-level automation cannot match.
CORE CAPABILITIES
EMUG Tech's CAD customisation and automation capability spans seven specialised service areas — covering all four major mechanical CAD platforms with their native APIs, multi-CAD and neutral format exchange, CAD-to-PLM integration, and parametric and configurable design automation.
Siemens NX Open API Automation
Solid Edge API Automation (.NET)
Creo Toolkit and Creo Parametric Automation
CATIA V5 CAA and 3DEXPERIENCE Automation
Multi-CAD and Neutral Format Automation
CAD-to-PLM Integration Automation
Parametric and Configurable Design Automation
KEY METRICS
The EMUG CARVE Framework — Our CAD Customisation & Automation Delivery Methodology
CAPTURE
ARCHITECT
REALISE
VALIDATE
ENABLE
CAD AUTOMATION PLATFORM MATRIX
| CAD Platform | Automation API | Typical Use Cases | Productivity Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siemens NX | NX Open API (C++, Python, Java). NX Journal automation for rapid scripting. Knowledge Fusion (KF) for design rules. | Parametric model creation from specs, drawing sheet automation, BOM attribute population, model quality checks, assembly configuration management, CAD-to-neutral export | 40–65% reduction in targeted CAD task time. Journal-to-application upgrade eliminates fragile recordings. |
| Siemens Solid Edge | Solid Edge API (.NET / VBA). Synchronous Technology API for history-free modelling. Drawing automation via DrawingView API. | Drawing title block automation from properties, BOM extraction and SAP transfer, file rename and management automation, sheet metal unfolding batch processing, revision management automation | 35–55% reduction in drawing and data management effort. BOM transfer errors eliminated through automation. |
| PTC Creo Parametric | Creo Toolkit (C/C++ for deep integration). Creo Parametric API (Java). Pro/PROGRAM for knowledge-driven design. | Family table management automation, drawing automation from 3D parameters, mass property extraction, model check and validation tools, assembly automation for configurable products | 30–60% reduction in parametric modelling and drawing creation effort for standard product families. |
| Dassault CATIA V5 / V6 | CATIA V5 CAA (C++ workbench development). 3DEXPERIENCE VSTA (VB.NET/C# scripting). CATIA Automation (CATScript for macro automation). | Part and assembly automation for complex surface products, drawing standards enforcement, GD&T annotation automation, material and property population, kinematics joint automation | 35–60% reduction in CATIA modelling and drawing effort. CAA tools handle complex surface geometry that macro automation cannot process. |
| Multi-CAD and Neutral Format | CAD exchange utilities (NX, Creo, Catia, SolidEdge APIs). STEP, JT, IGES, Parasolid translators. Batch conversion frameworks. | Automated STEP/JT/IGES export at PLM checkin, multi-CAD archive preparation, neutral format quality validation, supplier data package preparation, DMU format conversion | 80–95% reduction in manual format conversion effort. Neutral format quality validated automatically. |
| CAD-to-PLM Integration | PLM REST APIs (Teamcenter Services, Windchill REST, 3DEXPERIENCE APIs). SAP BAPI for BOM transfer. Custom middleware for complex mappings. | Automated save-to-PLM at CAD checkin, PLM attribute read-back to CAD properties, BOM sync from assembly to PLM EBOM, drawing release trigger from PLM lifecycle events | Manual PLM data entry hours eliminated. PLM-CAD attribute synchronisation errors reduced to zero. |
INDUSTRY ALIGNMENT
NX Open automation for body-in-white and chassis engineering — parametric model creation, drawing automation, and Teamcenter integration. CATIA V5 CAA tools for interior and exterior surface product families. Multi-CAD exchange automation for programmes using both NX and CATIA. BOM extraction and SAP transfer automation for engineering-to-manufacturing handover.
CATIA V5 CAA automation for structural, system, and aerostructure programmes. NX automation for mechanical design and manufacturing. Drawing standards enforcement tools aligned to AS9100 design control requirements. STEP AP214 and AP242 export automation for supplier and certification package preparation.
Creo Toolkit and Solid Edge API automation for engineer-to-order manufacturers — parametric model generation from customer order data, drawing automation for standard product families, and BOM generation for SAP PP manufacturing orders. Configurable product automation replacing manual modelling for every new order variant.
Creo and NX automation for pressure vessel, heat exchanger, and rotating equipment engineering. Drawing automation for equipment datasheets and GA drawings. STEP and IGES export automation for supplier manufacturing packages. PLM integration connecting CAD deliverables to SAP PM asset records.
NX, Solid Edge, and SolidWorks automation for electronic enclosure and mechanical product design. Multi-CAD exchange between mechanical and electrical CAD environments. BOM and attribute synchronisation between CAD and PLM for high-frequency engineering change environments. Sheet metal unfolding and manufacturing flat pattern automation.
| Native CAD API development — not fragile macro recordings | EMUG CARVE tools are built using the native programming API of each CAD platform — NX Open C++, Creo Toolkit, Solid Edge .NET API, and CATIA CAA — producing automation that handles complex geometry, multi-body assemblies, and unusual model configurations that journal recordings and macro automation fail on in production. |
| CAD domain expertise from engineers who model daily | EMUG Tech’s CAD automation developers work in NX, Creo, Solid Edge, and CATIA as engineers — understanding modelling intent, parametric design strategies, assembly constraint logic, and drawing standard requirements at the level needed to build automation tools that work correctly on real engineering models, not just demonstration parts. |
| 40% average reduction in targeted CAD task time | EMUG CARVE-delivered automation tools achieve an average 40 percent reduction in time for targeted CAD tasks, measured against the per-task baseline established in the Capture phase and tracked through the Enable phase 30-day adoption report — not estimated from vendor marketing materials. |
| PLM integration built in — not bolted on | Every EMUG CARVE CAD automation tool is designed with PLM integration from the Architect phase — reading PLM item attributes to drive automation logic, saving outputs directly to Teamcenter, Windchill, or 3DEXPERIENCE, and triggering PLM workflow events on completion — ensuring automation outputs are governed within the PLM system rather than in local file directories. |
| Source code, documentation, and test suite delivered to client | Every EMUG CARVE programme delivers source code with inline documentation, a unit test suite covering standard and edge case inputs, a user guide in engineering team format, and a technical architecture document — giving the engineering organisation complete ownership and maintenance capability without permanent EMUG dependency. |
| Cross-platform expertise across NX, Solid Edge, Creo, and CATIA | Multi-CAD environments — NX for body engineering and CATIA for interiors at an automotive OEM, or Creo for mechanical and NX for electronics at an industrial manufacturer — require developers who understand all platforms and their data exchange interfaces. EMUG Tech delivers CAD automation across all four major mechanical CAD platforms in the same programme. |
Expert answers from EMUG Tech's CAD Customisation & Automation practice.
Automate Your CAD Workflows — Built on the API, Not the Recording.









40% Less Time on CAD Tasks. 40% More Time on Engineering.