Global CAD & AEC Industry Insights

Jun 22

Dassault Systèmes announces SOLIDWORKS 2027 preview with cloud-native PDM integration

June 22, 2026 · Source: Dassault Systèmes · Tags: SOLIDWORKS, Cloud, PDM

Dassault Systèmes reveals the SOLIDWORKS 2027 technology preview at their annual 3DEXPERIENCE event. Key highlights include native 3DEXPERIENCE platform PDM without requiring a separate vault server, real-time co-editing of assemblies, and browser-based design review for stakeholders without desktop licenses.

SOLIDWORKSCloudPDM

Read at Dassault Systèmes

Jun 20

Autodesk Revit 2027 enters public beta with native AI-assisted clash resolution

June 20, 2026 · Source: Autodesk · Tags: Revit, BIM, AI

Autodesk opens public beta for Revit 2027 featuring AI-assisted clash resolution that proposes rerouting options for MEP elements conflicting with structural members. The system learns from previously resolved clashes in the project to suggest contextually appropriate solutions, reducing coordination meeting overhead.

RevitBIMAI

Read at Autodesk

Jun 15

ISO publishes new BIM Level of Information Need standard (ISO 7817)

June 15, 2026 · Source: ISO · Tags: BIM, Standards, LOD

ISO 7817:2026 formalizes "Level of Information Need" requirements for BIM deliverables across project phases, replacing the ambiguous LOD frameworks used in many national standards. The new standard defines both geometric detail and alphanumeric information requirements with clear milestone-based triggers for each discipline.

BIMStandardsLOD

Read at ISO

May 28

Gstarsoft releases GstarCAD 2026 Beta with enhanced multi-core CPU optimization

May 28, 2026 · Source: Gstarsoft · Tags: GstarCAD, Performance

Gstarsoft announces the beta release of GstarCAD 2026, delivering significant speed improvements in drawing layouts, 3D orbiting, and dynamic block manipulations. Designers can experience faster processing of heavy DWG files.

GstarCADPerformance

Read at Gstarsoft

May 20

Autodesk Fusion May 2026 update introduces smart manufacturing features

May 20, 2026 · Source: Autodesk · Tags: Fusion, CAM, MCAD

The May update for Autodesk Fusion brings enhancements to sheet metal simulation, generative design constraints for 3-axis CNC milling, and unified electronics schematic capture workspaces. Perfect for integrated CAD/CAM workflows.

FusionCAMMCAD

Read at Autodesk

May 15

IFC 4.3 officially ratified as ISO 16739-1:2026 global standard

May 15, 2026 · Source: buildingSMART International · Tags: BIM, Interop, IFC

buildingSMART International celebrates the formal ISO publication of IFC 4.3, establishing it as the international open standard for BIM infrastructure exchange across railways, roads, bridges, and marine networks.

BIMInteropIFC

Read at buildingSMART International

Jun 18

Siemens NX adds real-time AI geometry validation for manufacturing readiness

June 18, 2026 · Source: Siemens Digital Industries · Tags: NX, AI, Manufacturing

Siemens NX now includes an AI-powered geometry validator that checks part designs for manufacturability in real time. The feature flags thin walls, undercuts, and tight tolerances against specified processes (CNC, casting, injection molding) before the model reaches CAM programming.

NXAIManufacturing

Read at Siemens

Jun 12

Trimble Connect adds federated model versioning for multi-team infrastructure projects

June 12, 2026 · Source: Trimble · Tags: BIM, Collaboration, Infrastructure

Trimble Connect introduces federated model versioning, allowing multiple design teams to publish model updates independently while maintaining a coordinated project baseline. The feature tracks change deltas between model versions and auto-generates clash reports when new submissions arrive.

BIMCollaborationInfrastructure

Read at Trimble

Jun 5

McNeel ships Rhino 8.8 with Grasshopper 2 public preview and SubD-to-NURBS improvements

June 5, 2026 · Source: McNeel · Tags: Rhino, Grasshopper, SubD

Rhino 8.8 service release includes the first public preview of Grasshopper 2 with multi-threaded component execution, a new data tree model, and backward compatibility with existing GH1 definitions. SubD-to-NURBS conversion accuracy improved by 40% for G2-continuous surfaces.

RhinoGrasshopperSubD

Read at McNeel

May 30

FreeCAD 1.0 stable release marks milestone for open-source parametric CAD

May 30, 2026 · Source: FreeCAD Project · Tags: FOSS, Parametric, MCAD

After years of 0.x development, FreeCAD officially hits 1.0 with a stabilized toponaming fix, Assembly workbench integration, and a new first-run experience aimed at users migrating from commercial MCAD tools. The release signals production readiness for professional workflows.

FOSSParametricMCAD

Read at FreeCAD

May 10

Bentley Systems acquires infrastructure digital twin startup for asset lifecycle integration

May 10, 2026 · Source: Bentley Systems · Tags: Digital Twin, Infrastructure, PLM

Bentley Systems announces the acquisition of an IoT-based infrastructure monitoring platform, integrating real-time sensor data with iTwin for bridges, tunnels, and utilities. The combined platform enables predictive maintenance workflows directly from design-phase BIM models through operational monitoring.

Digital TwinInfrastructurePLM

Read at Bentley Systems

Apr 28

PTC Creo 11 introduces generative design for multi-body sheet metal assemblies

April 28, 2026 · Source: PTC · Tags: Creo, Generative Design, Sheet Metal

PTC Creo 11 extends generative design capabilities to multi-body sheet metal assemblies, automatically proposing bracket and enclosure geometries that satisfy structural loads while respecting bending, punching, and material constraints from the target manufacturing process.

CreoGenerative DesignSheet Metal

Read at PTC

Apr 15

ANSYS 2026 R1 ships cloud-native HPC solver with GPU-accelerated CFD meshing

April 15, 2026 · Source: ANSYS · Tags: Simulation, CFD, Cloud

ANSYS 2026 R1 brings GPU-accelerated meshing to Fluent (up to 8x faster volume mesh generation) and launches a cloud-native HPC solver accessible from the ANSYS Cloud gateway. Engineers can now submit large multi-physics jobs without managing on-premise cluster infrastructure.

SimulationCFDCloud

Read at ANSYS

Apr 2

Graphisoft Archicad 28 preview: real-time structural analysis feedback in BIM

April 2, 2026 · Source: Graphisoft · Tags: Archicad, BIM, Structural

Graphisoft previews Archicad 28 features including real-time structural analysis feedback during early design, allowing architects to see load path visualization and member sizing suggestions before handing off to structural engineers. The feature uses simplified FEM calculations integrated into the BIM environment.

ArchicadBIMStructural

Read at Graphisoft