Introduction

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables seamless ECAD-MCAD collaboration by breaking down traditional silos between the ECAD and MCAD design teams. Instead of relying on fragmented file exchanges (e.g., IDF, STEP), the platform provides a unified product definition environment where both disciplines work on the same live, cloud-connected model, reducing errors, iterations and time-to-market.

Key Collaboration Mechanisms

Unified Product Definition: Eliminates point solutions so that designers no longer work in isolated ECAD or MCAD tools. Instead, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform acts as the central hub, where the "product structure and the supporting attributes are the common focal point. Changes in PCB layouts are reflected in mechanical enclosures and vice versa, ensuring design consistency and real-time design validations in either discipline.

Role-Based Access & Collaborative Tools:  The dedicated ECAD role Collaborative Designer for Cadence OrCAD/Allegro enables OrCAD users to capture PCB data directly into 3DEXPERIENCE.

The dedicated MCAD integration: There are multiple MCAD roles supporting SOLIDWORKS, and CATIA, V5 along with support with a number of our MCAD competitors. These roles allow mechanical engineers to reference live PCB data (e.g., board outlines, component keep-out zones). 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA offers a similar capability but in a native way as it is directly connected to the platform requiring no specific MCAD integration role.

Simulation & Validation: Cross-discipline simulation tools within the SIMULIA roles allow thermal, structural, and electromagnetic simulations using combined ECAD-MCAD data. An example could be a PCB’s heat map (from ECAD) informs mechanical cooling design (e.g., heat sinks, vents).

Design validation: Mechanical engineers can virtually fit PCBs into any enclosure and detect interferences before prototyping.

Iterative & Agile Development: Large development teams work on the same product definition simultaneously, with version control and audit trails.

Fundamentally, the PowerBy integrations across MCAD and ECAD strive to deliver the most commonly needed PLM applications to the designer and not burden them with applications there do not normally access.  The illustration below provides a high-level view of the common areas where designers need access to PLM applications.

An MCAD/ECAD Design Scenario

To enhance your understanding of the process, we will look at a specific case where the mechanical design is developed in 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA and the electronics will be developed in Cadence OrCAD

There are many roles that provide access to the 3DEXPERIENCE suite of applications since this as one of the most comprehensive CAD authoring tools on the market today. If you have interest in the broader capabilities of this tool, please refer to the 3DEXPERIENCE home page on the Dassault Systemes website.

The Collaborative Designer for Cadence OrCAD role in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables seamless integration of electronic design data (schematics, PCB layouts, component libraries) into a unified electro-mechanical product definition. This role bridges the gap between Cadence OrCAD, a mainstream PCB design tool, and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, facilitating multi-discipline collaboration and accelerating the electronics design process. The integration within this role imports and manages native OrCAD schematics and PCB layouts within 3DEXPERIENCE, eliminating silos between ECAD and MCAD teams. It supports component libraries, ensuring consistency across electrical and mechanical designs.

NOTE that as of R2026xGA, the role was renamed from "Collaborative Designer for Cadence Allegro HDL and Cadence OrCAD" to "Collaborative Designer for Cadence OrCAD" to reflect a mainstream focus on OrCAD. This role complements other collaborative ECAD designer roles for Altium and Xpedition EDM.

In the scenario we are exploring today, we will follow the general process illustrated below to move data between MCAD and ECAD designers which will be managed through a collaborative task. It is important to note that the task is more of a “vehicle for the process” and does not need to be accessed directly.

Let’s now take a look at an initial interaction between an MCAD and ECAD designer using these tools…