- Product info
- Details
- Benefits
- Modules & Suites
- System switch
HiCAD – CAD for all-rounders and specialists
Whether mechanical engineering, plant engineering, sheet metal processing, steel or metal engineering – each industry has its own, specific requirements. With HiCAD we can provide you with a unique all-in-one solution allowing a fast and efficient development of products in 2-D, 3-D and for any industry. Even cross-sectoral projects involving different industries can be realised effortlessly.
Thanks to its Hybrid Technology for the realisation of complex, cross-sectoral projects, HiCAD is the only CAD system in the world that does not only offer combined designing in 2-D and 3-D, but also the complete range of industry and product data management functions within one system, thus covering all crucial fields of engineering: Mechanical engineering, plant engineering, sheet metal processing, turnkey solutions for steel engineering, glass, metal and facade engineering. This enormous range was made possible by our self-developed software kernel, which provides the basis for innovative 2-D and 3-D CAD technologies throughout all fields of industry. With HiCAD you will therefore be ideally equipped for your future projects, no matter how complex they are.
HiCAD – The highlights
- 2-D and 3-D CAD
- All-in-one system for all industries
- Hybrid Technology for cross-sectoral tasks
- Integrated PDM
- State-of-the-art 2-D and 3-D functions
- Fast and easy operation
- Self-developed kernel
- Modular structure
- Identical UI layout for all modules
HiCAD – the versatile 2-D/3-D CAD system
Our CAD developments are geared towards “Smart Design”, i.e. a constant support of our users by powerful tools and intelligent automatisms. This enables you to streamline routine tasks, realise your innovative ideas much faster and visualise them in a promotionally effective manner. You can, for instance, display your products as rendered models, 3D-PDF models or in stereoscopic 3-D representation. HiCAD’s unique 2-D/3-D associativity also provides a solid and secure basis for a smooth changeover from 2-D to 3-D CAD.
HiCAD provides you with maximum flexibility: You can design your product model directly in 3-D, and derive 2-D production drawings from it. Or you can initially draw in 2-D, then add 3-D objects and automatically convert your drawing to a 3-D model. Use non-parametric modelling for quick corrections, or the parametric approach to be able to perform design changes at the push of a button.
HiCAD supports you with state-of-the-art 2-D drafting functions, innovative 3-D modelling options and special, industry-specific functions, from the first draft and the automatic generation of all production-relevant data through to the realistic visualisation of the models. Numerous, useful tools for re-use and automation help you streamline routine tasks and speed up design processes considerably. The extremely compact data structure ensures smooth designing processes, even for extremely large models.
Maximum productivity right from the start
- Easy and intuitive operation
- Context-sensitive user interface
- User-defined Ribbon tabs
- 64Bit and Multicore support
- Parametric and non-parametric modelling
- State-of-the-art 2-D functions
- Innovative 3-D technologies
- Intelligent automation tools
- Perfect visualisation including stereoscopic 3-D representation
- Production drawings and BOMs at the push of a button
- Safe data exchange in 2-D and 3-D
HiCAD – the all-in-one CAD system
As the only CAD system that can offer true 2-D/3-D associativity in combination with Hybrid Technology, HiCAD sets standards in the field of professional 2-D and 3-D CAD – throughout all industries.
- 2-D and 3-D CAD
- Assembly-based modelling
- Parametric and non-parametric designing
- Numerous standard parts and purchased parts
- Simulations and analyses
- FEM interface
- Perfect 3-D visualisation
- Automatic generation of production documents
- 2-D and 3-D CAD
- Special sheet metal functions
- Assembly-based modelling
- Parametric and non-parametric designing
- Pipes and vessels
- Punching and forming tools
- Automatic generation of production documents
- Bending simulation
- Cost calculation tool
- Automatic development and blank calculation
- Special steel engineering and sheet metal functions
- Stairs Configurator
- Railing Configurator
- Expert system for beams + profiles
- Parametric and non-parametric designing
- Automatic generation of production documents
- Automatic generation of mounting drawings
- Cross-sectoral CAD
- Drawing Management
- Special glass, metal and sheet functions
- Bidirectional LogiKal ®interface
- 3-D planning grid for complex facades
- Standard parts packages according to DIN and SMU
- Perfect visualisation
- Automatic generation of production documents
- Direct data exchange with Purchasing and Production
- 2-D and 3-D CAD
- 2-D flow charts
- 3-D layout and pipeline planning
- Welded pipelines and plastic pipelines
- ERMETO pipe unions
- JACOB pipe systems
- Automatic generation of isometries and pipe plans
- PDM integration and ERP interface
- Steel engineering and sheet metal functions
- Realistic visualisation
No matter in which industry you work, with HiCAD you can create your CAD drawings rapidly and easily with powerful, practice-oriented 2-D and 3-D functions, choose between parametric and non-parametric designing, and model directly in assemblies while you benefit from special, industry-specific functions for your individual design tasks. All of these tasks can be performed by one single CAD system with state-of-the-art technologies, even in case of cross-sectoral projects involving various industries. The identical UI layout for all modules reduces training efforts and allows a fast and structured working.
HiCAD – everything is possible!
HiCAD – the flexible CAD software

HiCAD - The CAD solution for all industries
No matter whether you work in a small production plant or in a large, internationally operating enterprise – thanks to its modular structure, HiCAD can be adjusted exactly to the requirements of your company, and be seamlessly integrated into the existing software environment.
Besides the basic modules and industry suites, you can use the HiCAD Extension Modules to perform more specific tasks. These include:
- Freeform surface modelling,
- Viewer,
- Plot Manager,
- Various automation tools,
- Various 3-D converters and special interfaces,
- API programming interface,
- Various industry extension modules.
Thanks to its modular structure, you can expand HiCAD at any time on the basis of a basic module or an industry suite, so that it will match your individual requirements.
HiCAD - Basic CAD modules |
Classic |
Creator |
Solution |
2-D and 3-D in one system |
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Choice between parametric and non-parametric designing |
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Associative dimensioning and hatching |
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Complete 2-D functionality (1: max. 10,000 2-D points) |
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Complete 3-D functionality (2: max. 5,000 3-D points) |
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2-D interfaces DXF, DWG, PC Draft |
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3-D interfaces VRML, STEP (3: only VRML) |
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2-D / 3-D Mechanical Engineering standard parts (4: only 2-D, 5: only 3-D) |
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Report Manager: Bills of Materials (quantity lists or structure lists) on the basis of the CAD structure, extensive configuration options, company-specific adjustment, Exports in HTML, Excel, TXT format etc. |
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Drawing derivation, i.e. itemization, automatic production/mounting drawing creation and BOM generation |
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Feature technology & Design variants |
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Automatic deriving of 3-D models from 2-D drawings |
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Basic functions for sheet metal processing with automatic development and blank calculation |
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Simplified representation of CAD models to increase performance while working on complex models and to safeguard the know-how in valuable constructions when passing them on to third parties |
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Technical Calculations |
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Simulation |
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Version: HiCAD 2018
Plot Manager |
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Freeform Surfaces |
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Interfaces |
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Standard Parts |
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Version: HiCAD 2018
HiCAD – for a smooth system switch
If you are planning a system switch or a changeover to 3-D, you will not have to re-start from scratch, but can work productively right from the start. Besides being very user-friendly and easy to operate, HiCAD also enables a convenient re-use and further processing of your existing CAD data. This allows a particularly smooth changeover from 2-D to 3-D, because you have the option to convert your 2-D data to 3-D models at any time.
A lossless data transfer and a safe cooperation with your customers and partners is ensured by direct interfaces to all common CAD systems, e.g. AutoCAD®, SOLIDWORKS®, Inventor®, CATIA®, Pro/Engineer, Parasolid® oder ACIS, as well as numerous neutral formats, such as DXF, DWG, IGES or STEP.
If we do not support the interface you require, please feel free to contact us. If desired, we can develop a customized solution or create a special interface for you.

We will make your system switch smooth and easy!
2-D*1 |
Import |
Export |
Minimum Requirement*2 |
fee-based |
DXF / DWG (2-D) |
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Integrated in HiCAD Classic or higher |
No |
PC-Draft (2-D) |
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Integrated in HiCAD Classic or higher |
No |
ME10 (2-D) |
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Integrated in HiCAD Classic or higher |
No |
PROCAD/PROREN (2-D) |
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Integrated in HiCAD Classic or higher |
No |
Technovision (2-D) |
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Integrated in HiCAD Classic or higher |
No |
3-D*1 |
Import |
Export |
Minimum Requirement*2 |
fee-based |
3D PDF/U3D/PRC |
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Integrated in HiCAD Creator or higher |
No |
Kisters Viewstation *3 |
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Integrated in HiCAD Creator or higher |
No |
SketchUp |
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Integrated in HiCAD Creator or higher |
No |
STEP |
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Integrated in HiCAD Creator or higher |
No |
STL |
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Integrated in HiCAD Creator or higher |
No |
VRML |
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Integrated in HiCAD Classic or higher |
No |
ACIS |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
CATIA V4 |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
CATIA V5 |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
DXF/DWG |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
IGES |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
Inventor |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
JTOpen |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
Parasolid |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
PLM XML |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution with JT License |
Yes |
PRO/ENGINEER / Creo Parametric |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
SolidWorks |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
STEP Repair Tool |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
UniGraphics |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
VDAFS |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
Sheet Metal*1 |
Import |
Export |
Minimum Requirement*2 |
fee-based |
LVD (2-D) |
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Integrated in HiCAD Sheet Metal professional or higher |
No |
Bystronic (2-D) |
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Integrated in HiCAD Sheet Metal professional or higher |
No |
TopsGeo (2-D) |
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HiCAD Sheet Metal professional |
Yes |
Steel Engineering*1 |
Import |
Export |
Minimum Requirement*2 |
fee-based |
DSTV |
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HiCAD Spooler, Steel Engineering, Metal Engineering, Steel/Metal Engineering or Staircases |
Yes |
ERPlus |
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HiCAD creator |
No |
IFC |
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HiCAD Beams + Profiles |
Yes |
NC-X |
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HiCAD Steel Engineering, Steel/Metal Engineering or Beams + Profiles |
Yes |
SDNF |
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HiCAD Spooler, Steel Engineering, Metal Engineering, Steel/Metal Engineering or Staircases |
Yes |
Others*1 |
Import |
Export |
Minimum Requirement*2 |
fee-based |
KISSsoft |
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HiCAD Creator or HiCAD Solution |
Yes |
ROHR2 |
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HiCAD Pipeline Planning |
Yes |
Version: HiCAD 2017
*1 Information on supported versions can be found in the ISD Wiki, at Product know-how > FAQ > HiCAD.
*2 Please note that the mentioned modules may be part of your industry solution.
*3 as of HiCAD 2017