Top 10 Best Structural Steel Detailing Software of 2026

Tekla Structures is a premier Building Information Modeling (BIM) software developed by Trimble, specializing in structural steel detailing, design, and fabrication management. It allows users to create intelligent 3D models of steel structures, automate connection design, generate shop drawings, CNC/NC files, and erection plans directly from the model. Renowned for its accuracy and handling of complex geometries, it's the industry standard for large-scale projects like stadiums, bridges, and industrial facilities, ensuring seamless coordination between design, detailing, and fabrication teams.

Advance Steel, developed by Autodesk, is a specialized 3D modeling software for structural steel detailing, built on the AutoCAD platform. It automates the creation of fabrication drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and CNC files from intelligent 3D models of steel structures. The software excels in parametric modeling of connections, stairs, railings, and cladding, while integrating seamlessly with Revit for BIM workflows.

SDS/2 is a robust structural steel detailing software developed by Design Data, specializing in 3D modeling, automated detailing, and fabrication output for steel structures. It supports the full workflow from conceptual design to shop drawings, CNC files, and erection plans, with advanced connection design and code compliance checking. Renowned for handling complex industrial projects, it integrates seamlessly with fabrication processes to minimize errors and boost efficiency.

ProSteel, developed by Bentley Systems, is a powerful 3D modeling and detailing software for structural steel design and fabrication. It excels in creating precise models of steel structures, automating parametric connections, and generating fabrication drawings, bills of materials, and NC/CNC files directly from the 3D model. Built on the MicroStation platform, it integrates seamlessly with other Bentley tools for comprehensive project workflows from design to construction.

StruMIS is a comprehensive software suite designed specifically for the structural steel fabrication industry, providing end-to-end management from 3D modeling and automated detailing to production control, nesting, and CNC integration. It streamlines workflows by connecting design, fabrication, and delivery processes, helping fabricators reduce errors and improve efficiency. The platform supports complex steel structures with tools for estimating, reporting, and quality control. Overall, it's a robust solution for optimizing steel shop operations.

AVEVA E3D Design is an advanced 3D modeling and design software suite primarily for plant engineering, with robust capabilities for structural steel detailing including beams, columns, connections, and bracing. It supports the creation of detailed 3D models, automated fabrication drawings, BOMs, and CNC outputs, integrated within a clash-free multi-discipline environment. Ideal for large-scale industrial projects, it leverages laser scan data for accurate as-built modeling and enables global team collaboration.

CADWorx Steel is a 3D structural steel modeling and detailing software built on AutoCAD or BricsCAD platforms, enabling precise design of beams, columns, connections, and bracing for industrial structures. It automates the generation of fabrication drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), erection plans, and CNC/NC files for direct use in manufacturing. Particularly suited for process plants, it integrates seamlessly with CADWorx Plant modules for multi-disciplinary coordination, ensuring clash-free models between steel frameworks and piping/equipment.

SCIA Engineer is a powerful BIM-enabled structural analysis and design software primarily used by engineers for modeling, analyzing, and designing steel, concrete, and composite structures. For structural steel detailing, it offers integrated tools for connection design, including bolted, welded, and base plate connections, with automated generation of fabrication drawings and reports. While excels in engineering verification and code compliance, its detailing capabilities are more focused on design optimization than full-scale fabrication modeling like dedicated tools.

SkyCiv Structural 3D is a cloud-based structural engineering software focused on 3D modeling, finite element analysis (FEA), and design optimization for steel, concrete, and other materials. While it excels in analysis and code-based design checks for steel members and connections, its detailing capabilities are limited to basic reporting, DXF exports, and simple drawings rather than comprehensive shop drawings or fabrication outputs. It integrates well with analysis workflows but falls short as a dedicated steel detailing solution compared to specialized tools.

ClearCalcs is a cloud-based structural engineering software focused on performing calculations for steel beams, columns, connections, and other elements using a library of templates. It enables quick design checks, load analysis, and code-compliant verification in a collaborative online environment. While useful for preliminary steel design, it lacks comprehensive 3D modeling and automated detailing for fabrication drawings.