Quick Overview
- 1#1: Capital Harness - End-to-end platform for designing, simulating, documenting, and manufacturing complex wire harnesses in automotive and aerospace industries.
- 2#2: E3.series - Modular software suite for electrical schematic design, wire harness layout, 3D routing, and automated manufacturing outputs.
- 3#3: Creo Wiring and Harnessing - Integrated 3D CAD module for parametric wire harness design, routing, and flattening within the Creo environment.
- 4#4: CATIA Electrical Harness Design - Advanced PLM-integrated tool for 3D electrical harness installation, routing, and collaborative design in large assemblies.
- 5#5: NX Electrical Design - Comprehensive wiring and harness design capabilities embedded in Siemens NX for mechatronic system development.
- 6#6: SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D - Schematic-to-3D wire harness design tool with automated routing, bill of materials, and manufacturing documentation.
- 7#7: Altium Designer - Unified platform supporting wire harness design alongside PCB layouts with interactive routing and harness management.
- 8#8: SEE Electrical Harness - Harness-focused electrical CAD software for schematic capture, 2D/3D design, and production-ready outputs.
- 9#9: Inventor Routed Systems - Harness and cable design module within Autodesk Inventor for 3D routing and integration with mechanical models.
- 10#10: Visula - Specialized wire harness engineering software for design, analysis, and formboard generation.
Tools were evaluated based on feature breadth—from schematic design to 3D routing and manufacturing integration—real-world performance, user-friendliness, and overall value, ensuring a balanced ranking that prioritizes both robustness and practicality.
Comparison Table
Wire harness design software is essential for creating efficient electrical systems, with diverse tools offering unique features. This comparison table explores popular options—including Capital Harness, E3.series, Creo Wiring and Harnessing, CATIA Electrical Harness Design, NX Electrical Design, and more—helping readers evaluate capabilities, workflow fit, and suitability for their projects.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capital Harness End-to-end platform for designing, simulating, documenting, and manufacturing complex wire harnesses in automotive and aerospace industries. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | E3.series Modular software suite for electrical schematic design, wire harness layout, 3D routing, and automated manufacturing outputs. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Creo Wiring and Harnessing Integrated 3D CAD module for parametric wire harness design, routing, and flattening within the Creo environment. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | CATIA Electrical Harness Design Advanced PLM-integrated tool for 3D electrical harness installation, routing, and collaborative design in large assemblies. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 5 | NX Electrical Design Comprehensive wiring and harness design capabilities embedded in Siemens NX for mechatronic system development. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D Schematic-to-3D wire harness design tool with automated routing, bill of materials, and manufacturing documentation. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Altium Designer Unified platform supporting wire harness design alongside PCB layouts with interactive routing and harness management. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 8 | SEE Electrical Harness Harness-focused electrical CAD software for schematic capture, 2D/3D design, and production-ready outputs. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Inventor Routed Systems Harness and cable design module within Autodesk Inventor for 3D routing and integration with mechanical models. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.9/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 10 | Visula Specialized wire harness engineering software for design, analysis, and formboard generation. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
End-to-end platform for designing, simulating, documenting, and manufacturing complex wire harnesses in automotive and aerospace industries.
Modular software suite for electrical schematic design, wire harness layout, 3D routing, and automated manufacturing outputs.
Integrated 3D CAD module for parametric wire harness design, routing, and flattening within the Creo environment.
Advanced PLM-integrated tool for 3D electrical harness installation, routing, and collaborative design in large assemblies.
Comprehensive wiring and harness design capabilities embedded in Siemens NX for mechatronic system development.
Schematic-to-3D wire harness design tool with automated routing, bill of materials, and manufacturing documentation.
Unified platform supporting wire harness design alongside PCB layouts with interactive routing and harness management.
Harness-focused electrical CAD software for schematic capture, 2D/3D design, and production-ready outputs.
Harness and cable design module within Autodesk Inventor for 3D routing and integration with mechanical models.
Specialized wire harness engineering software for design, analysis, and formboard generation.
Capital Harness
enterpriseEnd-to-end platform for designing, simulating, documenting, and manufacturing complex wire harnesses in automotive and aerospace industries.
Automated 3D concurrent design with dynamic routing and real-time formboard generation
Capital Harness from Siemens is a leading end-to-end wire harness design software that streamlines the creation, validation, and manufacturing of complex wiring systems for industries like automotive and aerospace. It supports logical design, automated 3D routing, wire sizing, and formboard generation, ensuring accuracy from concept to production. Seamlessly integrated with Siemens Xcelerator and Teamcenter PLM, it enables concurrent engineering and reduces design errors through advanced simulation and validation tools.
Pros
- Comprehensive lifecycle support from schematic to manufacturing outputs
- Superior 3D integration and automated routing for complex harnesses
- Robust validation, simulation, and PLM connectivity for enterprise-scale projects
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive feature set
- High cost suitable mainly for large organizations
- Requires significant hardware resources for optimal performance
Best For
Large engineering teams in automotive, aerospace, or heavy machinery sectors requiring integrated, scalable wire harness design within a PLM ecosystem.
Pricing
Enterprise subscription pricing upon request, typically starting at $50,000+ annually depending on modules, users, and scale.
E3.series
enterpriseModular software suite for electrical schematic design, wire harness layout, 3D routing, and automated manufacturing outputs.
Fully automated 2D-to-3D harness design with dynamic bundling and physical validation
E3.series by Zuken is a comprehensive CAE solution for electrical and fluid design, with a strong focus on wire harness engineering, schematic capture, 3D routing, and manufacturing outputs. It enables seamless integration from 2D schematics to fully validated 3D harness models, supporting complex systems in automotive, aerospace, and machinery industries. The software automates design rules checking, bundling, and flattening for efficient production preparation.
Pros
- Advanced 3D wire routing and real-time design rule checks prevent errors early
- Integrated manufacturing outputs including nailboard drawings and BOMs streamline production
- Robust component library and variant management for large-scale projects
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to its depth and customization options
- High licensing costs make it less accessible for small teams or freelancers
- Interface can feel dated compared to some modern competitors
Best For
Large engineering teams in automotive, aerospace, or heavy machinery sectors requiring end-to-end wire harness design and manufacturing integration.
Pricing
Enterprise-level pricing with perpetual licenses starting at $10,000+ per seat or subscription models; custom quotes required based on modules and users.
Creo Wiring and Harnessing
enterpriseIntegrated 3D CAD module for parametric wire harness design, routing, and flattening within the Creo environment.
Fully embedded 3D wiring design within mechanical CAD assemblies for real-time interference checks and collaborative mechatronics development
Creo Wiring and Harnessing, a module within PTC's Creo Parametric CAD suite, enables comprehensive 2D schematic design and 3D physical routing of wire harnesses and electrical systems directly integrated into mechanical assemblies. It supports automated routing, precise length calculations, harness flattening, and generation of manufacturing drawings, BOMs, and reports. The tool excels in handling complex, large-scale harnesses with features like design rule checks and interoperability with ECAD tools such as Zuken E3.series.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Creo 3D mechanical design for unified MCAD/ECAD workflows
- Advanced 3D routing, simulation, and manufacturing outputs including flattened harness drawings
- Robust handling of complex harnesses with autorouting, DRCs, and ECAD interoperability
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to Creo's overall complexity
- High cost as an add-on to the expensive Creo suite
- Overkill for simple 2D-only or small-scale harness projects
Best For
Large OEMs and engineering firms already invested in PTC Creo that require fully integrated 3D wire harness design within mechanical assemblies.
Pricing
Subscription-based as an add-on to Creo Parametric; base Creo starts at ~$2,500/user/year, with Wiring module adding $5,000-$10,000+/user/year; enterprise quotes required.
CATIA Electrical Harness Design
enterpriseAdvanced PLM-integrated tool for 3D electrical harness installation, routing, and collaborative design in large assemblies.
Deep integration with CATIA's 3D mechanical modeling for real-time harness routing on digital mockups
CATIA Electrical Harness Design, part of the Dassault Systèmes CATIA suite on 3DEXPERIENCE, provides advanced 3D tools for designing, routing, and documenting complex wire harnesses integrated with mechanical assemblies. It supports automated routing on 3D models, branch management, flattening for manufacturing, and electrical validation to ensure compliance and performance. Ideal for multidisciplinary teams, it facilitates collaborative design and simulation within a unified platform, reducing errors in high-stakes industries like aerospace and automotive.
Pros
- Seamless 3D integration with mechanical CAD for concurrent design
- Advanced automation for routing, flattening, and manufacturing outputs
- Robust simulation, validation, and collaboration via 3DEXPERIENCE platform
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring extensive training
- High cost prohibitive for small teams or simple projects
- Resource-heavy performance on standard hardware
Best For
Large enterprises in aerospace, automotive, or heavy machinery requiring fully integrated 3D electrical harness design in complex product lifecycles.
Pricing
Enterprise subscription licensing; typically $10,000+ per seat annually, customized quotes via Dassault Systèmes sales.
NX Electrical Design
enterpriseComprehensive wiring and harness design capabilities embedded in Siemens NX for mechatronic system development.
Fully integrated 3D wire harness routing directly within the mechanical product model for collision-free, concurrent design validation
NX Electrical Design, part of Siemens NX, is a powerful CAD solution for electrical wiring and wire harness design, supporting both 2D schematics and 3D modeling. It enables automated routing, bundling, and flattening of harnesses, with seamless integration into mechanical designs for concurrent engineering. The software generates detailed manufacturing outputs like cut lists, tape reports, and formboard drawings, ideal for complex systems in automotive and aerospace industries.
Pros
- Seamless integration with NX mechanical CAD for true mechatronic design
- Advanced 3D routing, simulation, and automated manufacturing outputs
- Robust handling of complex, large-scale harnesses with design rule checks
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to NX platform complexity
- High licensing costs, especially for smaller teams
- Requires significant hardware resources for optimal performance
Best For
Large enterprises in automotive, aerospace, or heavy machinery sectors requiring integrated 3D electrical-mechanical design workflows.
Pricing
Enterprise subscription starting at around $10,000-$20,000 per user/year, often bundled with full NX licensing; contact Siemens for quotes.
SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D
enterpriseSchematic-to-3D wire harness design tool with automated routing, bill of materials, and manufacturing documentation.
Bidirectional synchronization between 2D electrical schematics and 3D harness routing, eliminating manual data translation
SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D is a powerful add-on to the SOLIDWORKS CAD suite that integrates 2D electrical schematics with 3D mechanical models for comprehensive wire harness design and routing. It automates the creation of 3D harness assemblies from schematic data, including wire lengths, bundling, and flattening for manufacturing. This tool excels in multidisciplinary environments, ensuring real-time synchronization between electrical and mechanical design teams while generating accurate production outputs like bills of materials and nailboard drawings.
Pros
- Seamless integration with SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD for bidirectional updates between schematics and models
- Advanced automated 3D routing, branching, and flattening with precise length calculations
- Robust library management and collaboration tools for complex harness projects
Cons
- Steep learning curve, especially for users new to SOLIDWORKS ecosystem
- High cost due to required base SOLIDWORKS license and additional modules
- Performance can lag with very large assemblies or complex harnesses
Best For
Multidisciplinary engineering teams in automotive, aerospace, or machinery industries already using SOLIDWORKS who need integrated 2D/3D wire harness design.
Pricing
Term license approximately $5,000-$7,000 per year per user, plus required SOLIDWORKS Professional/Premium subscription (~$4,000+/year).
Altium Designer
specializedUnified platform supporting wire harness design alongside PCB layouts with interactive routing and harness management.
Unified 3D environment for simultaneous PCB and harness design with direct MCAD export
Altium Designer is a powerful EDA platform primarily known for PCB design but with robust wire harness design capabilities, enabling schematic capture, bundle management, and 3D routing. It supports the full design flow from logical diagrams to physical layouts and manufacturing outputs like wire lists and formboard drawings. The tool integrates seamlessly with mechanical CAD systems for accurate harness placement in assemblies.
Pros
- Seamless integration with PCB design workflows
- Advanced 3D harness routing and visualization
- Comprehensive manufacturing outputs including nailboard drawings
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface
- High subscription cost for smaller teams
- Less specialized than dedicated harness tools for very large assemblies
Best For
Engineering teams already invested in Altium's ecosystem needing integrated PCB and wire harness design.
Pricing
Annual subscription starting at approximately $10,000 per user, with tiered plans based on features and support.
SEE Electrical Harness
enterpriseHarness-focused electrical CAD software for schematic capture, 2D/3D design, and production-ready outputs.
Advanced 3D harness flattening and automatic wire optimization for precise manufacturing prep
SEE Electrical Harness from IGE+XAO is a comprehensive CAD solution tailored for wire harness design, enabling engineers to create detailed 2D schematics, perform 3D routing, and generate manufacturing outputs. It integrates seamlessly with the SEE Electrical suite for schematic-to-harness workflows, automating wire sizing, bundling, and error checking. The software supports industries like automotive, aerospace, and machinery with tools for BOMs, reports, and production drawings.
Pros
- Robust automation for wire routing and length calculation
- Excellent integration with 3D mechanical CAD and schematics
- Comprehensive manufacturing outputs including BOMs and flattening
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- High licensing costs for smaller teams
- Limited community resources compared to mainstream CAD tools
Best For
Mid-to-large engineering teams in automotive or aerospace requiring end-to-end harness design and production documentation.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at around €4,000-€10,000 depending on modules, with annual maintenance fees of 18-20%.
Inventor Routed Systems
enterpriseHarness and cable design module within Autodesk Inventor for 3D routing and integration with mechanical models.
Dynamic parametric routing that automatically recalculates wire lengths and bundle shapes as the 3D assembly changes
Autodesk Inventor Routed Systems is an extension of Inventor CAD software focused on designing complex routed systems, including electrical wire harnesses, tubing, and piping in 3D environments. It allows users to define routes parametrically, bundle wires intelligently, calculate lengths automatically, and produce manufacturing deliverables like flattened 2D layouts and wire lists. Integrated within the Autodesk ecosystem, it facilitates collaboration between mechanical and electrical teams for accurate harness assembly documentation.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Inventor for 3D parametric routing and real-time updates
- Robust manufacturing outputs including nailboard drawings and BOMs
- Strong visualization and interference checking for harness bundles
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to Inventor's complex interface
- Lacks advanced electrical-specific automation like auto-design rule checks found in dedicated harness tools
- High subscription cost limits accessibility for small teams
Best For
Mechanical engineers and teams in automotive or aerospace already invested in the Autodesk Inventor ecosystem needing integrated 3D wire harness design.
Pricing
Included in Autodesk Inventor subscription (~$2,310/year) or Product Design & Manufacturing Collection (~$3,170/year); no standalone pricing.
Visula
specializedSpecialized wire harness engineering software for design, analysis, and formboard generation.
Real-time 3D wire routing and interference detection directly on imported vehicle or product CAD geometry
Visula from Vis Systems is a 3D wire harness design software that allows engineers to import CAD models and route wires directly in a virtual 3D environment for accurate visualization and design. It automates wire length calculations, harness flattening, and generates manufacturing outputs like tape lists and cut sheets. Primarily targeted at automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery industries, it bridges design and production workflows effectively.
Pros
- Strong 3D visualization and routing on imported CAD models
- Automated manufacturing documentation and calculations
- Seamless integration with common CAD tools like CATIA and NX
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-expert users
- Limited advanced simulation features compared to top competitors
- Pricing lacks transparency and can be high for smaller teams
Best For
Mid-sized engineering teams in automotive or aerospace needing precise 3D harness routing on existing CAD models.
Pricing
Enterprise licensing model; contact for custom quotes, typically starting at $10,000+ annually per seat.
Conclusion
The reviewed software tools cater to varied needs, with Capital Harness leading for its end-to-end capabilities in design, simulation, documentation, and manufacturing. E3.series stands out for its modular approach, while Creo Wiring and Harnessing excels in integrated 3D CAD workflows, making each a strong option depending on specific priorities.
Begin with the top-ranked Capital Harness to elevate your wire harness design process, or explore E3.series and Creo Wiring and Harnessing if your needs lean toward modularity or integrated CAD environments.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
