Quick Overview
- 1#1: E3.series - Comprehensive 2D schematic and 3D wire harness design platform with automated manufacturing outputs.
- 2#2: Capital Harness - End-to-end 2D/3D wire harness engineering, validation, and manufacturing solution integrated with PLM systems.
- 3#3: Creo Wiring and Harnessing - Parametric 3D cabling and harness design module for integration within Creo mechanical assemblies.
- 4#4: CATIA Electrical Harness Design - Advanced electrical harness modeling, routing, and installation tools within the CATIA PLM ecosystem.
- 5#5: SOLIDWORKS Electrical - Integrated schematic capture and 3D harness routing software for SOLIDWORKS users.
- 6#6: SEE Electrical Harness - Electrical CAD solution with specialized modules for wire harness design and production documentation.
- 7#7: CADdy harness - Modular electrical design software focused on wire harness engineering and manufacturing data.
- 8#8: Visula - Dedicated wire harness CAD system for design, variant management, and formboard generation.
- 9#9: M4 ELECTRICAL - 2D/3D electrical design suite supporting wire harness schematics, layouts, and automation.
- 10#10: Inventor Cable & Harness - 3D cable and wire harness routing tools embedded in Autodesk Inventor for mechanical design.
These tools were ranked based on a blend of technical prowess (including feature completeness, automation capabilities, and compatibility), user-centric design (intuitive interfaces and workflow integration), and overall value (cost-efficiency and adaptability across applications) to ensure a balanced and authoritative list.
Comparison Table
Explore a detailed comparison of top wire harness software tools, including E3.series, Capital Harness, Creo Wiring and Harnessing, CATIA Electrical Harness Design, SOLIDWORKS Electrical, and more, crafted to guide professionals in evaluating options for their projects. This table outlines key features, usability, and integration strengths, enabling readers to identify the software that best fits their workflow and technical needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E3.series Comprehensive 2D schematic and 3D wire harness design platform with automated manufacturing outputs. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Capital Harness End-to-end 2D/3D wire harness engineering, validation, and manufacturing solution integrated with PLM systems. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Creo Wiring and Harnessing Parametric 3D cabling and harness design module for integration within Creo mechanical assemblies. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | CATIA Electrical Harness Design Advanced electrical harness modeling, routing, and installation tools within the CATIA PLM ecosystem. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 5 | SOLIDWORKS Electrical Integrated schematic capture and 3D harness routing software for SOLIDWORKS users. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | SEE Electrical Harness Electrical CAD solution with specialized modules for wire harness design and production documentation. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | CADdy harness Modular electrical design software focused on wire harness engineering and manufacturing data. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Visula Dedicated wire harness CAD system for design, variant management, and formboard generation. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.3/10 |
| 9 | M4 ELECTRICAL 2D/3D electrical design suite supporting wire harness schematics, layouts, and automation. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 10 | Inventor Cable & Harness 3D cable and wire harness routing tools embedded in Autodesk Inventor for mechanical design. | enterprise | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.0/10 |
Comprehensive 2D schematic and 3D wire harness design platform with automated manufacturing outputs.
End-to-end 2D/3D wire harness engineering, validation, and manufacturing solution integrated with PLM systems.
Parametric 3D cabling and harness design module for integration within Creo mechanical assemblies.
Advanced electrical harness modeling, routing, and installation tools within the CATIA PLM ecosystem.
Integrated schematic capture and 3D harness routing software for SOLIDWORKS users.
Electrical CAD solution with specialized modules for wire harness design and production documentation.
Modular electrical design software focused on wire harness engineering and manufacturing data.
Dedicated wire harness CAD system for design, variant management, and formboard generation.
2D/3D electrical design suite supporting wire harness schematics, layouts, and automation.
3D cable and wire harness routing tools embedded in Autodesk Inventor for mechanical design.
E3.series
specializedComprehensive 2D schematic and 3D wire harness design platform with automated manufacturing outputs.
Advanced 3D harness design with automated tape simulation, branching, and precise nailboard flattening for production-ready outputs
E3.series by Zuken is a comprehensive CAE suite for electrical engineering, specializing in wire harness, cable assembly, panel layout, and control system design. It offers advanced 2D schematic capture, 3D routing with bundling and flattening, and automated manufacturing outputs like nailboard drawings and reports. Widely used in automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery, it ensures design accuracy, error reduction, and seamless integration with MCAD tools.
Pros
- Fully integrated 2D/3D workflow with real-time error checking and automated manufacturing data generation
- Superior 3D harness routing, bundling, and formboard/nailboard production for complex assemblies
- Robust MCAD integration (e.g., CATIA, NX) and extensive library support for enterprise-scale projects
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant training for full utilization
- High upfront and ongoing costs unsuitable for small teams or freelancers
- Resource-intensive, demanding powerful hardware for large designs
Best For
Large engineering firms in automotive, aerospace, or machinery sectors handling complex, high-volume wire harness projects.
Pricing
Enterprise licensing with custom quotes; perpetual or subscription models starting at $15,000+ per seat annually, plus maintenance.
Capital Harness
enterpriseEnd-to-end 2D/3D wire harness engineering, validation, and manufacturing solution integrated with PLM systems.
Automated 3D harness routing and optimization directly integrated with NX CAD for real-time design validation and manufacturing prep
Capital Harness from Siemens is a comprehensive enterprise-grade software solution for wire harness design, engineering, and manufacturing. It supports the full lifecycle, from logical design and schematic capture to advanced 3D modeling, routing optimization, and automated production outputs like wire lists and manufacturing diagrams. Integrated into the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, it enables seamless collaboration with PLM tools like Teamcenter and CAD systems like NX, making it ideal for complex harnesses in automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery industries.
Pros
- Advanced automation for routing, flattening, and optimization reducing design time significantly
- Deep integration with Siemens ecosystem (NX, Teamcenter) for end-to-end digital thread
- Robust validation tools and manufacturing outputs ensuring high accuracy and compliance
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring specialized training
- High enterprise-level pricing not suitable for small teams
- Interface feels dated compared to newer cloud-native competitors
Best For
Large OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers in automotive or aerospace needing scalable, integrated harness engineering for complex systems.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing via Siemens sales; typically annual subscriptions starting at $10,000+ per seat with volume discounts.
Creo Wiring and Harnessing
enterpriseParametric 3D cabling and harness design module for integration within Creo mechanical assemblies.
In-context 3D harness routing embedded directly in the full mechanical product assembly for design validation without data translation
Creo Wiring and Harnessing, part of PTC's Creo suite, is a comprehensive CAD tool for designing, routing, and managing electrical wiring diagrams, harnesses, and cable assemblies in a fully integrated 3D environment. It enables automatic routing along 3D paths or skeletons, handles complex branched structures with splices and terminations, and generates detailed manufacturing outputs like flattened drawings, BOMs, and reports. The module ensures electromechanical design consistency by embedding electrical systems directly within mechanical assemblies, supporting validation and simulation for reliability.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Creo mechanical design for true concurrent engineering
- Advanced 3D routing, branching, and automated manufacturing deliverables
- Robust analysis tools for electrical performance and clash detection
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to Creo's complex interface
- High cost, especially for smaller teams
- Resource-heavy, requiring powerful hardware for large assemblies
Best For
Enterprise engineering teams in automotive, aerospace, or heavy machinery needing integrated 3D electromechanical design workflows.
Pricing
Subscription-based via PTC Creo licenses; Wiring and Harnessing module adds to base pricing of ~$2,500-$5,000/user/year, with custom quotes for extensions.
CATIA Electrical Harness Design
enterpriseAdvanced electrical harness modeling, routing, and installation tools within the CATIA PLM ecosystem.
Deep integration with mechanical CAD for simultaneous electrical-mechanical design and real-time validation in a single 3D environment
CATIA Electrical Harness Design, part of Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, is a comprehensive CAD tool for creating, routing, and validating complex 3D electrical wire harnesses. It excels in integrating harness designs with mechanical assemblies, offering automated routing, branch management, and detailed flattening for manufacturing. The software supports advanced simulations for electrical performance and mechanical stresses, making it suitable for high-stakes industries like aerospace and automotive.
Pros
- Seamless integration with CATIA mechanical design for unified 3D workflows
- Advanced automation for routing, splicing, and flattening with manufacturing outputs
- Robust simulation tools for electrical, thermal, and mechanical validation
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface and extensive features
- High resource demands requiring powerful hardware
- Premium pricing limits accessibility for smaller teams
Best For
Large enterprises in aerospace, automotive, or heavy machinery needing end-to-end 3D harness design integrated with full PLM systems.
Pricing
Enterprise subscription model via 3DEXPERIENCE; typically $15,000+ per user/year, often bundled in larger role-based licenses.
SOLIDWORKS Electrical
specializedIntegrated schematic capture and 3D harness routing software for SOLIDWORKS users.
Bidirectional integration between 2D schematics and 3D routing for real-time design synchronization
SOLIDWORKS Electrical is a robust ECAD solution from Dassault Systèmes designed for electrical schematic creation, wire harness design, and integration with 3D CAD models. It automates wire sizing, routing, BOM generation, and manufacturing outputs like wire lists and reports. The software supports collaborative design environments, making it suitable for complex harness projects in multidisciplinary teams.
Pros
- Seamless integration with SOLIDWORKS 3D for automated harness routing and flattening
- Real-time multi-user collaboration on schematics and harness designs
- Comprehensive automation for design rules, error checking, and manufacturing reports
Cons
- Steep learning curve, especially for users new to the SOLIDWORKS ecosystem
- High subscription costs that scale with additional modules and users
- Resource-intensive, requiring powerful hardware for large projects
Best For
Multidisciplinary engineering teams in automotive, aerospace, or machinery industries already using SOLIDWORKS for mechanical design who need tight ECAD-MCAD integration.
Pricing
Term license subscription starting at ~$4,000/year for Schematic Professional; full 3D harness capabilities ~$7,000+/year, with volume discounts available.
SEE Electrical Harness
specializedElectrical CAD solution with specialized modules for wire harness design and production documentation.
Integrated 3D harness flattening and routing with real-time mechanical collision detection
SEE Electrical Harness by IGE+XAO is a professional CAD solution specialized for electrical wire harness design and manufacturing. It enables 2D schematic creation, 3D routing, automatic wire length calculation, and generation of production documents like cutlists and labels. The software supports integration with mechanical CAD and PLM systems, making it suitable for complex harness projects in automotive, aerospace, and railway industries.
Pros
- Robust 2D/3D harness design with automatic calculations
- Comprehensive manufacturing outputs and BOM generation
- Strong integration with PLM and 3D CAD systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- High licensing costs for full modules
- Limited customization without add-ons
Best For
Mid-to-large engineering teams in automotive or aerospace requiring precise 3D harness routing and production-ready documentation.
Pricing
Modular perpetual or subscription licensing starting at around €5,000-€15,000 per user annually, depending on modules and support.
CADdy harness
specializedModular electrical design software focused on wire harness engineering and manufacturing data.
Integrated formboard generation with automatic unfolding for efficient harness manufacturing preparation
CADdy Harness from ECS CAD is a specialized CAD solution for wire harness design, enabling 2D schematic creation, 3D routing on assemblies, and automatic generation of manufacturing documentation like cut lists and formboards. It supports the full lifecycle from design to production, with strong integration into PLM systems and compatibility with industry standards in automotive and aerospace. The software excels in precise bundle calculations and variant management for complex harnesses.
Pros
- Advanced 3D routing with collision detection and auto-flattening
- Comprehensive manufacturing outputs including nailboard drawings
- Seamless integration with CADdy Electrical and external PLM/ERP systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to dense interface
- Limited native cloud collaboration features
- Pricing can be high for smaller teams without modular options
Best For
Mid-to-large engineering teams in automotive, aerospace, or machinery industries requiring precise, production-ready harness designs.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise licensing; perpetual or subscription models starting at €5,000+ per seat depending on modules.
Visula
specializedDedicated wire harness CAD system for design, variant management, and formboard generation.
Real-time multiplayer 3D harness viewer for seamless team collaboration
Visula (vised.de) is a cloud-based wire harness design software that specializes in 2D/3D visualization, automatic routing, and BOM generation for electrical harnesses. It integrates seamlessly with ECAD tools like EPLAN, SEE Electrical, and Capital to import designs and supports collaborative workflows for teams. The platform emphasizes intuitive visual design, length/weight calculations, and export options for manufacturing, making it suitable for streamlining harness engineering processes.
Pros
- Cloud-based collaboration with real-time sharing
- Strong ECAD import/export capabilities
- Intuitive 3D visualization and auto-routing tools
Cons
- Limited advanced simulation and analysis features
- Internet dependency may hinder offline work
- Less mature for highly complex aerospace/defense harnesses
Best For
Engineering teams in automotive or machinery sectors seeking accessible, collaborative wire harness visualization without deep CAD expertise.
Pricing
Subscription-based; starts at around €99/user/month for basic plans, custom enterprise pricing available.
M4 ELECTRICAL
specialized2D/3D electrical design suite supporting wire harness schematics, layouts, and automation.
Automated 3D-to-2D flattening for precise nailboard drawings and wire lists directly from harness models
M4 ELECTRICAL from CAD-Schroer is an integrated electrical CAD solution within the M4 suite, specializing in schematic design, panel layouts, and wire harness engineering for industries like automotive and aerospace. It supports 2D schematic capture, 3D routing of harnesses on virtual assemblies, automatic wire length calculation, and generation of manufacturing deliverables such as nailboard drawings, BOMs, and cut lists. The software emphasizes variant management and seamless integration with mechanical CAD systems for comprehensive plant and harness design workflows.
Pros
- Strong 2D/3D integration for harness routing and flattening
- Robust variant handling and automated reporting for manufacturing
- Seamless interoperability with other M4 modules and third-party CAD
Cons
- Dated user interface with a steep learning curve
- Limited advanced simulation or optimization compared to top competitors
- High cost for full functionality, especially for smaller teams
Best For
Mid-to-large engineering firms requiring integrated electrical and mechanical design for complex wire harness projects in automotive or machinery sectors.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; perpetual licenses start around €5,000-€10,000 per module, with annual maintenance and subscription options available.
Inventor Cable & Harness
enterprise3D cable and wire harness routing tools embedded in Autodesk Inventor for mechanical design.
Real-time 3D harness routing with automatic validation against mechanical assemblies
Autodesk Inventor Cable & Harness is a module within Inventor Professional that enables 3D modeling, routing, and documentation of wire harnesses and cables directly in the context of mechanical assemblies. It supports automated wire sizing, length calculations, branching, and generation of 2D nailboard and formboard drawings for manufacturing. This tool excels in mechatronic design workflows, ensuring electrical systems align precisely with physical product geometry.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Inventor for concurrent mechanical-electrical design
- Accurate 3D routing with real-time length and collision validation
- Comprehensive outputs including reports, BOMs, and flattened manufacturing drawings
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to reliance on full Inventor environment
- Not a standalone solution, requiring Inventor Professional subscription
- Less specialized for high-volume harness production compared to dedicated tools
Best For
Engineering teams already invested in Autodesk Inventor who need integrated 3D wire harness design within complex assemblies.
Pricing
Included in Autodesk Inventor Professional subscription at ~$2,310 USD/year (3-year commitment options available).
Conclusion
The reviewed wire harness software tools collectively demonstrate the industry's focus on efficiency and innovation, with E3.series leading as the top choice—offering a comprehensive 2D/3D design platform and automated manufacturing outputs that cater to diverse engineering needs. Capital Harness stands out for its end-to-end integration with PLM systems, ensuring seamless workflow continuity, while Creo Wiring and Harnessing excels in tight integration with mechanical assemblies, making it a strong pick for those within the Creo ecosystem. Each tool balances practicality and advanced features, reflecting the dynamic demands of modern wire harness engineering.
Explore E3.series to leverage its robust capabilities for streamlined design and production, or consider Capital Harness or Creo Wiring and Harnessing to align with specific integration or workflow priorities—each top tool delivering value tailored to distinct project needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison