CADDS 5
CADDS 5 is paid CAD/CAM software for collaborative engineering and very large, complex products.
What CADDS 5 is
CADDS 5 is paid CAD/CAM software for collaborative engineering and very large, complex products. Its hybrid modeling combines parametric, explicit, and derived methods, with derived parameters driven by rules, standards-based inputs, or other databases. The software includes assembly design, sheet-metal tools, surface modeling, and electrical, piping, and HVAC systems design. Shipbuilding features cover structural and outfitting work plus NURBS hull surfaces. PTC says hundreds of designers can work concurrently across design, documentation, assembly, and machining. EPD.Connect can detect interferences, animate 3D models, and navigate complex product structures. Optegra helps users browse and securely access current CAD and product-development information across an enterprise. CADDS 5 supports Windows, Solaris SPARC, and Solaris x86, with exchanges for native CADDS 5, Creo CADDS 5, solids, assemblies, surfaces, wireframe curves, and points. Pricing is available from a representative; there is no free plan.
Good
- Parametric, explicit, and derived modeling
- Assembly, sheet-metal, and surface tools
- Specialized shipbuilding capabilities
- Supports concurrent engineering work
- Multiple CAD exchange formats
Watch out
- Paid software with pricing on request
- No free plan
- Creo interface requires a license
- Creo exchange excludes 2D and MEDUSA drawings
Who it suits
It suits engineering organizations handling complex products, collaborative design, systems work, or shipbuilding. Windows and Solaris users can access its supported platforms.
Verdict
CADDS 5 combines broad engineering modeling with shipbuilding and systems-design capabilities. Its licensing and specialized workflow make it a product for organizations with substantial CAD requirements.
Plans and prices
From CADDS 5's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| CADDS 5 | Priced on request | Pricing available from a PTC representative · product options include modeling, drafting, shipbuilding, and extensions |
The facts
Each one read from CADDS 5's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Assembly design
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Concurrent work
- PTC says hundreds of designers can work concurrently on a project, including design, documentation, assembly, and machining.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Data exchange
- Creo's optional CADDS 5 interface can import CADDS 5 parts and assemblies and export parts and assemblies in native CADDS 5 format; a license is required for that interface.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Data exchange limit
- Creo's CADDS 5 interface does not transfer CADDS 5 2D or MEDUSA drawing data, and the transferred 3D geometry does not include feature history or parametric relationships.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Derived modeling
- Derived modeling can use rules, standards-based inputs, or other databases to drive model parameters.checked 11 Oct 2026
- File import and export
- Native CADDS 5; Creo CADDS 5 exchange; solid models; assembly structures; surfaces; wireframe curves; pointschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Modeling
- It supports parametric, explicit, and derived modeling capabilities.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Modeling method
- hybridchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Optegra
- CADDS 5 Optegra helps users browse, locate, and securely access up-to-date CAD and other product development information across an enterprise.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- CADDS 5 is specialized CAD/CAM software for collaborative engineering and very large, complex products.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- PTC describes CADDS 5 as providing a single, centralized, secure, up-to-date CAD dataset.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Sheet-metal tools
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Shipbuilding
- The product includes specialized capabilities for naval and commercial ship design, including structural and outfitting work and NURBS hull surfaces.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- A CADDS 5 representative can provide pricing, arrange a product demo, answer technical questions, guide software updates, and arrange a software evaluation.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Surface modeling
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Systems design
- CADDS 5 supports electrical, piping, and HVAC systems design.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Visualization
- PTC says EPD.Connect can detect model interferences, animate 3D product models, and navigate complex product structures.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1985checked 19 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- 121 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, USAchecked 19 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Nochecked 20 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Supported platforms
- Windows; Solaris SPARC; Solaris x86checked 20 Sep 2026
- Windows support
- PTC's CADDS 5 16.1 hardware notes list Windows 10 32-bit Enterprise Edition support from datecode M090 and above.checked 11 Oct 2026
Alternatives to CADDS 5
- 1
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Onshape
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SOLIDWORKS
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Shapr3D
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Plasticity
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.9$175 one-time - 6
OpenSCAD
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS7.9Free plan