1. CPQ
  2. Document Automation
  3. CAD Outputs

Understanding CAD Outputs

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A CAD Output is one of many types of output files available. It generates one or more CAD models or documents using one of CAD platforms we support and you have installed.

Supported CAD Platforms

  • SolidWorks: Service Pack 5 of each year only
  • SolidWorks PDM Professional
  • AutoCAD: last service pack of each year.

At Epicor, we are committed to providing our customers with the best possible integration and support for CAD integrations with Epicor CPQ. To ensure optimal performance and support, we plan to qualify the last service pack of the year for SolidWorks (SP5) and AutoCAD (varies). By supporting the last service pack rather than the initial release, we are able to reduce the risk to our customers, ensure the appropriate time to qualify the service pack, and support a more stable solution.

Our support policy extends over a 2-year period. For example, if you use SolidWorks 2024 with the final service pack, we support our output builder's integration to this system until December 2026. While we understand and accommodate companies that prefer to stick with an older version, we do have a limit on how far back we can provide support.

To inquire about any platform, service pack, or version not listed please submit a support ticket.

Step by step overview

  1. Create a user for this integration.
    Troubleshooting and tracing of events can be easier when the output machine is logged in to Epicor CPQ as itself, rather than as another user.
  2. Ensure your CAD workstation meets our minimum requirements.
    Unlike our cloud-based builder, the CAD builder relies on CAD software you own and have installed on your own machine runnign the Windows operating system.
  3. Install the Epicor CPQ Output Builder on your CAD workstation. 
    This software is the connection between that computer and the Epicor CPQ platform.  (In most cases, you would install the Epicor CPQ Capture Tool at the same time.)
  4. Launch the Output Builder, and sign in the first time. 
    When it connects to Epicor CPQ, its name will appear in the Administrative Interface, under the list of Builders.  Find it in that list, and assign your builder to a queue.
  5. Upload a CAD file or files as templates and capture CAD Output Fields in them.
    Your templates are now dynamic, and ready for data from a configurator.
  6. Test your updated CAD models by creating a build in a configurator, and testing that build. 
    If you pick the queue you created, then everything's connected. Your test generates dynamic CAD files, saved either to the cloud, or to the CAD workstation's file system.
  7. Optionally, export your finished CAD drawing into other formats.
    That CAD drawing can be exported into a PDF, PNG, or other formats which are easy to share with others.
  8. Optionally, use our libraries to extend this CAD automation even farther.
    • unlock the full scripting potential of your CAD platform with our CAD Extension.
    • check in and check out documents to SolidWorks PDM Professional, a PDM vault, instead of reading and writing to the output builder's file system, with our ePDM Extension.

For further reading

  • CAD Drawing Output — A CAD Drawing Output generates a CAD drawing file from one of our supported CAD platforms you have installed.
  • CAD Extension — The CAD Extension allows any Epicor CPQ Output Builder to interact with its operating system and perform automated tasks beyond the standard Output Builder functionality.
  • CAD Output Fields — CAD Output Fields help you generate a CAD output.
  • Optimized Settings for a Solidworks Output Builder — For reliable and successful builds, use these optimized settings in your Solidworks builder.
  • Output Builder Troubleshooting Tips — When your output file is not building correctly, try these suggestions to resolve the problem.


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