Building product configurator, from dimensions to BIM object
In short
A building product configurator turns order dimensions and options into a valid product variant and generates its CAD model, drawing, bill of materials and BIM object by rule. We develop such configurators with you on top of Solid Edge, SolidWorks or Inventor, so sales, design and planners work from the same variant.
Updated 27 Oct 2026
Building products vary by width, height, opening type, material, fittings and connections. When each order is modelled by hand, lead times and errors grow with the number of orders.
- Start with
- Quick Scanone week · €4,900
- Systems
- Solid Edge, SolidWorks, Inventor, SolidWorks PDM, Autodesk Vault
- Result
- model, drawing, BOM and BIM object per order
How it works
- 01
Capture the rules
Together with design and sales we write down the product logic: permitted dimension ranges, options and their dependencies, which parts change and which stay fixed.
- 02
Build the model logic
The master model is set up in Solid Edge with the variable table and the Solid Edge API, in SolidWorks with configurations, design tables or a tool such as DriveWorks, or in Inventor with iLogic. It builds each valid variant without manual modelling.
- 03
Generate the outputs
From each variant the configurator produces the approval drawing, the BOM for the ERP and a BIM object as IFC file or Revit family, named and stored in the PDM.
- 04
Connect sales
Dimensions and options come from sales, a web configurator or a CPQ system. AI checks free-text order details against the rules and proposes a valid variant as a preview; the engineer or order clerk confirms.
What you get
Rule set for the product family
Dimension ranges, options and dependencies documented and maintained in one place.
Configurable master model
A Solid Edge, SolidWorks or Inventor model that builds every valid variant by rule.
Outputs per order
Model, approval drawing, BOM and BIM object generated from one set of inputs.
Limits
A configurator covers what its rules describe. Special requests outside the agreed ranges go to design as before. Rules that exist only in the heads of experienced designers have to be written down first, and that step needs time from your experts. Structural, thermal or acoustic values that need certified calculation or testing stay in the tools and documents approved for that; the configurator links to their results.
Systems
- Solid Edge
- SolidWorks
- Inventor
- SolidWorks PDM
- Autodesk Vault
- IFC
Frequently asked questions
What is a product configurator for building products?
It is software that takes order inputs such as dimensions, opening type, materials and options, checks them against the product rules and produces a valid variant. Configurators for building products often also generate the CAD model, drawings, bills of materials, prices and BIM objects, so sales, design and production work from the same data.
Can Solid Edge or SolidWorks drive a configurator for doors and windows?
Yes. The Solid Edge variable table and API, SolidWorks configurations and design tables, and Inventor iLogic can drive dimensions, suppress or swap components and update drawings from rules. Add-on tools such as DriveWorks extend SolidWorks with input forms and rule management. For large product ranges the rules are often kept outside the CAD model, so that sales tools can use them too.
How does a building product configurator create BIM objects for planners?
It builds the variant in CAD, reduces it to the level of detail planners need and exports it as IFC or, from Inventor, as a Revit family, with properties taken from the configuration. This can also be offered online, so planners download the object for their exact variant. Engineers approve the rules and samples; after that, every export follows the same rules.
What effort does a configurator for building products require?
The effort depends on the number of product families, how clearly the rules are documented and how many outputs are needed. A good start is one product family with its most frequent options. A Quick Scan of one week clarifies rules, outputs and data and ends with a fixed-price offer for the first step.
Talk to us about your task.
In the free 45-minute intro call we show a live demo on comparable geometry. Someone from our team replies personally within one working day.