# Put Your Critical IP at the Heart of Design and Engineering With Industrial AI

The era of purely physical products is coming to an end – the products of the future will be software-defined and circular by design. 3D UNIVERSES provide engineers and designers with the AI-powered generative design capabilities and virtual-twin-based engineering needed to get working on tomorrow, today.

## (3D UNIVERSES) With Virtual Twins, Overwhelming Complexity Becomes Actionable and Experienceable IP

The products that will dominate the next 50 years will be radically different from those of the last 50. Not just more sustainable, but fully circular. Not just personalized, but modular. Not just smart, but software-defined.

Of course, all this means more complexity. Fifty years ago, a car might have had 5,000 components. Today, that figure is closer to 30,000. And these complex products will need to be delivered within ever-tightening regulatory, commercial and environmental constraints.

Much of that pressure will fall on designers – after all, **the first 80% of a product’s environmental footprint and economic impact alone is determined during the design stage**. But while they continue to struggle with processes that are paper-based, siloed and non-standardized, this complexity is becoming overwhelming.

## (3D UNIVERSES) 3D UNIVERSES Put Intelligence and IP Generation at the Heart of the Design and Engineering Process

3D UNIVERSES turn complexity into simplicity. By aggregating and standardizing data according to best practices, and uniting the virtual and the real worlds – the V+R – 3D UNIVERSES harmonize disparate design functions and approaches into a single domain that is also interoperable with other organizational functions.

By **combining all this knowledge into multiple, connected virtual twins and integrating science-backed industrial AI**, 3D UNIVERSES can serve as your fully equipped, one-stop V+R workshop, where designs can be generated and validated and decisions made at maximum speed with maximum confidence.

## (3D UNIVERSES) Up to 25%

## (3D UNIVERSES) Up to 50%

## (3D UNIVERSES) Up to 50x

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2025-12/3d-universes-design-and-engineering-process-background-banner-1920x900.webp)

## (Virtual Twin of Components and Systems) Pull Together Regulatory, Commercial and Engineering Information for a Single Source of Creation

Within 3D UNIVERSES, industry-leading virtual twins combine with generative design capabilities to create new spaces for exploration and decision-making, potentially boosting **engineering productivity by up to a factor of 50** and driving new levels of circular innovation.

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### Virtual Twin of Components and Systems: Your Generative Workshop for Limitless Creation

Imagine if you could have a spellchecker for design and engineering: a smart platform that automatically knows when you’re making an error and can nudge you back on course.

3D UNIVERSES provide this. Built on a foundation of industry-leading design, engineering, manufacturing and regulatory guidelines – all combined with unique knowledge and know-how – they are what make your designs work. That means they can place every single asset you make – from a jet turbine to a microprocessor – within its full development context, **unifying virtual designs with real world requirements**, notifying you when you’re outside parameters and guiding you to better solutions.

This information isn’t just conveyed in the form of dashboards and text: 3D UNIVERSES give design constraints functional, logical and physical representation within your workflows, letting you automatically:

- Automatically create new product components, with **Generative Design**
- Rapidly optimize how components fit together, with **Generative Assembly**
- Simultaneously apply mechanical constraints, with **Generative Tolerancing**
- Validate part performance at scale, with **Generative Experiment**

Simply by anticipating designers’ next actions, AI-powered design solutions can **boost productivity by up to 25%**. Generative design capabilities can achieve this while also enhancing accuracy: by generating multiple different ideas before designs are finalized, they can reduce late-stage changes by 50%.

3D UNIVERSES solutions also **embed resiliency and circularity at the heart of your design process** and help you pursue these goals at scale. Your design, connected to a V+R loop of continuous feedback and innovation, becomes dynamically responsive to market signals to balance economic performance against sustainability and resiliency needs.

[(3D UNIVERSES) (Virtual Twin of Components and Systems-Video)](/media/23643)

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### Virtual Twin of the Software-Defined Product: A Space Designed for System-of-Systems Engineering

The future is software-defined. Increasingly, products are not just purely physical but experiential, powered by interconnectivity: the digital assets and connected IT systems that control our home appliances, how our cars navigate, and even manage our capital equipment.

However, developing software-defined products (SDPs) adds new dimensions of complexity for designers and engineers, who must integrate whole new disciplines within their processes. Software-defined cars, for example, involve a complex interplay between software and networking technology, and pre-existing mechanical and electrical systems, to create seamless cyber-physical systems.

With that comes complex new collaboration challenges: new shared languages are needed to unite engineers and electricians with software developers and coders around a single, coherent definition of products, their requirements, and related business outcomes.

3D UNIVERSES create a space where these conversations can happen. Where teamwork is made intuitive, and timelines are accelerated. Today, validating a software-defined vehicle can take months, if not years. With our solutions, you can **create the Virtual Twin of the Software-Defined Product at the click of a button**.

And by combining these virtual twins with real-world data, a virtuous V+R feedback loop of continuous optimization is enabled, helping ensure the safety and performance of new software-defined products.

[(3D UNIVERSES) (Virtual Twin of the Software-Defined Product Video)](/media/23631)

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### Virtual Twin of Software-Defined Experience: Imagine New Realities of Customer-Centric Business

What if you could instantly turn the sketch of a customer’s drawing into a 3D model, ready for production? Current AI tools are powerful, but the generated images don’t encode critical design or engineering information.

The industrial AI in 3D UNIVERSES is different. Generated assets don’t just look the part – these **science-backed, parametric, hallucination-free** outputs make them ready-made for practical application.

AI-powered 3D asset generation changes not just what you make, but how you sell it, connecting customers, designers, engineers and manufacturers around a single source of truth, where development becomes universally collaborative.

Thanks to the cross-departmental integration enabled by 3D UNIVERSES, marketing teams can deliver agile, adaptive campaigns that combine virtual experiences with real-world information, **founded on customer-centricity, and based on 100% accurate digital assets**.

**Selling your car in a new global market?** 3D UNIVERSES let you take the V+R asset of that vehicle, and generate background aesthetics tailored to the target market, while keeping core product dimensions and specifications consistent.

**Need to get sales moving, but products are still in development?** 3D UNIVERSES instantly generate quotes and delivery timelines from in-design assets, breaking the linear design > build > sell sequence, so you can develop products and customer relationships simultaneously.

**Want to move from static 2D marketing to selling experiences users can touch and feel?** 3D UNIVERSES let you generate richly detailed VR/AR experiences, where the end-user experience is imagined and designs can be experienced interactively and immersively.

## (3D UNIVERSES) Learn More About the Brands Making 3D UNIVERSES Possible

## (3D UNIVERSES) Learn More About the Brands Making 3D UNIVERSES Possible

## AI and Machine Learning in Simulation

Get more from your simulations and work more efficiently with AI-assisted performance-driven design with machine learning.

[AI and Machine Learning in Simulation Highlight Banner](/media/24599)

[   Learn more     ](/products/simulia/ai-and-machine-learning-simulation)

## (3D UNIVERSES) The Future of Engineering with Industrial AI

Succeed with AI in Knowledge-Based Engineering.

[(3D UNIVERSES) AI-Driven Generative Experiences](/media/23586)

[   Learn more     ](/products/catia/future-engineering-industrial-ai)

## (3D UNIVERSES) Unlock the Next Dimension with 3DLive

Bring designs to life, power real-world simulations, and enable training with real-time, guided 3D workflows.

[(3D UNIVERSES) Unlock the Next Dimension with 3DLive](/media/23587)

[   Learn more     ](/products/3dexperience/3dlive-apple-vision-pro)

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## (3D UNIVERSES) Frequently Asked Questions

## What is generative design software and what are the benefits?

Generative design is a groundbreaking engineering approach that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing to create optimized 3D models. By inputting specific design requirements and constraints into specialized software, engineers can generate a variety of design options tailored to their needs. This process mirrors natural evolution but operates at a much faster pace, marking a significant advancement in CAD and CAE technologies.

The main benefits of Generative Design are:

- **Accelerated Development:** AI speeds up design iterations, shortening the product development process and enabling faster time to market.
- **Optimized Designs:** Generative design offers numerous optimized variations, helping engineers select high-performing options.
- **Error Reduction:** Minimizes human error and reduces time spent on repetitive iteration tasks.
- **Cost Efficiency:** Automates simulation and prototype testing, cutting costs and reducing reliance on complex CAE analysis.
- **Innovative Solutions**: AI-driven designs break free from biases, fostering highly creative and innovative outcomes.

CATIA GENERATIVE DESIGN allows non-specialists to automatically generate and explore multiple designs that meet functional and design requirements. [Learn more](/store/cad/generative-design "What is generative design?")

## Are 3D UNIVERSES accessible to companies not currently using Dassault Systèmes technology?

Dassault Systèmes is dedicated to supporting businesses by ensuring seamless integration of 3D UNIVERSES within complex IT system and business infrastructures. The openness of the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform allows for flexibility, collaboration, and innovation, making it adaptable to meet the needs of companies, regardless of their existing technology stack. [To learn more](/3dexperience-platform/openness "3DEXPERIENCE Platform Openness")

## How can I learn more about 3D UNIVERSES?

If you’re an existing customer: Reach out to your usual client account team contact to schedule a dedicated meeting.

If you’re new or unsure: fill out [this form](/how-to-buy/contact-sales "Contact Sales") to contact us directly. If your company works with a reseller, feel free to mention their name in the comment section.

If you are ready to purchase, visit our [online store](/store "Buy online and get instant access to your solutions") to purchase pre-packaged solutions.

## How can I get started with 3D UNIVERSES?

If your company is already using the **3D**EXPERIENCE Platform on the cloud, you already have the foundation to leverage the power of 3D UNIVERSES. No migration is needed. Some products will be enriched during the regular release cycles, while others will be created to account for the step change in value.

For organizations needing assistance to transition to the **3D**EXPERIENCE on the cloud, or to fully adopt all the 3D UNIVERSES functionalities, our Cloud Service team is here to help with a wide range of possibilities from migration to tailored high value-add solutions. It includes faster AI adoption, improved business performance, and more sustainable outcomes all provided as add-ons to the cloud annual subscription. [Learn more](/consulting-services-value-engagement/industry-services "Industry Services").

## What skillsets do I need to create or interact with content in 3D UNIVERSES?

If you're a Dassault Systèmes customer, you will already have the foundational data, skills and knowledge and know-how needed to create and benefit from 3D UNIVERSES. There's no need to overhaul your entire business systems or retrain your team. It's all about building on your existing knowledge, expertise, and data to unlock new possibilities. Transition from a file-based organization to a data-driven one, reducing time to market, increasing innovation and reducing operational costs whilst leveraging your virtual assets across the entire organization. And don’t worry: your virtual companions will guide you every step of the way, helping you explore 3D UNIVERSES and maximize its potential!

If you are not already familiar with Dassault Systèmes solutions, please refer to the “How can I get started with 3D UNIVERSES?” question of this FAQ.

## Is my data protected when used on 3D UNIVERSES?

Yes, your data is fully protected. 3D UNIVERSES operates on a cloud-based platform, offering flexibility, scalability, and global accessibility while prioritizing data security.

Dassault Systèmes implements robust security measures, including encryption, network monitoring, access controls, and threat detection systems. The company follows industry best practices and frameworks such as ISO 27001 and continuously updates its security protocols to mitigate emerging cyber threats.

Dassault Systèmes applies a data governance framework that ensures customer data used in AI systems is managed responsibly and in compliance with applicable regulations and contractual commitments.

AI capabilities are developed following privacy-by-design and security-by-design principles, with safeguards to protect confidentiality, integrity and intellectual property.

Personal data is processed only for clearly defined and legitimate purposes, in accordance with contractual terms and the company’s Data Privacy Policy.

Access is restricted, monitored and governed through robust information security controls certified under international standards.

## Are 3D UNIVERSES accessible to Small and Medium-sized businesses?

Absolutely! 3D UNIVERSES are designed to deliver virtual twin experiences for everyone and everything, empowering businesses of all sizes to enhance collaboration, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable, real-world results.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) using the **3D**EXPERIENCE Platform on the cloud can start leveraging 3D UNIVERSES right away.

Ready to upgrade? Compare, explore, and select the bundle that best fits your needs below. Discover how each solution enhances product development and secure your bundle online today:

- [Design and Engineering for PLM Express](/products/plm-express/design "Streamline Product Development with AI-Driven Design Engineering")
- [Design Simulation for PLM Express](/products/plm-express/simulation "Empower Engineering with Scalable Simulation Solutions")
- [PLM Governance & Lifecycle](/products/plm-express/governance "Get Next-GEN PLM for Maximum Collaboration and Innovation")

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Design and Engineering