Creating Parametric Wooden Frame in SolidEdge

I set out to build some raised garden beds today. Naturally, that meant a healthy detour into procrastination, yak-shaving, and just the right amount of over-engineering. Instead of grabbing a saw and some boards, I decided the first step was to create fully parametric CAD models in Solid Edge. Because why make it simple when you can make it fancy?

Step 1: Modeling the lumber

Before assembling anything, I needed to define the pieces of lumber. For this project, I’m using:

• 70×70 for the posts
• 200×300 for the side boards
• 100×200 for the caps

That meant creating three part files, each with a simple sketch and a small extrusion.

Next, I assigned proper materials so the visuals look nicer and the mass calculations make sense.

With that, I now had clean, reusable cross-section profiles for all the frame parts.

Step 2: Defining the frame skeleton

Time for the overall structure. I created a new assembly file and used 3D Sketch to outline the raised bed. For this version, the dimensions are 2m × 1.5m × 20cm.

Step 3: Adding the posts

The posts are the most “fixed” parts of the assembly, so I started with them. Using the Frame function, I set up butt joints in the options panel.

Then I picked the cross-section component I’d created earlier and applied it to the post edges.

By default, they weren’t aligned how I wanted. A quick tweak with Handle Points moved them so the inner surfaces are flush.

Step 4: Adding sides and caps

With posts in place, it was time to add the side boards. Same process: pick profile, select edges, adjust handle points. The only difference here was setting the orientation to 90°.

Finally, the caps went on. This time I used mitered corners and enabled “Coping on non-mitered joints” to get proper joints.

One bed done.

Step 5: Making it parametric

One bed is nice, but I want multiple configurations. To do that, I exported the bed’s length and width as variables.

With the Family of Assemblies tool, I could now create different versions by tweaking these parameters. The Edit Table view makes it easy to manage multiple sizes at once.

Step 6: Creating drawings and cut lists

Next, I assembled a couple of different bed variants side by side. Solid Edge allows to choose which member of the family to place.

To get a proper cut list, I created a new drawing, dropped in an assembly view, and added dimensions.

The Parts List tool gave me this initial table:

By default, it just shows assembly file names. To make it more useful, I opened the table options and added a Cut Length column, and in List Control enabled Atomic List.

That produced this much clearer table:

Finally, I adjusted the units to centimeters.

Result

Now I’ve got fully parametric, dimensioned, and documented raised bed models. If I decide to switch to 100×100 posts or increase the bed height from 20cm to 35cm, everything updates automatically - drawings, cut lists, and all.