If you work in design, engineering or manufacturing, chances are you’ve heard of it, but what is SOLIDWORKS?

SOLIDWORKS is 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software from Dassault Systèmes. Engineers and designers use it to create 3D parts, assemble components and produce detailed 2D manufacturing drawings. It’s widely used for mechanical engineering, product development, sheet metal design and fabrication.

What is SOLIDWORKS used for?

Over 7.5 million engineers and designers worldwide use SOLIDWORKS to develop products and prepare them for manufacturing. Its familiar tools also make it easier to collaborate with customers, suppliers and other engineers.

There’s a reason the software has grown to become the most used mechanical design software in the world.

SOLIDWORKS provides the robust features and an intuitive interface you need to turn your vision into reality, and it has the most comprehensive set of design tools out there. Meaning you can build:

• Complex parametric designs
• Structural & fabricated models
• Fully mechanised assemblies
• Completely detailed drawings
• Complex consumer products
• Run full stress tests with the software

SOLIDWORKS empowers you to bring your ideas to life with unmatched precision and efficiency, meaning engineers can get on and do what they’re passionate about – Designing innovative products.

What are the main features of SOLIDWORKS?

Feature availability depends on your SOLIDWORKS package and any additional products you choose. Visit our SOLIDWORKS page to compare packages.

Sketching is the foundation for any great design. In SOLIDWORKS we have intuitive sketching tools that allow us to create intelligent sketches quickly and easily. Instant feedback allows us to modify the sketch to perfect the design.

The Hole Wizard provides a comprehensive library standard of hole types with accurate size, type and thread specifications.

Make intelligent, real time modifications to your design using simple drag and drop for a more intuitive experience.

For fabrication, SOLIDWORKS comes equipped with comprehensive sheet metal tools, flanges, hems, jogs and forming tools are all covered. And of course at the click of a button, an up-to-date flat pattern is provided.

SOLIDWORKS lets you design welded frames using standard or custom structural profiles. You can add gussets, welds and other hardware, then generate a cut list with descriptions and lengths for each member.

For more organic, intricate shapes, SOLIDWORKS comes complete with comprehensive surfacing tools to make the process a breeze. Create detailed surfaces using sketches and controls that define how they meet surrounding geometry.

You can also bring your designs together with SOLIDWORKS Assembly Modelling; build small or complex assembly structures with ease, constraining parts to each other to mimic real life movement.

If your assembly requires nuts, bolts, washers and other fixings then SOLIDWORKS comes complete with a toolbox of tens of thousands of fixings all conforming to a standard. They can automatically resize themselves when the design changes too!

Once your assembly is complete

You can evaluate the movement, check for clashes and even stress test the design to make sure you get the design right first time!

Working with piping and tubing & electrical cable is a breeze – create your pipe & tubing runs complete with elbows directly in the assembly environment. Again, bills of materials complete with cut lengths are automatically generated.

Documenting your designs is easy using SOLIDWORKS Drawings. 2D views can be added and annotated easily, complete with accurate dimension information and tolerances. Additional view types such as section detail views can be added with ease too! For assembly drawings, exploded views can be created automatically, complete with a bill of materials and balloons.

Make yourself stand out from the competition & bring your designs to life with photo realistic renders using SOLIDWORKS Visualize.

Storing your SOLIDWORKS files

With increased efficiency and the significant amount of data your team will now be able to generate, a data management tool is essential to accurately manage and control all the design documentation. SOLIDWORKS has you covered!

SOLIDWORKS PDM helps your team store design files, track revisions and control access. It integrates with Windows File Explorer, so users can manage files through a familiar interface. You can also record key design stages before approving a product for manufacture.

For those requiring more flexibility, 3DEXPERIENCE cloud services allows you to manage and revision control your documentation in the cloud. This means you can access this on your machine from any location with an internet connection.

Watch: What is SOLIDWORKS?

Who uses SOLIDWORKS?

Visiativ customer, Cambridge Design Partnership, uses SOLIDWORKS to develop products for healthcare, consumer and industrial markets. During one project, the team updated 3D models live in client meetings. This allowed them to gather immediate feedback and make changes on the spot, speeding up development and approval.

Cambridge Design Partnership also uses SOLIDWORKS Simulation to test how designs respond to forces before making physical prototypes. This helps the team make informed design decisions, reduce waste and cut development costs.

Read how Cambridge Design Partnership uses SOLIDWORKS.

How much does SOLIDWORKS cost?

The cost of SOLIDWORKS depends on the package and licence type you choose. For current UK and Ireland prices and available offers, visit our SOLIDWORKS pricing page.

How can you learn SOLIDWORKS?

Start with the basics: sketching, creating parts, building assemblies and producing drawings. Guided tuition and hands-on practice can help you build confidence. Explore our SOLIDWORKS training courses to find a suitable starting point.

Why buy SOLIDWORKS from Visiativ?

With Visiativ by your side you can have the confidence that you’re buying into a relationship with the experts in the field. We have offices and training centres across the UK and Ireland and we’re the largest SOLIDWORKS reseller in Europe. Meaning we can assist you wherever your business wants to go next, whether that’s managing your whole design cycle with our PLM tools, handling your spare parts libraries, or optimising your SOLIDWORKS batch operations. Visiativ has the tools and expertise to deliver full business transformations, ensuring the best implementation of SOLIDWORKS and beyond.

At Visiativ, we pride ourselves on offering unparalleled expertise and support. Whether you’re looking to manage your entire design cycle, optimise your operations, or transform your business, we’re here to help you every step of the way – And Dassault Systèmes, the makers of SOLIDWORKS, agree! They’ve awarded our team with the ‘Platinum-rated Support’ badge every month since its inception, which is proof of our continued commitment to the success and satisfaction of our customers.

Partner with us and experience the confidence of working with the best in the business.

How can I get in touch with Visiativ?

To learn more about what SOLIDWORKS can do, or to book a personalised demonstration, contact Visiativ today.