SOLIDWORKS CAD solutions are the trusted, industry-standard for professional modeling capabilities, production-ready manufacturing documentation, and real-time cloud collaboration tools.

We’ve broken our favourite updates down into individual video presentations below, but key highlights in SOLIDWORKS 25 include:

• Rapid edge selection for the Chamfer command with selection accelerators and the ability to copy assembly components along with their associated advanced and mechanical mates.
• Ensure company rules are followed with multi-approval stamps on drawings anywhere, anytime on any connected device.
• Connecting and collaborating with your peers directly inside your SOLIDWORKS interface.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 streamlines creating simplified multibody parts from assemblies for protecting intellectual property or sharing with vendors. Key updates include enhanced performance with cosmetic threads, Y-up or Z-up orientation options, and tools like chamfer accelerators and groove bead welds. New silhouette geometry options enable simplified models with adjustable detail levels for quoting or assembly use. Graphics triangle and face count tools further optimise performance and file size.

Key Highlights:

• Simplified Modelling: Silhouette geometry offers customisable detail for efficient assembly and quoting.
• Enhanced Tools: Improved workflows with chamfer accelerators and new weld types.
• Performance Insights: Graphics triangle and face count simplify optimisation.

The performance evaluation tool in SOLIDWORKS 2025 adds new insights to identify performance issues in assemblies. It now flags outdated files and high-graphic triangle parts for review and simplification. Speedpak configurations, now creatable at the top level, streamline lightweight assembly management with adjustable display options for included components. Enhancements to Large Design Review (LDR) include support for breadcrumbs, a component preview window, and interference detection, enabling faster and more detailed assembly investigations without resolving components.

Key Highlights:

• Enhanced Performance Tools: Identifies outdated files and high-triangle components for optimisation.
• Streamlined Speedpak: Top-level configurations and customisable visibility improve lightweight assembly handling.
• LDR Improvements: Adds breadcrumbs, previews, and interference detection for faster assembly analysis.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 introduces the ability to reload drawings with a single click, reverting to the last saved version without closing and reopening. Bills of materials now fully support detailed cut lists and offer a checkbox to calculate quantities based on attributes like length. Updated surface finish symbols comply with ISO 21920, while saved styles simplify repeated annotations. Lastly, exporting DXF and DWG files now allows drawing views to be exported as blocks, streamlining 2D CAD workflows by eliminating manual block creation.

Key Highlights:

• Drawing Reloads: Instantly revert to the last saved version with a single click.
• Enhanced BOMs: Calculate quantities from cut list attributes like length.
• DXF/DWG Export: Export drawing views as blocks for seamless 2D CAD editing.

As of SOLIDWORKS 2025, the brilliant, CircuitWorks, is included with every licence purchased.

The core of the CircuitWorks Proteus Vee-two system is its signal processing circuit board, ‘Optimus Prime’, featuring detailed Electrical components. Using I.D.X. files, CircuitWorks can build 3D models, from simplified volume representations for early design to detailed boards with copper trace geometry across all layers. This enhanced functionality supports downstream engineering like thermal and shock validation.

Key Highlights:

• Broader Access: CircuitWorks now available in all SOLIDWORKS licence levels.
• Improved Interface: Redesigned UI with better 4K scaling.
• Enhanced Collaboration: I.D.X. files enable detailed circuit modelling and downstream validation.

Enhancements to SOLIDWORKS Simulation & Plastics 2025 enable you to simplify analysis without compromising accuracy.

Key Highlights:

• Easily create custom spring connectors between surfaces by defining axial only, isotropic, or orthotropic springs
• Improved solution performance for all studies when using the distributed load option for pin connectors
• Quickly troubleshoot simulation studies with unstable components

The enhancements in SOLIDWORKS PDM 2025 streamline accessibility, help you better understand assembly structures, and improve revision management.

Key Highlights:

• Quicker access to SOLIDWORKS PDM functions from the new PDM tab in the Command Manager toolbar.
• Easily understand the order of assembly structures with a bill of materials that follows the same order as the SOLIDWORKS FeatureManager.
• Discover new options for caching revisions and get the latest revision or a specified revision.

SOLIDWORKS MBD 2025  is now a convenient add-in, thanks to simplified licence sharing. New wedge size dimensions combine angular and width annotations in one step, and existing sketch and feature dimensions can be reused as annotations. STEP 242 export gains two new settings for splitting periodic faces and exporting face and edge properties, improving fidelity for applications like mould design and simulation.

Key Highlights:

• Simplified Activation: MBD is now an easily managed add-in.
• Efficient Annotation: Reuse dimensions and create wedge size dimensions with ease.
• Improved Exports: Enhanced STEP 242 settings for greater compatibility.

SOLIDWORKS Electrical 2025 introduces enhancements to streamline electrical design and management, from importing components to advanced cable handling and 3D integration.

Key Highlights:

• Enhanced Library Management: Import components and cables directly from Excel templates with full definitions, including manufacturer details and cable core properties. Simplified organisation of components and symbols in the tree ensures clarity.
• Cable Management Improvements: Mark Root for cables, refined shortcut menus, and new cable mark formulas save time and enhance identification. Deletion of cables in use is now possible with preview options.
• Advanced 3D Integration: Fully intelligent drawings imported from SOLIDWORKS 3D, linked blocks for components, and improved flatten route tools prevent loops and offer better handling of complex splices.

DraftSight is professional-grade 2D CAD design software from the makers of SOLIDWORKS.

Key Highlights:

• Transfer complex 3D models and assemblies with precision with the ability to import STEP files
• Maintain compatibility across CAD platforms and preserve complex design data integrity during transfers with DGN Export
• Create even more versatility for custom blocks with the new ability to insert multiple visibility elements

3DEXPERIENCE Cloud Services is now included with all new SOLIDWORKS licences, offering tools for sharing, annotating, and managing designs securely. SOLIDWORKS 2025 adds Quick Tours for onboarding, 3DSWYM integration for community and chat access, and enhanced change notifications to keep users up to date. Features like multiple drawing approvals and SOLIDWORKS PDM support provide flexibility for collaborative workflows. Getting started is simple with ‘Share & Markup’ for design reviews, free training sessions, and consultancy options for advanced implementation. Cloud services are ready to use out of the box but can also be customised for complex workflows.

Key Highlights:

• Streamlined Collaboration: Share designs with markups via free, easy-to-use tools.
• New Features: Quick Tours, 3DSWYM integration, and enhanced change notifications.
• Flexible Onboarding: Free training and tailored consultancy for advanced users.

3DEXPERIENCE delivers powerful new App capabilities to enhance your design demos and streamline workflows across cloud-based tools.

Key Highlights:

• Seamless Collaboration and Content Access: In-context notifications and a side panel for team discussions and 3DMarkUps. Instantly access 3DSpace, 3DDrive, or Bookmark widgets without leaving your workspace.
• Advanced Design Features: Convert 2D sketches to subdivision geometry with extrude and revolve commands, merge sub-D shapes, and use enhanced mesh inspection for real-time sculpting fixes. Import images to parametric sketches and align sub-D cages with external geometry for efficient modelling.
• Production-Ready Tools: Visualise products in realistic environments, refine designs with manufacturing tolerance checks, and leverage integrated drawing features in xDrawing for model-based definitions and precise annotations. Use xStudio for photorealistic renderings without altering CAD data.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 introduces the Shop Floor Programmer, now included with all 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS and Cloud Services subscriptions, allowing users to program CNC mills up to 3+2 axis. Integrated into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, it enables seamless part saving, manufacturability checks, and CNC programming. The Startup Wizard and Automatic Hole Finder streamline the process, while real-world kinematics-driven simulations ensure accuracy. G-code is generated and shared instantly, keeping teams connected for faster quoting, programming, and manufacturing.

Key Highlights:

• Integrated Workflow: Direct connection with 3DEXPERIENCE eliminates data translation.
• Efficient Tools: Startup Wizard and Automatic Hole Finder simplify programming.
• Reusable Operations: Save and reuse tasks to reduce redundancy.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Shared data and instant alerts keep teams aligned.

New for SOLIDWORKS 2025 is the SOLIDWORKS Ultimate package, an all-encompassing solution for users involved in design and beyond. Building on SOLIDWORKS Premium, it integrates browser-based CAD, simulation tools, secure cloud-based data management, and collaboration tools, all connected through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. It supports everything from ideation to manufacturing, offering capabilities like photorealistic rendering, manufacturability checks, and CNC programming. SOLIDWORKS Ultimate streamlines workflows, enhances collaboration, and provides the flexibility to tackle any task or project with ease.

Key Highlights:

• End-to-End Solution: Includes design, simulation, rendering, and manufacturability tools.
• Connected Workflow: Centralised cloud storage ensures secure, real-time collaboration.
• Flexible Tools: Work from anywhere with browser-based CAD and CNC validation capabilities.