SolidWorks explained

SolidWorks
Developer:Dassault Systèmes
Released:[1]
Latest Release Version:SolidWorks 2025
Operating System:Microsoft Windows
Language:Chinese, Chinese Simplified, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish
Genre:CAD CAE PDM PLM
License:Proprietary, term

SolidWorks (stylized as SOLIDWORKS) is a brand of software used for solid modeling computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE).[2] It was one of the first 3D CAD applications designed to run on a desktop PC.[3]

The brand is owned by French software company Dassault Systèmes.

History

SolidWorks Corporation was established in December 1993 by MIT graduate Jon Hirschtick, who used funds from his time with the MIT Blackjack Team to start the company.[4] [5] Hirschtick's aim was to develop a user-friendly, cost-effective 3D CAD software for the Windows desktop. Originally based in Concord, Massachusetts, the company later moved to Waltham, Massachusetts.[6] [7] Its first product, SolidWorks 95, was released in November 1995.[8] In 1997, Dassault Systèmes, known for its CATIA CAD software, acquired SolidWorks for $310 million in stock.[9]

In 1999, SolidWorks started introducing software for 3D modeling, and in 2006 introduced SolidWorks Design-to-Manufacturing solutions, an integrated system enabling design and manufacturing teams to work together concurrently.

As of 2024, SolidWorks had an estimated 7.5 million users.[10]

Modeling technology

SolidWorks is a solid modeler, and utilizes a parametric feature-based approach which was initially developed by PTC (Creo/Pro-Engineer) to create 3D CAD models and assemblies. The software uses the Parasolid modeling kernel.[11]

SolidWorks software includes tools for analyses and simulations, such as Finite Element Analysis, which supports modeling, design, and collaborative work.[12]

SolidWorks offers multiple work tools to be used when building system assemblies such as the interference detection tool. This enables the detection of potential interfering part which could cause issue in the assembly system.[13]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The future of Solidworks . September 27, 2011 . May 6, 2016 . April 12, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170412180053/http://blog.dasisolutions.com/2011/09/27/the-future-of-solidworks-has-always-been-in-your-hands/ . dead .
  2. Web site: Durham . Phil . 2022-01-25 . What is SolidWorks? . 2023-09-05 . Technia (US) . en-US.
  3. Web site: Bethany . 2017-12-07 . A Brief History Of SolidWorks . 2023-09-05 . Scan2CAD . en-US.
  4. Web site: SolidWorks Founders Reunite to Ponder Their Second Act . 2023-09-05 . The CAD Insider . September 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230905182839/https://www.thecadinsider.com/2012/11/solidworks-founders-reunite-to-ponder-their-second-act.html . live .
  5. Web site: Bob Tremblay . 2008-03-26 . MIT blackjack team member talks about breaking the bank . 2023-09-05 . standard-journal.com . en . September 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230905182839/https://www.standard-journal.com/article_7ad892c5-7cbd-5144-aa7d-2036702b5d68.html . live .
  6. Web site: Solidworks: Engineering 4.0 . 2023-09-05 . www.tecnetinc.com . May 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520054614/http://tecnetinc.com/Solidworks%20engineerng%204-0.html . live .
  7. Web site: Petrock . Stephen . An Introduction to SOLIDWORKS . Engineering.com . September 22, 2023 . Copyright 2024 WTWH Media LLC . 17 April 2024.
  8. Web site: Brejcha . Bart . From Origins To Now: The History Of The SolidWorks Saga . 2024-03-14 . www.design-engine.com . March 14, 2024 . en-us.
  9. News: 1997-06-25 . Dassault Systemes Is Acquiring SolidWorks . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-09-05 . 0362-4331 . September 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230905182838/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/25/business/dassault-systemes-is-acquiring-solidworks.html . live .
  10. Web site: Petrock . Stephen . The Guide to Passing the SOLIDWORKS CSWP . Engineering.com . June 15, 2023 . December 20, 2024.
  11. Web site: 2007-04-30 . Stepping outside of the parametric feature-based paradigm in SolidWorks . 2023-09-05 . en-US.
  12. Web site: Alba . Michael . Sports Cars and Chin-Up Bars: Accelerating Designs with SOLIDWORKS Simulation . Engineering.com . July 14, 2020 . Copyright 2024 WTWH Media LLC . 17 April 2024.
  13. Web site: Patil . Rajesh V. . 2025 . Performance Assessment of Sagacious E-Powertrain Tiller for Smart Farming. . unfit . November 6, 2025.

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