| SolidWorks | |
|---|---|
 | |
 SolidWorks 2023 displaying a 3D assembly. | |
| Developer | Dassault Systèmes |
| Initial release | November 1, 1995; 30 years ago (1995-11-01)[1] |
| Stable release | SolidWorks 2024 /September 26, 2023 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Available in | Chinese, Chinese Simplified, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish |
| Type | CADCAEPDMPLM |
| License | Proprietary, term |
| Website | solidworks.com |
SolidWorks (stylized asSOLIDWORKS) is a brand of software used forsolid modelingcomputer-aided design (CAD) andcomputer-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 companyDassault Systèmes.
SolidWorks Corporation was established in December 1993 byMIT graduateJon Hirschtick, who used funds from his time with theMIT 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 inConcord, Massachusetts, the company later moved toWaltham, Massachusetts.[6][7] Its first product, SolidWorks 95, was released in November 1995.[8] In 1997, Dassault Systèmes, known for itsCATIA 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.[citation needed]
As of 2024, SolidWorks had an estimated 7.5 million users.[10]
SolidWorks is asolid modeler, and utilizes aparametric feature-based approach which was initially developed by PTC (Creo/Pro-Engineer) to create 3D CAD models and assemblies. The software uses theParasolid 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]
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