SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD

The industry standard 3D CAD solution, complete with cloud functionality that brings real-time collaboration and secure file management to your workflows.

What is SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD? - Take a First Look

SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD is the choice for professionals around the world who need to take design innovation further, produce products faster, and reach the highest levels of efficiency in their day-to-day product development work. Decades of user-driven enhancements and a relentless R&D focus on user experience has made SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD not just powerful, but both easy to learn and fun to use.

SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD Capabilities

From complex design modeling, parts, and assemblies to simulation, rendering, and production-ready fast, associative, painless drawings and updates, SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD is the professional, industry standard choice to bring you from ideation to manufacturing faster and easier.

Everything You Need from Design to Manufacturing

  • Parts, assemblies, large design review, robust modeling and more give you design and performance capabilities that push the boundaries of your imagination and can keep up with the most complex products and large assemblies.
  • Professional drawings are fast, associative, and production-ready. Whether you prefer 2D drawings or 3D annotations or you require CAM capabilities, SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD brings you from ideation to production with ease.
  • New performance and capability enhancements are released throughout the year, ensuring you are always working with the latest professional product development tools on the market.
SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software interface displaying a fully detailed 3D model of a recumbent trike
SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD interface displaying a detailed recumbent trike design with visible assembly tree and component view

Supercharge Your Everyday Productivity

  • Specialized functionality handles everything from weldments and routing to mold design, sheet metal, and more. 
  • SOLIDWORKS Toolbox covers your needs for creating holes and assembling hardware items, such as fasteners, washers, nuts, and bolts. 
  • Built by engineers, for engineers. SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD has evolved by anticipating future design requirements, understanding how you want to work and implementing user-driven enhancements over 30+ years.

Turn Your Documentation Into a Conversation

  • File sharing made easy. Share your design for review with secure links from SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD without sending a physical file and never lose control of your data.
  • Markup in 3D. Get easy feedback from stakeholders. Models can be shared for review and marked up directly by multiple people in 3D, all in a browser.
  • Remove friction for immediate feedback. Internal and external collaborators do not need to download any extra software or viewers to review your work—it is all done through SOLIDWORKS.
SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD model shown in split-screen view, with the left side displaying the part design inside the SOLIDWORKS interface and the right side showing the same part marked up for documentation and review in a collaborative environment.
SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD with integrated cloud data management showing part design and workflow interface

Built-in Cloud Data Management

  • CAD-aware storage. Unlike standard cloud storage providers, SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD comes with CAD-aware cloud storage that is made to handle relationships between CAD files.
  • Complete version control ensures you are working on the latest revision and avoiding overwrites.
  • Assistive and automated features cut repetitive tasks and streamline 3D CAD workflows for maximum productivity. 

Compare SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD Package Features

Standard

Professional

Premium

Cloud Collaboration, and Data and Lifecycle Management

Real-time Cross-team Collaboration in the Cloud

Secure Data Management in the Cloud

3D Design and Modeling

Part and Assembly Modelling and 2D Drawings

Specialised Design Tools for Weldments, Molds, and Sheet Metal

Design and Manufacturability Checks

ECAD-MCAD Collaboration

Intelligent CAD Libraries

Manufacturing Cost Analysis

CAD Standards and Drawings Checking

Electrical Harness, Piping, Tubing, and Duct Design

Marketing

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

Life-like Photorealistic Rendering

Simulation

Linear Static Analysis for Parts and Assemblies

Time-Based Motion Analysis

Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing and NC Programming

Training and Support

Online Lessons, Local Support, and Vibrant Community

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question? See answers to common SOLIDWORKS inquiries below.

SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD is industry-leading parametric design software used for all stages of product development, and the design software of choice for designers and engineers around the world. It is used in a variety of industries, including industrial equipment, medical devices, high tech, home and lifestyle, and more.

SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD has the same 3D CAD functions, capabilities, and user interface as 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS. The only difference between the two is how they are purchased and deployed: SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD uses a term license or perpetual license with subscription services and can be installed on one PC. 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS uses a named user license and is deployed from the cloud, allowing it to be installed on any PC.

SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD is a parametric modeling software that requires an install on a local computer. SOLIDWORKS Cloud is a collection of next-generation, entirely browser-based modeling tools that can be used on any device, anywhere, at any time.

Security, privacy, and quality is at the centre of SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD and all of our cloud products. Our solutions are ISO-certified and are built with respect for the privacy of our clients and users. Visit the Dassault Systemes trust centre to learn more about data protection compliance, information security certifications, and privacy information management.

SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD is a locally-installed 3D design software that uses a term license or perpetual license with subscription services. SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD now comes with a connection to the cloud that allows users to share, mark up, store, and revise designs, and much more.

If you are interested in 3D design software deployed from the cloud with the flexibility to install on multiple devices, you can learn about 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS.

If you are interested in a cloud-native, browser-based solution, explore the suite of next-generation product development solutions available with SOLIDWORKS Cloud.

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