SolidWorks
ScreenshotFile:SolidWorks 2023 3D Assembly.png
DeveloperDassault Systèmes
ReleasedNovember 1, 1995 (age 30)[1]
Latest release versionSolidWorks 2025
Latest release dateNovember 15, 2024
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
LanguageChinese, Chinese Simplified, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish
GenreCAD CAE PDM PLM
LicenseProprietary, term
Websitesolidworks.com

SolidWorks (stylized as SOLIDWORKS, officially rebranded as SOLIDWORKS Design in 2026) 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. [citation needed]

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

References

  1. ^ "The future of Solidworks". September 27, 2011. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  2. ^ Durham, Phil (2022-01-25). "What is SolidWorks?". Technia (US). Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  3. ^ Bethany (2017-12-07). "A Brief History Of SolidWorks". Scan2CAD. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  4. ^ "SolidWorks Founders Reunite to Ponder Their Second Act". The CAD Insider. Archived September 5, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  5. ^ Bob Tremblay (2008-03-26). "[sic] MIT blackjack team member talks about breaking the bank". standard-journal.com. Archived September 5, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  6. ^ "Solidworks: Engineering 4.0". www.tecnetinc.com. Archived May 20, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  7. ^ Petrock, Stephen (September 22, 2023). "An Introduction to SOLIDWORKS". Engineering.com. Copyright 2024 WTWH Media LLC. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  8. ^ Brejcha, Bart (March 14, 2024). "From Origins To Now: The History Of The SolidWorks Saga". www.design-engine.com. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  9. ^ "Dassault Systemes Is Acquiring SolidWorks". The New York Times. 1997-06-25. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived September 5, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  10. ^ Petrock, Stephen (June 15, 2023). "The Guide to Passing the SOLIDWORKS CSWP". Engineering.com. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  11. ^ "Stepping outside of the parametric feature-based paradigm in SolidWorks". 2007-04-30. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  12. ^ Alba, Michael (July 14, 2020). "Sports Cars and Chin-Up Bars: Accelerating Designs with SOLIDWORKS Simulation". Engineering.com. Copyright 2024 WTWH Media LLC. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  13. ^ Patil, Rajesh V. (2025). "Performance Assessment of Sagacious E-Powertrain Tiller for Smart Farming.". Retrieved November 6, 2025.