SolidWorks#Design-to-Manufacturing solutions
{{Short description|Desktop software for 3D modeling}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox software
| name = SolidWorks
| logo = SolidWorks Logo.svg
| screenshot = File:SolidWorks 2023 3D Assembly.png
| caption = SolidWorks 2023 displaying a 3D assembly.
| developer = Dassault Systèmes
| released = {{Start date and age|1995|11|01}}{{cite web |url= http://blog.dasisolutions.com/2011/09/27/the-future-of-solidworks-has-always-been-in-your-hands/ |title=The future of Solidworks |date= September 27, 2011 |access-date= May 6, 2016}}
| latest release version = SolidWorks 2024
| latest release date = {{dts|2023|09|26}}
| operating system = Microsoft Windows
| language = Chinese, Chinese Simplified, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish
| license = Proprietary, term
| website = {{URL|https://www.solidworks.com/|solidworks.com}}
}}
SolidWorks (stylized as SOLIDWORKS) is a brand of software used for solid modeling computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE).{{Cite web |last=Durham |first=Phil |date=2022-01-25 |title=What is SolidWorks? |url=https://www.technia.us/blog/what-is-solidworks/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=Technia (US) |language=en-US}} It was one of the first 3D CAD applications designed to run on a desktop PC.{{Cite web |last=Bethany |date=2017-12-07 |title=A Brief History Of SolidWorks |url=https://www.scan2cad.com/blog/cad/solidworks-history/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=Scan2CAD |language=en-US}}
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.{{Cite web |title=SolidWorks Founders Reunite to Ponder Their Second Act |url=https://www.thecadinsider.com/2012/11/solidworks-founders-reunite-to-ponder-their-second-act.html |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=The CAD Insider}}{{Cite web |author=Bob Tremblay|date=2008-03-26 |title={{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|Fomer}} MIT blackjack team member talks about breaking the bank |url=https://www.standard-journal.com/article_7ad892c5-7cbd-5144-aa7d-2036702b5d68.html |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=standard-journal.com |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Solidworks: Engineering 4.0 |url=https://www.tecnetinc.com/Solidworks%20engineerng%204-0.html |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=www.tecnetinc.com}}{{cite web |last1=Petrock |first1=Stephen |title=An Introduction to SOLIDWORKS |url=https://www.engineering.com/story/an-introduction-to-solidworks |website=Engineering.com |date=September 22, 2023 |publisher=Copyright 2024 WTWH Media LLC |access-date=17 April 2024}} Its first product, SolidWorks 95, was released in November 1995.{{Cite web |last=Brejcha |first=Bart |title=From Origins To Now: The History Of The SolidWorks Saga |url=https://design-engine.com/from-origins-to-now-the-history-of-the-solidworks-saga |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=www.design-engine.com |date=March 14, 2024 |language=en-us}} In 1997, Dassault Systèmes, known for its CATIA CAD software, acquired SolidWorks for $310 million in stock.{{Cite news |date=1997-06-25 |title=Dassault Systemes Is Acquiring SolidWorks |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/25/business/dassault-systemes-is-acquiring-solidworks.html |access-date=2023-09-05 |issn=0362-4331}}
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. {{cn|date=April 2025}}
As of 2024, SolidWorks had an estimated 7.5 million users.{{cite web | last = Petrock | first = Stephen | title = The Guide to Passing the SOLIDWORKS CSWP | url = https://www.engineering.com/the-guide-to-passing-the-solidworks-cswp/| website = Engineering.com | date = June 15, 2023 | access-date = December 20, 2024}}
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.{{Cite web |date=2007-04-30 |title=Stepping outside of the parametric feature-based paradigm in SolidWorks |url=https://dezignstuff.com/12/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |language=en-US}}
SolidWorks software includes tools for analyses and simulations, such as Finite Element Analysis, which supports modeling, design, and collaborative work.{{cite web |last1=Alba |first1=Michael |title=Sports Cars and Chin-Up Bars: Accelerating Designs with SOLIDWORKS Simulation |url=https://www.engineering.com/story/sports-cars-and-chin-up-bars-accelerating-designs-with-solidworks-simulation |website=Engineering.com |date=July 14, 2020 |publisher=Copyright 2024 WTWH Media LLC |access-date=17 April 2024}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
{{Dassault Systèmes}}
{{CAD software}}
{{CAE software}}
{{PDM software}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Solidworks}}
Category:Windows-only proprietary software
Category:Computer-aided design software for Windows