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SolidWorks

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SolidWorks
Developer(s)Dassault Systèmes
Initial releaseNovember 1, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-11-01)[1]
Stable release
SolidWorks 2024 / September 26, 2023
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
Available inChinese, Chinese Simplified, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish
TypeCAD CAE PDM PLM
LicenseProprietary, term
Websitesolidworks.com

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

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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

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Screenshot captured from a SolidWorks top-down design approach
Screenshot captured from a SolidWorks top-down design approach

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]


See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The future of Solidworks". September 27, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  2. ^ Durham, Phil (January 25, 2022). "What is SolidWorks?". Technia (US). Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  3. ^ Bethany (December 7, 2017). "A Brief History Of SolidWorks". Scan2CAD. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "SolidWorks Founders Reunite to Ponder Their Second Act". The CAD Insider. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  5. ^ Bob Tremblay (March 26, 2008). "Fomer [sic] MIT blackjack team member talks about breaking the bank". standard-journal.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  6. ^ "Solidworks: Engineering 4.0". www.tecnetinc.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  7. ^ Petrock, Stephen (September 22, 2023). "An Introduction to SOLIDWORKS". Engineering.com. Copyright 2024 WTWH Media LLC. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  8. ^ Brejcha, Bart (March 14, 2024). "From Origins To Now: The History Of The SolidWorks Saga". www.design-engine.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  9. ^ "Dassault Systemes Is Acquiring SolidWorks". The New York Times. June 25, 1997. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  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". April 30, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  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 April 17, 2024.
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