What is SolidWorks?
Pros from reviewers
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Excellent render tools: Its render tools are some of the best in the market, which is excellent for impressing clients
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User-friendly interface: SolidWorks is often the first software taught in many engineering schools due to its user-friendly interface and the accessibility of its key tools on the first page, making it perfect for beginners
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Design validation: It allows for design validation through finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics, eliminating the need for additional software
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Large community for support: There's a large community for support if you have any questions, which can be very helpful for beginners and experienced users alike
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Customization: Once mastered, the customization it provides is remarkable, allowing users to tailor the software to their specific needs.
Cons from reviewers
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Unstable program: SolidWorks has been reported to crash often and contain numerous bugs, making the creation of large assemblies challenging
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High cost: SolidWorks is a somewhat expensive software, making it a significant investment especially for individual parts or small machine projects where cheaper or free software might be a better choice
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Poor customer support: The quality of customer support varies depending on the Value-Added-Reseller (VAR), with some users finding the customer service unhelpful
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Frequent crashes: Despite its robust features, SolidWorks has been reported to crash occasionally, especially when working with large assemblies, which can disrupt workflow and productivity.
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Specific computer requirements: The CPU, GPU, and RAM requirements for SolidWorks are quite specific, which can make the initial investment quite high
Main features
Starting Price
Free Plan
Drawing and documentation
CAD/CAM integration
DELMIAWorks Manufacturing ERP
Design validation
Conception/Engineering
Starting Price
N/A
Free Plan
No
Drawing and documentation
CAD/CAM integration
DELMIAWorks Manufacturing ERP
Design validation
Conception/Engineering
How SolidWorks compare to similar software?
Product
Price
N/A
Free plan
No
Main features
Pros
Cons
Alternatives
Deal
No available deal at the moment
Who is SolidWorks best for according to our reviewers?
Beginners in Engineering: SolidWorks is often the first software taught in many engineering schools due to its user-friendly interface and the accessibility of its key tools on the first page
3D Animators: SolidWorks is excellent for creating 3D animation videos for presentations, with user-friendly and feature-rich modules
Long-term Professional Users: SolidWorks is suitable for long-term professional users who need to handle complex assemblies and revisions, with improved collaboration and SAP-like features in the latest versions.
Mechanical Designers: SolidWorks is widely used in the industry for mechanical part design and allows for design validation through finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics
Manufacturing Professionals: SolidWorks is a go-to CAD package in manufacturing, offering a variety of plugins and a logical workflow
SolidWorks Reviews
4.0
SolidWorks rating
4.8
Ease of use
4.8
Customer service
4.1
Value for money
4.3
Likelihood to recommend
4.6
Features
25 SolidWorks Reviews
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Denise Rodriguez
SolidWorks: Intuitive and User-Friendly for Engineers
As an engineer, I find SolidWorks incredibly intuitive and user-friendly
May 4, 2024
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Elizabeth Smith
Exceptional User Engagement from Solidworks
I'm absolutely thrilled with the level of engagement from Solidworks! Every day, sometimes even multiple times a day, I receive emails from them. It's like they knew exactly what I needed before I even signed up. Their constant communication keeps me updated and in the loop. It's so refreshing to see a company that's so proactive and dedicated to staying connected with its users.
April 29, 2024
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Gerald
Excellent 3D Design Tool for Students and Industry Professionals
If you're in search of a potent 3D CAD software, Solidworks is worth considering. It's loaded with features and tools that aid in creating top-notch 3D models, and its user-friendly interface is a plus. It's suitable for both novices and seasoned users. I personally use it for designing various components for my college assignments.
April 20, 2024
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Vincent Davis
SolidWorks: Industry Standard, User-Friendly, Yet Pricey
SolidWorks was the first CAD software I ever used. At first, I found other software challenging, but as I gained experience, I found others to be superior. SolidWorks is often the first software taught in many engineering schools due to its user-friendly interface and the accessibility of its key tools on the first page, making it perfect for beginners. Its render tools are some of the best in the market, which is excellent for impressing clients. However, as the modeling becomes more complex and there's a need for simulation or stress-strain analysis, it becomes more difficult. Some tools are hidden within the software and require prior knowledge to use, like the weldment tab for example. I chose SolidWorks Premium because it offers more advanced render tools and my team had prior experience with it.
April 16, 2024
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Gloria R
Solidworks Maker License Review
As a long-term professional Solidworks user, I was excited about the maker license for my side jobs. The first month worked flawlessly, but now I can't access the online portal to launch Solidworks. I couldn't even log in as it said I didn't have access. I re-subscribed for this month, thinking it wasn't rolling over. Now, it seems I have two subscriptions but still no access. The next morning, I seemed to have access, but when I clicked the Solidworks icon, nothing loaded. I've tried contacting Solidworks through their website, online chat, dealers, and email, but no one has responded. Dealers can't provide support for the Maker edition. It's incredibly frustrating and I've spent two evenings without any success. This is very poor service for such a large company.
April 16, 2024
