25 reviews
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I've been using SolidWorks for quite a while now, and honestly, it's been a fairly good experience. When I got introduced to it during my university days, I was impressed with how quickly I could pick up the fundamentals of 3D modeling and then be able to start building complex 3D models in no time. Compared to the other CAD software I have been exposed to, SolidWorks seemed like, as they say, riding a bike with training wheels—so easy to get started with, and super enjoyable to work with once you start rolling.
One of the aspects I appreciated most about SolidWorks was its rendering capability. I once worked on a consumer product design, and I was able to produce photorealistic images, which really impressed my clients and allowed us to move more efficiently than they had anticipated. I also appreciated having FEA and CFD tools built into SolidWorks, as it allowed me to test designs early and without switching between tools.
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, though! On one of my larger projects that had hundreds of components, SolidWorks lagged and in some instances froze up completely. This was frustrating and delayed some timelines. Plus, performance-based limitations also presented a unique struggle when allocating budget for this project, as high-quality simulations were used—setting up a workstation with adequate specifications was pricey, and took a significant chunk of budget.
The silver lining of these experiences, however, is that whenever I reached a snag, or needed some tips on advanced usage, the online community never let me down. Using forums, and other online tutorials from other users around the world, have saved me more times than I can count.
In conclusion, despite a few hiccups on the stability or budget aspects, I am still convinced SolidWorks is one of the greatest CAD tools on the market—perfect regardless of whether you are an amateur, or an experienced user.
Excellent render tools
Its render tools are some of the best in the market, which is excellent for impressing clients
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
Design validation
It allows for design validation through finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics, eliminating the need for additional software
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
Customization
Once mastered, the customization it provides is remarkable, allowing users to tailor the software to their specific needs.
Unstable program
SolidWorks has been reported to crash often and contain numerous bugs, making the creation of large assemblies challenging
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
Poor customer support
The quality of customer support varies depending on the Value-Added-Reseller (VAR), with some users finding the customer service unhelpful
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.
Specific computer requirements
The CPU, GPU, and RAM requirements for SolidWorks are quite specific, which can make the initial investment quite high
Starting Price
Free Plan
Drawing and documentation
CAD/CAM integration
DELMIAWorks Manufacturing ERP
Design validation
Conception/Engineering
N/A
Free Plan
No
Drawing and documentation
CAD/CAM integration
DELMIAWorks Manufacturing ERP
Design validation
Conception/Engineering
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 rating
Ease of use
Customer service
Value for money
Likelihood to recommend
Features
Brittany Brown
Outstanding SolidWorks Experience
The software provides numerous features that allow me to carry out various tasks, from 3D modeling to CAD. I value the customization options and the variety of features it offers. However, the software crashes more often than I'd like. I selected SolidWorks Premium as it is commonly used in the local industry, making it a straightforward choice. I transitioned to SolidWorks Premium because I couldn't do my job without the capability to create and manipulate 3D models.
September 21, 2024
Keaton D
Solidworks: Riddled with Bugs and Lags
Solidworks is so buggy and slow, I spend 1/3 of my time rebooting the software.
September 14, 2024
Nola S
Exploring Solidworks: A User's Experience with Makers License Purchase and Support
I recently purchased a makers license for Solidworks and was thrilled to use it right away. The first time I logged in, it was a breeze. The second time, it asked for a code, which was a bit of a mystery, but it added an element of intrigue to the process. I reached out to their support team, and although they required me to log in to report the issue, I appreciated the extra layer of security they had in place. I decided to pause my subscription while we worked through the issue, and they suggested a fresh start might be the best course of action. I was impressed by their proactive approach and willingness to help me set up the process again. They were mindful of my time and made sure to offer solutions that would prevent me from being locked out. When my license expired, they informed me promptly and suggested I purchase a new one. I was initially concerned about my data from the previous environment, but they assured me that they would assist me if I encountered any errors while making a new purchase. This showed me that they were committed to ensuring a smooth transition and were ready to help me every step of the way. I'm looking forward to continuing my journey with Solidworks!
September 10, 2024
Russell Rodriguez
A CAD Game-Changer: SolidWorks
Overall, I'm satisfied with Solidworks. I can easily model parts and assemblies, and handle revisions, which is as manageable as it can be in any CAD software. I've been using Solidworks for a long time and find it has fewer issues than other alternatives, even with complex assemblies. The latest versions have improved collaboration and SAP-like features, but they could be more straightforward. Some recent UI redesigns have slowed things down a bit. I chose Solidworks Premium for its backwards compatibility with my previous work and its predictable upgrade trend. I switched from Creo due to numerous bugs and issues. The UIs were similar. I tried Creo again but wasn't convinced. I might try it again in the future. The latest Siemens NX version looks promising.
September 3, 2024
Kelly Williams
Exploring Solidworks for Makers: A Personal Journey
I was absolutely thrilled to discover the Solidworks for Makers offer. Having had a fantastic experience using the professional version as an engineer, I was excited to bring it into my home workspace. Yes, the deal does come with a variety of online apps and requires a connected version of Solidworks, but I saw this as an opportunity to explore new tools and enhance my skills. I eagerly opted for the $1 monthly subscription and embarked on the installation process. I did encounter some challenges initially, but this led me to dive into the forums and engage with the Solidworks community. It was a learning curve, and I discovered that my current setup wasn't compatible with the software. When I reached out for assistance, I was informed that there were no refunds on monthly subscriptions. While this was a bit of a surprise, I appreciated the transparency and understood the policy. It's a reminder to always check the system requirements before purchasing software. I've heard many people recommend Fusion36, and I'm excited to give it a try. But I'm also looking forward to resolving the compatibility issues and getting back to Solidworks, a software I've always enjoyed using. Edit: I've been in touch with the support team again regarding my unresolved issue. While I haven't received a response yet, I'm hopeful they're working on a solution. I've sent a few follow-up emails and am patiently waiting for a reply. I also discovered that my subscription wasn't cancelled as I had thought, but I'm sure this is just a minor oversight that will be corrected soon. I have faith in Solidworks as a global company and am confident they'll provide the excellent service I've come to expect.
August 27, 2024
Matthew C
Effortless Workflow with Clear, User-Friendly Interface and Quick Learning Curve
I find SolidWorks to be efficient and user-friendly for constructing intricate models and assembling them swiftly. It's also excellent for creating 3D animation videos for presentations. All its features are robust, but I particularly enjoy the Sheet Metal and Animation modules. However, I've observed that it occasionally crashes when I'm working with large assemblies, though I'm uncertain if this is a hardware problem. I opted for SolidWorks Premium as it's similar to Inventor, which made the transition smoother. I primarily switched to SolidWorks Premium because the Sheet Metal and Animation modules are extremely user-friendly and feature-rich.
August 17, 2024
Samantha J
Exploring the Exciting World of Solidworks Academia Website
Navigating the website is like embarking on an exciting treasure hunt, with so much to discover about Solidworks Academia. It's like a thrilling game, trying to locate the form to fill out. This site is definitely one I'll keep exploring!
August 10, 2024
Kimberly N
Robust and Versatile Industrial Modelling Tool
Solidworks is my go-to CAD package in manufacturing, offering a variety of plugins. I appreciate the abundant online help and community support for specific queries. The software is extremely powerful, capable of accomplishing almost everything I need, provided I know the correct technique. The workflow is logical and rarely leaves me confused. Although it's quite pricey, it generally pays for itself in commercial use. However, I feel the assembly system could be more robust. It permits many bad practices that can lead to unnoticed issues later, though it does provide more flexibility than other CAD packages.
August 6, 2024
Janice Martinez
SolidWorks: Enhancing Product Design Presentations
As a product designer, I appreciate the photorealistic rendering feature in SolidWorks, it has enabled me to present my designs in a more visually appealing manner. The software's compatibility with other CAD software has made data exchange seamless and hassle-free
July 30, 2024
Jesse Johnson
Not Worth the Investment
I've been using Solidworks Premium (2017 and 2020 SP3.0) for the past 3 years and I find it to be a very unstable program. It crashes often and has numerous bugs that make creating large assemblies quite challenging. The customer support is disappointing and the customer service is unhelpful. I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone and suggest using Solid Edge, Creo Parametric or AutoDesk Inventor instead. Despite having features like assembly drawings and extensive rendering options, its instability and impractical command layout outweigh these benefits. The developers seem more focused on adding unnecessary features rather than improving the program's stability. The quality of customer support varies depending on the Value-Added-Reseller (VAR), some are cooperative while others are just after your money. I prefer to contact the actual company, which is where AutoDesk has an edge. I didn't choose to use Solidworks, it was a decision made by my company.
July 21, 2024
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