If you’re an advanced SOLIDWORKS user, you already know how robust the software is. However, there are underused features and hidden settings that can dramatically improve efficiency in SOLIDWORKS, boost performance, and streamline your workflow. Let’s dive into some tips and tricks that can help you take full advantage of what SOLIDWORKS offers.

Tips and Tricks for Efficiency: Mastering SOLIDWORKS Software Features

This guide explores powerful yet often overlooked SOLIDWORKS software features and settings that can help you work smarter and faster. From optimizing image quality to leveraging large assembly settings and adjusting simulation parameters, these insights will guide you toward faster performance and better design processes. Whether it’s fine-tuning your hardware choices or discovering the benefits of design review mode, each section offers actionable advice to help you boost your SOLIDWORKS performance.

Now, let’s explore these expert-level tips and tricks in more detail.

Enhancing Performance with the Right Settings

One of the most effective ways to boost SOLIDWORKS performance is by adjusting assembly settings. When working with large assemblies, consider switching to Large Design Review Mode. This mode allows you to open assemblies with thousands of components without loading the full model data, significantly improving performance. It’s a best practice to use large design review mode when you need to make quick checks or edits to massive assemblies.

Customize Default Settings

In some cases, adjusting default settings can improve the CAD experience. For example, default file saving locations, templates, and units can be customized to save time during the design process. Setting these parameters to suit your workflow is a best practice that will save you clicks and improve efficiency over time.

Optimize Image Quality Settings

One overlooked setting that can impact overall performance is the image quality slider. By default, this setting may be set higher than necessary. Reducing image quality settings can help you achieve faster performance, especially when working with large assemblies. For the best results, find a balance between visual clarity and performance.

Use Large Assembly Settings

To further enhance overall performance, tweak your large assembly settings. This feature reduces memory usage and minimizes model data loading times. For example, disabling verification on rebuild can improve efficiency in design process, allowing you to focus more on creativity and less on waiting for the software to catch up.

What Hardware Should You Use?

Choosing the right hardware is critical for optimal performance in SOLIDWORKS. Ensure your workstation meets the system requirements for the latest version of SOLIDWORKS. Investing in a certified graphics card that supports SOLIDWORKS graphics compatibility can improve your experience, particularly when handling complex models.

Best Practices for Graphics Compatibility

Graphics performance can make or break your experience in SOLIDWORKS. For best performance, make sure you are using a graphics card certified by SOLIDWORKS. This ensures graphics compatibility, especially when working with large assemblies that demand high-quality rendering.

Improve Workflows with Configurations and Design Review Mode

If you frequently design variations of products, leveraging configurations can streamline your workflow. Configurations allow you to save multiple versions of a part or assembly within the same file. Pair this with design review mode to enable faster opening and reviewing of these configurations without compromising performance.

Improve Efficiency in SOLIDWORKS with Better Simulation Settings

For advanced users, tweaking the simulation settings to run quick validation tests can save time. This not only helps in optimizing your design process but also ensures that your models are CAD ready for manufacturing, reducing the risk of design errors.

Simulation for Validation and Testing

Don’t underestimate the power of simulation in SOLIDWORKS. Running simulations early in the design process can help validate your designs before they go into production, reducing costly errors. This good practice ensures that your models are not only functional but also meet the required specifications for strength, durability, and feasibility.

Boost Simulation Speed by Adjusting Settings

If you run simulations frequently, adjusting the simulation settings can speed up the process. For example, using draft quality mesh in the early stages of testing allows for quicker calculations without sacrificing the overall validity of the results. This simple trick can save hours when iterating through design changes.

How Can You Improve Efficiency in SOLIDWORKS with New Components?

Adding new components to assemblies can be time-consuming. Use the “Smart Components” feature to automate the process. By defining CAD features that are automatically added when a component is inserted into an assembly, you can significantly improve efficiency in SOLIDWORKS.

Better CAD Organization with Your Feature Manager

A cluttered Feature Manager can slow down even the best designers. Use folders to organize your features, sketches, and mates. This improves not only the visual appeal of your design but also makes it easier to locate and edit features when needed. Efficient use of the Feature Manager is a best practice in managing complex designs.

Do You Need the Latest Version?

Keeping your software up to date with the latest version of SOLIDWORKS ensures you’re using the most optimized tools for overall performance. Each new release typically includes performance enhancements, bug fixes, and new features designed to help you improve efficiency in SOLIDWORKS and work more efficiently.

Streamline the Design Process with Verification Settings

By turning off verification on rebuilds, you can speed up your design time. SOLIDWORKS’ default behavior is to check all parts and mates every time a rebuild occurs, but this can slow down your work. Disabling this feature is recommended when working on large models where constant verification isn’t necessary.

Validation and Compatibility for Large Assemblies

Validation is crucial when handling large assemblies. Use the built-in simulation tools to ensure that your designs meet performance criteria before moving into production. This is especially important for new components in assemblies where compatibility issues might arise.

Workflow Optimization for Better Performance

Finally, one of the simplest ways to improve efficiency is to evaluate your workflow. Organize your templates, utilize design review mode, and streamline the use of configurations to create a more efficient design environment. This not only enhances your CAD capabilities but also allows for quicker validation and verification of designs.

Conclusion

Incorporating these tips and tricks into your workflow can significantly improve efficiency in SOLIDWORKS, boosting your design speed and accuracy. By optimizing large assembly settings, adjusting image quality, and using Large Design Review Mode, you can achieve faster, more efficient performance. These changes help minimize lag and allow you to focus on innovation, not waiting for software to catch up.

Leveraging advanced simulation settings ensures quicker validation of your designs, reducing errors and revisions. Keeping your software up to date with the latest version of SOLIDWORKS and using certified graphics hardware ensures compatibility and optimal performance when working on complex projects.

By refining your design process with these best practices and underused software features, you’ll improve not only your workflow but also your ability to manage larger and more intricate projects. The result is greater productivity and better project outcomes, ensuring that your time and effort are spent where they matter most—creating innovative designs.

Ultimately, small adjustments to your SOLIDWORKS setup can have a big impact on your overall performance, making your work faster, more efficient, and more enjoyable.

Want to level up your skills even further? Check out our full course catalog to see what CAD skill you can master next! Or, reach out to our specialists for more info.

As computer aided design software like SOLIDWORKS continues to evolve, so do the demands placed on professionals using it. It’s no longer just about knowing the basics; you need to constantly refine your skills, learn new functionalities, and expand your expertise to stay competitive in this dynamic field.

And let’s be honest—who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of leveling up?

Why Training and Continuing Education Matter

The CAD industry is complex, encompassing not just engineering but also design principles, technical drawing, solid modeling, manufacturing, and even marketing. From architectural models to product development, the impact of CAD systems touches virtually every sector. As these industries evolve, CAD technicians and professionals need to be agile, adapting to new methodologies, software updates, and best practices.

Here’s our Top 4 reasons why training is crucial for anyone working in CAD:

1. Adapting to Technological Advancements: CAD software like SOLIDWORKS is always evolving. With each update comes a new suite of tools that can improve efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. But these tools are only useful if you know how to use them. Training ensures you’re up to date with the latest features and enhancements, allowing you to stay competitive in a constantly changing field.
2. Improving Job Performance: Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or new to the CAD world, proper training can help you do your job more efficiently and iron out your workflows. Learning shortcuts, advanced functions, and industry-specific tools can greatly reduce time spent on product designs and ensure higher-quality output. The more efficient you are, the more valuable you become to your team.
3. Boosting Career Opportunities: A well-rounded education, paired with certifications, makes you stand out from the crowd. CAD certifications, like those from SOLIDWORKS, demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge required to perform at the highest level. Whether you’re seeking a promotion, a new job, or simply looking to take on more responsibility, having a few CAD certifications under your belt can make a world of difference.
4. Staying Competitive: In a competitive job market, the more skills you have, the more attractive you are to employers. Training is an excellent way to stay relevant in the field and ensure you’re always up to date with the latest trends and software tools. Whether you’re entering the job market or advancing your career, continuing education gives you a significant edge over other candidates.

Continuing Education: Not Just for Engineers

While engineers might be the most obvious group of people who benefit from SOLIDWORKS training, they’re far from the only ones. Here are some other roles in the CAD industry that can benefit from continued education:

Designers: For those responsible for product aesthetics, learning the latest in CAD software can ensure designs meet not just functional but also visual and ergonomic standards.

Drafters: Continuing education for drafting in SOLIDWORKS allows drafters to stay up to date with the latest features and techniques for creating detailed, accurate, and efficient 2D and 3D representations of designs.

Manufacturers: The bridge between CAD design and physical production is more seamless with the latest knowledge. Manufacturers benefit from understanding the design process, which can streamline production and reduce errors.

Project Managers: Knowing the tools your team is using means you can communicate more effectively with both designers and clients, helping projects stay on time and on budget.

Sales and Marketing Teams: It might sound odd, but sales and marketing teams can benefit from SOLIDWORKS training, too. Having a basic understanding of the product and its capabilities can help you better pitch solutions to clients.

SOLIDWORKS Training Completion: Achievement Unlocked!

If you’ve ever played video games, you know how satisfying it is to collect achievements—those shiny, gratifying icons that symbolize milestones you’ve conquered in your virtual journey. Now, imagine doing the same thing in your professional life. That’s where SOLIDWORKS training and Credly badges come in!

What is a Credly Badge? To know all the details, check out our Credly announcement.

SOLIDWORKS CAD certifications and Credly badges mark important milestones in your CAD journey. These CAD certifications validate your skills, show off your expertise, and—most importantly—make you stand out in a competitive field.

• Leveling Up: Every successful completion of a SOLIDWORKS training course levels up your skillset. Whether it’s a beginner certification or an advanced specialty, every badge you earn makes you more proficient and more marketable.
• Bragging Rights: SOLIDWORKS CAD certifications are something to be proud of. Each one demonstrates your proficiency in a specific area and can be shared with potential employers, colleagues, and clients.
• Continuous Challenges: SOLIDWORKS training and certification offer a variety of difficulty levels. From basic user CAD certifications to advanced expert exams, there’s always a new challenge waiting for you.

For those in the CAD world, continuing education doesn’t just mean learning—it means mastering new levels of complexity in design and engineering. And with Solidxperts’ catalog of certified trainings, you can access a wide range of CAD courses that suit your specific needs and career goals.

The Value of Credly Credential Badges

Credly badges are digital credentials that you can display on your LinkedIn profile, email signature, or even personal website to show that you’ve mastered a certain aspect of SOLIDWORKS. These badges are verifiable, shareable, and most importantly – credible.

At Solidxperts, all our certified trainings come with a Credly badge, so you can showcase your achievements to the world. These badges don’t just prove you’ve completed a course; they’re evidence that you’ve mastered new skills and are ready to apply them in the real world. Don’t forget to share them on LinkedIn once you earn them!

Browse Our Certified Trainings and Start Collecting Certificates Today!

Ready to level up your skills and collect some professional CAD certifications? Check out Solidxperts’ catalog of certified trainings and see how you can start earning Credly badges for your SOLIDWORKS expertise. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner looking to expand your skillset, we’ve got a training program that will help you stay competitive in the ever-evolving CAD industry. Let’s start earning those badges—your next career “achievement unlocked” is just a click away!

Key Takeaways

• Training and continuing education are essential for staying competitive in the CAD industry.
• SOLIDWORKS CAD certifications and Credly badges offer tangible proof of your skills.
• Earning certifications is like collecting achievements in a video game—it’s fun, challenging, and rewarding.
• Solidxperts offers a range of certified training programs that cater to different levels and career goals.
• By prioritizing your education and staying up to date with the latest tools, you’ll not only advance your career but also make yourself indispensable in the CAD world.

For an even deeper exploration of SOLIDWORKS certifications specifically, check out our previous blog article!

SOLIDWORKS stands out as a versatile and powerful tool that empowers engineers, designers, and manufacturers to bring their ideas to life. While SOLIDWORKS is robust on its own, its true potential is unlocked using SOLIDWORKS add-ins. These specialized tools extend the software’s functionality, allowing users to tailor their experience to meet specific project needs.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the process of accessing and managing SOLIDWORKS add-ins and explore how these enhancements can transform your workflow.

What Are SOLIDWORKS Add-ins?

SOLIDWORKS add-ins are specialized modules that integrate directly into the SOLIDWORKS interface, providing additional features and capabilities that aren’t available in the core software. These add-ins can range from industry-specific tools, such as those used in sheet metal design or mold-making, to general productivity enhancers like SOLIDWORKS PDM (Product Data Management) or SOLIDWORKS Simulation. Whether you’re looking to automate repetitive tasks, improve design accuracy, or streamline collaboration, there’s likely a SOLIDWORKS add-in that fits the bill.

How to Access Your SOLIDWORKS Add-ins

Accessing SOLIDWORKS add-ins is a straightforward process that can be done directly from the SOLIDWORKS interface. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Start by opening SOLIDWORKS.

2. Navigate to the top menu bar and click on the “Tools” tab. In the dropdown menu that appears, select “Add-Ins.” This will open the SOLIDWORKS Add-Ins dialog box.

3. In the SOLIDWORKS Add-Ins dialog box, you’ll see a list of available add-ins. These are divided into two sections: “Active Add-Ins” and “Start-Up.” The “Active Add-Ins” section shows the add-ins that are currently loaded, while the “Start-Up” section allows you to choose which add-ins should automatically load when SOLIDWORKS starts.

To activate an add-in, simply check the box next to its name in the “Active Add-Ins” section. If you want the add-in to load automatically every time you start SOLIDWORKS, check the box in the “Start-Up” section as well.

To even more quickly access your SOLIDWORKS Add-ins, use the Options flyout from the Menu bar. Click the small arrow beside the Options button to open the Add-Ins dialog. Here, you can activate Add-Ins for your current session or set them to automatically enable at startup. However, be cautious when enabling all Add-Ins at startup, especially if you’re on a shared network license, as it could consume higher-tier licenses unnecessarily.

Alternatively, you can enable or disable Add-Ins via the CommandManager by turning on the “SOLIDWORKS Add-Ins” tab. Right-click on any tab in the CommandManager and select this option to quickly manage your Add-Ins.

If you no longer need a specific add-in, you can easily deactivate it by unchecking the box next to its name in the “Active Add-Ins” section. This will remove the add-in’s features from the interface and free up system resources.

The Benefits of Using SOLIDWORKS Add-ins

• Enhanced Functionality: Add-ins provide features that go beyond the standard SOLIDWORKS toolkit. For example, the SOLIDWORKS Electrical add-in enables seamless integration of electrical and mechanical design, while SOLIDWORKS Composer simplifies the creation of technical documentation.

• Increased Efficiency: By automating repetitive tasks and providing specialized tools, add-ins can significantly reduce the time spent on routine design activities. For instance, the SOLIDWORKS Toolbox add-in offers a vast library of standard components, saving you the time of creating these from scratch.

• Improved Collaboration: Add-ins like SOLIDWORKS PDM streamline the management of design data, ensuring that team members are always working with the latest versions of files. This not only improves collaboration but also reduces the risk of errors.

• Customization: SOLIDWORKS add-ins allow you to tailor the software to your specific needs. Whether you’re working in aerospace, automotive, consumer products, or any other industry, there’s likely an add-in that can help you meet your unique requirements.

Popular SOLIDWORKS Add-ins to Consider

With a wide range of SOLIDWORKS add-ins available, choosing the right ones for your needs can be daunting. Here are some popular add-ins that are widely used across various industries:

• SOLIDWORKS Simulation: This powerful add-in allows you to run simulations directly within SOLIDWORKS, enabling you to test and validate your designs before they go into production. From static analysis to thermal and fluid dynamics, SOLIDWORKS Simulation offers a comprehensive set of tools for ensuring your designs are both functional and reliable.

• SOLIDWORKS PDM: Managing design data can be a challenge, especially in collaborative environments. SOLIDWORKS PDM (Product Data Management) helps you organize, manage, and track your design files, ensuring that everyone on your team is working with the most up-to-date information.

• SOLIDWORKS Electrical: Integrating electrical and mechanical design has never been easier with SOLIDWORKS Electrical. This add-in enables you to create electrical schematics and 3D models simultaneously, ensuring a seamless design process that reduces errors and improves efficiency.

• SOLIDWORKS Composer: If you need to create technical documentation, SOLIDWORKS Composer is an invaluable tool. This add-in allows you to generate high-quality, interactive content directly from your 3D models, streamlining the process of creating assembly instructions, user manuals, and other technical documents.

• SOLIDWORKS Visualize: For those who need to create photorealistic renderings of their designs, SOLIDWORKS Visualize is a must-have add-in. It provides a range of tools for creating stunning visuals that can be used for marketing, presentations, or internal reviews.

Best Practices for Managing SOLIDWORKS Add-ins

While SOLIDWORKS add-ins can greatly enhance your productivity, it’s important to manage them effectively to avoid potential issues. Here are some best practices:

• Load Only What You Need: While it’s tempting to activate multiple add-ins, doing so can consume system resources and slow down your computer. Only load the add-ins that you need for your current project.

• Regularly Review Active Add-ins: Periodically review your active add-ins to ensure you’re not running unnecessary tools. This will help keep your system running smoothly and reduce the chances of conflicts between add-ins.

• Keep Add-ins Updated: Add-in developers frequently release updates to improve performance, add new features, and fix bugs. Make sure to keep your add-ins updated to benefit from these improvements.

• Test Add-ins Before Using in Production: If you’re considering using a new add-in, it’s a good idea to test it in a non-production environment first. This will allow you to assess its functionality and compatibility with your existing setup before incorporating it into your workflow.

SOLIDWORKS add-ins are powerful tools that can significantly enhance your design capabilities, improve efficiency, and streamline collaboration. By understanding how to access and manage these add-ins, you can unlock the full potential of SOLIDWORKS and tailor the software to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking to run complex simulations, manage design data, or create stunning visuals, there’s a SOLIDWORKS add-in that can help you achieve your goals. Take the time to explore the wide range of add-ins available and experiment with different combinations to find the perfect setup for your projects.