Every year, SOLIDWORKS pushes the boundaries of innovation to meet the evolving needs of the design community. With SOLIDWORKS 2025, designers and engineers gain access to a robust set of tools that enhance collaboration, streamline workflows, and improve design accuracy. These updates aren’t just about incremental changes—they’re about transforming how you work, connect, and innovate.

Let’s dive into what’s new and how these updates can elevate your design process.

 

#1 Enhanced Collaboration and Data Management

In today’s fast-paced design world, collaboration and efficient data management are key. SOLIDWORKS 2025 introduces new features to streamline teamwork and accelerate innovation.

 

Access to 3DSwym from the MySession Task Pane

Easily connect with industry peers through SOLIDWORKS online communities in 3DSwym, now accessible directly from the MySession panel. This seamless integration enables real-time collaboration and knowledge sharing without leaving your design environment.

 

SOLIDWORKS interface displaying a 3D CAD model of a machined part with detailed cutouts and holes. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform's collaborative chat panel is open on the right, showing a conversation discussing design feedback with annotated visuals.

Real-Time Notifications

Stay informed with real-time notifications that ensure you’re always working on the latest file versions. Whether you’re accessing files saved to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform or tracking updates made by collaborators, notifications alert you to changes and allow you to reload the latest data or review outdated components.

 

Flexible Data Management Options

A new feature in 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS lets you save your data in SOLIDWORKS PDM or other systems, giving you the flexibility to use the data management solution that best suits your needs.

 

#2 Advanced Part Modeling Flexibility

SOLIDWORKS 2025 empowers you to design faster and more efficiently with new part modeling capabilities.

 

Chamfer Selection Toolbar

The Chamfer command now includes a Selection Toolbar to automate edge selections. With options like outer edges, inner edges, and edges along extrusions, you can significantly speed up your workflow by avoiding manual edge selection.

 

Variable Fillet Chain

Achieve smoother transitions with the new Continuous Edge Blend option for variable fillets, enabling seamless blends across complex geometries.

 

SOLIDWORKS interface showcasing a 3D model with a highlighted variable fillet feature applied to the edges. The variable radius parameters are displayed with annotations alongside the feature's settings panel on the left.

 

Sheet Metal Bend Notch

Sheet metal design sees a boost with the ability to add customizable bend notches directly on the flat pattern bend lines. This enhancement improves manufacturability and simplifies the design-to-production process.

 

#3 Boosted Performance

Performance enhancements in SOLIDWORKS 2025 are designed to save you time, especially when working with large assemblies.

 

Silhouette Defeature Method

Simplify parts for faster processing while maintaining associations with the parent part using the Silhouette Defeature Method.

 

SOLIDWORKS interface displaying a simplified assembly using the Silhouette Defeature tool. The model is divided into grouped components with simplified outlines on the left panel, while the right panel shows the resulting lightweight representation.

 

SpeedPak Configuration at Assembly Level

Create SpeedPak configurations at the top assembly level without modifying subassemblies, offering more flexibility in simplifying large designs.

 

Faster Assembly Mass Calculations

Previously calculated mass properties for parts and bodies are reused to speed up mass property calculations for assemblies, saving valuable time.

 

#4 Accelerated Assembly Modeling

SOLIDWORKS 2025 brings new features to improve assembly design and manufacturability.

 

Copy Assembly Components with Mates

Preserve design intent while accelerating assembly creation by copying components along with their advanced and mechanical mates.

 

Surface Body Interference Detection

Interference checks now support surfaces, allowing you to detect issues between solid parts and surface bodies or between multiple surfaces, making it easier to validate imported geometry.

 

Interference Detection in Large Design Review Mode

Speed up interference checks in Large Design Review Mode (LDR), allowing you to work more efficiently with large assemblies.

 

A detailed assembly with a section view of a mechanical component. The left panel highlights the 'Copy with Mates' tool in use. The right panel displays a preview of the selected component.

 

#5 Improved Detailing of Drawings

Drawing enhancements in SOLIDWORKS 2025 focus on reducing manual work and enforcing company standards.

 

Multi-Approval Stamps

Streamline the drawing approval process with multi-level approval stamps. Tasks and notifications can now be assigned for review, with automatic time stamps showing approval status directly on the drawing.

 

The SOLIDWORKS interface displaying an engineering drawing detailing dimensions, tolerances, and approvals. The 3DEXPERIENCE panel on the right showcases the ENOVIA Change Execution process, outlining the approval workflow stages.

 

BOM Quantity Override for Detailed Cut Lists

Gain flexibility in how quantities are displayed in the BOM table. Structural member quantities can now be shown as QUANTITY or LENGTH x QUANTITY, offering more detailed insights.

 

#6 Flexible 3D Dimensioning and Tolerancing

Eliminate the need for disconnected 2D drawings with enhanced 3D dimensioning and tolerancing capabilities.

 

DimXpert Dimensions from Sketches

Automatically define model-based dimensions using intelligence built into sketches, speeding up the creation of fully defined models.

 

Drafted Feature Dimensions

Document drafted features more easily with the new DimXpert capabilities.

 

STEP 242 Export Controls

Communicate PMI data more effectively downstream with improved STEP 242 export options, offering greater flexibility and control.

 

A part file in two views. The left panel features export settings for publishing to STEP242 format, highlighting options like 'Split by surface faces' and 'Export face/edge properties.' The right panel shows the part's geometry with annotations and reference dimensions.

 

#7 Improved Harness Board Drawings

Accelerate the creation of manufacturing documentation with the ability to create improved harness board drawings.

 

Improved Organization

Improve the organization and positioning of tables and balloons on flattened drawings with refined auto-placement of tables, dimensions, balloons, and formats.

 

An electrical schematic drawing with connector tables, a bill of materials, and circuit summaries. The detailed layout includes a central wiring diagram, branching connections, and labeled tables providing precise electrical and component data for assembly.

 

Auto Placement

Speed up harness board creation with auto placement of tables, balloons and more.

 

Automatic Updates

Automatically update the electrical harness documentation after design changes.

 

#8 Streamlined ECAD/MCAD Collaboration

SOLIDWORKS 2025 makes it easier than ever to collaborate on electrical and mechanical designs.

 

Expanded CircuitWorks Capabilities

Now available to all SOLIDWORKS users, CircuitWorks allows you to import internal and external copper features like traces and vias using IDX files. Accessing copper geometry directly in SOLIDWORKS improves accuracy for thermal, structural, and electromagnetic analyses.

 

A detailed 3D PCB assembly showcasing components, traces, and vias. The right panel displays a zoomed-in 2D view of the PCB layout, highlighting electrical connections, components, and routing paths with color-coded layers.

 

#9 Immersive Rendering Benefits

Take advantage of real-time, interactive ray tracing with the latest GPU advancements for rendering.

 

Visualize Photorealistic Rendering via API

Automate rendering workflows using SOLIDWORKS Visualize and the SOLIDWORKS API, enabling photorealistic renderings with minimal effort.

 

Fast Mode Rendering with DSPBR Engine

Experience real-time rendering with Dassault Systèmes’ Physically Based Rendering (DSPBR) engine, leveraging the Vulkan API for unmatched visual performance.

 

SOLIDWORKS Visualize Professional showing a rendered scene of the Proteus machine in an industrial gym setting.

 

#10 User Experience Enhancements

Sometimes, it’s the small changes that make the biggest difference. SOLIDWORKS 2025 introduces usability improvements to boost productivity:

 

The SOLIDWORKS interface showcasing a structural part with a detailed cut list table open.

 

  • Reattach Broken Sketch Relations: Quickly resolve issues caused by missing references in sketches.
  • Copy Cut List Properties: Simplify workflows by copying cut list properties across specific items or entire models.
  • Improved Selection Breadcrumbs: Navigate complex assemblies faster with clearer selection hierarchies in LDR mode.

The Value of Cloud-Based Solutions

Both SOLIDWORKS PDM and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform offer cloud-based options, enabling remote teams to collaborate seamlessly. By supporting mobile access and reducing the need for physical servers, cloud integration enhances team members’ ability to access the most current design data.

 

Comparing Costs

For smaller organizations, SOLIDWORKS PDM is a cost-effective solution, offering basic data management features that integrate with SOLIDWORKS. PLM requires a higher initial investment but pays off with lifecycle management of product data across departments, improving long-term productivity.

 

Wrapping Up: Choosing the Right Solution

Choosing between SOLIDWORKS PDM vs. PLM on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform depends on your organization’s specific needs. For CAD-centric teams, PDM provides a robust data management system. For teams needing product lifecycle management solutions that encompass every phase of the product development process, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is an ideal solution.

 

Ready to Get Started?

SOLIDWORKS 2025 is packed with tools and enhancements to make your design process faster, smarter, and more collaborative. For a quick reference, download the enhancement flyer here and explore more demo videos on the official SOLIDWORKS webpage.

Don’t wait—get ready to elevate your designs with SOLIDWORKS 2025!