Ratings and Reviews 5 Ratings

Total
ease
features
design
support

Ratings and Reviews 1 Rating

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support

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What is SOLIDWORKS?

SOLIDWORKS, a flagship solution by Dassault Systèmes, is the definitive 3D CAD and product development platform that has powered innovation for over 30 years. It equips engineers, manufacturers, and designers with an end-to-end suite for modeling, simulation, product lifecycle management, and digital manufacturing. With SOLIDWORKS 2026, the platform evolves even further through cutting-edge AI-driven features like selective model loading, fastener recognition, and the AURA AI design assistant, helping users work smarter and faster. Integrated natively with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, SOLIDWORKS enables seamless collaboration between teams, secure cloud data access, and real-time project synchronization. Engineers can now automate repetitive workflows, improve design accuracy, and simulate complex assemblies directly in one environment. Its expanded capabilities in 3D rendering, documentation, and additive manufacturing bridge the gap between design intent and production execution. A robust ecosystem of partners, extensions, and training resources supports users across industries—from aerospace and automotive to consumer goods and energy. SOLIDWORKS also offers tailored programs for students, startups, and makers, ensuring accessible innovation at every level. With millions of active users and a thriving global community, it remains the go-to platform for turning concepts into real-world solutions. SOLIDWORKS 2026 reaffirms its commitment to design excellence—combining intelligence, precision, and collaboration for the next generation of product innovation.

What is AutoCAD Plant 3D?

The AutoCAD package is equipped with the 2022 Plant 3D toolset, designed to help users construct and adjust P&IDs, build intricate 3D models, and produce specialized piping orthographic and isometric drawings that cater to the requirements of plant design. This innovative toolset promotes teamwork among project participants engaged in plant design while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards, all within a shared cloud-based data environment. It includes readily available standard symbol libraries such as PIP, ISA, ISO/DIN, and JIS, conveniently found in the tool palettes for user ease. Users can quickly identify potential issues by examining P&IDs for data integrity, based on adaptable rules they can set. Moreover, the toolset streamlines the rapid development of 3D plant models through parametric equipment modeling, access to structural steel libraries, and specific piping specifications from widely recognized industry catalogs. Piping orthographic drawings can be efficiently extracted from the evolving 3D model, with updates occurring in real time. Additionally, effective collaboration with other disciplines in the industry is crucial for the development of thorough BIM models for the plant, thereby significantly improving overall project efficiency and precision. This comprehensive approach not only enhances the design process but also ensures that all stakeholders are aligned and informed throughout the project lifecycle.

Media

Media

Integrations Supported

Bechtle PLM
CAD&BIM Free Viewer
CMM-Manager
Curtain MonGuard Screen Watermark
DELECO
DriveWorks
EDGECAM
EMWorks
Emulate3D
Epicor CPQ
FactWork
GoSaaS Integrator
HOOPS Exchange
HSMWorks
MISys Manufacturing
Mercura
Open IFC Viewer
RayViz
Sangfor aDesk
SurfaceWorks

Integrations Supported

Bechtle PLM
CAD&BIM Free Viewer
CMM-Manager
Curtain MonGuard Screen Watermark
DELECO
DriveWorks
EDGECAM
EMWorks
Emulate3D
Epicor CPQ
FactWork
GoSaaS Integrator
HOOPS Exchange
HSMWorks
MISys Manufacturing
Mercura
Open IFC Viewer
RayViz
Sangfor aDesk
SurfaceWorks

API Availability

Has API

API Availability

Has API

Pricing Information

Pricing not provided.
Free Trial Offered?
Free Version

Pricing Information

Pricing not provided.
Free Trial Offered?
Free Version

Supported Platforms

SaaS
Android
iPhone
iPad
Windows
Mac
On-Prem
Chromebook
Linux

Supported Platforms

SaaS
Android
iPhone
iPad
Windows
Mac
On-Prem
Chromebook
Linux

Customer Service / Support

Standard Support
24 Hour Support
Web-Based Support

Customer Service / Support

Standard Support
24 Hour Support
Web-Based Support

Training Options

Documentation Hub
Webinars
Online Training
On-Site Training

Training Options

Documentation Hub
Webinars
Online Training
On-Site Training

Company Facts

Organization Name

Dassault Systèmes

Date Founded

1981

Company Location

France

Company Website

www.solidworks.com

Company Facts

Organization Name

Autodesk

Date Founded

1982

Company Location

United States

Company Website

autocad.com

Categories and Features

3D Modeling

2D Drawing
Animation
Annotations
Bill of Materials
Character Modeling
Collaboration Tools
Component Library
Data Import / Export
For 3D Printing
For Architects
For Manufacturers
Reference Management
Simulation

Architecture

2D Drawing
3D Modeling
BIM Modeling
Bills of material
Building Information Modeling
Client Management
Contact Management
Contract Management
Document Management
Drafting
Manufacturing Design Data
Presentation Tools
Project Management
Proposal Management
Quotes/Proposals
Visualization / Presentation

CAD

2 1/2-Axis Milling
2D Drawing
3-Axis Milling
3D Modeling
4-Axis Milling
5-Axis Milling
Civil
Collaboration
Database Connectivity
Design Analysis
Design Export
Document Management
Electrical
Hole Making
Mechanical
Mechatronics
Presentation Tools
Simulate Cycles
Spiral Output
Structural Engineering
Toolpath Simulation
User Defined Cycles

Engineering

2D Drawing
3D Modeling
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Collaboration
Design Analysis
Design Export
Document Management
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechatronics
Presentation Tools
Structural Engineering

Categories and Features

3D Modeling

2D Drawing
Animation
Annotations
Bill of Materials
Character Modeling
Collaboration Tools
Component Library
Data Import / Export
For 3D Printing
For Architects
For Manufacturers
Reference Management
Simulation

BIM

2D Drawing
3D Modeling
Change Management
Collaboration
Conflict Tracking
Design Modeling
Document Management
For Facility Management
Mobile Access
Scheduling

Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE)

CAD/CAM Compatibility
Finite Element Analysis
Fluid Dynamics
Import / Export Files
Integrated 3D Modeling
Manufacturing Process Simulation
Mechanical Event Simulation
Multibody Dynamics
Thermal Analysis

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