What’s New in Solidworks 2025

SOLIDWORKS 2025 brings many exciting updates designed to enhance productivity, improve workflows, and deliver powerful tools for modern design and manufacturing. This version offers significant improvements across the board, from advanced rendering capabilities to expanded CNC machining and 3D printing functionalities. Whether you are optimising parts, assemblies, or drawings or leveraging cutting-edge collaboration tools, SOLIDWORKS 2025 ensures that every aspect of the design process is addressed with precision and innovation.

What is SOLIDWORKS?

SOLIDWORKS is a widely used computer-aided design (CAD) software that enables engineers, designers, and manufacturers to create 3D models and technical drawings precisely. Developed by Dassault Systèmes, it is especially popular in aerospace, automotive, and product design industries. The software offers tools for modelling parts, creating assemblies, and generating detailed documentation, making it a versatile platform for developing products from concept to production. Its intuitive interface and extensive capabilities allow users to simulate performance, assess manufacturability, and collaborate effectively across teams. By integrating design, analysis, and collaboration features, SOLIDWORKS streamlines product development processes and improves efficiency.

SOLIDWORKS is available as a network application or through the cloud via the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform is perfect for companies that do not have a central office location or prefer to work remotely. The network application is designed for companies that need to adhere to high-level cybersecurity requirements, such as military and aviation companies.

SOLIDWORKS announced their new changes with a webinar presentation. They

(Presentation starts at 15:38)

Here are some of our favourite updates:

Enhanced Manufacturing Features

The 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS platform now includes expanded CNC machining and 3D printing functionalities, making manufacturing workflows more efficient. These features were previously offered as a separate package and have now been integrated into the 2025 release of 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS.

3D Printing Support – Prepare models for additive manufacturing, handle specific design constraints, and send jobs directly to a 3D printer from within SOLIDWORKS.
2.5-Axis Machining – Generate precise tool paths for basic 2.5-axis machining operations, ensuring accurate NC programming.
Advanced NC and Manufacturing Tools – Explore design setups and assess efficiency with nesting options. Provide CNC programmers with advanced tools such as 2D fabrication programming, 3-axis and 3+2-axis machining, EDM, and machine simulation to optimise tool paths before production.

Parts

Chamfers – Accelerate chamfer selection with new tools.
Rollback Bar – Easily delete features located below the Rollback Bar in the FeatureManager design tree.
Variable Fillet Chain – Achieve smooth edge blending by varying fillet radii along continuous edges.
Sheet Metal Bend Notch – Automatically generate bend notches on sheet metal flat patterns with enhanced customisation options.
Pattern Reference Geometry – Create and replicate planes and axes using linear patterns for quicker design processes.

Assemblies

Copy Assembly Components – Duplicate components along with their advanced and mechanical mates.
Interference Checking for Surface Bodies – Identify intersections between surfaces and solids, or between surfaces alone.
Interference Detection in LDR – Speed up manufacturability checks with interference detection in Large Design Review mode.
Switch Between LDR & Edit Mode – Start editing directly without preselecting LDR Edit mode.

Drawings

Multi-Approval Stamps – Add approval stamps to drawings, enforcing company standards from any connected device.
BOM Quantity Override for Cut Lists – Adjust how structural member quantities appear in BOM tables using flexible new options.
Surface Finish Symbols – Create ISO 21920-compliant surface finish symbols to maintain standardisation.

3D Dimensioning and Tolerancing

Create DimXpert Dimensions From Sketch Dimensions – Use sketch intelligence to define model-based dimensions automatically.
Dimension Support for Drafted Features – Simplify documentation for drafted features with dimensional and tolerance definitions.
3D Interconnect STEP 242 Export Controls – Communicate product manufacturing information more effectively with enhanced export settings for STEP 242.

Electrical & Pipe Routing

Improved Harness Board Drawings – Gain better table placement, dimensioning, and ballooning capabilities for harness board drawings.
Document- and Segment-Specific Slack Percentages – Assign extra cable or wire lengths more flexibly during manufacturing planning.

ECAD-MCAD Collaboration

CircuitWorks for All SOLIDWORKS Roles – Access CircuitWorks features across roles for improved circuit board workflows.
Modify Board Outline and Cutouts – Suggest and review board changes collaboratively between ECAD and MCAD users.
Copper Trace Support – Process copper trace data from ECAD to accurately represent PCB material stacks in SOLIDWORKS.

Rendering

Automated Rendering – Use the SOLIDWORKS API to generate photorealistic renderings automatically.
Physically Based Rendering Engine – Leverage advanced GPU technology with Vulkan-based real-time ray tracing.
glTF File Export – Export DSPBR appearance settings using the glTF file format for extended compatibility.

Performance

Simplified Parts – Quickly reduce part complexity with enhanced simplification options.
SpeedPak for Top-Level Assemblies – Simplify assemblies without altering subassemblies by creating SpeedPak configurations at the top level.
Faster Mass Property Calculations – Use previously computed values to reduce calculation times for assembly mass properties.

Collaboration & Data Management

3DSwym Integration – Collaborate directly with peers via the MySession panel in SOLIDWORKS.
Real-Time Local Cache Updates – Receive notifications to ensure you are always working with the latest files during team projects.

Import/Export

Export Drawing Views as Blocks – Save drawing views as blocks for quicker manipulation in DXF™/DWG software. Ensure compatibility and efficiency in downstream applications for design and manufacturing.

But that’s not all the updates for 2025! SOLIDWORKS will release “service packs” to their 3DEXPERIENCE offering, bringing new features and performance enhancements throughout the year.

Ready to get started with SOLIDWORKS 2025? Buy SOLIDWORKS today or contact the CAD Software Direct team for a quote.