Last summer, I went to a store to buy a cooler. I found one at an unbeatable price, but it was missing two retaining pins for the handle.
That’s when I had an idea.
Why not design and 3D print them?
So, I left the store with the cooler, a big smile on my face, and full confidence that I could find a solution in time for the BBQ.
BBQ Solidxperts x Markforged
Challenge: A Cooler with Missing Parts
A BBQ was scheduled just a few days later. I wanted to buy a cooler to keep drinks cold throughout the evening, but my budget was limited.
I came across a brand-new 45.4 L cooler for the modest price of $15 CAD. The only issue was that it was missing the two pins that secured the handle on one side. Despite searching throughout the store, I was unable to find replacement parts that could be purchased with it.
Without these pins, the cooler was still usable, but moving it around would have been much less convenient since the handle would not function properly. A comparable new cooler would have cost approximately $50 CAD before taxes. Ordering replacement parts was also an option, but not necessarily the most cost-effective one due to potential shipping costs and delivery delays.
With a BBQ quickly approaching, I needed a solution that was both effective and fast.
Evaluating the Options
Let’s take a quick look at the available options:
Purchase a New Cooler : The simplest solution, but also the most expensive unless a significant discount is available.
Order the Missing Parts : A viable option, but the total cost could quickly increase due to part pricing, shipping fees, and delivery times.
Manufacture the Parts In-House : An ideal solution for a company that has access to a 3D printer and the expertise needed to quickly design replacement parts.
Considering the tight timeline, the very low production cost, and the minimal effort required to design and print the parts, I chose additive manufacturing.
Markforged printers can produce durable parts using materials such as onyx, nylon, carbon fiber, fiberglass, and even metal. This makes them an excellent solution for challenges like this one.
Designing and Printing the Pins
I brought the cooler to my colleague, Charles-Olivier Provost, and in less than two hours, the problem was solved.
The process was straightforward. He removed one of the existing pins from the functional side of the handle and measured its dimensions using calipers, including diameter, length, and other key features. Using those measurements, he recreated the part in SOLIDWORKS. The modeling process took only a few minutes.
Once the model was completed, it was exported to Markforged’s Eiger software to prepare it for printing.
The modeled part imported into Markforged Eiger.
A few minutes later, the print job was launched on a Markforged X7 printer using an onyx material. In just over an hour, the two replacement parts were ready.
Launching the print job on the Markforged X7 3D printer.
Results
Once the two parts were printed, they were installed in their respective locations. A few quick tests confirmed that the handle functioned perfectly, just as if the cooler were brand new.
That was when my colleague told me, “Your cooler is ready.”
The moment I had been waiting for.
For me, it was the satisfaction of having made a great purchase while staying within budget and meeting the BBQ deadline. For Charles-Olivier, it was the satisfaction of solving a practical problem using precise measurements, SOLIDWORKS, and his secret weapon: a Markforged 3D printer.
The savings were significant. The pair of replacement parts cost approximately $1.50 CAD to produce, compared to the potential cost of ordering replacement parts with shipping fees or purchasing a brand-new cooler.
Cooler repaired using a 3D-printed replacement pin (black part).
How 3D Printing Reduces Costs and Lead Times
In an industrial setting, the parts involved can represent equipment worth thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
3D printing stands out because of its flexibility and rapid production capabilities. When the availability of a replacement part becomes a challenge and a solution is needed quickly, additive manufacturing truly demonstrates its value.
Extending the lifespan of products not only helps reduce costs but also contributes to more sustainable and responsible practices.
Over the past few years, 3D printing has evolved far beyond rapid prototyping. Today, it is widely used across industrial environments for tooling, functional parts, product development, supply chain optimization, and even end-use production.
However, as the technology has matured, however, one reality has become increasingly clear: there is no single 3D printing solution that fits every application.
From FDM and resin printing to polymer powder technologies, each platform offers different advantages in terms of precision, mechanical performance, production volume, and operating costs.
As a result, Raise3D has established itself as a compelling option for organizations seeking a balance between performance, accessibility, and versatility.
At Solidxperts, we help organizations evaluate, implement, and optimize these solutions as part of a broader additive manufacturing strategy. Raise3D is not a universal answer to every challenge; however, it often fits a wide range of industrial applications very well.
Raise3D Pro3 and Pro3 Plus: A Versatile Starting Point
For many organizations, adopting 3D printing begins with a straightforward objective: producing functional parts in-house without relying on external suppliers.
This is exactly where the Pro3 series excels.
The Raise3D Pro3 and Pro3 Plus are industrial FDM printers designed to support a broad range of applications, from functional prototyping to manufacturing jigs, fixtures, and production tooling. Their robust construction and dual-extrusion architecture provide the flexibility needed to tackle diverse projects with a single platform.
Build Volume
Pro3: 300 × 300 × 300 mm
Pro3 Plus: 300 × 300 × 605 mm
The extended build height of the Pro3 Plus is particularly valuable when producing large components or maximizing the number of parts manufactured in a single print job.
Compatible Materials
FDM technology supports a wide variety of thermoplastics, including:
PLA
PETG
ABS
ASA
TPU
Nylon
Fiber-reinforced composites
Raise3D also offers a portfolio of validated materials with optimized print profiles. This helps users achieve reliable and repeatable results with minimal setup.
Third-party materials can also be used when specific application requirements demand it. This flexibility is a major advantage, although official Raise3D materials typically provide the most predictable and repeatable performance in production environments.
Industries Served
Manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, industrial design, and R&D teams all use the Pro3 series. Because of its versatility, organizations often rely on it when they want to support multiple applications without investing in several specialized machines.
Why Is the Pro3 Series So Popular?
One of the greatest strengths of the Pro3 platform is its ability to grow alongside an organization’s needs. The same machine can be used to validate a prototype, manufacture an assembly fixture, or produce a replacement maintenance component. This versatility, combined with broad material compatibility and dependable performance, has made the Pro3 one of the most widely adopted industrial FDM platforms available today.
Raise3D E3: Productivity, Compactness, and Flexibility
Not every organization needs larger parts. In many cases, the primary goal is to improve efficiency or make 3D printing accessible to a broader range of users.
The Raise3D E3 was designed with this objective in mind.
Built around an Independent Dual Extruder (IDEX) architecture, the E3 features two print heads that operate independently. This enables duplication and mirror-printing modes that can significantly increase productivity for certain applications.
Build Volume
330 × 240 × 240 mm
Compatible Materials
The E3 supports the major FDM material families:
PLA
PETG
ABS
ASA
TPU
Nylon
Engineering composites
Like other Raise3D platforms, official Raise3D materials benefit from optimized print profiles while still allowing users the freedom to work with third-party materials when required.
Industries and Environments
The E3 is particularly well suited for engineering departments, research centers, product development teams, and educational institutions. Its compact footprint and ease of integration make it an excellent choice for laboratories, classrooms, technical training centers, and office environments.
For organizations looking to expand access to 3D printing without deploying a dedicated production area, the E3 often represents an attractive and practical solution.
A Different Approach to Productivity
Rather than focusing on larger build volumes, the E3 improves efficiency by maximizing machine utilization. Its IDEX architecture enables simultaneous production of multiple parts or duplicate prototypes, naturally accelerating development cycles and reducing turnaround times for engineering teams.
Raise3D DF2: When Precision Matters Most
Some applications demand a level of accuracy and surface quality that traditional FDM technologies cannot always achieve.
This is where the Raise3D DF2 stands out.
Powered by DLP technology, the DF2 delivers highly detailed parts with exceptional surface finish and excellent repeatability, making it ideal for applications where precision is critical.
Build Volume
120 × 68 × 300 mm
Compatible Materials
The DF2 supports a range of photopolymer resins, including:
Rigid resins
Engineering resins
Flexible resins
Application-specific specialty resins
The DF2 ecosystem is built around validated materials and qualified process parameters, helping users achieve consistent results from one print to the next.
Industries Served
The DF2 is commonly used in medical, dental, industrial design, and research and development environments. It also supports specialized manufacturing applications where dimensional accuracy and surface quality are critical requirements.
One documented example is 3DPMolds, which uses the DF2 to accelerate the production of molds for low-volume plastic injection molding, demonstrating how resin technologies continue to expand into practical industrial applications.
A Platform Built for Accuracy
The DF2 is designed for organizations where surface finish, fine details, and dimensional precision play a central role in the manufacturing process. When these factors become critical, DLP technology offers advantages that are difficult to match with conventional FDM systems.
Raise3D RMS 220: Moving Toward Production
In some cases, additive manufacturing is no longer used simply to develop products, but to manufacture them directly.
The Raise3D RMS 220 was created for exactly this purpose.
Based on Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology, the RMS 220 produces parts from polymer powder without the need for support structures. This enables greater design freedom and allows users to efficiently fill the build chamber with multiple parts in a single production cycle.
Build Volume
220 × 220 × 350 mm
Compatible Materials
The RMS 220 is designed for industrial polymer powders such as:
PA11
PA12
Officially supported materials benefit from validated process parameters that help ensure repeatability and production stability.
Industries Served
The RMS 220 is intended for manufacturers, automotive companies, aerospace organizations, and businesses looking to adopt additive manufacturing as a production technology.
Documented use cases include companies such as Kinboshi and LutraCAD, both of which have integrated the RMS 220 into industrial workflows involving the production of end-use and customized parts.
A Step Toward Manufacturing
SLS technology represents an important milestone in the adoption of additive manufacturing. The absence of support structures, combined with strong mechanical properties and exceptional design freedom, makes it particularly well suited for low- to medium-volume production.
Why Choose Solidxperts?
Selecting an industrial 3D printer involves much more than comparing technical specifications.
The real challenge is identifying the technology that will deliver the greatest value for your specific applications and business objectives.
At Solidxperts, we help organizations navigate this decision-making process. Our role extends beyond supplying equipment. We support our customers through needs analysis, technology selection, installation, training, and ongoing technical support.
This approach enables businesses to adopt additive manufacturing in a structured, scalable, and results driven manner.
What’s the Next Step?
With the Pro3 and Pro3 Plus, E3, DF2, and RMS 220, Raise3D offers a diverse portfolio of additive manufacturing solutions that address a wide range of industrial requirements.
Some organizations need a versatile platform to accelerate product development. Others require higher precision, greater design freedom, or increased production capabilities. Each technology serves a different purpose, and the application itself should always guide the decision.
One of Raise3D’s greatest strengths lies in its balance of performance, flexibility, and accessibility. These platforms enable organizations to integrate 3D printing into their operations without the complexity or investment often associated with more specialized technologies.
At Solidxperts, we believe a successful additive manufacturing project starts long before a machine is installed. It begins with a clear understanding of production goals, materials, operational constraints, and long-term business objectives.
Whether your goal is to accelerate prototyping, optimize production processes, or explore new manufacturing possibilities, our team is ready to help identify the technology best suited to your reality.
Because in industrial 3D printing, the best solution is not necessarily the most advanced one. It is the one that best meets your needs.
Choosing a CAD platform is a bigger decision than just comparing modeling tools.
Today, engineering teams need to think about collaboration, data management, cloud connectivity, licensing flexibility, training requirements, and even AI-powered productivity tools. Whether you’re replacing an older CAD system, evaluating cloud CAD for the first time, or planning for future growth, the platform you choose will impact your workflow for years.
Two of the most common options being evaluated today are SOLIDWORKS Design and Onshape.
Both are professional CAD solutions that support parametric modeling and offer cloud connected workflows. But they are built around very different philosophies.
Let’s break down the differences.
Quick Answer: SOLIDWORKS Design or Onshape?
If your team wants a mature, industry-standard CAD platform with powerful desktop performance, extensive engineering tools, flexible licensing options, and access to the broader 3DEXPERIENCE ecosystem, SOLIDWORKS Design is typically the stronger choice.
If your priority is a browser only CAD environment with simplified deployment and built-in cloud collaboration, Onshape may be worth considering.
The right answer depends on your team’s workflows, product complexity, and long-term goals.
What Is SOLIDWORKS Design?
SOLIDWORKS Design is the latest evolution of the SOLIDWORKS portfolio.
It combines the CAD environment engineers have trusted for decades with modern cloud services, collaboration tools, revision management, and AI-powered capabilities through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Today, organizations can choose between multiple deployment approaches:
SOLIDWORKS Design Single-User License
A named-user license connected directly to cloud services and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Benefits include:
Access from multiple devices
Built-in cloud collaboration
Cloud file and revision management
Continuous updates
AI-enabled cloud services and tools
SOLIDWORKS Design Device License
A machine-based license designed for organizations that prefer traditional deployment methods.
Benefits include:
Local installation control
Machine-based activation
Multi-user workstation environments
Optional cloud connectivity
Support for controlled IT deployment strategies
Both licensing options provide access to Cloud Services and future expansion into the broader 3DEXPERIENCE ecosystem.
SOLIDWORKS CAD Modeling Environment
What Is Onshape?
Onshape is a fully browser based CAD platform.
Unlike traditional desktop CAD, there is no local installation. Users access their CAD environment through a web browser, and all data is stored in the cloud.
Because the platform is cloud-native, Onshape provides:
Real time collaboration
Built-in version history
Browser based access
Automatic updates
Simplified IT deployment
This makes it attractive for distributed teams, startups, educational institutions, and organizations looking to avoid workstation management.
Onshape CAD Modeling Environment
SOLIDWORKS Design vs Onshape: The Biggest Differences
Modeling Experience
Both platforms use modern parametric modeling workflows.
However, SOLIDWORKS Design still offers a more mature and feature rich modeling environment for many engineering use cases.
Areas where SOLIDWORKS continues to excel include:
Large assemblies
Weldments
Routing
Drawings and detailing
Manufacturing documentation
Simulation integration
CAM integration
Advanced surfacing workflows
For many engineers, SOLIDWORKS remains the benchmark for production ready mechanical design.
Onshape delivers a modern modeling experience and continues to evolve rapidly, but some organizations transitioning from mature desktop CAD environments may find certain advanced workflows less developed.
Performance
This is where deployment philosophy matters.
SOLIDWORKS Design
Most CAD calculations happen locally on workstation hardware.
Advantages:
Excellent performance on complex assemblies
Direct access to GPU resources
Better support for demanding engineering workloads
Less dependence on internet speed during modeling
Onshape
All modeling calculations occur on cloud infrastructure.
Advantages:
Lower workstation requirements
Easy access from almost any device
Consistent performance across users
For engineering teams working on large products, machinery, manufacturing equipment, or highly detailed assemblies, local workstation performance still offers significant advantages.
Data Management
Historically, data management was a major differentiator.
Today, the gap is much smaller.
Onshape
Includes cloud-based data management by default.
Users benefit from:
Version history
Branching workflows
Built-in collaboration
Cloud storage
SOLIDWORKS Design
Includes Cloud Services and can scale directly into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Organizations can start with:
Share and Markup
Store and Revise
Collaborative Spaces
Cloud revision management
And later expand into:
Product lifecycle management (PLM)
Change actions
Governance workflows
Enterprise collaboration
This creates a growth path from basic collaboration all the way to enterprise level product development.
What About SOLIDWORKS xDesign?
This is an important distinction that often gets overlooked.
When comparing browser-based CAD, the most direct comparison is often SOLIDWORKS xDesign versus Onshape, not SOLIDWORKS Design versus Onshape.
SOLIDWORKS xDesign is Dassault Systèmes’ cloud-native design solution, running entirely in a web browser with no local installation required. It combines modeling, collaboration, lifecycle management, and cloud storage directly within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
SOLIDWORKS xDesign Modeling Environment
For organizations that like the flexibility of browser-based CAD but want to stay within the SOLIDWORKS ecosystem, xDesign is often worth evaluating alongside Onshape.
Many companies ultimately adopt a hybrid strategy:
SOLIDWORKS Design for advanced mechanical design
SOLIDWORKS xDesign for cloud-native collaboration and conceptual work
3DEXPERIENCE for data management and lifecycle control
AI Features: SOLIDWORKS vs Onshape
AI is becoming part of every CAD discussion, but it’s important to separate practical tools from marketing buzzwords.
Neither platform has a “design my product” button.
Instead, both focus on productivity improvements.
AI in Onshape
Onshape currently offers AI Advisor, an AI-powered assistant designed to answer questions and guide users through workflows using Onshape documentation and training resources as its knowledge base.
AI Advisor can:
Answer workflow questions
Recommend best practices
Surface documentation
Provide troubleshooting guidance
Deliver contextual assistance inside the platform
Importantly, Onshape states that AI Advisor does not currently generate designs or make engineering decisions.
Onshape AI Advisor
AI in SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS has been expanding its AI roadmap aggressively through both desktop and cloud-connected tools.
Recent AI capabilities include:
Auto-Generate Drawings
Command Predictor
Fastener Recognition
Assembly Performance Evaluator
Material Appearance Manager
BREP-to-Parametric CAD conversion
Design Change Impact analysis
PLM Model Insights
AURA AI Assistant
Rather than acting as a documentation assistant, many of these tools directly interact with engineering workflows and CAD data.
The goal isn’t replacing engineers. It’s reducing repetitive work, accelerating documentation, improving performance, and helping teams make decisions faster.
SOLIDWORKS AI Lab
Which Platform Is Better for Growing Companies?
This is often the most important question.
For startups prioritizing fast deployment and simple browser access, Onshape can be an attractive option.
For companies expecting growth, increasing product complexity, manufacturing integration, simulation requirements, or future PLM adoption, SOLIDWORKS Design often provides a more scalable path.
One of the biggest advantages of the SOLIDWORKS ecosystem is that organizations don’t need to commit to everything on day one.
You can start with:
SOLIDWORKS Design
Cloud Services
Basic collaboration
Then gradually expand into:
PDM
PLM
Simulation
Manufacturing
Electrical
Cloud-native design
AI-driven workflows
Without changing CAD platforms.
Why work with Solidxperts?
Choosing software is only part of the project.
Implementation, training, data management strategy, and user adoption are often what determine whether a deployment succeeds.
At Solidxperts, we work with organizations every day that are evaluating:
SOLIDWORKS Design
SOLIDWORKS xDesign
Cloud Services
3DEXPERIENCE
PDM and PLM solutions
CAD migration projects
Whether you’re moving from another CAD platform, modernizing your data management strategy, or exploring AI-enabled workflows, our team can help you build a roadmap that fits your reality not just a software brochure.
The goal isn’t simply choosing a CAD tool.
It’s building a design environment that will still make sense five years from now.
More and more organizations are moving to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to streamline collaboration, improve data management, and connect their teams. One of the most important pieces of a successful rollout is understanding how Roles work, how they’re assigned, and how licensing is managed.
In this article, we’ll walk through the full lifecycle of Role management, from inviting members to your tenant to assigning Roles individually or by group.
Platform Administrator Access
The steps outlined below require you to be a 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Administrator for your company tenant.
If you don’t see the Platform Management or Members Management dashboards:
Reach out to your internal 3DEXPERIENCE administrator, or
If you are the admin and still can’t access them, contact your technical support team to help resolve the issue.
Members Control Center
Once you have the appropriate permissions, open the Members Control Center from:
The Members Management Dashboard, or
The Members tab within the Platform Management Dashboard
This is your main workspace for:
Reviewing existing members
Viewing available Roles and license counts
Managing additional apps assigned to the tenant
Licensing Options (Before You Assign Roles)
Before assigning any Roles, it’s a good idea to review the licensing behavior for your tenant.
From the Members Control Center, select Configure Members Options.
There are two key settings to review:
1. License Expiration
We strongly recommend enabling Automatically ungrant expired roles from members or groups.
This ensures that:
Roles are automatically removed when licenses expire
Users don’t encounter access errors due to expired licensing
2. Invitations from Administrators
The option Allow administrators to grant roles without assigning automatically the associated license controls how external users access Roles:
Enabled: external users can use their own licenses
Disabled: licenses must come from your tenant
Taking a moment to configure these options upfront can prevent licensing issues down the road.
Understanding Member Role Assignments
To see how these settings affect a specific user:
1. Go back to Invite & Grant Roles
2. Select Details for a member
Each Role represents a purchased license and unlocks access to specific apps and capabilities.
Key options include:
Assign License:
Enabled → license is consumed from your tenant
Disabled → external user uses a license from another tenant
Restrict Usage to the Platform:
Enabled → license can only be used on this tenant
Disabled → license can be used across tenants
Assigning Roles to Members
To assign Roles:
1. Click View All to see every available Role
2. Use search if needed, by Role name or trigram (for example, UES for Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS)
3. Set the licensing options for the Role
4. Select the checkbox to grant it
If a Role requires prerequisites, you’ll be prompted to add them automatically. Simply confirm to proceed.
Inviting New Members
Roles can also be assigned during the invitation process. You can invite users from:
My Platform Control Center
Members Control Center
Steps to Invite a Member:
1. Click Invite Member
2. Enter one or more email addresses
3. Choose user rights:
Member
Tenant Administrator (always a good idea to have a backup admin)
External User
4. Optionally include a personal message
5. Click Next to select Roles
Choose the Roles to assign, review any prerequisite requirements, and configure licensing options if needed.
In the final step, select any available apps and click Invite to complete the process.
Requesting Roles (User-Initiated)
Users can also request Roles directly from the platform:
1. Open the Compass
2. Go to Company
3. Select a Role and click Request
The administrator will receive both a platform notification and an email.
Approving Role Requests:
1. Open the Members Control Center
2. Select Manage Requests
3. Open the request tile
4. Click Accept to grant the Role
Assigning Roles Using Groups
Groups are a powerful way to manage Roles at scale.
Creating a User Group:
1. Open the User Groups app (via the Compass)
2. Click Create Group
3. Enter a name and description
Tip: name the group after the Role it will receive
4. Click Create
5. Add members to the group and save
Assigning Roles to a Group:
1. Go to Members Control Center → Invite & Grant Roles
2. Open Details for the desired Role
3. Switch to the Groups tab
4. Select the appropriate group and confirm any prerequisite Roles
Any user added to the group will automatically receive the assigned Role.
Removing Members from the Tenant
When a user no longer needs access:
1. Open the Members Control Center
2. Select Details for the member
3. Go to Settings
4. Remove the user from the tenant
Make sure to remove any roles that have been assigned to that user before removing them from the platform to avoid any issues with future re-assignment.
The best practice is to use User Groups to assign roles, that way you can simply remove a user from the User Group to remove their roles.
Final Thoughts
Managing Roles effectively is key to getting the most value from the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. With the right setup, you can ensure users have exactly the tools they need no more, no less while keeping licensing clean and manageable.
At its core, SOLIDWORKS AI refers to a set of intelligent capabilities that assist engineers by automating repetitive tasks, providing design guidance, and enabling workflow orchestration through built-in features and Virtual Companions that can be interacted with using natural language.
What AI features are currently available in SOLIDWORKS?
Currently, available capabilities include automated drawing generation, general design assistance through an interactive chat interface, command prediction, sketch analysis and repair, fastener recognition, and many additional features that are being rapidly developed and expanded.
What is the difference between built-in AI features and Virtual Companions in SOLIDWORKS?
On one hand, built-in AI refers to machine learning-based capabilities that enhance existing design workflows. On the other hand, Virtual Companions are AI assistants that can be engaged using natural language to access knowledge and perform specific tasks. Both built-in AI features and Virtual Companions are available directly within the SOLIDWORKS Design user interface.
What are the roles of the new Virtual Companions?
Unlike generic conversational agents, our companions embody AI at the heart of engineering, grounded in physics and causality.
Name
Specialty
Example Application (E-Foil Wing)
AURA
Knowledge and Context
Balances requirements for strength, lightweight construction, and water resistance (for example, choosing between carbon fiber and fiberglass).
LEO
Engineering Reasoning
Optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio using carbon composites, specifically unidirectional carbon fiber with epoxy resin for stiffness and fatigue resistance.
MARIE
Materials Science
Analyzes critical factors such as density (1.6 g/cm³), elastic modulus, and resistance to water-induced degradation.
How do these entities collaborate to optimize a project?
Innovation emerges from the combination of multiple perspectives. AURA explores the range of possibilities, MARIE grounds the project in rigorous materials science, and LEO ensures mechanical and manufacturing feasibility. Together, they help identify the optimal technical solution without compromising safety or manufacturability.
Why is the move to the Cloud essential for these new AI capabilities?
Knowledge extraction, deep data mining, and the execution of complex AI models require significant computing power. Cloud infrastructure is the only practical way to provide these resources flexibly and cost-effectively to organizations of all sizes.
Does SOLIDWORKS AI use customer data for training?
No. Customer data is not used to train AI models. Governance controls ensure the protection of intellectual property. You can learn more by visiting the 3DS Trust Center.
Can AI automatically create drawings?
Yes. SOLIDWORKS Design includes the ability to automatically generate 2D drawings by interacting with Virtual Companions using natural language. Drawings can be created according to specified standards, templates, and dimensioning schemes, helping accelerate the documentation process.
Can AI automate repetitive CAD tasks?
Yes. SOLIDWORKS AI automates repetitive engineering tasks such as drawing creation and assembly structure generation. Additional capabilities will continue to be introduced in future releases.
How does SOLIDWORKS AI protect intellectual property?
SOLIDWORKS AI ensures that customer intellectual property remains isolated and secure. Learn more about the specific security protocols by visiting the 3DS Trust Center.
How do I get started with AI in SOLIDWORKS?
Start by exploring the built-in AI capabilities and current Virtual Companion features available through the AI Lab task pane directly within SOLIDWORKS Design. Access to Virtual Companions requires Cloud Services to be enabled, which are included with every SOLIDWORKS Design license.
Can AI automatically fix CAD models?
AI can identify issues, explain errors, and suggest corrections. However, engineers remain responsible for reviewing and approving any modifications.
Will AI replace CAD designers and engineers?
No. AI helps automate repetitive tasks and uncover valuable insights, but engineers remain responsible for design intent, validation, and decision-making.
On the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, Derived Outputs such as PDFs, DXFs, STEP files, and other neutral formats are created from your CAD data for downstream use. These files are often shared with customers, suppliers, or partners who don’t have access to your platform tenant.
In this article, we’ll walk through a few practical ways to package and export Derived Outputs so they’re ready to send outside your organization.
Note: Dassault Systèmes provides general documentation on Derived Outputs. If you need help with setup, automation, or best practices, our technical support and implementation teams are always happy to help.
Choosing the Right Method
There are a couple of different apps and workflows you can use, each with its own advantages depending on:
The number of files involved
Whether you’re working with a single assembly or many
How much cleanup you want to do afterward
Let’s take a look at the most common approaches.
Using the Product Explorer App
Method 1: Download Derived Outputs from a Single Assembly
1. Open the assembly in Product Explorer that already has Derived Outputs.
2. Select the top-level assembly node (it will highlight in blue).
3. Click the Information (i) icon in the lower toolbar.
This opens the information side panel.
4. Navigate to Derived Formats.
5. Click Download All Derived Outputs.
6. Choose which 2D and 3D formats you want to include.
7. Name the ZIP file and click Download.
If you’ve added multiple assemblies to Product Explorer, you’ll need to repeat this process for each one.
Trade-off:
✔ Clean output (Derived Outputs only)
✖ One assembly at a time
Method 2: Export Multiple Assemblies at Once
If you need to collect outputs from several assemblies or even unrelated parts, this method is much faster.
1. Add assemblies or parts to Product Explorer.
2. Select multiple items using checkboxes or Shift + Select.
3. Click Export As from the bottom toolbar.
4. Name the export, enable Expand All, and set the Derived Format Options.
5. Click Export.
A background job will start.
Once complete:
A notification appears in the upper-right corner.
Click the notification to open the CAD Data Processor Monitoring app.
Use the Download button to retrieve the ZIP file.
This ZIP will include both CAD files and Derived Outputs. To keep only the outputs, simply open the ZIP in Windows Explorer, sort by file type, and remove any files you don’t need.
Trade-off:
✔ Multiple assemblies or mixed files at once
✖ Manual cleanup required
Using the Bookmark Editor App
Method 1: Download Outputs from a Single Assembly
1. Locate the assembly in a bookmark (or add it to one).
2. Right-click the assembly and choose Information, or open the side panel
3. In the window or side panel, navigate to Derived Outputs.
4. Click Download All Derived Outputs.
This workflow mirrors the single-assembly method in Product Explorer.
Trade-off:
✔ Simple and clean
✖ One assembly at a time
Method 2: Export Multiple Items from a Bookmark
This method works the same way as the multi-selection approach in Product Explorer.
1. Add all required assemblies or parts to a bookmark.
2. Select the files you want.
3. Click Export As from the upper toolbar.
4. Configure the Derived Format options and start the export.
As before, the resulting ZIP will include CAD data along with the Derived Outputs, so some cleanup may be required.
Trade-off:
✔ Ideal for large batches or mixed content
✖ Requires removing CAD files afterward
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re sending a single PDF or packaging dozens of STEP and DXF files, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform gives you flexible ways to get the right data out securely and efficiently.
The key is choosing the method that best fits your situation:
Single assembly, clean output → Download All Derived Outputs
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform includes a powerful set of tools designed to support collaborative product development. Two of the most commonly used apps for storing and managing files are 3DDrive and 3DSpace.
At first glance, they can look similar, but they’re built for very different purposes. Understanding how each one is meant to be used will help your team work more efficiently and avoid confusion down the road.
What Is 3DDrive?
Think of 3DDrive as the 3DEXPERIENCE equivalent of tools like Dropbox or OneDrive.
3DDrive allows you to:
Store and access files from anywhere
Edit and collaborate on documents in real time
Share files easily, including with external users
Integrate with other cloud storage services
You’ll find 3DDrive under My Apps in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, and it’s also accessible directly inside SOLIDWORKS.
3DDrive uses a familiar folder based structure and focuses on flexibility and convenience. It’s a great choice for:
General file sharing
Early-stage collaboration
Working with customers, suppliers, or partners outside your organization
What it doesn’t include is built-in product data management there’s no revision control, lifecycle states, or formal approval process.
What Is 3DSpace?
3DSpace is built for teams that need structure, control, and traceability.
Instead of simple folders, 3DSpace is organized around Collaborative Spaces, where teams work together on shared project data. Within 3DSpace, you can:
Control access and permissions
Track revisions and history
Assign maturity states like In Work and Released
Lock files to prevent conflicting edits
These capabilities make 3DSpace a strong foundation for PLM-driven workflows, including:
Engineering change processes
Approval workflows
Long-term product data management
3DSpace is ideal for engineering teams that need confidence in version control and data integrity.
3DDrive vs. 3DSpace: Which Should You Use?
The short answer: it depends on how you work.
3DDrive is best when:
You need fast, flexible file sharing
You collaborate frequently with external users
You want a familiar, lightweight cloud storage experience
3DSpace is best when:
You need controlled access and revision tracking
Your team is ready for PLM-style workflows
Data accuracy, traceability, and approvals matter
The good news is that both apps integrate directly with SOLIDWORKS, so you can access the right tool without leaving your design environment.
Final Thoughts
3DDrive and 3DSpace aren’t competing tools. They’re complementary. Many teams start with 3DDrive for simple collaboration and gradually introduce 3DSpace as their data management needs grow.
Not sure which approach makes the most sense for your team? That’s where we come in.
FD02 marks an important shift as we move from standalone AI features to integrated, workflow-aware intelligence. But the biggest change is not necessarily what AI can do. It’s how naturally it fits into the way engineers already work every day.
Artificial Intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday engineering workflows, but if you’re a SOLIDWORKS user, the big question is usually:
“Where do I even start?”
The good news is that AI in SOLIDWORKS isn’t something separate you need to learn from scratch. It’s already being integrated into the tools you use every day through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to get started, step by step:
Required software and prerequisites
Activating the 3DEXPERIENCE platform
Installing the Design with SOLIDWORKS connector
Accessing AI tools like the new AI Labs tab
No fluff, just what you need to get up and running.
Step 1: Understand What “AI in SOLIDWORKS” Actually Means
Before jumping into setup, it’s important to clarify something:
AI in SOLIDWORKS isn’t a single feature. It’s a set of capabilities delivered through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Today, that includes things like:
Design assistance and recommendations
Automation of repetitive tasks
Data-driven insights
Early access tools in AI Labs
In other words, AI is layered into your workflow, not replacing it.
Step 2: Confirm Your Prerequisites
Before you can access any AI-driven tools, you’ll need a few key components in place.
Required Software
SOLIDWORKS 2026 (or newer)
Active subscription (required for cloud services integration)
Platform Access
A 3DEXPERIENCE platform account
Assigned roles (including Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS)
System Requirements
Stable internet connection
Admin rights for installation
Browser access to the platform
If you’re missing any of these, that’s your starting point.
Step 3: Activate the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
AI functionality depends on your connection to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
How to Activate:
Check your welcome email from Dassault Systèmes
Click the activation link
Set your password and log in
Access your platform dashboard
Once inside, you should see your roles and available apps.
AI may not be perfect yet, but it’s precisely why you should start using it today.
We’ve grown used to talking about artificial intelligence as if the story began in 2022. ChatGPT arrives, the public adopts it, and suddenly AI becomes a topic of casual conversation. But if we want to properly understand what’s happening, we must not confuse media frenzy with historical reality. OpenAI did release ChatGPT publicly (“research preview”) on November 30, 2022, and yes, it was a real social inflection point.
But AI as a field is much older. Turing formalized the intellectual framework of the “imitation game” as early as 1950, and the Dartmouth Proposal (1955) explicitly announced a summer 1956 project dedicated to “artificial intelligence.” Some early demonstrations also appeared quickly: the Ferranti Mark I ran a limited chess program in 1951 (mate-in-two).
This reminder is not meant to give you a history lesson. It serves one purpose: AI is not a feature. It is a trajectory.
And it resembles another well-known human trajectory: that of fire.
The Fire Analogy: Understanding a Technology We Don’t Yet Understand
At this point, you’re probably thinking: “What is he talking about?” Stay with me.
One day, in a cave, one of our ancestors discovered fire. At first, this discovery served very specific purposes: heating, lighting, protection. These were not “industrial innovations”; they were immediate uses. And yet, the full chain – metallurgy, machines, steel industries – that followed from this same discovery reshaped modern history. The human on day one could not imagine the human of today. Not because they were less intelligent, but because they lacked perspective.
We are at the same stage. Except instead of holding a torch, we are writing prompts. And the typical mistake in 2026 is judging AI based on what it is today, as if it were representative of tomorrow’s trajectory.
The Real Signal: Speed of Evolution
What matters is not only what AI does today. What matters is how fast it improves. To make that speed tangible, a cultural artifact has emerged: the “Will Smith Eating Spaghetti test,” now documented as an informal benchmark.
Case Study: The “Spaghetti Test”
In its 2023 version, human motion is unstable: faces and hands deform, physics is not believable. In the 2026 version, the result becomes coherent enough that the difference is obvious: we are no longer looking at a “grotesque meme,” but at a rendering that requires a critical eye to detect AI involvement.
What matters here is the underlying learning dynamic. The progression observed between 2023 and 2026 cannot be attributed solely to model improvements. It is also the result of user adoption.
Early uses produced low-quality, unstable, and difficult-to-use outputs. However, these experiments helped gradually identify model limitations, refine interaction methods (prompts, iterations, post-processing), and structure more robust practices.
In other words, the improvement in outputs in 2026 is inseparable from the learning accumulated by users over time. Current performance is not only technological; it is also cognitive and methodological.
This is how the concept of cumulative advantage should be understood: it does not rely solely on access to technology, but on the experience gained by using it under imperfect conditions.
From Internet Culture to the Engineering Office: Why SOLIDWORKS Is Concerned
The transition from “spaghetti → SOLIDWORKS” is not arbitrary. It is the same mechanism applied in a different context. A general-purpose technology crosses a threshold, then infiltrates products, becomes invisible, and ultimately reshapes practices.
We’ve already seen this in the 2010s: AI did not “look like ChatGPT,” but it was already embedded in everyday life. Google Maps, for example, deployed models (including graph neural networks) at scale for ETA (Estimate Time of Arrival) and traffic prediction. The result: you use AI without thinking about it. The advantage rarely comes from an “AI button,” but from the routines that evolve around your activity.
SOLIDWORKS 2026: The AI Shift Is Underway
This is exactly the same dynamic in SOLIDWORKS.
SOLIDWORKS 2026 already integrates AI into areas where real time is lost: drawings, assemblies, and access to knowledge. Dassault Systèmes presents SOLIDWORKS 2026 as an “AI-powered” portfolio (design, collaboration, data management).
A clear example: Auto-Generate Drawings (BETA). The “What’s New in SOLIDWORKS 2026” documentation explicitly describes automatic drawing generation, including section views and hole callouts.
The same logic applies to assemblies: SOLIDWORKS documents AI-based fastener recognition to automatically create SmartMates, with explicitly listed limitations. This level of detail is precisely what makes the promise credible (and reminds us that this is not “magic,” but engineering with constraints).
Rather than listing every available feature, it is more relevant to focus on the direction: Dassault introduces “Virtual Companions” (AURA, LEO, MARIE), with AURA and LEO already available and MARIE announced soon. SOLIDWORKS also highlights “AI-guided” features in FD01 (guided analysis, guided creation).
What matters here is not proving that everything is ready. It is recognizing that AI has entered the tool, meaning the learning process has begun, whether you like it or not. And it is moving fast.
Waiting for Maturity: A Strategic Mistake
Let’s be clear: in 2026, all of this is still imperfect. And that is normal. We are at the “spaghetti 2023” stage of AI-assisted CAD: promising, functional in certain areas, but not yet obvious everywhere.
The instinctive reaction for many teams is: “we’ll wait until it’s mature.”
This reaction is human. But strategically, it is a serious mistake.
In 2025, we clearly entered a phase of mass adoption. Nearly 88% of organizations report using AI in at least one function, compared to 78% the previous year. This adoption is accelerating and follows an exponential curve.
From an economic perspective, the signals are just as clear. The generative AI market reached nearly $60 billion in 2025 and could exceed $400 billion by 2031.
In industry, the shift is already visible: nearly 76% of manufacturing companies are using AI in 2026.
But the most interesting point is not adoption. It is the gap between adoption and impact. Despite massive investments, only about 5% of companies currently manage to generate significant value from AI. In most cases, projects remain stuck at the experimental stage, and the majority of initiatives never reach production.
In other words: everyone has access to AI, but very few truly know how to use it. So “waiting” does not mean being cautious. It means allowing a capability gap to form. Because knowing how to use AI is a skill. And it must be learned.
What Research Says About Gains (and Their Limits)
To address the assumption “we’ll wait until AI is ready,” it is important to understand a key nuance: AI does not deliver uniform gains, and that is precisely why early learning matters.
The operational conclusion is simple: early adoption is not a blind bet; it is a mapping phase. It helps you understand when AI works, when it fails, and most importantly how to control it.
What It Really Changes: Redefining Engineering Performance
This is where the thesis becomes concrete: AI will not replace you. A competitor who masters it will.
And I mean mastery in the strict sense. Asking ChatGPT for a carbonara recipe does not count. We are talking about work practices, standards, quality control, understanding when AI accelerates a task and when it introduces risk, knowing where to integrate AI in a project without breaking traceability, and knowing how to train teams without creating blind dependency.
In other words, mastery is not built when the tool becomes “perfect.” It is built while it is imperfect, because that is when you establish your standards, your checklists, your controls, and your best practices.
Ultimately, the value of an engineer will not only be their technical skill. It will be their ability to amplify that skill with properly framed AI.
Conclusion: From Intention to Action
The question is no longer whether you are using AI. It is already present in your tools, your processes, and your competitive environment.
The real question is whether you are learning to use it properly.
Like all major technological transformations, the advantage does not go to those who wait for everything to stabilize. It goes to those who start while it is still imperfect, who experiment, who structure, and who gradually build solid methods.
AI does not replace engineering. It redefines its standards.
And this transition does not happen alone.
At solidxperts, our teams are already working with these tools on a daily basis. We support companies in implementing practical AI use cases in SOLIDWORKS: identifying relevant use cases, integrating them into existing processes, training teams, and establishing reliable standards.
If you want to understand concretely what AI can bring to your environment, we offer demos and working sessions tailored to your reality.
The simplest next step is to start the conversation.
Whether you’re ready to get started or just have a few more questions, you can contact us toll-free:
Option 1: For licenses <1 year expired( Pay 2 Years Forward Upfront )
Get back on track with SOLIDWORKS CAD w/Cloud Services. By paying upfront for the next two years, you not only regain access to the powerful features of SOLIDWORKS but also enjoy cloud services to boost collaboration and efficiency.
Promotion Perks:
No need to worry about backdating and penalties. We’ll waive them for you!
Regain access to your design projects and continue where you left off, without any interruptions.
Option 2: For licenses >1 year expired ( Pay 3 Years Forward Upfront )
If your license has been expired for over a year, we understand the urgency to get back in the game. With this option, you can secure SOLIDWORKS CAD ALC w/Cloud Services.
Promotion Perks:
Our team is here to support your reintegration process, and we’ll waive backdating and penalties for a smooth transition.
Take advantage of the comprehensive SOLIDWORKS suite and unleash your creativity with the latest tools and features.
Option 1: Upgrade to 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS
Seamlessly transition from SOLIDWORKS Desktop to 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS, and experience a new dimension of design and collaboration. With secure cloud data management, increased collaboration capabilities, and reduced IT administration, 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS empowers your team to work smarter and faster.
Option 2: Upgrade to SOLIDWORKS TERM w/Cloud Services
Opt for SOLIDWORKS TERM with Cloud Services, a flexible and convenient option that combines the power of SOLIDWORKS with the benefits of cloud-based solutions. Say goodbye to traditional licensing hassles and welcome easy deployment and automatic updates for a seamless design experience.
Promotion Perks:
This promotion covers both Standalone and Network licenses (SNL), making it suitable for businesses of all sizes.
Take advantage of the promotion price and add as many new licenses (3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS or SOLIDWORKS TERM w/Cloud Services) as you need on the same Purchase Order, with no limit on extra seats.
Enjoy the promotion discount for 3 years, whether purchased annually or upfront.
Even after the promotion period, you’ll continue to benefit with a 25% discount on successive years.
