What’s new in the SOLIDWORKS 2018 release?

1SOLIDWORKS, a CAD software, assists in creating solid models (both 2D and 3D) in a simple, fast and cost-effective manner. The prime benefit of using SOLIDWORKS is the ease to use, simple graphics UI and highly user-friendly. The software provides features such as solid modeling, toolbox, motion, circuit works, e-drawings, and DWG editor.

SOLIDWORKS World is a platform where the attendees meet the SOLIDWORKS partners and share the products that the SOLIDWORKS customers design. The SOLIDWORKS WORLD 2017, gave a lot of surprise to the SOLIDWORKS fans. The team previewed a few new features and enhancements coming in the year 2018. The modifications included Assemblies, Fabrication, Sketching, PDM, 3D Interconnect, and Generative Design.

Sketching      

There were a few mind blowing enhancements in sketching. Some of them are as follows

  1. Mirror 3D Sketch Entities: In a 3D sketch, the user will have the ability to mirror the entities of the sketch.
  2. Sketch Planes as Symmetry Reference: A plane can be used as a symmetry reference to mirror 2D and 3D sketch entities.
  3. Pen Sketching: With Windows 10 touch screen devices, the designers will have the ability to draw contours by freehand using a stylus or a pen.

Assembly

With the enhancements in Assembly, SOLIDWORKS 2018 will definitely improve the performance of the users.

  1. During mate, the ALT key can be used to hide the surfaces.
  2. The 2018 release of SOLIDWORKS will have 12 mouse gestures.
  3. There is a new dialog for performance.
  4. The new release will feature a new progress bar for assembly.
  5. A new home screen will make assembly even more interesting.
  6. Large Assembly
    • Mate and insert graphic components easily.
    • Revert the data to graphics for better
    • The ability to off the scenery (graphics data).
    • Set multiple objects to be resolved in a Large Design Review.

3D Interconnect

  1. Custom properties.
  2. Ability to preserve sketches and curves.
  3. Updating neutral files is supported.
  4. The new release will support IGES, ACIS, STEP, and JT.

Fabrication

  1. New slot and tab feature works in parts, multi-body parts, and assemblies.
  2. Drawing revision table with SOLIDWORKS PDM bi-directional communication.

Generative Design

  1. SIMULATION view in SOLIDWORKS Integration.
  2. Manufacturing Controls
  3. Multiple Objective support

These are just the preview of some of the modifications. The list of new features and modifications will be known only after the release of the product.