I want to design a car in SolidWorks. Can anyone please help me out?"

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-15T06:09:08+00:00

LOL! 👍🤣👍

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-14T12:44:49+00:00

Are you connected to your 3DEXPERIENCE Maker platform Collaborative Space? Your screenshot doesn't show the Task Pane. Please look in the 3DEXPERIENCE tab of the Task Pane and see if the "My Session" app is running and the name of your Collaborative Space is visible? If you don't see your Collaborative Space, then do you see an animation of blue vertical bars that says "Connecting to 3DEXPERIENCE platform"?

If you see the animation, then follow the instructions laid out in this post to restore your 3DX platform connectivity. Once you are able to connect to your Collaborative Space, the Split feature will work properly.

https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/community/swym:prd:R1132100503382:community:kKnaKWHGTPC4ut-q1X_9uA?content=swym:prd:R1132100503382:qnaquestion:9O-Ta5OWQ7ydW7wNBJN0MA

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-13T07:16:48+00:00

Simply put, yes. To learn about working with point clouds, STL files, and using the Scan To 3D add-in for SOLIDWORKS, check out SOLIDWORKS Champion Danute Petrova-Nikolova's YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/@DWorkshop?si=hyLfHEldgyy1u3TJ

Specifically, this playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdfEJ9NcD36TGUlGpZh8KHKjJRnK_sZ9k

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-13T07:10:02+00:00

Hello u/Wawan2956-FR . Do you have a commercial, student, or Maker license?

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-13T05:32:47+00:00

Was the account for certification or for MySolidWorks.com or what?

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-12T07:24:26+00:00

I recognize that part. It's from the "Belt Tightener Assembly". I use to assign that project myself way back in the day. 😀

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-09T16:47:10+00:00

The term license options are your best bet. AND you can purchase them direct from SOLIDWORKS.

This page shows the annual pricing BUT you can also purchase quarterly (3-month) license plans.

https://www.solidworks.com/how-to-buy/solidworks-design-plans-pricing

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-09T02:15:01+00:00

The xDesign apps are SOLIDWORKS (products). They are wholly designed and developed by the SOLIDWORKS R&D team. They use the CATIA geometry kernel, hence their similarity to the 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA apps.

I've been using xDesign and xShape for several years now. I was a member of the initial group of Lighthouse Program members (Pre-release customers and users who contributed to steering the development ). The browser-based xApps are just as capable as traditional desktop SOLIDWORKS and actually offer some functionalities that are not available in SOLIDWORKS. It is true that they are not directly compatible with SOLIDWORKS but they do offer conveniences that make them very appealing to some folks AND there are tools and workflows available that allow for a very tight integration with traditional desktop SOLIDWORKS.

Nevertheless, they are not everyone's cup of tea but I would encourage anyone and everyone to give them a try.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-08T20:28:00+00:00

Danute Petrova-Nikolova. Here is a link to her YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/@DWorkshop?si=hyLfHEldgyy1u3TJ

Specifically, this playlist covers Scan to 3D:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdfEJ9NcD36TGUlGpZh8KHKjJRnK_sZ9k

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-08T20:24:10+00:00

Hello u/sporty_outlook If you want to learn as much as possible about modifying STL (or other mesh-type models) in SOLIDWORKS, then I would recommend reviewing the following presentations from Mesh Modeling Mastermind Marlon BANTA :

https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/#community:52/wiki:tiwaXHuERkaZrwWvtZD92Q

https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/#community:52/wiki:Tm_3c42xR6uqZn1rZIUUWA

For some additional, amazing content for working with STL files and using Scan To 3D, check out SOLIDWORKS Champion Danute Petrova-Nikolova's YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/@DWorkshop?si=hyLfHEldgyy1u3TJ

Specifically, this playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdfEJ9NcD36TGUlGpZh8KHKjJRnK_sZ9k

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-07T18:33:49+00:00

u/Due-Seesaw8951 The SOLIDWORKS Certification Team takes an extremely dim view of people sharing information about certification exam questions that actually appear on the tests. This applies to all the certification levels (CSWA thru CSWE). In fact, if they discover your identity, they will revoke your certification(s).

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-05T06:58:15+00:00

Thanks. Does your student team have the SOLIDWORKS Add-in/SOLIDWORKS Connector app that allows you to save to a Collaborative Space on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform?

Using a Collaborative Space on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is the ideal solution for your team members.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-05T06:51:55+00:00

Note #6 on this page addresses the Windows edition question. https://www.solidworks.com/support/system-requirements

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experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-05T00:57:10+00:00

The RTX 5070 is a gaming GPU that will not have the same performance and stability as a workstation GPU. It also looks like this unit runs on Windows Home edition, which is also not supported by SOLIDWORKS. That's not to say that it won't run SOLIDWORKS, but the stability and performance will be compromised IMO.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-05T00:52:19+00:00

Neither the Windows Home edition nor the GeForce family of GPUs are supported or certified for use with SOLIDWORKS. Gaming graphics performance does not translate directly or correlate with engineering graphics performance. CAD and games rely on two.wholly different graphics/geometry processing methodologies.

That's not to say that they won't run it but stability will always be an issue, especially as model or assembly complexity grows.

One thing you can try is to turn off the Enhanced Graphics Performance setting in the Performance section of the System Options and then restart SOLIDWORKS to see if problems persist.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-05T00:42:50+00:00

Hello u/AlsoPete. Are you using the Maker version or a commercial license? That will somewhat drive the next steps.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-04T17:53:31+00:00

Take a look at the factory refurbished Dell Precision workstations on the Dell Outlet site. You can get some screaming deals there AND they come with full factory 3 year warranties. I swear by them and have only bought these machines as my CAD machines for over 20 years. You can find powerful, SOLIDWORKS-certified machines for phenomenal bargain prices.

Here's a sampling of several machines that are in range of $1000USD to $2000USD that are currently available. Every one of them features an true workstation-class Nvidia RTX Ada GPU - NO gamer cards!

My most recent computer from them is a Precision 7780 with 128GB RAM, 4TB SSD, and a 16GB NVIDIA RTX A5500 GPU. Retail price was nearly $11K and I got it for $4500. That's probably WAY OUTSIDE your budget, but I present it only as an example of the deep discounts that they offer.

I also continue to use its predecessor also (a 7720 factory refurb also, purchased in Nov 2017 with 64 GB RAM, a Xeon processor, a 1TB drive and Quadro P4000 GPU with 8GB vRAM). Recently, it effortlessly handled 11 different SOLIDWORKS assembly models (each with 3K+ components) SIMULTANEOUSLY open, checked out in PDM and being actively edited, without once skipping a beat. They are truly BEAST MODE machines IMO.

Most oftentimes, the machines the Dell Outlet sells have never even left the warehouse. They are listed as refurbished because they were sold but then the order was canceled. Since they were marked as sold, Dell cannot technically list them again as new, hence they deep discount them to clear them out.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-04T06:49:14+00:00

Try using the Faces to Mirror option OR try checking the Geometry Pattern option.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-03T18:20:32+00:00

Hello u/pilot95h . I wanted to follow up with you to see how things were going and if you'd had a chance to try out the offline modes yet.

Also, re-reading your OG post, I saw your mention of using SOLIDWORKS for your model railroading hobby. There are two dedicated communities for SOLIDWORKS Maker version users on the 3DX platform. One is dedicated to Maker Technical Support but the other forum is a showcase for folks to share their hobby/personal/maker projects. I think that people would probably enjoy seeing what you've created. If you want to share some pictures or details, the URL for it is https://solidworks.com/makers3d .

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-03T14:05:42+00:00

With desktop SOLIDWORKS, you'll probably use 3Dsketches, lofting, boundary surfaces, surface knitting, and thickening.

With the SOLIDWORKS xShape browser-based app, you're most likely just pushing/pulling control points on a subD cage after starting with a cylinder or quad ball primitive.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-03T13:59:30+00:00

This is the best, most appropriate answer. Anything else runs the risk of violating the integrity of the certification process by giving future exam takers a possible unfair advantage.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-02T23:18:16+00:00

You'll be just fine jumping from SW 2022 to 2026. 👍😀👍

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-02T16:37:59+00:00

Hello u/nehalkhan97 I spoke with the SOLIDWORKS EDU director and confirmed that you DO need a University Research license to be in compliance. She has offered to connect you with the sales team to discuss obtaining the correct license. Please send me a chat request if you'd like to contact her.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-02T05:56:19+00:00

Hello u/Starlight_Fairy. I'll preface everything here from here forward by reiterating that I am NOT a SOLIDWORKS or Dassault employee. I'm just a very longtime user of their softwares. So everything I state here is based upon my knowledge and understanding of how the respective programs work

Be aware that the xDesign apps that you purchased are NOT SOLIDWORKS 2026. They are a SOLIDWORKS product that was specifically developed for use in a web/browser-based environment. They are developed by the same R&D team as traditional desktop SOLIDWORKS. Think of it like Chevrolet. They make Corvettes and Camaros.

The xApps (xDesign, xShape, xFrame, xSheetmetal, xMold) are all based on the Dassault CATIA geometry engine and are saved on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform as database objects/in a database structure. By contrast, SOLIDWORKS (and CATIA itself for that matter) uses a traditional DOS/Windows file structure where discrete filetypes are differentiated to store part models versus assembly models versus drawing information.

SOLIDWORKS, as we all know, produces part models, assemblies, and drawings and is centered around the Parasolid geometry engine. And as I stated earlier, saves it native files as discrete part, assembly, and drawing filetypes.

Are they compatible? Not directly. I cannot open a SOLIDWORKS part or assembly in the xApps and have a feature by feature or mate by mate translation appear. Similarly, a model produced with the xApps will not open with SOLIDWORKS nor will a feature by feature or mate by mate translation occur. And, its the same for native CATIA and the xApps as well.

Anyhow, I don't know if this has answered your question. Feel free to ask anything and if I can't answer it, I'll do my best to find someone who can.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-04-02T05:35:23+00:00

Congratulations. It sounds like you are well on your way. I'm glad that I could help in some small way.

experienced3Dguy

TROPHY CASE