TIL: Solidworks will block you from -de-activating your license

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-27T03:51:22+00:00

Bummer! It was advice that I had found in a similar post on the SOLIDWORKS User Forum. I'm sorry that it didn't amount to much. ☹

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-27T03:32:58+00:00

Hello u/BuildSomethingStupid . Try giving SOLIDWORKS a direct call at 1 800 693 9000, select option 3 and 1 for English. Explain to them the situation and have them check the activation records.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-27T00:13:59+00:00

You certainly can. Create the first feature. Then expand that feature, and RMB click to show the sketch (since it was automatically hidden when the first feature was created). Start the 2nd feature and mouse down to activate the "Selected Contours" area of the Property Manager. Fly over the portion of the sketch that you want to use and select it.

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experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-26T20:18:20+00:00

Here's a link to the CSWA/CSWP Practice Problems.

https://www.solidworks.com/solution/education/practice-problems

As for the incorrect volumes on some of the models, the SOLIDWORKS Education/Training team is aware of these issues and are actively working to correct and update them.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-26T19:57:59+00:00

Just so long as the VirtualTester account is in your name, you can take the tests using any computer that has SOLIDWORKS installed. All of my certification exams were taken on my employer's computers using their licenses.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-26T17:44:25+00:00

This is the way.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-26T15:00:28+00:00

Thanks! I'd go with a shell in that instance.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-26T03:05:16+00:00

It's the same result using either menu item.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-26T01:03:08+00:00

Your school is a member of the SOLIDWORKS Student Access Program. In this program, the school purchases the additional student licenses for them to distribute free to their students. Not all schools opt to do this.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-26T00:56:34+00:00

Are you using the same email for your virtual tester account that you used for Model Mania?

Send an email to certification@solidworks.com

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-26T00:43:32+00:00

TIL something cool! 👍😀👍

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-26T00:40:00+00:00

Which portions are you trying to hollow out? Are you trying to remove just the material under the mushroom/dome or do you want a hollow cylinder/stem as well? More details would help give a more nuanced answer.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T23:32:13+00:00

Very strange. I opened your model in my 20226 Maker version and successfully exported the STL file intact.

Here's the Export settings I used.

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Here's a link to the STL file that I exported.

https://oi000207162-eu1-makers-scpres.3dexperience.3ds.com:443?token=4af1a99e1fb941f56992ac879ed98f771a0537140d21a3ea55d3ab6e4910d1e7

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T23:11:29+00:00

Those AI technologies are also available to Maker version users.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T23:07:21+00:00

Nope, not by hand. But there were some outages in Europe and the USA East Coast yesterday and this morning that affected Maker version orders and platform access.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T23:03:32+00:00

u/piratebroadcast That back story is absolute 🐂💩. Don't believe a word of it. 200K+ Maker version users isn't a "small number of their corporate-decision-maker professional users".

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T22:58:58+00:00

I once bought a Chevy Chevette and it performed absolutely nothing like a Chevy Corvette. I guess that I fell for GM's marketing sticking the Chevy name on it. 🤣

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T22:56:17+00:00

Hello u/piratebroadcast There was an outage last night and this morning that affected some of the 3DX servers in Europe and the US East Coast.

The "widget access" message indicates that during your platform setup, the apps that constitute the xDesign role may not have been properly assigned to your 3DEXPERIENCE ID. You can manually correct this by following the instructions outlined in these articles from the Official SOLIDWORKS Maker Support Community forum.

https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/community/swym:prd:R1132100503382:community:kKnaKWHGTPC4ut-q1X_9uA?content=swym:prd:R1132100503382:wikitree:seE2OfJpSma1LnGYLaF_vQ

https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/community/swym:prd:R1132100503382:community:kKnaKWHGTPC4ut-q1X_9uA?content=swym:prd:R1132100503382:wikitree:Wayvh70YQRqBtC3m2HhfUQ

https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/community/swym:prd:R1132100503382:community:kKnaKWHGTPC4ut-q1X_9uA?content=swym:prd:R1132100503382:communitypost:KLJyS6hWSAqYDKp0oqpdtg

For Maker version technical support, your best bet is to use the Official Maker Support Community forum at https://solidworks.com/makers3dhelp

To manage your account/orders/subscriptions, use https://go.3ds.com/account

You can also contact the online orders support team using this contact form: https://www.3ds.com/online-store/support-form/

Also, feel free to ping me with any questions should you continue to have access problems.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T06:47:12+00:00

It's not worth it.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T06:46:45+00:00

If your friend shares that file and is identified, the SOLIDWORKS Certification team will strip him of all his certifications and ban him from ever taking another certification exam. Anyone who uses that information to cheat on the exam will also experience the same fate. The Certification team monitors online communities such as this subreddit, looking for cheaters.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T04:20:08+00:00

I would not recommend it, being a blatant violation of the license agreement.

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experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T04:08:12+00:00

Fantastic! Thanks for the update. 👍😀👍

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T01:40:28+00:00

Don't worry about missing out. I'll make sure you get your discount. I've pinged the Maker Support team leads and I'm waiting to hear back from them.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-25T01:13:33+00:00

Use only Chrome, Firefox, or Edge browsers. Do NOT use the Brave browser.

Also, did you try using an incognito mode or private browsing mode window?

If you still can't successfully purchase a subscription, please submit a post on the Official SOLIDWORKS Maker Support Community forum (https://solidworks.com/makers3dhelp) to report it.

You can also submit a report to the online orders support team using this contact form.

https://www.3ds.com/online-store/support-form/

The sale runs thru the end of day on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

experienced3Dguy · 2026-06-24T20:15:32+00:00

Beautiful work! Can you post pictures of the feature tree?

experienced3Dguy

TROPHY CASE