Dassault Systemes SolidWorks today unveiled SolidWorks 2012, a comprehensive 3D design solution that enables users to work more efficiently and have the data they need to make better design decisions throughout the product development process. Benefits take shape throughout SolidWorks 2012 with a variety of improvements in areas such as assembly and drawing capabilities, built-in simulation, design costing, routing, image and animation creation and product data management that will positively impact design teams each and every day.
"SolidWorks 2012 focuses on the areas that will help our customers drive their businesses to higher productivity and profitability," said Austin O'Malley, executive vice president, R&D, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks. "It also marks the 20th release of our CAD software, remaining true to the mission of helping users transform innovation into business success. We are excited to see the passion and enthusiasm from our customers, and rewarded when that passion is channeled into great designs."
Automated Design Functions for Productivity
SolidWorks helps engineering and design teams streamline their design processes simply by removing one or two steps, profoundly impacting usability and productivity. SolidWorks 2012 offers improvements in the areas of:
Drawings
New tools help create better-looking and more-accurate drawings in order to cut down on the revision process and help users detail designs faster. For example, changed dimensions are automatically highlighted and show previous values to help with revisions. Sequential balloon ordering and magnetic lines automatically help order and position balloons, allowing users to spend less time detailing and aligning drawings.
Sustainability
SolidWorks Sustainability's new, advanced user interface means users can more accurately model products with "what if" scenarios and better support unique and custom materials. Users can also closely model processes with parameters such as recycled content and duration of use. Also, access to the latest SolidWorks Sustainability supplemental materials will be instant and continuous as they become available.
SolidWorks 2012 makes the design experience flow more naturally, and without disruptions -- meaning faster designs with fewer errors based on features such as:
Large design review
Allows instant opening and review of massive assemblies or any individual component with walkthroughs, sectioning and measuring without the need for a high-powered computer or any special file preparation.
Feature freeze
Eliminates unwanted feature rebuilds by locking all features above the "freeze" bar, speeding up the design of complex models where rebuilding of specific features isn't needed. Features can also be unfrozen at any point.
Equation editor
New equation capabilities allow users to create equations faster and understand order more easily, providing new levels of flexibility and productivity.
SolidWorks 2012 increases productivity and streamlines the overall customer product development processes with:
Design costing
A flexible tool that automates manufacturing cost calculations for sheet metal and machined parts. Designers can make more informed decisions based on cost throughout the design process and continually model new scenarios for instant up-to-the-minute manufacturing estimates.
Sheet metal
Design from scratch or convert customer 3D parts to sheet metal with new tools that provide control over the unique challenges of working with sheet metal -- such as precise control of edge flanges, including up-to-vertex end conditions. Designs can be automatically flattened and documented for manufacturing, with export to CNC and manufacturing equipment.
Simulation
SolidWorks Simulation includes enhanced motion optimization that automatically uses motion study results to create sensors and refine complex and time-intensive machine aspects such as motor size, bearing loads and range of travel. Users can optimize designs in a fraction of the time as they refine inputs and immediately see changes to restraints or goals.