CategoryMechanical 3D CAD
Operating system
Windows
WindowsManufacturerDassault Systèmes
Desktop platformWindows
EditionStandard
DrawingsParts, assemblies and 2D drawings
DeliveryDigital
SOLIDWORKS Standard
EditionStandard covers parts, assemblies, 2D drawings, sheet metal and weldments. Professional and Premium are available on request.
Operating system
Licence duration
Delivery
CategoryMechanical 3D CAD
Operating systemWindows
WindowsManufacturerDassault Systèmes
Desktop platformWindows
EditionStandard
DrawingsParts, assemblies and 2D drawings
DeliveryDigital
From the first part to an assembly ready for documentation
SOLIDWORKS supports mechanical product development from component definition to production documentation. The parametric model brings together dimensions, relations and features: design changes can be managed through these elements while maintaining links between parts, assemblies and drawings. It is suited to designers of equipment, machines, devices and industrial products who need to explain precisely how they are made and assembled.
The model becomes valuable when it reflects the engineering department's decisions. A centre distance, plate thickness or shaft position can become a reference to control during revisions. Consider variable dimensions, repeated elements and information needed by the workshop from the start.
Tools to build, check and document
Parametric parts
Build components using sketches, dimensions, relations and features. Organise references to clarify design intent and manage dimensional changes without starting again with independent geometry.
Coordinated assemblies
Position parts with assembly relations and observe how the whole assembly behaves. Consider clearances, access, neighbouring components and assembly sequences.
Associative drawings
Generate views, sections and details from the model and add information needed for production. Linked drawings help track changes, with a final check of annotations.
Sheet metal and weldments
Design bent components and welded structures with dedicated tools. Manage the part's shape alongside the information needed to describe bends, profiles and construction details.
Product families
Use configurations to represent part and assembly variants in the same document. Dimensions, features and components can change according to the product version you are developing.
Clearance checks
Inspect component interferences and identify overlaps for assessment. Geometric checking supports design review before preparing files for delivery.
Shared review
With the services included in your offer, share designs, collect annotations and organise data. Defining roles and revisions helps the team work with consistent information.
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Standard covers the design core: parts, assemblies, drawings, sheet metal and weldments. Libraries, drawing checks, routing and analyses belong to Professional and Premium, available on request.
A workflow from design to production
Setting up a model that can be modified
When designing a mechanical support, it can help to start with the shaft axis, fixing points and available machine space. Build the sketch around these references, assign dimensions and add features. A readable feature tree makes it easier to understand the component's shape and which decisions can change.
The same approach applies to housings, flanges and equipment. Separate functional dimensions from aesthetic details, use recognisable names and check how changes affect the whole component. With imported parts, consider how to continue designing from the supplied geometry and what information to request from the supplier. A useful model remains understandable to the colleague who picks it up after the first revision.
Preparing clear information for the workshop
A three-dimensional model describes the shape; documentation explains what is needed to manufacture it. Orthographic views, sections and enlarged details reveal internal holes, seats, thicknesses and details difficult to see in the assembly. Choose the scale for what the recipient must read, avoiding duplicate or contradictory information on the drawing.
The model link helps keep drawings consistent when geometry changes, but delivery still requires checking dimensions, notes and references. For an assembly, also check component codes and the bill of materials. An organised drawing set supports production, purchasing and assembly: everyone must be able to identify the correct part version and its role in the product.
Why SOLIDWORKS Standard
Standard provides a complete foundation for parts, assemblies, drawings and specialist tools such as sheet metal and weldments: the edition used daily by most engineering departments. Professional adds standard component libraries, drawing standards checks and cost analysis; Premium adds routing, linear static analysis and motion analysis. These editions can be requested separately.
Start with practical examples: a team using many repeated fasteners may consider libraries, while piping or wiring designers should check the routing features provided. Included analyses do not automatically cover the entire SOLIDWORKS Simulation family. Specify essential modules before defining the offer; Ultimate and other family solutions require separate assessment.
Windows desktop, data and cloud services
SOLIDWORKS Design is installed on a local Windows computer. The family offers different licensing and cloud-service connections; desktop CAD remains distinct from browser-based xDesign. Online services do not make this application a native macOS version.
Engineering teams should agree where projects are stored, who can edit them and how revisions are managed. Offers with Cloud Services support sharing and data management, but access and workflows must be checked for the selected configuration.
A practical workflow: from bracket to assembly
Imagine developing a shaft support for a small gearbox. Start with the mounting surfaces and bearing seat, then define fixing positions. Insert the component into the assembly to compare it with the shaft, housing and adjacent parts. An isolated view helps study the part; an assembly view shows how it fits into the machine.
Interference checking highlights overlapping volumes to inspect. Some may be errors to correct; others require assessment according to the fit. Also consider tool and assembly access: an apparently correct assembly may be awkward to build. These checks are part of design reasoning and complement the checking tools.
After review, prepare documentation for the support and assembly. A section can clarify the internal seat, while a detail shows a fillet or fixing. Include consistent references and codes so the recipient can associate every drawing with the correct component.
- At the start: define units, reference surfaces and functional dimensions before adding secondary details.
- During virtual assembly: check positions, interferences and access to fixings.
- Before delivery: recheck dimensions, the bill of materials and file revisions alongside the generated views.
Variants, sheet metal and the move to manufacturing
A family of supports can share a construction principle while differing in height, centre distance or the presence of a rib. Configurations organise these differences without treating each variant as an entirely separate project. Drawings can show the relevant configuration; an assembly can use the variant required by the product.
For a sheet-metal housing, compare the bent shape with its flat pattern and check the parameters used. Bend radius, thickness and development rules must reflect the manufacturer's process. For a welded structure, consider profiles, connections and information needed by those preparing and joining the elements.
Model preparation helps communication with production, but the export file depends on its purpose: manufacturing, checking, collaboration or presentation. Agree the format and content with the recipient and verify a representative case before applying the method to the whole project.
- Organised variants: use clear names and check which configuration is active in documents being sent.
- Production data: compare model settings with the materials and manufacturing processes you actually plan to use.
- File exchange: keep the native project and also check the exported file's geometry.
Product specifications
ProductSOLIDWORKS Design
UseMechanical design and product development
ModellingParametric parts, surfaces and assemblies
DocumentationAssociative 2D drawings and bills of materials
Specialised manufacturingSheet metal, weldments and mould design
StandardCore features for 3D modelling and 2D drawing
Other editionsProfessional and Premium (libraries, drawing checks, routing, simulation) available on request
Working environmentApplication installed on Windows, with optional connected cloud services
Reference release2026 for the listed technical requirements
Licensing model12-month subscription, 1 workstation, assigned to your Dassault Systèmes account
Additional softwareSeparate modules and products are not automatically included
Technical requirements
ReferenceSOLIDWORKS 2026, desktop application
Operating system64-bit Windows 11; Windows 10 support ends with SOLIDWORKS 2025 SP5
ProcessorIntel 64 or AMD64, x86_64 architecture
RAM16 GB; 32 GB recommended
Graphics cardGraphics card and drivers certified by SOLIDWORKS for your chosen configuration
StorageSSD recommended; allow space for installation, modules and projects
ConnectionInternet connection for downloads, activation and online services included with the licence
macOSNo native SOLIDWORKS Design desktop application; eDrawings for Mac is a separate product
Virtual environmentsCheck the specific supported combinations of hypervisor, system and GPU
Complex assembliesChoose RAM and GPU according to complexity; also check requirements for additional modules
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
£299.99 including VAT for 12 months of SOLIDWORKS Standard, 1 workstation: substantially less than Dassault Systèmes' official list price. Invoice included.
What is SOLIDWORKS used for?
It is a 3D CAD environment for designing mechanical components, placing them in assemblies and preparing technical documentation. It is suited to engineering departments, machine designers and teams developing physical products.
Which edition should I choose?
This page offers SOLIDWORKS Standard, covering part and assembly modelling, 2D drawings, sheet metal and weldments: the edition suited to most engineering departments. If you need component libraries, drawing checks, routing or simulation (Professional or Premium), contact us for a tailored offer.
Does SOLIDWORKS run entirely in the browser?
The SOLIDWORKS Design CAD application shown here is installed on a Windows computer. Connected cloud services and browser applications in the range, such as SOLIDWORKS xDesign, have distinct roles and terms. Online collaboration does not turn desktop CAD into a browser-only application.
Can I install it on Mac?
There is no native macOS version of SOLIDWORKS Design desktop CAD. eDrawings for Mac and browser applications are separate products. For virtualisation, check the official hardware and hypervisor matrix rather than assuming compatibility with any Mac.
Are all simulation products included?
No. Premium includes certain analyses, but that does not mean the entire SOLIDWORKS Simulation range or other specialist modules are included. Check the analyses you need, model limits and licences before choosing.
How long does the licence last?
12 months from activation, for 1 workstation, with access to the 2026 release and updates during the period. Renew on Licensgo at expiry.
Is SOLIDWORKS Design Ultimate the same product as Premium?
No. Ultimate is a broader offer combining local tools and cloud applications; Premium is the most complete desktop edition. Neither is included on this page, which offers SOLIDWORKS Standard. Contact us for Ultimate or Premium.
Are the cloud services always the same?
No. Distinguish between the CAD package, licence type and services associated with the offer. Clarify data management, accounts, collaboration and team access requirements before activation.
Is this a genuine, legitimate licence?
Yes: it is a genuine SOLIDWORKS subscription, assigned to your Dassault Systèmes account and delivered by email with an invoice included.
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