A preview of SOLIDWORKS 2018, learn what’s new in the next release
Article by Rod Mackay created/updated February 8, 2017
During day 3 of SOLIDWORKS World 2017 the SOLIDWORKS product introduction team previewed some of the great enhancements and new features coming in SOLIDWORKS 2018 later this year. The preview included Sketching, Assemblies, 3D Interconnect, Fabrication, PDM, and Generative design.
Check out some screenshots below along with a brief description of the new feature or enhancement:
SOLIDWORKS 2018 Sketching enhancements
The SOLIDWORKS team showed off some great new sketching enhancements, the ability to create profiles with a stylus was the best one:
Mirror 3D Sketch Entities – When in a 3D Sketch you can now Mirror Sketch Entities
Sketch Planes as Symmetry Reference – 2D and 3D sketch entities can now be mirrored using a plane as the symmetry reference
Pen Sketching – Draw contours by freehand sketching using a pen or stylus on Windows 10 touch screen devices.
SOLIDWORKS 2018 Assembly enhancements
SOLIDWORKS 2018 will allow you to be much more productive with assemblies with the following enhancements:
Use ALT key to hide surfaces during mate
12 Mouse Gestures now available
New Assembly Performance dialog
SOLIDWORKS 2018 Assembly Visualization
New Assembly Progress Bar
New SOLIDWORKS Home Screen
Large Assembly – Ability to insert and mate graphics components
Large Assembly – Revert all data back to graphics to increase performance.
Large Assembly – Ability to turn off graphics (scenery) data
Large Assembly – Can now set multiple objects to resolved in Large Design Review
SOLIDWORKS 2018 3D Interconnect enhancements
3D Interconnect enhancements that make it even easier to use non-native and neutral data formats:
3D Interconnect Custom Properties
3D Interconnect now preserves curves and sketches.
3D Interconnect supports updating neutral files.
3D Interconnect now supports STEP, IGES, ACIS, JT.
SOLIDWORKS 2018 Fabrication enhancements
Tab and Slot self fixturing design and SOLIDWORKS PDM enhancements:
New Tab and Slot feature works in parts, multi-body parts and assemblies.
SOLIDWORKS PDM bi-directional communication with drawing revision table
Generative Design for SOLIDWORKS
A new feature to make it easier to create parts and integrate simulation:
Complete SOLIDWORKS Integration with SIMULATION View
SOLIDWORKS 2018 Manufacturing Controls
Multiple Objective support
Part of the SIMULATION Product Family
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