SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD (computer-aided design) program that runs on Microsoft Windows and was developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. (Vélizy, France). SolidWorks is currently used by over 3.4 million engineers and designers at more than 100,000 companies worldwide.
SolidWorks was introduced in 1995 as a competitor to CAD programs such as Pro/ENGINEER, I-DEAS, Unigraphics, and CATIA. SolidWorks Corporationwas founded in 1993 by Jon Hirschtick, who recruited a team of engineers to build a company that developed 3D CAD software, with its headquarters at Concord, Massachusetts, and released its first product,
SolidWorks 95, in 1995. In 1996 Dassault Systèmes, best known for its CATIA CAD software, acquired the company and currently owns 100% of its shares. SolidWorks was headed by John McEleney from 2001 to July 2009, and is now headed by Jeff Ray.
Solidworks Corp. has sold over 8 million licenses of Solidworks worldwide. The Sheffield Telegraph comments that Solidworks is the world’s most popular CAD software. Its user base ranges from individuals to large companies, and covers a very wide cross-section of manufacturing market segments.
Commercial sales are made through an indirect channel, which includes dealers and partners throughout the world. Directly competitive products to SolidWorks include Pro/ENGINEER, Solid Edge, and Autodesk Inventor.
SolidWorks is a 3D parametric design software that is used to design all sorts of products such as automobiles, marine equipment, airplane parts, cell phones, cameras, furniture, electrical assemblies, glasses, lighting fixtures, toys, vacuum cleaners, or any other like product you can think of. SolidWorks is typically used to design assemblies that work mechanically that are typically less than 200 parts.