Top 20 SW 2020 Features

Let's see what we like after reading the What's New Document...

Note that I am not listing here the fantastic performance improvements you get just by upgrading to SW 2020:

  • faster assemblies when using older version files
  • improved browsing performance in PDM 

OK, here we go:

1. Detailing mode for opening drawings (click here for the full back story)

   Technically this is simply combining the detached drawings and regular drawings under one file type. The benefits are    huge for all users of large drawings!

2.  Creating an Offset Surface Without Failed Faces (after 5 years, one of the most requested enhancements has been added).

   This will drastically improve the modeling speed for everyone who works with complex shapes: mold designers, tool    and die designers, fixture designers, industrial designers...

3. Specify a Thicken Direction

4. Mark-ups in all environments: parts, assemblies drawings

   It will revolutionize the red-lining process! Bye-bye paper (hopefully)! I envision a dedicated training video or course    for non-SOLIDWORKS Power-users: checkers, managers, plant personnel, inspection specialists, installers...

5. Torsion Continuity Relation (C3 Continuity!!!)

   One word: FINALLY!!!

6. Import 2D DXF/DWG as Reference Sketches

   This is huge for many users who need to import huge plant layouts for reference!!!

7. Silhouette Entities

   Another long requested feature. You can now project the outline of any body or component on a plane. This will    completely change the life of some engineers I know!

8. Fastener Stacks (Toolbox)

   A revolution in Toolbox! Positive impact on large assemblies performance without loss of BOM info!!!

9. Enhanced editing in Large Design Review mode

  • Mates to reference geometry
  • Patterns

10. Component Pattern with Variable Instances

11. When a Pattern Driven Component Pattern uses a Hole Wizard feature as the driving
feature, you can align the patterned instances to each hole axis

   How huge is that?!?!!!!

12. Save a Defeatured Assembly as a Configuration

13. Alternate Position View for Drawing Views referencing Parts

14. Repairing Missing References for Fillets and Chamfers

   Thank you!!!

15. Splines can be used to define structural members (Structure system only)

   Are you joking??? This is huge!!!

SolidworksSolidworks 2020 Beta