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Enhanced role: 3D Creator
The SOLIDWORKS 3D Creator role, formerly called SOLIDWORKS xDesign role, is a browser-based 3D CAD solution on the cloud to create mechanical designs on the go while sharinhg and collaborating with anyone, anywhere at any time. Designers can create and collaborate on mechanical designs with agility and scalability while minimizing their infrastructure costs. The xDesign app is always up to date.
- Importantly, the role introduced a new paradigm with Design Guidance, which gives users insight into what their part should look like using a simulation-based optimization algorithm. The designer simply provides the set of specifications, including the 3D envelope (either the volume in which the part should fit, or an initial part to optimize), connections, the loading scenario, material, weight reduction targets for lightweight engineering. The push of a button runs a simulation and generates the suggested concept part shape, which the designer can use as an inspiration to model the final part. R2020x delivers improved mesh smoothing.
- R2020x also brings breakthrough techniques in sketching, modeling, and assembly creation, significant user experience improvements and the best performance ever. For instance,
- The performance improved on all fronts: model opening, feature creation (x8), assembly mates, make component (x11), sketch, server connection, general modeling.
- Users get a new landing page! A much more aesthetically pleasing starting point to xDesign app, with the added benefit of being easier to use with more options to get started, and up and running faster.
- Quick tours are graphical assistances to guide users through typical workflows. Users are getting more productive and quicker by having a tour of the functionality available and they accelerate the learning process.
- The mobile and touch experience is also significantly improved.
- xDesign app now supports Y-up axis orientation of imported or saved SOLIDWORKS files, which facilitates the work between SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
- Users can now import STL files. xDesign also brings a 3D Printing integration, so users can check their design fits inside any 3D Printer.
- Users can now apply materials on their 3D models and display them in the 3D view.
- New key features are now available to users: Sketch Booleans, Form/Dissolve sub-assembly, Section view, Sketch text (add 3D text geometry easily and quickly with a range of fonts to choose).
- Existing key modeling features are enhanced: Mirror component, Draft/Loft (supported in Direct Edit), Hole (skip instances and preview), Component pattern, Component replace (with new revision), and more…
- 3DConnection devices are now supported and delivers the best and smoothest 3D navigation and design experience.
New role: 3D Sculptor
R2020x now includes the SOLIDWORKS 3D Sculptor role, with the xShape app, an easy to use and intuitive browser-based app, enabling users to create organic looking 3D shapes and surfaces, using subdivision modeling technology, anywhere and anytime. The xShape app is always up to date.
- Industrial Designers can create and collaborate on organic designs with agility and scalability while minimizing their infrastructure costs.
- It is designed to work with SOLIDWORKS and other CAD authoring apps on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
New role: Drafter
The new SOLIDWORKS Drafter role offers capabilities to SOLIDWORKS 3D Creator role users to generate 2D drawings from their 3D models, and communicate how the design has to be manufactured. Whenever a change occurs in their 3D model, all drawing views are automatically updated. Using these 2D CAD capabilities really accelerate your product development process by significantly reducing design to manufacturing time, while decreasing costs and increasing productivity. In short:
- Designers and mechanical engineers can quickly generate associative 2D drawings.
- Create any kind of views (Projection, Offset/aligned section, Clipping, Crop, Broken/breakout, Detailed, Page Layout,…).
- Apply dimensions, annotations and dress-up elements to the drawings.
- Import or Export DXF/DWG files.
- Support CATIA Drafting drawings
