17 New Features from SOLIDWORKS Delivery Day - 2025 FD01
On the much-anticipated SOLIDWORKS Delivery Day, we got a rundown of the new features introduced in the latest functional delivery for 2025. If "functional delivery" is new to you, this is the cloud-enabled version of your typical "service pack" release. Enhancements like automatic drawing generation, updates to the user interface, improved file sharing options, and much more. Let's dive in and unpack the key takeaways for your benefit!
1. Simplified User Interface
The Simplified Interface is a new setting designed to make SOLIDWORKS even more user-friendly. When enabled, it simplifies key areas of the interface, including the FeatureManager Design Tree, the Heads-Up View toolbar, and the toolbar tabs. This option is perfect for new SOLIDWORKS users or anyone who prefers a cleaner workspace free of tools they may not use.
2. Automatic Drawing Creation
This new feature saves you time on drawing creation by creating the drawing for you. Yes, you read that right! It automatically generates a simple drawing from a part or assembly, giving you a solid starting point. From there, you can customize the drawing to fit your specific needs. This lets you skip the tedious steps and focus on making sure each drawing accurately represents your designs.
“I see tools like this as such a good chance to do stuff for the user that they're not adding any value. Let the designer add value where you add value. "
– Jesse Sprague
Industry Process Consultant, Dassault Systèmes
3. Link Bill of Material (BOM) to Display State
Now that we’ve introduced automatic drawing creation, let’s talk about what’s on the drawing. When creating a drawing, you can now link your Bill of Materials (BOM) to a specific Display State, making Display States even more useful. This means you can easily control which components appear in your BOM based on the visual representation of your model.
4. Flattened Bill of Materials (BOM)
Another great feature in the latest functional delivery for your BOMs is the ability to create flattened BOMs. The Flattened Bill of Materials (BOM) feature gives you more control over how your BOM is structured. Now, you can choose whether to display all the individual components within a subassembly or list only the subassemblies themselves. This flexibility makes it easier to present your BOM in a way that best suits your manufacturing, purchasing, or assembly needs.
5. Family Tables
The Family Table feature is a table that you can add to your drawing that displays configuration-specific data or custom properties for parts and assemblies. This lets you add important information to your drawings in an easy-to-read format.
6. Edge Flange Up to Vertex
When working with Sheet Metal components, edge flange length can now be defined by selecting a specific vertex. This also works on multiple edges at once, making it easier and more efficient to control edge flange lengths across your design.
7. Library Features (Store MBD Dimensions)
SOLIDWORKS Library Features can now store DimXpert (MBD) dimensions, making it easier to reuse features with predefined dimensions and tolerances. This enhancement streamlines MBD workflows by ensuring important manufacturing information is carried over when applying library features to new designs.
8. Component Displacement
The Component Displacement feature displays a new warning message when a component experiences a large and thus potentially unintentional displacement. This warning helps prevent unconstrained components from moving too far out of place, saving you from the frustration of losing parts in your design space. Plus, with the option to undo the displacement, you can quickly correct any accidental movements.
9. Deformable Components
The Deformable Components feature allows multiple representations of the same component. For example, a cable can be shown as coiled up in one instance and a straight line in another, similar to configurations in SOLIDWORKS. This flexibility helps you better manage components that need to be represented in different states within the same design.
“Sort of like configurations, but the components can be massively simplified. "
– Sean O'Neill
Technical Content Director, Dassault Systèmes
10. Streamlined Design Creation
Streamlined Design Creation simplifies the process of adding attributes when starting a new 3DEXPERIENCE design, by prompting the user to fill in custom properties in a dialog box from the start of a new part, assembly, or drawing.
11. Design iterations
When a user saves a file, Design Iterations allows them to choose to keep both the previous iteration and the newly saved version. This allows users to easily step through different iterations of a design, even for changes that might not require a full revision.
12. Reload from server
Reload from Server adds the ability to revert to the previously saved version of your file, either from the cache or the server. This feature provides an easy way to undo changes and restore your work to a previous state without having to close the model without saving.
13. Cut lists on The 3DEXPERIENCE PLATFORM
Cut Lists on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform offer seamless integration between EBOM (Engineering Bill of Materials) and MBOM (Manufacturing Bill of Materials). With just a checkbox, you can now publish cut lists directly to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, streamlining your workflow and ensuring that both engineering and manufacturing teams have access to the most up-to-date information.
14. Change action stamping
Change Action Stamping provides real-time PLM property updates directly in drawings. When a change action occurs, the drawing is automatically stamped with the relevant change information, ensuring that all modifications are clearly tracked and visible. This feature helps maintain accurate documentation and reduces the risk of errors during design revisions.
15. Connect with peers (forums in the task pane)
Connect with peers through forums now integrated within the SOLIDWORKS interface, allowing you to stay engaged and get answers to your questions without leaving SOLIDWORKS. This seamless integration makes it easier to collaborate, share ideas, and solve problems while staying focused on your design tasks.
16. Share STEP 242
Sharing STEP 242 allows you to quickly and securely share PMI (Product Manufacturing Information) data. Now, you’ll find the share button in every version of SOLIDWORKS, with an even cleaner share interface. This simplifies the traditional workflow of “Save As” and manually sharing the file.
17. Share Package
Share Package is similar to a SOLIDWORKS “Pack and Go,” but for 3DEXPERIENCE platform data. This allows users to easily share data and track changes within the platform. This feature simplifies the process of packaging and sharing files in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the latest features in SOLIDWORKS 2025 FD01 bring exciting enhancements that streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and provide greater flexibility in design. From simplified interfaces to powerful new tools for managing BOMs and drawings, these updates make it easier than ever to create, share, and track your designs. SOLIDWORKS plans to release a similar podcast for each Functional Delivery this year, so stay tuned for the next Delivery Day for SOLIDWORKS 2025 FD02.
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About Cailin Jack
Cailin Jack is an Application Engineer at GoEngineer based out of Dallas, Texas. Cailin is a Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert (CSWE) and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. She is a 3D Printing enthusiast and has been a long-time mentor of FIRST Robotics teams helping students ranging from K-12 build robots that compete in FIRST Robotics competitions.
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