Top 5 new features in SOLIDWORKS 2025

Discover our trainer's 5 favorite features of SOLIDWORKS 2025

SOLIDWORKS

Step 1

Specify part orientation at creation stage

SOLIDWORKS 2025 allows you to specify the orientation of a part (Y axis up or Z axis up) when creating it.

Previously, default models were oriented with the Y axis upwards, which could cause problems when exchanging with certain software (CAM for example).

You must be in the "Advanced" part creation mode to be able to specify part orientation.

Y-up and Z-up orientation parameters are only available for default models created by SOLIDWORKS.

Step 2

Linear or circular repetition of reference geometries

It is now possible to create linear or circular repetitions of reference axes and planes.

Use the classic functions (linear repeat or circular repeat) to select a reference element to repeat:

As with body or function repeats, it is possible to define spacing parameters for 2 directions, as well as to ignore, modify and delete instances.

Limitations:

- If a plan contains a sketch, the plan repeat does not repeat the sketch.

- A repeat can only contain one reference geometry entity: either a plane or an axis.

Step 3

Creating squares with rectangle tools

In a sketch, when using the rectangle tools (rectangle by center, by vertex, etc.), you can hold down the "SHIFT" key to define a square.

Equal" constraints are then automatically created on 2 sides of the square.

Note: This function is only available from version 2025 SP2.

Step 4

Exit a part-function calculation process with the Escape key

Some functions take a very long time to resolve. These can now be abandoned by clicking on the "Escape" key. This means you can return to the original part model without waiting for the function to be fully calculated.

This applies to the "Combine", "Intersection" and "Shell" functions.

It is also possible to cancel an interference detection calculation in an assembly.

Note: This function is only available from version 2025 SP2.

Step 5

Interference detection in an open assembly in "large design management" mode

The management mode for large designs has evolved enormously over the last few versions.

It is now possible to add parts and create constraints on an assembly, while benefiting from extremely fast loading times thanks to this opening mode.

SOLIDWORKS version 2025 adds the ability to detect interferences between parts in the "Large design management" mode, with or without the "Edit assembly" option.

Interference calculation is less precise in this mode, but allows rapid analysis of a model to make the necessary corrections without having to load the complete model!