What Is AI?

AI, or artificial intelligence, is an umbrella term for strategies and techniques, such as rules-based algorithms, that allow machines to mimic human behavior and intelligence. AI covers awide range of computer operations. You use AI applications every day. For example, autocorrect while texting, map navigation to suggest routes, or the Selection Manager in SOLIDWORKS® CAD.

Under the AI umbrella is Machine Learning, which uses algorithms and statistical methods to allow machines to “learn” from data and improve their performance without explicit programming. Applications of machine learning include product recommendations on retail websites, automatic email sorting and spam filtering, and Smart Mates in xDesign by SOLIDWORKS.

Under the machine learning umbrella is Deep Learning. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that uses large, deep, and complex multilayered neural networks to automatically discover and learn patterns from vast amounts of data and potentially create new outcomes a human may not have considered. Deep learning powers the most talked-about AI tools and is used in revolutionary technologies like ChatGPT, virtual assistants like Apple’s Siri® or Amazon’s Alexa®, and advanced graphics technologies like the Denoiser in SOLIDWORKS Visualize.

What Does AI CAD Mean for Designers and Engineers?

Person working on laptop in office

The advent of large language models has thrust AI and machine learning into the mainstream news cycle. AI buzz has rightfully raised many questions regarding intellectual property and job security. But how will AI affect engineers and product designers?

SOLIDWORKS believes AI CAD will make better designers and engineers. AI CAD is not and will never be a substitute for a seasoned expert, nor can it replace human insight. However, the design process is complex and full of repetitive and tedious tasks. SOLIDWORKS has taken a two-pronged approach to address this complexity. SOLIDWORKS offers AI for Design Assistance and AI for Generative Design. The end goal for AI CAD, through either of these approaches, is to foster creativity while helping you create your final product faster, improving your user experience, and maintaining the integrity of your IP.

What Is AI CAD?

AI CAD is an approach to integrating artificial intelligence features into the CAD design process. AI CAD features tools for design assistance and generative design. Both AI CAD for Design Assistance and AI CAD for Generative Design aim to reduce complexity in the design process, provide advice to improve user experience, and free up time to make you a faster, more efficient designer or engineer.

What Is AI CAD for Design Assistance?

People collaborating on 3D model design - SOLIDWORKS

AI CAD for Design Assistance aims to streamline your design process. AI Design Assistance features save you time by reducing repetitive and tedious tasks. Rather than clicking multiple faces, lines, or parts, you can use assistive AI CAD tools to locate multiple instances of the same or similar selection, saving you time and clicks.

Assistive AI CAD tools also provide guidance and suggestions for optimizing your models. AI Design Assistance works like an expert at your side to answer questions, offer advice, and remove complexity to make you a more efficient designer or engineer.

What Is AI CAD for Generative Design?

Close up of a computer circuit board - SOLIDWORKS

AI CAD for Generative Design includes tools to help you generate a final or close-to-final design as quickly as possible. Designers and engineers benefit from time savings with generative AI CAD features. However, generative AI CAD tools are still in their infancy, and it will take time for the technology to evolve and mature. 

What Does Using AI Mean for CAD Data?

AI systems are fueled by vast amounts of data. Building AI systems means training the AI model to learn from existing information. This learning requirement raises flags for some who fear AI training will include proprietary or copyrighted content, such as code, music, or art.

 

How Does SOLIDWORKS Train AI?

SOLIDWORKS is training AI models with nonproprietary internal data generated by SOLIDWORKS R&D. Our ultimate goal is to provide you with baseline design concepts that can then be exclusively and securely adjusted for your particular use cases inside your business.

SOLIDWORKS does not use proprietary data to train AI models without explicit permission from clients. SOLIDWORKS will provide capabilities where AI CAD is trained exclusively to support your projects. For example, when you create data, the software indexes information to help you search more efficiently. In the future, SOLIDWORKS AI CAD will extract this data and make suggestions exclusively to you and not to others outside of your organization. Users do not have to worry about SOLIDWORKS using their intellectual property to the benefit of other businesses. 

How SOLIDWORKS AI CAD and Machine Learning Tools Help You

While AI is dominating the tech news cycle, it is not news to SOLIDWORKS. In fact, designers and engineers using SOLIDWORKS already utilize many AI CAD-enabled features. The SOLIDWORKS AI CAD vision is to provide tools that act like an expert at your side. This expert works with you to answer questions, make suggestions, and help you avoid mistakes that can slow your design process. This vision is being executed through a two-pronged approach: providing AI tools for design assistance and for generative design.

 

AI CAD Tools for Design Assistance

SOLIDWORKS R&D has incorporated AI-enabled design assistance into 3D CAD solutions since the 2010s. These AI CAD features are known as design assistance tools. Their purpose is to help designers finish projects faster by reducing tedium, improving user experience, boosting efficiency, and increasing design accuracy.

Screenshot showing 3D model of part with Command Predictor in action

Current AI CAD Tools for Design Assistance

  • Command Prediction
  • Fillet Auto Repair
  • Denoiser in SOLIDWORKS Visualize
  • Stress Hotspot Detection
  • Detection of Underconstrained Bodies 
  • Autodimensioning in SOLIDWORKS Drawings
  • Sheet Metal Tab and Slot
  • Smart Fasteners
  • Gesture-Based Sketching
  • Mate Creation
  • Picture to Sketch
  • Edge Selection 
  • Mate Replication
  • End Plate Creation
  • And more

AI CAD Tools for Generative Design

Generative design AI CAD tools aim to bring you close or directly to the final product design. The CAD industry is only just beginning to explore generative design. SOLIDWORKS and Dassault Systèmes R&D are prioritizing their efforts to take generative AI tools to the next level to create more advanced and complex designs, and to simplify design workflows. For example, efforts are underway to advance AI CAD to create a parametric design from an imported body and to develop automated generative engineering drawings directly from the model.

AI Generative Modeling in Action

SOLIDWORKS Make By Me screenshot with 3D model of coffee table

In the CAD industry, manufacturability is key. MakeByMe, a free personal 3D furniture creation tool from Dassault Systèmes, includes generative AI furniture design for bookshelves, coffee tables, desks, and chairs. By specifying only the bounding box dimensions and furniture type, you can generate completely manufacturable furniture models and functional 3D shapes using generative AI.

Take the Next Steps With SOLIDWORKS AI CAD

AI and machine learning is not a fad or craze. The news is filled with stories about businesses big and small announcing almost-magical AI capabilities. But at SOLIDWORKS, we are not distracted nor deterred: SOLIDWORKS has consistently integrated a forward-thinking and human-centered AI vision into our design and engineering software.

The new age of AI is daunting and exciting. We are ready to uplift our users with tools that will aid them but never replace them. AI CAD with SOLIDWORKS will not steal your career or intellectual property. It will only make you a more effective and efficient designer armed with new capabilities to explore and innovate.

Webinar: SOLIDWORKS and AI CAD

SOLIDWORKS 3D model of parts showing mate references

Watch this presentation from Dr. Shrikant Savant, SOLIDWORKS Data Analysis and Science Director, to learn about the SOLIDWORKS AI CAD mission and the development underway to bring the power of AI CAD to every engineer’s screen.

Watch the video

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Frequently Asked Questions About AI and SOLIDWORKS