SOLIDWORKS Frequently Asked Questions

Generative Drawings in SOLIDWORKS Design automatically create structured 2D drawing layouts—including views, dimensions and annotations—directly from your 3D CAD model using a natural language prompt through the LEO Virtual Companion. Engineers can define the size, format, template and primary view before generation, then refine the output through rapid iteration without manual drafting.

SOLIDWORKS supports generative design by offering AI-powered companions, specifically LEO, with tools like assembly structure generation, and even more advanced feature releases planned. These features will enable designers to explore optimized solutions quickly, ensuring efficient and innovative product development.

The Command Predictor analyzes your real-time modeling behavior and anticipates the tools you're most likely to need next, displaying them in a dynamic toolbar that updates as your workflow evolves. For example, after creating a cut feature, it automatically surfaces commands like fillet or chamfer—eliminating the need to navigate menus between steps.

This feature operates entirely inside the SOLIDWORKS Design environment, so it doesn't interrupt your workflow. It's trained on modeling patterns, not customer data, which means your intellectual property stays protected while you benefit from smarter, faster command access throughout the design process.

Tokens are the currency behind AURA and LEO. Instead of charging you for simply asking a question,tokens are directly tied to the value of the result you receive.

How It Works

• Guidance Costs Less: Quick guidance and best-practice answers from AURA require fewer resources than generative or analytical tasks, such as model conversion or performance analysis.
• Pay for the Outcome: You only use tokens when a result is delivered — whether that’s a quick piece of guidance, a generated model, or a full assembly performance analysis.
• Value-Based Scaling: The bigger and more substantial the outcome, the more tokens it utilizes.

SOLIDWORKS AI for CAD designers and mechanical engineers integrates artificial intelligence directly into the design environment. Tools like the AI-Powered Assembly Structure Generator and What's Wrong Analysis are built to speed up the workflow. It helps you move from concept to manufacturing faster by automating the design process and offering intelligent suggestions. This enhances the SOLIDWORKS Design experience.

SOLIDWORKS AI Virtual Companions are the beginning of the journey in generative design workflows. With tools like automated assembly structure generation and real-time performance feedback already available, the near future will deliver even more advanced SOLIDWORKS AI capabilities. Upcoming features aim to further integrate AI into every stage of the design process, enabling better collaboration, faster iterations, and time saved for the designer. Stay tuned as SOLIDWORKS continues to redefine what's possible in generative design.

Yes. SOLIDWORKS AI is built on a foundational principle of IP protection: your design data is never used to train AI models. SOLIDWORKS AI tools operate on your data within the session, and do not retain or share your geometry, assemblies, or design history beyond the active interaction. Our AI models are exclusively trained on proprietary Dassault Systèmes data and curated synthetic datasets. All cloud-based AI features run on enterprise-grade infrastructure with encryption in transit and at rest. For full details on our security and privacy practices, refer to the Dassault Systèmes Trust Center.

All commercial SOLIDWORKS Design Offer and SOLIDWORKS Design with Cloud Services customers will have access to SOLIDWORKS Virtual Companions (AURA and LEO) and their AI-powered competencies and skills, such as Command Predictor, Auto-Fastener Recognition, Generative Drawings, AI-Powered Assembly Structure Generator, and What's Wrong Analysis, with no additional license required. AI usage is measured through a consumption model using Tokens. View the getting started guide to learn how to access and utilize the SOLIDWORKS AI Virtual Companions.

Current capabilities include automated drawing generation, general design assistance via interactive chat, command predictor, sketch analysis & repair, fastener recognition, and much more on the horizon that is developing quickly. 

• Learn more on what is available in SOLIDWORKS AI
• Stay up to date with the latest SOLIDWORKS Design features

Assistive AI tools are designed to simplify common modeling tasks. For instance, in SOLIDWORKS xDesign, mate helper can suggest or automatically apply mates between components in an assembly. The selection helper in xDesign can predict which edges, faces or components you intend to select next. These tools improve the user experience and reduce manual effort in 3D CAD.

Tokens are the currency that powers AI activity within SOLIDWORKS Design through the LEO, AURA, and MARIE AI Virtual Companions. They are consumed when a Virtual Companion executes a Skill, and reflect the time saved and value delivered by each AI interaction—not arbitrary usage counts. Tokens for every SOLIDWORKS Design or 3DSwymer license are grouped into a shared pool in an organization’s tenant.

Command Predictor is an AI tool that analyzes your actions during a 3D modeling session. Based on your current task, it anticipates and suggests the tools you are most likely to need next. This feature helps streamline your workflow by reducing the time you spend searching for commands.

AI CAD software is computer-aided design software that uses artificial intelligence to automate and augment engineering tasks — such as generating drawings, predicting commands, detecting errors, and converting natural language or images into parametric 3D models. Unlike traditional CAD, which responds passively to manual input, AI CAD actively participates in the design process by applying engineering knowledge to help engineers work faster and with greater accuracy. SOLIDWORKS AI takes this further by embedding AI directly into the 3D CAD workflow, ensuring that intelligence is available in context — without file exports, application switching, or IP leaving your environment.

SOLIDWORKS AI refers to a set of intelligent capabilities that assist engineers by automating repetitive tasks, providing design guidance, and enabling workflow-level orchestration through both features as well as Virtual Companions you can interact with via natural language.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in CAD software refers to systems and AI models that perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. This includes learning from user actions, recognizing patterns and making predictions. For CAD designers and mechanical engineers, this means tools that can automate repetitive tasks, suggest next steps and assist in the overall design process. This technology helps improve your workflow and accelerate product development.