SOLIDWORKS Frequently Asked Questions

Generative design uses AI algorithms to explore all possible solutions to a design problem based on constraints you define, such as materials, budget and manufacturing methods. The software then generates multiple design options that meet your criteria. This allows for greater optimization and innovation in product design. Capabilities in SOLIDWORKS AI, like generative drawings, enable designers to eliminate time-consuming, high-cognitive load tasks and focus on creating better products. 

SOLIDWORKS AI ensures customer IP remains isolated and secure. Learn more about specific security protocols by visiting the 3DS Trust Center. 

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.

SOLIDWORKS uses AI directly within the design workspace to speed up product development. By learning from design context and anticipating next steps, AI helps teams generate, evaluate, and refine more design concepts in less time. Designers can also work in natural language instead of relying exclusively on menus, commands, and manual workflows. The virtual companion LEO can handle tasks like generating macros and automating assembly instructions, while capabilities such as Selection Accelerators and Sketch Repair reduce repetitive work, so engineers can focus on product development and engineering decisions.

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.

AI is improving CAD software by working directly inside the existing design workflow rather than requiring a separate tool. It automates repetitive tasks, anticipates next steps, and lets designers interact with SOLIDWORKS in natural language instead of relying only on traditional menus and commands. Virtual companions like LEO handle workflows such as macro generation, assembly instructions, and BREP-to-parametric conversion, while capabilities like Command Predictor, Sketch Repair, and Selection Accelerators reduce tedious work. The result is that teams iterate faster and spend more time on engineering decisions.

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 improves CAD productivity by reducing time spent on repetitive tasks such as making selections, writing macros, building assembly instructions, and converting BREP geometry to parametric features. Because designers can work in natural language, they spend less time on manual workflows and more time on product development and engineering decisions.

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.

Discover more about the AI CAD Tools in SOLIDWORKS.

Find information on the latest SOLIDWORKS enhancements, new features, and releases.

• 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 many more