Getting Started
Everything you love about SOLIDWORKS just got even better with Cloud Services (we promise). But first, let’s figure out what account you have.
I'm The Owner Of My Account
As the account administrator, I'm responsible for configuring Cloud Services for my team.
I Was Added To An Account
As a member, I need help setting up Cloud Services to start collaborating with my team.
Still not sure if you have Cloud Services?
Addressing the Elephant
Getting Started with Cloud Services Isn’t So Bad
Cloud Services removes the friction associated with traditional design sharing and collaboration—but how do you get started? You’re just a few steps away from unlocking the full power of Share & Markup, Store & Revise, and Manage & Control.

Getting Started with Cloud Services
Let’s Address the Elephant in the Room
You like SOLIDWORKS the way it’s always been. We can (and do!) appreciate that. But we designed Cloud Services to make everything that’s great about SOLIDWORKS even better. That means new benefits like real-time collaboration, secure access to your files from anywhere, modernized data management, and more.
Here are a few reasons to trust the elephant.
What Exactly Is Cloud Services?
It’s the exact same SOLIDWORKS version you’re used to, but with an add-in that connects your desktop software to our 3DEXPERIENCE platform (the portal where all our cloud-based apps live). All new SOLIDWORKS licenses include the Cloud Services add-in, or you can choose to add it to existing licenses.
The Big Idea Behind Cloud Services
SOLIDWORKS started with a big dream — moving CAD away from ivory towers and putting the power to create on every engineer’s desktop. Now we’re continuing that mission by using cloud technology to streamline — or completely eliminate — mundane, non-value-added tasks that consume a lot of your valuable design time.
Share & Markup
Share your 3D designs with anyone - directly from Solidworks
Store & Revise
Make versioning simpler with an online storage hub that's purpose-built with CAD relationship and collaboration in mind
Manage & Control
Enjoy full access to a suite of tools that help you manage data work through formal change action and approvals, and keep project task in check.
The three key features are powered by three applications (called “roles”) on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. You will only need to interact with these roles during this initial installation stage — once assigned, everything will work transparently through your SOLIDWORKS software.
3DSwymer
You can think of this like Sharepoint for Microsoft. 3DSwymer gives SOLIDWORKS users a dashboard and interface along with shared groups and folders so you can collaborate with other team members.
Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS
This is our cloud-based data management tool that is flexible and scalable for both simple and complex needs. It gives multiple stakeholders across different departments of your organization visibility into a project’s status and lifecycle, and it documents when team members collaborate, review and make changes.
Collaborative Industry Innovator
This is similar to a project management or to-do app. It gives multiple stakeholders across different departments of your organization visibility into a project’s status and lifecycle, and it documents when team members collaborate, review and make changes.
Four Massive Reasons to Use Cloud Services
While the elephant still has the floor, he wants to explain one more thing about Cloud Services. No matter what your role is or what your team does, you will work more efficiently and productively if you use the power of the cloud. Here are 4 good reasons to try it:
Administrator: Installing and Activating Cloud Services
Once you’ve decided to give Cloud Services a try, the first step is to activate and install a couple things. This module walks Administrators through the setup process.
Member: Installing and Activating Cloud Services
You received an invitation from your Administrator to start using Cloud Services. Great! This module walks you through the activation and installation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Addressing all of the elephants.
It’s the exact same SOLIDWORKS that you know and love, just with the add-in that connects you to the 3DExperience platform. You’ll then have access to other 3DExperience tools that can now be run through your browser.
- First of all—did you purchase your SOLIDWORKS seat after July 2023? If you did, you have access to Cloud Services.
- After you purchase a SOLIDWORKS seat you (or your CAD Admin) should receive an email from Dassault Systemes with the subject: "Action Required: Your 3DEXPERIENCE platform is ready"—Check for this and follow the steps to get access to your platform and Cloud Services.
- If you have access to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, look for the “Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS” or the “3DEXPERINCE SOLIDWORKS” Dashboard Cockpits in your Compass menu. These roles represent Cloud Services access. Log in with your 3DEXPERIENCE ID to check.
- Ask your companies IT or CAD Administrator to help you gain access.
- Ask your Reseller for Help.
All new licenses with subscriptions purchased after July 2023 automatically comes with Cloud Services.
If you’re interested in adding Cloud Services to your subscription, reach out to your VAR to discuss upgrading your license. Not sure who your VAR is? Follow the below link to find a reseller: Find SOLIDWORKS reseller
There is a “Design with SOLIDWORKS” add-in on your Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS dashboard. You’ll click that to install, and then click the same button again once it’s downloaded to launch the add-in connection between SOLIDWORKS and the 3DExperience platform. For more information, check out the “Getting Started” modules.
How Can We Help You?
Activate
Ready to dive into Cloud Services? You’re just a few small steps away from activation. Let us walk you through them.
Learn
Want to learn more about the tools? Dedicated resources for each are waiting for you. Learn more about them now.
Try It Out
You’ve seen enough, and are ready to embark on your Cloud Services journey. Log into your 3DEXPERIENCE and follow the steps.