(armlmd) Invalid license key (inconsistent authentication code) There are two common causes for this error: The hostid. In order to run the SOLIDWORKS network version, the license server must be upgraded also to the same version or newer than the clients.
Pros: The price of the program is really one of its main attractions, considering that meets the expectations and needs of mechanical design. It has powerful 3D design capabilities and a very friendly interface. Solidworks is a more thought-out and useful program for mechanical engineers and designers and is not as appropriate for the architectural design.
It can be used to create 2D and 3D designs, has enough tools to incorporate elements such as shading, textures, lighting, and transparencies that facilitate the reading of the design. Another advantage is its library of materials and the possibility of creating customized materials that can be stored in this library. You can also add and edit any text, and like other CAD programs, the design work is done in layers that you can easily select and change. Also has the option of extrusion that easily allows you to create a 3D model from a 2D plane or the reverse process.
The design facility includes a customizable palette where you can locate the tools that are most used and also, also we have the function of recording macros. SolidWorks offers the possibility of working with DWG, DXF, STEP, STL formats, as well as printing their designs in 3D. Additionally, one of its main advantages is that we can work with raster and PDF files.
As for the simulation process, the significant advantage of SolidWorks is its SolidWorks Security Factor Wizard, with which you can examine the created design and locate structural weaknesses. Cons: Although the renderig, illumination and the photorealistic representation are not powerful as those obtained with other CAD programs, they are still powerful and allow to visualize the designs with an acceptable quality. SolidWorks tools are powerful for small projects, such as specific parts and components, but they are not efficient for the design of more complex projects such as large motor examples. Overall: As a hydraulic engineer, SolidWorks is an essential component in my CAD software kit specifically for the mechanical design of valves, pipes, and structures as well as for the simulation and verification of structural faults. Pros: First of all it is very easy to start with even if just mess around with it for sometime you will learn many things. Not only that it has so many tools with which you can design anything, nothing is impossible with this software. To start with you can make parts, assemblies and 2d drawings.
You can work with solids, surfaces, weldaments etc. For sketching there is 2d sketch as well as 3d sketch. In solids there are so many interesting tools like extrude, extrude cut, sweep, loft revolve which help you make your parts easily. If your parts are complex then you can use surface tools which has the above mentioned tools plus others like boundary surface, fill surface, trim surface which work wonderfully with splines and curves.
Also this software allows you to import parts made in other softwares easily as well as export in many widely used formats. It also has plugins for various other softwares like machining softwares (CAM), renderers like keyshot, tools like camnetics etc. All in all I would say this software is value for money for engineers, product designers, mold designers etc. Cons: I would say that there are very few negative points with this software. Also if there are they keep updating the software and resolving the bugs present. Yes but I would say that updating is costly and for small shop owner like me it definitely is a big investment to update. There nothing that you can't achieve with the older versions but yes you get tempted by watching the new features they bring in every year.
Pros: I have been using Solidworks for about 2-3 years. The software helps create 2D and 3D designs with ease. I am very comfortable using the software to create references and switch orientation. The 2D sketch tools are simple to use. There are plenty of 3D features which can be tricky to use such as swept boss, loft, revolve, etc. However, with practice they are handy in making complex 3D designs.
The premium allows to use Solidworks Simulation and Motion Analysis which are critical for design engineers. The Cam allows the use for manufacturing. Cons: The newest version of Solidworks is also not compatible with an old version of Solidworks.
This can be difficult working with people who don't have the same version of Solidworks as you. It also takes up a lot of RAM and runs very slowly when running simulations. When running Solidworks Simulations, you need a computer with high speed and RAM to get accurate results with high element size.
Overall: I loved working with Solidworks. I prefer using it since I am more accustomed to it. The features are easy to use but I believe they can be improved to make them a lot simpler to use.
It also is versatile in what you want to accomplish with the software, whether it be manufacturing, CAD, simulations, etc. Pros: The capabilities of this program are really high.
You can create and model just about anything your heart desires. The ability to create things is really only limited to the user of the software. We use this daily as we design our Compressors. Little things here and there are easy to visualize and take advantage of, so much so that our machinists can make things super easily because of the abilities in Solidworks. Cons: This software is rather expensive for an every day type of use.
This is definitely a program for those that are willing to invest in their Engineering Department. The amount of RAM needed for good solid work with this is very high, and the video card requirements are even more strict. Overall: When we have to redesign a compressor because of a difference in parts sales at the time, Solidworks is there to allow us to make the necessary changes fairly quickly and easily. Our Engineers can take a ring that is slightly different than what we previously used, make the changes necessary to utilize this new ring, and have the plans up and going in short order to get this change in a compressor out and ready for machining and building. They are able to make adjustments to parts when we find we need to change something due to our testing. Everything is simpler because of the abilities of Solidworks.
Pros: Because I teach the use of this software to future european engineers, where Dassault is a prominent choice amongst industrial employers of my student, this software is the key to a proper formation fo my student, who will use extremely similar software in industry. The 3D features are intuitive and are explained contextually in a very clear manner (lower ribbon or logos help identify where and what to click). The mass and inertia properties are easy ways to confirm manual computations, and the blueprint drawing is state of the art. The toolbox including most thread standards is a huge help.
Cons: The main concern in the drawing module is the oddity of drawing standards used by SolidWorks. Folliwing ISO 128 and ISO 129 would be better (bigger difference between thick and thin lines, thicker extremities of section lines, etc.). In the 3D module, the main concern is the shell function, which does not always provide efficient results, especially when there are two entry surfaces to the shell. Propagation of fillets, and clearance angle tools are not always bug-free. Pros: Solidworks was the first CAD program I ever used, and it has been one of my favorites so far. It has all the features you need, laid out in an easy to access toolbar (though this does get rearranged from time to time with different updates).
I think in the solid modeling side, it matches most other software, but it excels in the drawing department. I've used other software that gives you less features, and it's workable, but SolidWorks has every feature and option when it comes to drawings, which is really helpful for specifying and tweaking to get things just how you want them. Cons: I know it has the feature to do multi body modeling, but I've never used it and am not sure how well it works. Recently I've been using onshape, and the part studio concept makes designing sub assemblies very intuitive, whereas in SolidWorks, each part was always in its own document, and then everything comes together in the assembly. Not a huge complaint, and maybe SW does it well, and I've just never used it. A common problem with all the CAD software I've used is not specific enough error messages when features fail, and SW is guilty of this as well. Overall: SW was the first CAD package I ever used and it really taught me the fundamentals of designing parts and assemblies on a computer.
I've been using it for more than 6 years and it's always recognizable and easy to use even across different versions. Pros: Extremely user friendly. I mean if you can use Ctrl+V & Ctrl+C for a high end CAD software, what more to say. Very comfortable and easy to understand GUI.
Tremendous features(if you know how to use them). Surface modeling is quite simplified. Cons: To be frank, nothing much actually. Other than the price.
But for a great software like this, the price is worth it!!! Overall: Having used several 3D software, including Pro-E, CATIA, AutoCAD, SketchUp, etc., I then had an opportunity to use SolidWorks.
Needless to say, I loved it immediately. And that was 9 years ago. For people who say that Solidworks is a basic CAD tool, I say unto them, wake up guys!!! I undertake my entire design cycle in SolidWorks, right from conceptual design in 3D, Assembly, motion & interference checks, CAE and finally generation of 2D production drawings. I also undertake rendering of quite a few completed projects. Quality of rendering is excellent. I think SoildWorks is the best CAD software out there.
Recommendations to other buyers: There are several tutorials on the internet which show you how to unlock the hidden / less known commands, procedures of the software which help you to generate amazing models. Pros: SolidWorks offers an extensive array of tools for designing anything from one-off fixtures, to complex industrial scale assemblies. SolidWorks has the most user-friendly interface of all CAD softwares (notably Creo Parametric and Siemens NX). This makes it the most popular CAD software in undergraduate mechanical engineering programs. The mating features in SolidWorks make it easy to create assemblies and mate holes, edges, planes, faces, etc. One excellent mating feature in more recent versions of SolidWorks is making one of the objects 'transparent' in order select previously obscured features.
This feature alone has saved a lot of headaches when it comes to mating objects that are close to one another. The technical drawing capabilities are also just as easy to use (once the learning curve is overcome) and technical drawings can be created in accordance with GD&T standards. Cons: My use of SolidWorks is mostly limited to graduate research applications rather than industrial application, and thus there are certainly features that I have not explored or know about. But definitely the most disappointing aspect of SolidWorks is how any file created in a newer version cannot be opened in an older version of the program. The only way to avoid this is basically to always have the most recent version of SolidWorks which is expensive and/or time consuming. It is possible to save files as IGES files and load them into SolidWorks, but sometimes features are not properly recognized, and it is not as convenient as opening and sharing actual SolidWorks files.
Pros: As Engineer I am really liked and used this software in most of my projects. Its Easy to Use, Perform well even in low performance PCs, There is quite good community that use solidwork and share there knowledge. So its Easy to resolve problems you face during the Project. Solid work offer FEA,CFD,Linear,Non-Linear Simulations which is awesome to use.And Another thing i really like is Solidwork Advance Rendering capabilities and its really help to see how your product will be at the end. Cons: Solidwork quite advance software package and sometimes i feel it should come with better help and guide system with it. Some times its really hard to understands mathematical consents related to modeling and simulations. The other thing they can do is add more tools for designers that helps to do complex shapes of models.
Overall: Solidworks is the center of the designing process of our company.Every component nut and bolt is designed by the solidworks. That saves us lot of money because with solidwork we can build fully functioning model and this saves the money of prototyping and testing. Pros: Solidworks is about as user friendly a CAD package there is. It is easy to construct models from sketches, create parametric designs, and (when done correctly) go back to early features and make edits to drive changes forward. SolidWorks does a good job in indicating what features drive what and allowing the user control of constraints and relationships. Cons: Error messages are often unclear and don't adequately explain when a feature fails. Particularly with some of the more advanced or more geometrically complex tools (surface tools, sweeps, etc), a feature will fail to construct but there is no clear reason why, so it is difficult to debug.
More detailed error messaging or error codes that linked to an index would be helpful. Overall: Overall I am very happy with SolidWorks.
I use it nearly everyday to create models and design files, as well as drawing and documentation for manufacturing. Pros: The ability to create complex 3d geometries, do conceptual drawings and assembe various features are one of the best advantages of using this software. The user can add sheet metal, weldments, piping/tubes, molds and electric cables to his or her drawing.
Along with the multitude options of editing drawings, one can also run simulations in the software like linear and dynamic analysis. Thus, it helps in validating design performance and also allows users to run cost benefit analysis for their models. Cons: The software requires a bit of a learning curve. Thus, the user needs to be patient to understand the worth of the software and appreciate it. Overall: I learnt a lot about how to make complex 3d geometries in this software. It helped me to visualize these geometries in simpler manner. The ability to run simulations on the model was also of great help.
Pros: For the cheaper spectrum of CAD modeling software - SolidWorks will take the cake in almost every category: simple UI, powerful tools, and small cost (comparatively of course). I've been using SolidWorks for nearly 6 years now and have never been disappointed in it's capabilities. Cons: Unfortunately for all the positives, there is one major negative - the software can be really 'buggy.' It can fail on you in a moments notice and if you don't save your models frequently - a lot of progress can be lost, or worse, the file will corrupt itself. It doesn't happen often enough to drop too many stars - however, it happens enough to ruin your day every once in a while.
Make sure you keep backups and save often. Overall: Ease of use, lots of compatibility across most platforms, simple but powerful UI. Pros: The software is easy to use and intuitive.
SolidWorks Premium has all of the features necessary for solid modelling and I find the rendering tool to be great for getting a first look at a product as it is intended to be manufactured. We have also used renderings in our glossy and digital catalogs and have had complements on the 'photography'. Cons: While I like the initial design creativity allowed by not constraining a sketch with dimensions, the lack of initial constraints can cause problems later when adding and changing dimensions. While the rendering tool is more than adequate for close-up renderings of products for a high quality catalog, there are far more scenes available for other rendering packages than are available for SolidWorks. Pros: Extremely user friendly and easy to learn. Allows for more creativity than structured steps.
Offers the user to use relations and dimensions to relocate and define sketches from anywhere on the plane. Many add-on options allowing for all types of sketching, features, patterns, toolbox (for standard parts), and simulation.
Great program for STL file transfer to 3D printing and CNC machines. Also a great program for use with ANSYS analysis software for more accurate simulations. Cons: Very graphically demanding program.
As I tell my students, you will need a gaming computer to use Solid Works full potential. Some times can freeze up and crash due to the high demand. All this only happens in complex assemblies and not basic parts. Pros: SolidWorks has so many features that can help speed up the design process.
Weldments are useful features especially when used with 3D sketching. Learning SolidWorks is as pretty simple, once you have the basic idea of CAD in general. The layout is well organized to find essential tools.
There are lots of options for additional tools from simulation to flow analysis and standard toolboxes. Cons: SolidWorks has so many great features, but that makes the program very large. Installation is very time-consuming and requires powerful and expensive computers to run well. Even when my company purchased hardware to the specifications SolidWorks recommended, the program will still crash frequently and have excessive lag with assemblies. There is also no good way to works in design teams. PDM systems are a pain and extremely expensive. Creating references within an assembly is always problematic.
They almost always break and mess up the whole assembly. Overall: CAD is absolutely invaluable in my work. I use it for designing tooling, machines, machine parts, assembly line layouts and more. Pros: I am a regular user of SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, and Pro-E (Creo). SolidWorks has long been my favorite design software. It is the most user friendly out of the three, and offers greater flexibility while modeling components and assemblies. Their customer service is good at addressing issues and will release about 5 service packs a year to make sure all the bugs are worked out.
Cons: SolidWorks is a bit more quirky than its competitors. But the longer you use it, the easier it is to see beyond the quirks. To a new user, it could be difficult to identify what is a program quirk and what is an operator error. Overall: Easy to learn and master, intuitive shortcuts, active development to correct any software bugs. Pros: Solidworks can't be beat concerning intuitive interface and robustness of CAD model. The parametric modeling is effective, allowing for effective design of complicated systems.
It also has a good ability to address modeling changes and errors and maintaining model integrity. Solidworks is effective at importing and exporting with other CAD programs. Cons: Drawing creation is a bit of a weakness.
Dimension tools seem basic and often fall short of what is needed, requiring non-parametric workarounds. Saved bodies/split bodies lost hole-wizard information, impacting drawing creation. Overall: Solidworks is a very powerful CAD tool that I've used in multiple world-class engineering projects.
Pros: The UI of this software is very simple and intuitive. The tutorials that come with the software are surprisingly helpful. Cons: It lacks some of the mating options that are available in Unigraphics NX. Overall: I have used Solidworks for everything from building a model rocket launch pad in an internship to my career where I design medical devices.
I find that solidworks has most of the functionality that you need for most industries. The two issues Ive ever had come from modeling articulating biological surfaces and complex screw threads (built-in are fine, I was designing my own). The actual everyday use of Solidworks is very simple and intuitive. Mating parts works as it seems it should and the drawings are pretty simple as well. There are also a lot of online videos and forums to help if you get stuck. Pros: The drafting of drawings is very flexible and powerful.
Configurations with embedded Excel is great for automating similar products. Dynamic sketches allow me to test designs before going 3D. I love how I can set up and move menus and command icons to suit the way I work. Cons: Crashes too often. Part level design tree is easily corrupted.
Mates in assemblies can be confusing in a large assembly, when 1 goes wrong it's not so easily fixed. Collaborating with co-workers on same project is very difficult.
Overall: This software has helped me put food on the table for the last 16 years. When used properly it can make an average engineer a great one. I let the software do the heavy lifting so I can focus on creativity. Pros: The ease of use and functionality of this software is great. Any of our engineers and even myself have easily picked up this software without any hiccups.
It really helps us with creating new products in our industry and be the leaders in our market coming out with better products. Cons: There is almost nothing bad I can say about this software besides a few glitches that happen every once and a while that aren't a really big deal in the overall scheme of things. Overall: The benefits our company has from using this software is the ease of use and learning curve of it. Solidworks also helps us stay ahead in our market and we can easily design and implement new products without a problem. Pros: The biggest gain of Solid works is it's ease of use. It is very intuitive is most of the basic functions, with the more complicated tasks are generally found on various you tube postings as the software is so widely used.
Cons: At times it can be slow on large assemblies, which is it's biggest down fall. But with a bit of organisation and a lot of sub assemblies, the risk of crashing a large assembly can be reduced. Overall: Ease of use is the biggest plus. It leaves its easy to customise and bring in and train up other users in a design team.
The software is widely used and college leavers are coming out with a reasonable grasp of the software as it is used to teach students in the colleges around us. Pros: Powerful and versatile software, easy and very well integrated in Windows. The way I use it and think about what I want to do and the way is immediately. Cons: Integration with Windows requires the use of official software (excel, word.) not compatible software Some errors are dragged over time despite the average high purchase and maintenance costs. Moreover it is not easy to have multiple versions on the same computer and when working with several companies the non-retroactivity of files is a big limitation. I stopped buying the annual maintenance (3 years ago), now if I want to go back they will charge me the license again.
Pros: It's really easy to learn how to use the software, there is plenty of free tutorials available on internet (Youtube, Vimeo and others). The software also allows the development of plans drawing that facilitate the construction of parts Cons: It requires a considerable investment of money if you want to use all the components and services that the software provides. Also in order to take the most advantage of the software is required to have a computer with high characteristics. Overall: It have been indispensable for my proffesional development, allowing me to design many pieces. I learned this software while studing in my University College, and I'm still using it today. Pros: One of the great things about SolidWorks is the various functions and equations you can use when designing a part. If you need to change a parameter, it takes one second and updates the rest of the dimensions without causing issues.
Takes no time to learn at all and there are many help forums online to assist in learning and mastering this tool. Cons: For big assemblies, sometimes the path your assembly will make to the individual part files will become corrupted and can cause you to have to delete and add the parts back in. It can be very cumbersome sometimes to add the appropriate mates back.
Pros: It is a huge software for designers, architects and engineers. It has a lot of operations to modelate and simulate (Fluids, motions, external/internal forces and vibrations).
It includes information related to materials, surfaces and shapes to make your render better. You can work in 2D or 3D and then generate blueprints. It is so easy to use, do not require training, but if you want to take advantage of all its power, you should look for some tutorials or advices in Solidworks webpage. Solidworks has almost all resources a manufacturer need (I said almost because I am not the most expertise). Cons: I have not found any cons. Maybe I have too work harder and look deeper to find mistakes or troubles in the software.
Pros: The toolbars are intuetive and the user can easily learn their functions. It has a lot of useful tools. It's exeptionlally good at designing sheet metal assemblies. Transitioning from a 3D model to a techincal drawing for production is very simple.
The files for CNC are easily generated. Cons: It requires realy powerful hardware to run effectively. It strugles with large assemblies. Sometimes mates are lost in assemblies and have to be redone. Overall: The software is very easy for people with experience to learn and it's user friendly. It made my work with sheet metal parts so much easier over the years.
Pros: Easy to use, robust features for any possible 3D shape or surface Cons: The enterprise version is about $2k for one seat last time I checked, which for my budget is too high. But I used the student edition while in college, that was great Overall: Easy to use, build product features one by one (non-destructive) so you can go back and change earlier features easily. Create parts, assemble parts into assemblies, and perform simulations related to heat transfer and more. Create engineering drawings and share 3D part files for prototyping and manufacturing.
I used the Student Edition when in college, which is much cheaper than the enterprise version. Recommendations to other buyers: I would recommend over ProE for sure! Pros: I consider this as a useful tool for the drawings of parts and later in assemblies. In its interface you can verify your iterative process of mechanical design, make changes and even differentiate them with specific properties.
As a mechanical engineer, I have to work on the design of tubular components or pipes. With this program you can deploy your entire system and verify that they meet the design requirements, as well as libraries with connections or mechanical components. It is a useful tool. Cons: Obviously, when you lose part of the work done because the program closed without prior notice or the fact that it is slow when the number of components in an assembly increases is a bit stressful. I must make the reservation, that the aforementioned does not happen if your machine is of great capacity.
Able to process quickly. Overall: During my mechanical engineering studies, you have the opportunity to be in contact with different computer aided design tools. I remember my final project in the subject fluid mechanics, was friendly modeling of the pipes as well as the allocation of components. As a mechanical engineer, time is important, project deliveries have established time lines, in this sense having computer-aided design tools is imperative. Solidworks does the work and this is functional and practical.
Pros: The ease of use. Ability to animate your creations once we started using this feature our sales went threw the roof. The ability to do this let's our customers see what they have and they can have anything changed they don't like before we build the concept parts Cons: Old drawing from old versions of this will not open.
We have drawing from all the way back to 2006 the 2017 we upgraded to this year is the newest upgrade and for some reason this year it will not open the old files Overall: The ability to put thoughts on paper in so many ways. Pros: SolidWork software is embedded with CAD so it is easier to use. This software is not only used for research but also for solving the day to day problems. This software helps us in understanding the dynamics of our designs. The commands and tool bars present in this software is quite easy to learn. Whatever any thing is,SolidWork software is the best CAD software.
Cons: The learning curve of SolidWork is very significant.It's layout seems to be difficult in the beginning but when we get familiar with it then it makes our daily work easier.One of the limitation is that when the file is is quite large then it is difficult to analyse but it happens rarely. Pros: It has a friendly interface for the user.
Currently I working with solidworks 2018, includes updates to work with documents from in the cloud, also offers constant training and updating of information. Cons: In the realization of drawings it does not allow the import of autocad files for it does editing.
In the simulation module the conditions and restrictions of the pieces are not very clear with respect to reality, however, it offers simulation courses to take the best options in the studies. Pros: I like that the interface is easy to learn and use.
The ability to customize templates and controls saves a lot of time. Creation is overall easy and fun in Solidworks.
Cons: The program is very powerful and consequently uses a lot of RAM. Sudden crashes are a common and unpredictable. Sometimes it will be operating fine with several large assemblies open; other times it will crash with only a single part open. Overall: It enables me to create and record designs and products quickly as well as verify cabilities and information.
Pros: I think this program is really easy to learn yet powerful enough to handle about any tasks. With the help of some youtube, one can easily become a quality draftsman.
Solidworks is extremely intuitive, it guides you along as you are modeling. Cons: I think the price is a little high for this program. Its ok if its for a company to invest in, but couldn't afford it on my own, even the standard edition is a bit steep. I believe the price is comparable to other similar programs out there though. Pros: Solid Works is an excellent software that is frequently used by the software engineers. The most thing I like about this software is its 3D features. In order to confirm manual computations, the properties of mass and inertia are easy ways.
This software is quite easy to use even across different versions. Its rendering quality is really awesome. Cons: Initially its layout seems to be quite difficult to the beginners but on the other hand this SW software is really user friendly,very comfortable and easy to understand.
This SW software is quite expensive but as far as its usage is price really worth and doesn't matters. Pros: Solidworks is really a great software for anyone who has some basic knowledge of what Computer Aided Design (CAD) is. Having been the first CAD software package I used, it made a major impression on me as to what CAD software is meant to be able to do. The software has very easy to use features that are mostly self-explanatory, but if not, are well supported by tutorials and forums online. Cons: The software is not easy to teach yourself if you don't at least know what the basic CAD terms are.
I know this is not intended to be the purpose of a professional CAD package, but it is really the only Con that I could think of. Overall: This software makes all my CAD tasks really easy and I am able to complete them in the limited time that I had available with the least possible assistance from forums and help calls. I really enjoy the User Interface (UI) as it is easy to understand and very straightforward. Pros: I first learned CAD in Solidworks, so I'm biased towards it.
It's highly powerful, broadly recognized (file types too), and fairly easy to learn. It's a resource hog. Originally I thought this was just how CAD programs are, but after using others, like NX, I've learned that Solidworks requires more resources for the same level of performance (as far as I can tell). The Solidworks versioning is a pain. Every year there's a new release, and if you save a part in the new release you can no longer open it in a previous release. (New releases can always open parts from previous releases).
But this lack of compatibility becomes an issue when you have some people who have upgraded and others who have not - you're all using SW and yet you can't open each other's files without sloppy import/export. Pros: It works very well and doesn't have issues with exported 3D models. Cons: Updates can be a pain as the licenses can have issues.
Tech support however is excellent and I have yet to be down for very long. Overall: We have to export 3d models for use with our Magma software to do 3d simulations of iron pouring. There are no other products that can export a good solid for use as they often have holes or other defects that are impossible to fix.
However, we don't have that issue with Solidworks and the products that come out are as expected. Pros: SolidWorks allows design and engineering to meet and create amazing things.
This tool is so powerful if used correctly. This tool has set the standard for industrial 3D modeling and I think they have kept that standard pretty high over the years. Cons: Because this tool can do a lot, it's not that easy to learn. Organic forms are also a lot more difficult to build in SolidWorks than something like Rhino. Lastly, this software can be extremely frustrating when building and you do something that breaks a bunch of other area's and you have to go back and fix them all.
This is more of my fault than the software, but the instructions on fixing problems could be improved. Overall: Great software, would reccomend it to any designer or engineer looking to print/model parts at an exact scale. Pros: Solidworks can be used in almost every industry in the world.
I personally use it for the structural steel industry. We got the Premium package because it came with the Toolbox feature which basically keeps you from having to custom model every single entity.
It provides all of my material sizes from large beams and tubes to the smallest of screws and nuts. It adheres to industry codes and standards and works to the tightest of tolerances. We have designed basic handrails, fire pits, and complex frames. Once we have it modeled, we can export CNC files to our machines and knock out parts in minutes. Cons: Sometimes there are a lot of steps that have to be taken to achieve a small step. I feel like there could be some quick keys or buttons that could get you through certain areas faster.
Overall: It helped decrease the overall manhours and human error when we are building miscellaneous items in our shop. The ability to draw something in 2D and then convert it to a 3D item by simply telling it what you want it to be is fantastic. It automatically copes and notches when required so no more manually laying one out in AutoCad. Pros: I like the ease of use.
Also, the tutorials are very clear and it allows the user to be trained for a certification for free. The fact that it allows assemblies and mechanical drawings is very important. Other tools only allow to generate drawings no matter what you are going to model.
With Solidworks, the tools are designed for mechanical assemblies, helping engineers to perform professional models with high quality. Cons: I really do not like the electrical and piping tools. They are really hard to use. In addition, the surface tool not always do what I want. Finally, the dependency between subassemblies may be improved Overall: It allowed me to learn a lot about mechanical design.
I really enjoyed the fact that I may get certified by Solidworks.