How Weiland Doors Automates Custom SOLIDWORKS Models, Drawings, and BOMs in Minutes To read more, please visit:https://www.gsc-3d.com/blog/how-weiland-doors-automates-custom-solidworks-models-drawings-and-boms-in-minutes/
CAMWorks Tips and Tricks That Improve Toolpath Quality and Save Time If you use SOLIDWORKS CAM or CAMWorks, you have probably seen at least one of these headaches: Curves that machine like a stop sign instead of a smooth spline 3D surfaces that come out faceted even though the model is clean A CAMWorks Feature Tree that gets cluttered after every design change Simulations that lag, or worse, crash when parts get complex In a recent GSC training session, Applications Engineer Alejandro Murillo walked through practical settings and workflows that fix those problems fast. This article breaks the session into a shop-friendly checklist you can apply right away. Who this is for Newer CAMWorks users who want fewer surprises and cleaner results Experienced users who want better defaults, fewer clicks, and faster rebuilds Anyone programming parts with splines, fillets, multi-surface features, or turning grooves... To read more, please visit: https://www.gsc-3d.com/blog/camworks-tips-and-tricks-that-improve-toolpath-quality-and-save-time/
From Beta to 8 Million Users: 30 Years of SOLIDWORKS Innovation Thirty years ago, “3D CAD on Windows” sounded more like a bet than a business plan. In 1995, the very first SOLIDWORKS beta ran on the brand-new Windows 95—and a handful of bold engineers said “yes” to trying it in the real world. One of those people was our own Jeff Setzer, who’s helped unveil every single new version since year one. Three decades, 34 releases, and more than eight million users later, SOLIDWORKS isn’t just a product line—it’s the backbone of modern mechanical design. As GSC, we’ve had the privilege of growing alongside SOLIDWORKS from the beginning. Here’s a retrospective—through Jeff’s stories and our customers’ wins—on how a scrappy Windows-native CAD changed the industry and kept reinventing itself year after year.... To read more, please visit: https://www.gsc-3d.com/blog/from-beta-to-8-million-users-30-years-of-solidworks-innovation/
60 Years Of SOLIDWORKS Well, the day has finally arrived. November 14, 2025 marks the 30th birthday of SOLIDWORKS as a publicly released software package. While people were able to purchase beta copies at $1,295 for several months beforehand, that first official release really made the whole thing, for want of a better word, “real.” And two people that were there for it, and are still here for it, are me and my twin brother John. Together, we have 60 years of SOLIDWORKS experience. What has changed? Hardware, for one. Running SOLIDWORKS on a laptop was pure fantasy back then, and a 300-part assembly would tax the most powerful desktop workstation available at the time. Connectivity is another huge change. Initially, if you wanted to share your design, you put it on a 3.5” floppy disk. Or later, a Zip disk. Eventually, you’d burn a CD or later a DVD. The Internet wasn’t a thing in the very beginning for most people, and the speeds barely supported postage-stamp-sized video, let alone 3D CAD data. And then there is what SOLIDWORKS itself has become. Initially, it was just “SolidWorks,” which was the company name and the name of the single software product they produced. Now, SOLIDWORKS is a brand — and a portfolio — with over a dozen different applications, and to be clear, when we’re talking about the CAD software itself, we need to say “SOLIDWORKS Design” to clarify what we mean... To read more, please visit: https://www.gsc-3d.com/blog/60-years-of-solidworks/
Five Reasons GSC Should Upgrade Your PDM Upgrading SOLIDWORKS PDM, at least annually, should not be considered optional. Nevertheless, there are a few reasons that compel people to defer the undertaking to the future. One reason, saving money, is actually a myth. Since 2016, renewing lapsed subscriptions includes the cost of all “skipped” major releases of the software. The overall cost is the same as upgrading annually but comes due all at once in the Nth year. Another reason is that you may feel it’s not worth the effort because you don’t “need” the new features rolled out with the release. Both admins and users will, however, benefit from the improvements to performance and reliability that are rolled out with them (and probably the new features too). If not for those reasons, the time and complexity involved in the upgrade itself is usually blamed for putting the upgrade off. Veteran PDM administrators are familiar with arduous off-hours upgrades, accompanied by the angst of fearing a misstep that can push downtime into valuable production hours. We grade ourselves on our customers' success, so we absolutely want you to be running the latest and greatest version of SOLIDWORKS PDM at all times. We also want those upgrades to go smoothly. So, if you are considering postpoining your upgrade for any of the reasons cited above, or ... To read more, please visit: https://www.gsc-3d.com/blog/five-reasons-gsc-should-upgrade-your-pdm-2/
Unlocking Efficiency: How DriveWorks Transforms Custom Product Design in SOLIDWORKS In today’s fast-paced manufacturing world, customization is king. But with custom products comes the pressure to turn around designs, proposals, and documentation faster than ever. For many engineering teams, this leads to long hours spent manually adjusting CAD models, managing drawings, and juggling customer-specific details. The result? Bottlenecks, errors, delays—and missed opportunities. That’s where design automation steps in. Specifically, DriveWorks—a powerful automation solution built exclusively for SOLIDWORKS®—is helping manufacturers streamline repetitive design tasks, improve accuracy, and free up engineers to focus on what they do best: innovating. What Is Design Automation, and Why Does It Matter? Design automation simplifies the process of creating “same but different” products by applying predefined rules to CAD models. Instead of manually updating dimensions, features, or assemblies for every new customer request, engineers can automate these steps—saving time and reducing human error. Whether it’s generating drawings, adjusting configurations, or creating bill of materials (BOMs), design automation helps companies boost throughput and respond to custom orders with speed and precision.... To read more, please visit: https://www.gsc-3d.com/blog/unlocking-efficiency-how-driveworks-transforms-custom-product-design-in-solidworks/
What Electromagnetic Simulation Software is the Best? Electromagnetic simulation is crucial across various industries, from aerospace and automotive to healthcare and consumer electronics. Engineers need powerful, precise, and user-friendly software to model electromagnetic interactions effectively. While ANSYS and Altair provide viable solutions, Dassault Systèmes’ CST Studio Suite stands out as the best choice for comprehensive electromagnetic (EM) simulation. Here’s why: 1. Comprehensive and Specialized EM Simulation Capabilities Unlike ANSYS and Altair, which offer broad multi-physics simulation platforms, CST Studio Suite is specifically designed for electromagnetic field simulation. This dedicated focus means greater accuracy, efficiency, and deeper integration with industry-specific needs. CST provides solutions for: High-frequency and low-frequency EM analysis Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and interference (EMI) simulations Signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) analysis Antenna design and microwave component optimization Bio-electromagnetics for medical device applications While ANSYS HFSS and Altair Feko offer some of these features, they are not as seamlessly integrated into a single environment as CST Studio Suite. 2. Superior Solver Technology and Multiphysics Integration ... To read more, please visit: https://www.gsc-3d.com/blog/what-electromagnetic-simulation-software-is-the-best/
Navigating Marine Industry Challenges with Advanced Solutions The marine industry faces unique challenges, from withstanding harsh environments to meeting sustainability goals. Advanced engineering tools and materials are essential for manufacturers to tackle these issues effectively. Here’s a closer look at the challenges and how our solutions address them… 1. Corrosion Resistance in Harsh Environments Challenge: Marine components are exposed to saltwater, extreme temperatures, and high humidity, leading to corrosion and reduced lifespan. Solution: Tools like SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD and Simulation help design components with precision and verify their performance under harsh conditions. Engineers can test materials virtually to ensure resistance to corrosion and environmental stress, reducing the need for physical prototypes. Additionally, Product Data Management (PDM) software ensures that material specifications and design iterations are documented and easily accessible for future reference, streamlining the production of durable components. 2. Hydrodynamic Efficiency Challenge: Fuel consumption and emissions remain significant concerns for marine vessels. Solution:... To read more, please visit: https://www.gsc-3d.com/blog/navigating-marine-industry-challenges-with-advanced-solutions/
Using SOLIDWORKS 3D Models In PowerPoint I often see people using screenshots or renderings of their SOLIDWORKS models in PowerPoint presentations, but did you know that you can actually show the 3D model in PowerPoint as a 3D model that rotates in 3D? You can, and once you know the technique, it’s really easy!... To read more, please visit: https://www.gsc-3d.com/blog/using-solidworks-3d-models-in-powerpoint/
Engineering Trends Shaping the Future of U.S. Manufacturing in 2025 The manufacturing industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and as we head into 2025, several engineering trends are poised to redefine how products are designed, manufactured, and delivered. These innovations not only address current challenges but also pave the way for more sustainable, efficient, and resilient production systems. Here’s a look at the top engineering trends shaping the future of U.S. manufacturing in 2025… 1. AI-Driven Manufacturing Processes Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a reality that’s transforming manufacturing. In 2025, we expect to see AI being increasingly integrated into manufacturing operations for predictive maintenance, quality assurance, and production optimization. AI-powered systems can analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, reducing downtime and improving product consistency. Example Applications: Predictive analytics to anticipate equipment failures. AI-driven quality control using computer vision. Adaptive production lines that respond dynamically to demand changes. 2. Advanced Robotics and Automation Robotics and automation continue to evolve, offering unprecedented precision and efficiency. Collaborative robots (cobots) are becoming more sophisticated, working alongside human operators to... To read more, please visit: https://www.gsc-3d.com/blog/engineering-trends-shaping-the-future-of-u-s-manufacturing-in-2025/