<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
  <rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
    <channel>
      <title>3D CAD</title>
      <link>https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/disciplines/3d-cad/feed.xml</link>
      <description>3D CAD</description>
      <lastBuildDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:01:33 GMT</lastBuildDate>
      <docs>https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html</docs>
      <generator>3DExperience Works</generator>
      <atom:link href="https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/disciplines/3d-cad/feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/>

      <item>
      <title>
      <![CDATA[ What’s New in xDesign R2026x FD01 for Education ]]>
      </title>
      <link>https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/products/solidworks/whats-new-in-xdesign-r2026x-fd01-for-education/</link>
      <guid>https://blogs.solidworks.com/guid/69006</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>
      <![CDATA[ This update includes an updated landing page, an alert for new assignments, and a Save As option for Read-only models so you can stay focused and on top of your assignments. 
 ]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
      <![CDATA[ 
The latest functional delivery update of xDesign for Students&nbsp;is here, and I’m excited to fill you in on what’s new.



Since xDesign for Students is a cloud-based design solution, you can access it remotely from any device and start using the latest features available in the FD01 update. It includes many of the same features as the xDesign for professionals version, offering powerful capabilities for 3D modeling, parametric design, assembly design, and collaboration.



There are three new enhancements to help you stay focused and on top of your assignments, including an updated landing page, an alert for new class content and assignments, and a save as pop-up option to save read-only models shared by your teacher so you can work with them and save changes.



Streamlined Assignment Access&nbsp;



Easily stay on top of coursework with a clean, intuitive interface that keeps all class content and assignments organized and accessible. The xDesign landing page has been updated so you can more easily access your assignments and content, such as lectures, chapters, videos, and other resources, through a designated Content tab and an Assignments tab.



Using the View All option, you can access your assignments in the Assignments tab, where you can sort them by most recent, oldest, or urgent ones. You can easily track the status of each assignment, which is labeled &#8220;To Do,&#8221; &#8220;In Work,&#8221; &#8220;Overdue,&#8221; or &#8220;Completed.&#8221; By hovering over an individual assignment, you can see additional details such as the exact due date. Assignments can be opened in the side panel for quick access.



When viewing content, you can also filter by 3D Model, Drawing, or Video.







Refresh Button for New Content



Stay on top of your assignments with a new Refresh button that appears next to the class title whenever a professor adds new material.



You can check for new content by clicking the blue Refresh button. This action updates only the content on the Classes tab and does not disrupt or close any active design sessions in the Design tab or side panels.



Additionally, newly added items in the Classes tab are marked with a “New” flag to help you identify them easily.







Save As for Read-Only Assignments



Never lose your assignment work by clearly seeing when a component is read-only. If it’s read-only, you can easily create your own editable copy by doing a Save As on the model before you begin.



Previously, you could begin working on a model assigned by the teacher without realizing it was read-only, leaving you unable to save your changes. Now, xDesign displays a message that both notifies you that the model is read-only and offers a Save As option. You can name the assignment model and save it to your chosen Collaborative Space right away. All assignment components dragged in from Collaborative Tasks become editable, allowing you to start your work smoothly and without interruption.







That’s just a glimpse of what’s new specifically for students. To see what else is new in xDesign R2026x FD01, check out&nbsp;this blog. See our last blog on xDesign R2025x FD03&nbsp;here.



Why choose xDesign? Not only do you get all the tools for parametric design, subdivision modeling, sheet metal design, collaboration, and more, but you’ll boost your employability by being skilled in the leading SOLIDWORKS cloud-based solution xDesign.



For more information, visit&nbsp;https://www.solidworks.com/product/students.




 ]]>
      </content:encoded>
      </item>
<item>
      <title>
      <![CDATA[ Model Mania® 2026 Overview, Solution, and Winners ]]>
      </title>
      <link>https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/products/solidworks/model-mania-2026-overview-solution-and-winners/</link>
      <guid>https://blogs.solidworks.com/guid/68968</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 06:52:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>
      <![CDATA[ Find out about the results of Model Mania 2026 at 3DEXPERIENCE World, a fun competition that pits user against user to determine whose modeling skills are best. 
 ]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
      <![CDATA[ 
Model Mania® is a fun and challenging competition where participants model a predetermined part, including a follow-up revision. Just as in real-world design, changes often need to be made after the initial design is complete. In Model Mania, these are labeled as “phase 1” and “phase 2.&#8221; The top contestants who model both phases of the part accurately and the fastest could win a prize of up to $500.&nbsp;



Model Mania has become a long-standing tradition at the annual&nbsp;3DEXPERIENCE World conference, giving designers and engineers a chance to test their skills in a fast-paced environment. There are six private booths, behind the curtains, where each contestant will sit at a desk with a computer and design a part, as accurately and quickly as possible, including an unknown revision, phase 2, which is given once phase 1 is completed.&nbsp;



We have always had separate categories for customers and resellers. In 2026, we added a third category for students, and we were happy to award the top three contestants in all three categories, with a total of nine winners. Keep reading to see who won!&nbsp;







Model Mania Xtreme



Over the past couple of years, Model Mania has expanded its activities to enhance the fun and enjoyment participants have. In 2025, we added&nbsp;Model Mania Xtreme, which also takes place at&nbsp;3DEXPERIENCE World, and is a legendary battle where two people go head-to-head to create a 3D model in SOLIDWORKS Design or SOLIDWORKS xDesign in the fastest time. Someone can challenge another person to a one-on-one contest, set inside a small competition ring, like a “Thunderdome” style battle.&nbsp;



These sessions showcase speed modeling in front of a live audience, and the winners earn bragging rights, including the opportunity to hold up the coveted Model Mania Xtreme belt. Even two of our executives, Manish Kumar and Gian Paolo Bassi, challenged each other! In 2025, Manish won, and this year, Gian Paolo stole the belt from the champion! We will have to see what happens at the rematch at&nbsp;3DEXPERIENCE World 2027 in Nashville.











Model Mania Livestream



In 2026, we&nbsp;added another Model Mania activity&nbsp;and&nbsp;livestreamed it&nbsp;on January 21. We included information about&nbsp;3DEXPERIENCE World and the SOLIDWORKS User Community. We shared the drawing for the first-ever livestream Model Mania part and received around 175 submissions in about 20 minutes! It was clearly a hit, and we will be doing another Model Mania livestream session in April 2026.&nbsp;











Model Mania 2026 Part and Solution



This is the 2026 Model Mania part. Contestants had a maximum of 2 minutes to plan their approach, and once the 2-minute preview time was up, they automatically started the modeling phase 1 when the Model Mania program launched a new part template in SOLIDWORKS Design.&nbsp;



Once they completed the model and applied the material, they were asked to add the part&#8217;s mass to complete phase 1. Then the change required was shown in phase 2. They needed to quickly make their edits and add the new mass to complete phase 2.&nbsp;



Anyone who achieved a 1% tolerance on their model was automatically added to a leaderboard, a new feature of the Model Mania booth in 2026. All of the top contestants on the leaderboard were validated to determine the winners.



Watch the&nbsp;Model Mania 2026 Solution and Winners announcement. Congratulations to the Model Mania 2026 SOLIDWORKS Design champions below!








 ]]>
      </content:encoded>
      </item>
<item>
      <title>
      <![CDATA[ What’s New in 3D Motion Creator R2026x FD01 ]]>
      </title>
      <link>https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/products/solidworks/whats-new-in-3d-motion-creator-r2026x-fd01/</link>
      <guid>https://blogs.solidworks.com/guid/68952</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:58:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>
      <![CDATA[ New enhancements for 3D Motion Creator motion analysis studies include an interference probe for clash and clearance visualization and user-defined, x-axis channels in 2D plot.
 ]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
      <![CDATA[ 
It’s been a whirlwind year since joining Dassault Systèmes last April. I attended my first&nbsp;3DEXPERIENCE World user event this year, where I led a hands-on session on motion simulations using our cloud-based motion analysis solution, 3D Motion Creator, and demonstrated how simulating motion early lets you validate mechanisms, optimize performance, and spot potential issues before building prototypes.



You don’t have to be a simulation expert to do analysis. 3D Motion Creator is easy to use and offers kinematic and dynamic motion capabilities to help you evaluate and validate your designs. Set up your motion analysis efficiently using intuitive tools and modeling elements. Built on the cloud-based&nbsp;3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D Motion Creator enables automated motion model generation from 3D design and quick updates to the model after any design changes.



You can explore multiple design scenarios, make informed trade-offs, and accelerate innovation, all while reducing development time and cost. With cloud access, real-time collaboration, and seamless integration into design, simulation, and PLM workflows, 3D Motion Creator enables faster, more efficient design cycles and smarter decision-making.













The latest functional delivery of 3D Motion Creator, R2026x FD01, is here, and I have a few new enhancements to share with you, including an interference probe for clash/clearance visualization and user-defined, x-axis channels in a 2D plot.



Interference Probe for Clash/Clearance Visualization&nbsp;



The updated Interference Probe enables you to investigate clash and clearance situations in your model. Any clashes or clearance issues detected will be indicated in the 3D graphics area, and the affected bodies will be highlighted in red. With the Interference Probe, you can visualize clash volume, minimal distance (for clearance situations), similar to the minimal distance probe, and clearance violation locations.&nbsp;This will reduce the turnaround time for clash and clearance violation analysis, enabling the review of clash volume and clearance information in the 3D view.







User-Defined X-Axis Channels in 2D Plot



Improve your understanding of the mechanical system behavior of your model by generating 2D plots over desired X- channels/axes. Pick and replace the default simulation time parameter with a suitable result output as the X-channel of the 2D Plot. This parameter will be stored for any new curves, and all curves added to the plot later will use this output as the X-channel. Replace the stored X-channel by another X-channel or restore the default by resetting the stored X-channel back to the simulation time.







Check out the&nbsp;What’s New page&nbsp;here to see these enhancements in action.



We’ve also recently introduced some new simulation roles, including SOLIDWORKS Simulation Designer Role, SOLIDWORKS Simulation Engineer Role, and the SOLIDWORKS Simulation Analyst Role.



You can log into 3DSwym to see a demo&nbsp;here, and stay tuned for more on these roles coming soon, and see my last blog on 3D Motion Creator&nbsp;here. For more information about 3D Motion Creator, visit:&nbsp;https://www.solidworks.com/media/first-look-3d-motion-creator.



You’ll find that 3D Motion Creator provides a highly interactive, fully immersive, and tightly integrated design environment for a truly lifelike experience. With 3D Motion Creator, you can:




Quickly define, simulate, and validate multiple mechanical designs at an early stage.



Rapidly evaluate what-if design scenarios.



Significantly increase efficiency in decision-making.



Share designs, animations, and plots for design collaboration.




Try it today and see how you can elevate your design process by producing exceptional products defined by precise motion, optimized performance, and predictable mechanical behavior.
 ]]>
      </content:encoded>
      </item>
<item>
      <title>
      <![CDATA[ What’s New in SOLIDWORKS xDesign 2026x FD01 ]]>
      </title>
      <link>https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/products/solidworks/whats-new-in-solidworks-xdesign-2026x-fd01/</link>
      <guid>https://blogs.solidworks.com/guid/67458</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:00:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>
      <![CDATA[ Top enhancements include the ability to convert imported geometry into editable 3D…
 ]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
      <![CDATA[ 
I couldn’t ask for a better way to kick off the New Year. I just got back from 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026, and now I’m excited to announce the latest functional delivery update for SOLIDWORKS xDesign, our fully browser-based set of tools for parametric design, subdivision modeling, model-based definitions and drawings, and more!







Some of my favorite enhancements in the R2026x FD01 update include:




The ability to convert imported geometry into editable 3D models





Improvements for design reviews in extended reality (XR)



Improved home screen for faster access to content




In addition, there are many more user experience, part, assembly, and drawing enhancements. Discover what’s new below!



USER EXPERIENCE 



Improved Home Screen



Quickly access your projects and manage your content with a more intuitive home screen. Now, when you access your content from the home page, you’ll have more options to manage it. For example, you can access your “Recently Opened” files and “My Content” and use the three-dot menu for actions, such as open item in a new tab, create drawing from part, view information, or delete content. When you view all your content, you’ll get a dedicated page with an option to filter for just physical products, drawings, or top-level Assemblies. You can also jump back to the home screen anytime using a new shortcut in the action bar. These improvements help you find your work faster, organize it with ease, and stay focused on designing.



https://youtube.com/watch?v=5Ief4qUBshI%3Ffeature%3Doembed



Section View in XR



Dig deeper into your model with the ability to section models in your XR session. Simply use your controller to orient and place the section to show the internal construction of the model. This immersive experience helps you have more control over the section plane and explore the sectioned model.



This functionality is available now! See my last blog on the top 10 enhancements from 2025 and make sure you are up to date on the latest enhancements by visiting the What’s New Wiki Page.



Learn more about xDesign here.




 ]]>
      </content:encoded>
      </item>
<item>
      <title>
      <![CDATA[ Celebrating 30 Years of Innovation: Highlights from the SOLIDWORKS 30th Anniversary Competition ]]>
      </title>
      <link>https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/products/solidworks/celebrating-30-years-of-innovation-highlights-from-the-solidworks-30th-anniversary-competition/</link>
      <guid>https://blogs.solidworks.com/guid/67462</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 13:00:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>
      <![CDATA[ To mark an important milestone, the SOLIDWORKS 30th Anniversary Competition invited the…
 ]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
      <![CDATA[ For 30 years, SOLIDWORKS has empowered engineers, designers, students and makers worldwide to bring ideas to life. To mark this milestone, the SOLIDWORKS 30th Anniversary Competition invited the global community to showcase their creativity, technical expertise and storytelling skills — directly on LinkedIn.The result was a vibrant celebration of design excellence and community engagement.A Global Celebration of Design and EngineeringParticipants from across the world shared their best SOLIDWORKS designs, combining strong modeling skills with compelling stories behind their concepts. From professional engineers to students and makers, the competition brought together a diverse range of voices — all connected by a shared passion for innovation.Beyond technical performance, the competition highlighted something essential to modern design: the ability to communicate ideas and inspire others.How the Competition WorkedThe competition unfolded in two distinct phases, combining community engagement and expert evaluation.Phase 1: Community-Driven SelectionAll eligible entries were published on LinkedIn, where the LinkedIn algorithm played a key role in identifying the most engaging projects.
Based on likes, shares and comments, the platform surfaced the designs that generated the strongest interaction and visibility.From this first phase, 30 finalists were selected — reflecting not only design quality, but also the ability to connect with and engage the wider community.Recognizing the 30 FinalistsEach of the 30 finalists received an official SOLIDWORKS 30th Anniversary Certificate, acknowledging their outstanding work and the impact their projects had within the community.The finalist designs covered a wide range of ideas, industries and creative approaches, showcasing the versatility of SOLIDWORKS and the diversity of its users worldwide.Phase 2: Jury EvaluationIn the second phase, an expert jury reviewed the 30 finalist projects in detail. The evaluation was centered on:
Modeling quality
Originality and creativity
Clarity of presentation and design intent
This step ensured that the final winners were selected through a rigorous and professional assessment process.Announcing the three Grand Prize WinnersAfter careful deliberation, the jury selected three grand prize winners, whose projects stood out for their exceptional creativity and technical mastery:
Adi Pandzic — Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ubong Umoren — Nigeria
Samuel Vollnhofer — Austria
Their work exemplifies the balance between engineering precision, innovative thinking, and clear storytelling.A Trip to 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026
Each grand prize winner is awarded an exclusive trip to 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 in Houston, the flagship event for the SOLIDWORKS community.This experience connects individual achievement with the broader ecosystem — offering inspiration, learning and direct engagement with the future of design and engineering.A Truly Global CommunityFrom the initial submissions to the final winners, the competition highlighted the global reach of SOLIDWORKS. Designers from multiple regions and backgrounds came together, proving that innovation knows no borders.Thank You to the CommunityA heartfelt thank you goes to:
Everyone who participated and shared their designs
The 30 finalists for their outstanding engagement and creativity
The jury members for their expertise and commitment:

Jonny Harrison
Kirby Downey
Ahmed Abdelnasser
Prasad Adiga
Carlos Reyes
Together, you made this competition a meaningful celebration of 30 years of SOLIDWORKS innovation — and a powerful look toward the future.Full competition rules in ENG: https://discover.solidworks.com/solidworks-30th-anniversary-competitionFull competition rules in FR: https://discover.solidworks.com/fr/solidworks-30th-anniversary-competition ]]>
      </content:encoded>
      </item>
<item>
      <title>
      <![CDATA[ Day Three of 3DEXPERIENCE World – A Day of Community Celebration ]]>
      </title>
      <link>https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/products/solidworks/day-three-of-3dexperience-world-a-day-of-community-celebration/</link>
      <guid>https://blogs.solidworks.com/guid/67470</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 23:33:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>
      <![CDATA[ We close out 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 with Day Three of General Sessions,…
 ]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
      <![CDATA[ It seems impossible that we have already reached the last day of 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026. The final day at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 is always a celebration of the amazing global SOLIDWORKS community and its expanding innovation footprint.  Suchit Jain, Vice President of Strategy &#038; Business Development, kicked off the day with a focus on the people, places, and programs driving the future of design. The key message was clear: innovation thrives through the collaboration of public support, private industry, and education.Today’s General Session showcased how this collaborative spirit is reshaping regions and building the workforce of tomorrow. From global innovation hubs to student competitions and dedicated community programs, we saw how individuals and organizations are using SOLIDWORKS to solve real-world problems. Today’s General Session also featured significant announcements aimed at increasing access to skills and opportunities for the next generation of innovators.Global Hubs Fostering Local InnovationA major theme of the event was the power of localized innovation hubs. These centers serve as critical connectors between education, research, and industry. We heard from leaders of three distinct organizations that demonstrate this model’s success.Dr. Amy Thompson, Chief Technology Officer at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), explained the center’s mission to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers adopt Industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies.In a region known as Aerospace Alley, CCAT provides training, technical services, and grant support to keep these vital businesses competitive. its work ensures that even the smallest companies can contribute to national and global supply chains.From Brazil, we heard from two powerful examples of ecosystem development. Denis Sakuma described how CITAP, an innovation hub of the Shunji Nishimura Foundation, brings government universities and businesses together to accelerate societal change. Valter Estevao Beal presented SENAI CIMATEC, a unique complex that functions as a technical school, a university, and an R&#038;D center.SENAI CIMATEC supports industry by developing new solutions and providing skilled professionals working on everything from deep-sea AUVs to artificial intelligence (AI). For over 18 years, SOLIDWORKS has been the backbone of their mechanical design efforts, integrated into both advanced projects and student curricula.Celebrating the Next Generation of InnovatorsThe event also put a spotlight on the students and young professionals who carry innovation forward. Their stories highlight the incredible potential that emerges when passion meets powerful tools.Matas Čiuželis of Lituanica X took the stage to represent Lithuania’s formidable robotics community. Since 2023, the community has grown from four members to over 400. Using SOLIDWORKS, his team developed a nearly autonomous robot that earned them a silver medal at the FIRST Global Challenge. His journey underscores a key point: it’s not just about winning competitions, but about building a national community and inspiring future engineers.Aakruti Global FinaleWe also celebrated the Aakruti Global Finale. The AAKRUTI Innovation Competition is the only student-led, end-to-end design and innovation contest powered on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. It has transformed from an India-only initiative in 2011 to a global innovation movement with 1,812 student design teams, 504 participating colleges/universities, 399 all-women teams — making the future workforce ready today.The winner of this year’s competition is Team UJ WOM+N IN TECH, from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, with its winning design of a Pedal-Powered Breast Pump. Congratulations to this amazing group of women; we can’t wait to see the amazing things you all create in the future.The Power of a Connected CommunityThe people who make SOLIDWORKS more than just software were another central focus. The SOLIDWORKS User Group Network (SWUGN) and the SOLIDWORKS Champions Program connect the most passionate users, creating a support system for learning and professional growth.Next up, Dan Wagner, SWUGN Manager, and Matthew Clegg, the SOLIDWORKS Champion Program Manager, joined the stage to provide updates on both of these amazing programs.Dan shared some incredible milestones. The network, now home to over 200 user groups and 15,000 members, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The event honored Mike Puckett with the Michelle Pillers Community Award for his work in growing the SOLIDWORKS Certification program. Marty Ohnemus was named the Wayne Tiffany User Group Leader of the Year for his dedicated leadership across multiple groups.Matthew Clegg, Champions Program Manager, recognized the contributions of the more than 400 Champions worldwide and announced Joe Lance was named the 2025 SOLIDWORKS Champion of the Year for his decades of mentoring and inspiring users of all ages. These programs and the volunteers who lead them are the heart of the SOLIDWORKS community.New Programs to Build the Future WorkforceBuilding on the community’s success, Suchit also announced several new initiatives to connect skills with opportunities. The SOLIDWORKS certification program recently reached a major milestone, with one million certified users worldwide. This credential has become a global standard for employers seeking qualified candidates.The SkillForce program, launched last year, has already facilitated over 350 internships and projects in more than 25 countries. It provides students with commercial SOLIDWORKS access and support, allowing them to contribute to real projects from day one.To expand this effort, the new SOLIDWORKS FutureForce program was announced. This initiative allows large customers to nominate an educational institution to receive a package that includes free SOLIDWORKS access for students, certification opportunities, and training programs. This creates a direct pipeline where companies invest in the schools that feed their workforce.Finally, to make it even easier for students to begin their journey, a free SOLIDWORKS Student Edition will be available starting July 1. This offering removes a significant barrier, giving any student the ability to learn, practice, and build their first projects. These programs create a clear path from the classroom to a career.A Shared Vision for the Future3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 was more than a conference; it was a testament to a shared vision. The innovation footprint we see today was built by this community. From the innovation hubs in Connecticut and Brazil to the robotics team in Lithuania and the user group leaders around the world, progress is a collective effort. By expanding access to tools and connecting students with industry, we are ensuring that the next generation is ready to design a better future.Keynote: Jay Vogler Jay Vogler, aka Engineezy, is known to his millions of fans as Engineezy. Jay delivered the final keynote with a creator’s perspective on mechanical design and visual storytelling. His projects range from marble machines to robotic and motion-driven systems, demonstrating how even the most complex assemblies can be engineered with ease. He shared behind-the-scenes stories of his most popular builds and explained the design choices that make them work. Watch this fascinating keynote here.What an incredible four days celebrating the collective achievements of the SOLIDWORKS community, and how the collaboration between public, private, and educational sectors is driving innovation and building a skilled workforce for the future.Thanks to everyone who joined us—in person or via the live stream—for 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026, and we hope to see you — and even more of you — next year for 3DEXPERIENCE World 2027 in Nashville, February 14-17th, 2027!You can watch the day’s recap below. ]]>
      </content:encoded>
      </item>
<item>
      <title>
      <![CDATA[ Day Two of 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026: Catching up on the Action ]]>
      </title>
      <link>https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/products/solidworks/day-two-of-3dexperience-world-2026-catching-up-on-the-action/</link>
      <guid>https://blogs.solidworks.com/guid/67477</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 23:10:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>
      <![CDATA[ Hear more about the second day of 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026, which started…
 ]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
      <![CDATA[ 
It’s hard to believe that we are already on day two of 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026, and if you are here in Houston, the excitement is building around today’s General Sessions with a highly anticipated speaker, but the topic of the day is Artificial Intelligence (AI).



Pascal Daloz, CEO of Dassault Systèmes, kicked off things on day two of General Sessions. Pascal explained how SOLIDWORKS and Dassault Systèmes are redefining the future of engineering with its unparalleled community of the world’s most skilled and demanding engineers—those who design and build products that must work. As the definitive AI-first engineering software company, Dassault Systèmes leverages 40 years of industrial expertise to create impactful, science-driven AI solutions.







Next up, Pascal invited a heavy-hitter in the tech world, our special guest, NVIDIA Founder and CEO&nbsp;Jensen Huang,&nbsp;to the stage to discuss the ongoing partnership between Dassault Systèmes and NVIDIA to build the world’s most powerful industrial AI platform.



In partnership with NVIDIA, DS is empowering millions of engineers to design, simulate, and operate complex systems with greater speed, reliability, and scale than ever before. By harnessing the power of world models—built on physics, engineering, lifecycle data, and intellectual property—this collaboration transforms accelerated computing into actionable understanding.



Celebrating a 20-year partnership, Dassault Systèmes and NVIDIA continue to inspire the engineering community with groundbreaking innovations and real-world applications, showcasing the immense potential of their joint solutions through customer success stories and priority use cases.



This shared industrial AI architecture combines Virtual Twins and AI and is deployable at scale. Science-validated world models will position industrial AI as a mission-critical system of record, not a point solution. This Platform, accelerated by NVIDIA, grounded in science by Dassault Systèmes, expands long-term value creation across biology, materials science, engineering, and manufacturing through a new way of working: skilled virtual companions.



If you missed this fascinating discussion on the future of AI, you can watch it here.



You can read more details about this exciting partnership in this Dassault Systèmes blog post.







SOLIDWORKS CEO Manish Kumar also took the stage to share exciting updates and innovations. We also heard directly from AI-focused customers and discovered advanced AI features designed to save time, reduce manual effort, and enhance design precision. Together, we’ll align on shared goals and shape the future of design.




“AI is foundational to every industry. We’re growing so fast because everyone needs to build it. This is the beginning of a new industrial revolution. DS is the engine of that revolution.”




Delivering the Future: AI Virtual Companions in Design



Cloud technology is only as powerful as the people who use it. While processing power and chips provide the engine, the engineering community decides where that engine goes.



During Day two, we explored how “cognitive energy” is reshaping product creation. This is not about replacing the designer, but about empowering the “second wave” of innovators—you—to direct this energy efficiently. The focus has shifted from theoretical capabilities to practical, AI-driven tools known as “Virtual Companions.”



Major announcements were also made on AURA, LEO, Marie, and the integration of AI across the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, specifically within SOLIDWORKS and DELMIAWorks.



The Era of the Virtual Companion



We view AI as an expert partner, rather than an automated replacement. These Virtual Companions assist with ideation, design modifications, and simulations. They are designed to help you deliver projects on time, by removing the friction between your creativity and the final model.



This year marks a massive leap forward in how these tools will be applied to daily workflows.



Ideation and Structure with AURA and LEO



Great designs begin with curiosity. Protecting intellectual property is critical during the early stages of development.



Private Ideation with AURA



AURA operates directly inside SOLIDWORKS, allowing you to explore options and search for inspiration securely. Unlike open web tools, AURA keeps your searches private. You can iterate on concepts without revealing your ideas to the public domain.



From Concept to Assembly with LEO



Once an idea forms, LEO helps bridge the gap between a concept and a tangible structure.




Generative Assembly: You can use LEO to generate an assembly structure directly. This prevents you from starting from zero.





2D to 3D: We are removing barriers between inspiration and modeling. LEO can now assist in converting simple images into 3D meshes.





Error Analysis: When design errors occur, LEO analyzes the problem and guides you through the fix, acting like an expert sitting at your desk.




Chatting with Your Data



One of the most significant advancements is the ability to interact with your model using natural language. Instead of navigating through multiple menus to find information, you can simply ask your assembly questions.



Queries like “How many parts do I have?” or “Which parts are made of aluminum?” receive instant answers. You can also execute broad changes, such as updating materials across an assembly, via text prompts. This shifts the focus from tedious manual steps to the bigger picture of design intent.







Extending AI Beyond Design



Delivering a product requires more than just a 3D model. It involves project management, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance.



Project Clarity with ENOVIA



Design challenges often stem from misalignment between people and plans. LEO now boosts ENOVIA Project Planner by summarizing status and surfacing risks. You can ask simple questions like “What is blocking this release?” to get immediate answers without digging through dashboards or spreadsheets.



Manufacturing with DELMIAWorks



For manufacturing firms, the work continues on the shop floor. We are bringing LEO to DELMIAWorks to streamline ERP and MES interactions. Instead of navigating complex forms, you can ask LEO for order statuses, shipping dates, or cost breakdowns. This removes friction between business data and production reality.



Scientific Simulation and Compliance



We are simplifying advanced tasks to make every user feel like a simulation expert. AI now assists in setting up complex scenarios, such as drop tests for medical devices.



Furthermore, regulatory compliance—often the most complicated aspect of the medical industry—is being streamlined. LEO can read complex government regulations and convert them into specific requirements. It can even assist in extracting quality and test documents, saving significant time and ensuring accuracy.



The Foundation: Data and Feedback



To use these next-generation tools, data must be structured and accessible. SOLIDWORKS is prioritizing the movement of data to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to ensure it is ready for AI integration.



However, innovation is not solely defined by AI. Based on user feedback, we are delivering over 200 non-AI projects and enhancements this year. We listened to your “Top 10” lists and have implemented more than 30 specific requests to improve core functionality.



The future of design is not about automation replacing the craftsman; it is about the craftsman having better tools. AI is simply the newest, most powerful tool in your toolbox. Your creativity and perseverance remain the defining factors of success.



Dassault Systèmes and SOLIDWORKS are committed to building these tools to meet your specific needs. By integrating Virtual Companions into your workflow, you can focus less on the process and more on the product.



Customer Spotlight



Next up was Suchi Jain, the VP of Strategy and Business Development, who started with a question he often hears: Will AI replace engineers? He explains that he thinks that is the wrong question. Why?




“Because the best ideas? They’ve always come from people. From vision, intuition, and emotion. AI helps us go faster. Explore more. But you drive the spark.”




Suchit then welcomed three founders who’ve taken that spark and built extraordinary things—companies using AI not as the destination, but as a force multiplier for imagination



These founders included:




Dr. Xiaoguang Zhang, the founder of Westwood Robotics



Dr.&nbsp;Aadeel Akhtar,&nbsp;PSYONIC, the leader in advanced bionic hands for humans and robots.



Russell Layton from&nbsp;Sparx




These companies are on the leading edge of how AI can be used to innovate and improve upon products quickly. All these companies came out of the SOLIDWORKS for Startups program.



Westwood Robotics







Next up was Dr. Xiaoguang Zhang, the founder of Westwood Robotics. Suchit’s first question was how Xiaoguang got started in robotics.




“I’ve been fascinated by humanoid robots for as long as I can remember. I was ten when I saw ASIMO walk for the first time, and I got absolutely obsessed. Then, in 2015, I joined the DARPA Robotics Challenge as a PhD student, but the moment that every humanoid robot I admired failed to finish even the simplest tasks was a wake-up call. Westwood Robotics grew directly out of that, a company that brings robots closer to people and turns humanoids into reliable teammates that help people.”




To deal with the high levels of mechanical complexity in robotics, Westwood Robotics relies on SOLIDWORKS Simulation to validate structural behavior and thermal performance early, before metal is ever cut.



“That lets us quickly stress-test design choices, catch weak points, and make informed tradeoffs around strength, deflection, heat, and reliability without burning time on repeated physical prototypes. We also use topology optimization to systematically remove unnecessary mass while preserving stiffness, which is critical when every gram affects dynamics, energy use, and control performance.”







PSYONIC



Suchit then spoke with Dr.&nbsp;Aadeel Akhtar, the founder of PSYONIC, the leader in advanced bionic hands for humans and robots.



Aadeel explained how the company’s flagship product, the Ability Hand, came to fruition:” I’ve wanted to build bionic limbs since I was seven years old. My parents are from Pakistan, and I was visiting there for one of the first times. That was the first time I met someone missing a limb. She was my age, living in poverty, missing her leg, and using a broken tree branch as a crutch. This inspired me to want to make advanced bionic limbs that were accessible to all.”



The Ability Hand is the fastest on the market, super durable, the first with touch feedback, and is covered by Medicare. The company now has close to 300 humans using it as a prosthesis, and over 50 robotics companies using it, including NASA, Meta, Amazon, Google, Apptronik, Mercedes-Benz, and top industrial, auto, and brain-machine interface companies.



When asked what’s next for PSYONIC, Aadeel said,




“Five years from now, I see robots as standard teammates in production and daily operations: humans set goals, handle judgment calls, and manage exceptions, while robots take care of physical, repetitive, or risky work consistently and safely. With the help of our robots, more tasks will be completed per hour at a lower cost per task, with humans focused on the parts that truly require human intelligence.”








The mission at SPARX is simple: Develop a next-generation automated skate sharpener with extreme precision and performance requirements, while reducing costly prototype cycles. To accomplish this,&nbsp;SPARX uses SOLIDWORKS Design and SOLIDWORKS Simulation to reimagine product design, optimize structural performance virtually, and resolve critical issues involving stiffness, load transfer, and kinematics before building physical hardware.



Russell feels that SOLIDWORKS is the company’s secret weapon in the engineering process. He cites its ease of use and ability to iterate through parametric modeling, and also optimizing the finest aspects of the components for the highest performance in the simplest parts, as invaluable. “SOLIDWORKS is how Sparx maintains its position at the forefront of innovation in our field.”




“I was a mechanical engineer, a hockey player, and a parent… and I had a naive disregard for the impossible (I was an entrepreneur ever since I was little), and I was looking for a problem to solve. And now I’m here today to talk about it… We sell products in 30 countries, performing well over 10 million sharpenings per year. Have well over 100K users – professional teams, universities, retail stores, ice rinks, and hockey families around the world using our products…It’s pretty amazing how our product has impacted skating sports so dramatically.”Russell Layton




You can read a full case study on how SPARX is using SOLIDWORKS solutions to sharpen its own competitive edge here: http:www.solidworks.com/SparxHockey



Join us tomorrow when we celebrate the amazing SOLIDWORKS community.



Thanks to everyone who joined us today—or via the livestream! Be sure to tune in tomorrow morning for day three coverage here.



https://youtube.com/watch?v=Z11r1jH4gwc%3Ffeature%3Doembed
 ]]>
      </content:encoded>
      </item>
<item>
      <title>
      <![CDATA[ Recapping Day One at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 ]]>
      </title>
      <link>https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/products/solidworks/recapping-day-one-at-3dexperience-world-2026/</link>
      <guid>https://blogs.solidworks.com/guid/67484</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:25:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>
      <![CDATA[ Just in case you missed it, here’s a quick recap of day…
 ]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
      <![CDATA[ 
Today kicked off the first day of 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026, the largest global gathering of SOLIDWORKS users, in Houston, Texas. The General Session on Day One kicked off the event, setting the tone for three days of inspiration, learning, and networking for thousands of designers, engineers, students, instructors, manufacturers, and executives who came together to learn and share ways to improve product development.



We heard from leadership at SOLIDWORKS and Dassault Systèmes, including SOLIDWORKS CEO Manish Kumar, Gian Paolo Bassi, SVP of Mainstream Innovation, and Pascal Daloz, CEO of DS,&nbsp;about how technology enables virtual environments, allowing us to push the boundaries of imagination.







First up was Manish Kumar, who spoke about the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.




“AI is not just a tool. It is cognitive energy. To the creators and engineers in this room: you will drive the second wave of this pattern. The AI architects have given us the ‘engine’, but you will decide what it powers. I am a firm believer that the most world-changing applications of AI have yet to be invented.”




Pascal Daloz joined Manish on stage to deliver a powerful message about the transformative power of technology to drive innovation across industries. He discussed the generative economy of today, being driven by AI, and emphasized how Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform is revolutionizing product development by connecting people and ideas.



Pascal also introduced the family of new AI assistants: Aura, Leo, and Marie, which he refers to as “AI for industry.”




“That’s why we believe in AI as a companion.&nbsp;Not a black box.&nbsp;Not an autopilot, but a system that:&nbsp;reasons with you,&nbsp;challenges you,&nbsp;and remains accountable.&nbsp;You stay in control.&nbsp;AI helps you explore deeper, faster, and more safely.”








The AI virtual companions include:



AURA 




Orchestrates knowledge and context from requirements to projects&nbsp;to changes.




LEO




Brings engineering reasoning:&nbsp;mechanics,&nbsp;structures,&nbsp;motion,&nbsp;simulation,&nbsp;and manufacturing.




MARIE




Provides scientific rigor: assessing materials,&nbsp;chemistry,&nbsp;formulations, and&nbsp;regulations.




In summary, AURA explores the possibilities, MARIE learns from science, and LEO makes it real. The real magic happens when you collaborate between them to find the optimum solution.



Manish took the stage to bravely deliver a live demo of the virtual AI assistants, Aura, Leo, and Marie, showcasing how these assistants can help model a part straight from the SOLIDWORKS Model Mania competition. Watch the replay to see it in action!



Manish also spoke about the future of SOLIDWORKS and their commitment to delivering innovative tools to help users design better products. He also shared a sneak peek at upcoming features and enhancements in SOLIDWORKS 2027.



Next up was Gian Paolo Bassi,&nbsp;who presented a compelling vision for the future of industry, where success is measured not by “time to market” but by “time to value.” He argued that true innovation requires a continuous engine—a velocity of innovation that moves consistently from insight to design and validation. Bassi highlighted how the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and SOLIDWORKS portfolio serve as this engine, amplifying human creativity with AI companions that help teams recognize patterns and test assumptions faster than uncertainty can grow.



Gian Paolo closed his portion by saying,




“A platform and AI companions alone are not enough. Even the best engine and a well-balanced flywheel need a driver. They need intent, judgment, and purpose. That force comes from our ecosystem. Customers bring real problems. Partners bring expertise, scale, local knowledge, and help. Educators and students bring curiosity and new ways of thinking. And, when this ecosystem is connected through one platform—when people and AI learn together—the flywheel, the cycle of innovation, becomes unstoppable.”




GP then introduced Andrea Roero, the Group Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Molteni Group.&nbsp;Molteni Group is a luxury furniture leader that partners with Dassault Systèmes to scale its “Made in Italy” excellence globally. By virtualizing its heritage and connecting artisans with digital tools, Molteni demonstrates how ecosystems built on trust and data allow companies to blend tradition with advanced technology, ensuring that innovation always delivers lasting, sustainable impact.











By adding the 3DEXPERIENCE platform with SOLIDWORKS as part of its design and manufacturing process, Molteni can connect design intent to engineering decisions… to validation… to production. So, the “digital story” behind the physical object becomes just as strong as the object itself. And, that is what time to value looks like in the real world: faster decisions… fewer surprises… better collaboration… and the ability to scale quality without losing what makes the product meaningful.




“Because the goal is not to design faster for the sake of speed.&nbsp;The goal is to deliver value faster— with more confidence… and more beauty.”




Manish then welcomed the new CEO of the 3DEXPERIENCE brand, Morgan Zimmerman, who provided a clear vision for the platform’s future, emphasizing its strategic direction in AI, data management, and cybersecurity.




The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into design and engineering is no longer a distant concept; it is a present reality. However, realizing the full potential of generative AI requires more than just compelling demonstrations. For AI to deliver reliable, valuable results in a professional context, it needs a solid foundation built on structured data, robust security, and accessibility for every user.



Morgan explained the 3DEXPERIENCE&nbsp;platform’s strengths in AI, data management, and cybersecurity, and how robust ontology, collaborative workflows, and IP lifecycle management all play a key role in AI’s success. He addressed concerns about cloud security, showcasing 3DS’s expertise in protecting sensitive data for industries such as defense and healthcare.







Morgan also underscored the platform’s accessibility for both large enterprises and small businesses, sharing examples of innovative use cases like Automation Express. He ties the platform’s evolution to user feedback, promising continued simplification, enhanced AI integration, and a commitment to empowering users with precision and agility.



The future is about empowering users through continuous innovation driven by community feedback. AI is not just another feature; it is a paradigm shift that changes everything. By building on a foundation of structured data, unwavering security, and universal accessibility, we can provide tools that augment your creativity and help you solve tomorrow’s challenges.







He also countered the idea that the platform is only for large corporations by sharing the success story of Automation Express, a 55-employee startup that innovatively uses the platform for everything from CRM to proposals. This example underscores the platform’s accessibility and power for businesses of any size. Morgan concluded by reaffirming a commitment to user feedback, continued simplification, and harnessing AI to deliver a more intelligent&nbsp;and intuitive user experience focused on precision, relevance, and performance.







Keynote: Pablos Holman



The event’s first keynote speaker was Pablos Holman, the internationally recognized technology futurist, inventor, and bestselling author of Deep Future. In his keynote, Pablos shared insights from his decades of work – ranging from eradicating malaria with Bill Gates to building spacecraft with Jeff Bezos – providing a visionary roadmap for addressing the world’s biggest challenges through emerging technologies.



This was a truly inspiring talk that we can’t possibly summarize, so we encourage anyone who missed it to watch it in its entirety on the Live feed here. We won’t even attempt to summarize this enthralling discussion, but we will leave you with Pablos’ final thoughts on Boycotting Dystopia:




“Now we are building AI to help us develop the technologies that matter…to go after the problems we want to solve. We have the most advanced toolkit ever, we have the most educated people, the most knowledge, the most experience, the most money—everything we need to build the future.”




Thanks to everyone who joined us today—or via the livestream! Be sure to tune in tomorrow morning for Day Two coverage of 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 on SOLIDWORKS LIVE and for those not in Houston here is today’s recap:



https://youtube.com/watch?v=c9_-2MZ_5Sc%3Fsi%3DKOTOdi5l-UA76zAx
 ]]>
      </content:encoded>
      </item>
<item>
      <title>
      <![CDATA[ Behind the Design: Josh Mayes Spreads the Red to Inspire Others About SOLIDWORKS Design ]]>
      </title>
      <link>https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/products/solidworks/behind-the-design-josh-mayes-spreads-the-red-to-inspire-others-about-solidworks-design/</link>
      <guid>https://blogs.solidworks.com/guid/67491</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:00:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>
      <![CDATA[ Meet Ohio-based design engineer, Josh Mayes, a user group leader, SOLIDWORKS Champion,…
 ]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
      <![CDATA[ Meet Josh Mayes, an Ohio-based design engineer, user group leader, SOLIDWORKS Champion, and lover of SOLIDWORKS, whose mission is to “spread the red” by sharing his passion for SOLIDWORKS Design.Josh Mayes has always loved making drawings. “From the time I first started making drawings, I was addicted,” he said. When he was a freshman in high school he would compete with a buddy in drafting class to make the best drawings in the shortest time. “Getting a B was not acceptable,” said Josh and he often worked several assignments ahead of the class and eagerly waited for the instructor to assign the next one.He loved drafting so much that he spent his lunch and study periods in the school’s woodshop, designing and building things. Growing up in The Plains, Ohio (the now famous hometown of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow), “as the oldest of four, helping my single mom raise my siblings, I didn’t have access to tools at home. We got creative and made do with what we had, so I was truly fascinated by the resources of the shop and what could be built with the right set of plans and materials. My shop teachers and peers taught me and encouraged me to keep going.”Josh recently got the chance to tour his old high school woodshop and reminisce about those early days of designing and making – where he found that not much had changed in 30 years. The existing school is set to be demolished after new construction is completed in 2027.Josh is very grateful to have had the opportunity to experience the evolution of design from old-school drafting before the computer. He recounted the process in great detail. “In many ways it was truly great. There was a love for the process. From squaring up a fresh piece of vellum paper and taping its corners carefully to your drawing board, sharpening your pencil, and stabbing the foam ring to remove any residual graphite powder that might contaminate your fresh, clean slate. Planning and measuring out the perfect scale and spacing for your 2D drawing views, carefully laying the first light lines and compass arcs, and then finally committing that heavy HB [hardness and blackness] lead to paper, dragging and spinning your pencil tip along your T-square edge with just the right pressure to define the hard edges of your part. If you made a minor mistake, no biggie, you could bring out your trusty eraser shield and precisely remove an errant line with a soft eraser with little to no harm done, but if you made a bigger miscalculation, it was time to play waste can basketball.”He took pleasure knowing that the second time around would be better, and when he finally got the drawing right, it was clean, concise, and accurate. “Or at least you thought so,” explained Josh. “Then the design changes would come from the boss, or manufacturing folks would tell you that your design was not going to work, so it was back to the drawing board.” (literally)Josh’s first career job in the late 1990’s was as a draftsman at Zed Industries, which hired him based on his high school drafting portfolio. He had previously attended Ohio University in Athens, where he pursued mechanical engineering and was introduced to 2D computer-aided design (CAD) and industrial manufacturing processes.After his second year of college, he found out he was going to be a dad and moved to the Dayton area, where manufacturing and educational opportunities “far eclipsed those found in the economically depressed southeastern region of our state. Dayton had its own issues with manufacturing declines from its previous heydays, but for me it was a whole new world of opportunity.”Josh pictured above in 1998 with his newborn son Reed, and below more recently with his son now grown and well into his own career as a Lead Flight Dispatcher.Josh was highly motivated to jumpstart his career and education, as he now had to support his young son, so he enrolled full-time at Sinclair Community College, where he discovered 3D CAD software and was first introduced to SOLIDWORKS in 1998 (version 97 Plus). “Seeing the power of 3D parametric CAD was mind-blowing!”After learning 3D CAD, Josh soon got a new job designing for Delphi Automotive using Unigraphics/NX (Unix-based) CAD software, where he made model-driven drawings that were always instantly up-to-date with the design. “I found designing and even making mistakes was more fun, because it was easy to adapt the model to any changes that my boss could imagine. The power of parametric design was truly incredible!”Once graduated, Josh went to work for a much smaller company called The Gem City Engineering Co. and became the sole design engineer in their Kiosk division, where he had the freedom to take his conceptual designs all the way to the finish line, which he said was a blessing and a curse. It was a big challenge, but he was up for it. The previous designer was only experienced in 2D design, and since they knew Josh had experience in 3D CAD, they offered to buy him his tool of choice.Coincidentally, they already purchased a license of SOLIDWORKS for a previous project. Since he had used SOLIDWORKS back in college and thought it was easy to use, he decided to run with it.Josh’s first modeling exercise using SOLIDWORKS back in college was a simple challenge, where he replicated a ring toy his son had. He recalled that the basic extrude and revolve shapes were simple to sketch and model in SOLIDWORKS. He was a bit nervous, as now he had to jump into a new job and develop a new product based solely on a conceptual sales rendering. He was expected to fully engineer the product from scratch and have a prototype built for the customer in just a couple months!Josh’s son’s toy that inspired his first 3D parts and assembly in SOLIDWORKS 1997 Plus.After requesting to be sent to a SOLIDWORKS value-added reseller (VAR) for training, the company said that there was no time until after the first project was delivered. Josh had to take it upon himself to figure out how to design and model an assembly with over 100 parts. Though it was challenging, he managed to pull it off, and he learned a lot about sheet metal design in the process by working with the local manufacturer just around the block.After completing the first project, he finally got to take the SOLIDWORKS Essentials training, where he learned how to do things much easier, telling his boss they could have saved a month if he had learned these lessons earlier.Soon after embarking on his SOLIDWORKS journey and connecting with his VAR, he began meeting other users at a time when the growing SOLIDWORKS network was just forming. “These people were smart and freely giving of their time and knowledge. They loved to share their know-how and tips for how to best utilize these simple yet powerful tools most effectively. It was contagious. I wanted to share, too! Whenever you met another designer who was using SOLIDWORKS, there was an instant bond and camaraderie. This software was more than just a powerful new tool. It was all about community.”Wanting to engage more with the community, Josh started attending user group meetings of what officially became the Miami Valley SOLIDWORKS User Group (MVSWUG) in 2007. “These regional meetups gave folks a direct connection to this organically growing community. Even those of us working in small organizations now have a network of people and resources to further our own learning path.” He is now co-leader of MVSWUG and is proud to help “continue to foster this spirit of sharing new and better ways to design.”Josh is showing his “redness” with fellow MVSWUG members at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2023 and is celebrating his user group’s 15th anniversary and 100th member.Josh attributes a lot of his growth in those early days to the SOLIDWORKS User Group Network (SWUGN) community and to the SOLIDWORKS Certification program. He now holds 11 certifications, including Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert (CSWE) since 2012, and has maintained a role as a SOLIDWORKS Champion since 2021, which has enabled him to help mentor others daily in his current role as Senior CAD and PDM Administrator at The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI).Josh pictured at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2024 sharing his gratitude with the SOLIDWORKS Certification team for helping foster his successful career, especially since earning the Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert (CSWE) certification in 2012.Today, he continues to learn new tricks with SOLIDWORKS tools all the time. “The evolution that started in my early years doing board drafting continues to this day as new tools are developed and released, including new cloud-based and AI [artificial intelligence] tools that enable more automation, simulation, and collaboration, empowering designers to be even more productive…”Though he’s thankful things worked out the way they did, he commented how, “In hindsight, the truth is I probably would not have learned nearly as much going into training without first struggling through things ‘the hard way’ and figuring it out on my own. I give credit to the software designers, and to my first trainer, Larry Moore of Microsolid Solutions, who provided me with these amazingly simple yet powerful tools and the growth mindset that has since propelled me to continue this track for over 28 years with no end in sight.”Over the course of his career, Josh has developed his CAD and design engineering background in special machines, automotive, reverse engineering, interactive kiosks, rapid prototyping/tooling, robotics, electric motors, cots/stretchers, and most recently aerospace/defense at his job at UDRI, where his team supports sustainment efforts for the United States Air Force utilizing advanced manufacturing and materials development. He enjoys continuous improvement, learning and teaching others, and especially spreading his passion for all things SOLIDWORKS.When Josh is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, local food and music, traveling, photography, hiking, camping, and finding outdoor adventure on his motorcycle. His son Reed is now 27 and is a Lead Flight Dispatcher for NetJets. In addition, he and his wife, Krissy, have two teenagers, Myles (17) and Kara (15).Josh on family vacation in Colorado with (left-to-right) his mom Teresa, niece Ada, son Myles, daughter Kara, and son Reed.Other fun facts about Josh:
He has 68 hats of various types, and 13 of them are SOLIDWORKS-related!
His favorite food is sushi.
His favorite shows are anything by Quentin Tarantino or Star Wars.
His favorite band is “anything local that gets me out for a date night with my wife Krissy.”
He is currently reading a book called ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ recommended by his friend and fellow Champion, Sanket Patil.
His favorite place to vacation is America’s National Parks (most recently Badlands N.P. for a photography workshop).
If you ever visit Ohio, he recommends Hocking Hills State Park or the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton.
He lives by the mantra of the late John Wooden, who said, ‘If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?’ “This quote may have been in the context of basketball, but it certainly applies to engineering, and I suppose has been my mantra even before I heard it.”
Going forward, he hopes to inspire others to push their own boundaries in their careers and product designs and wants to continue to #SpreadTheRED ♥️ and passion about SOLIDWORKS Design.You can catch Josh in Houston for 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026, where he will be presenting a breakout session called “Take Control of Configurations with Excel Design Tables.” If you’re planning to attend the World event in February, Josh hopes you’ll attend his session or catch up with him for a selfie, preferably wearing your RED, he said.Josh at 3DEXPERIENCE World events in 2025 (above) and 2024 (below) sharing his SOLIDWORKS passion with fellow attendees, including CEO Manish Kumar, who originally inspired the “redness.”To learn more about the SOLIDWORKS Champion program, visit: https://www.solidworks.com/community/solidworks-championsFor more information on SWUGN, visit: https://community.swugn.org/ ]]>
      </content:encoded>
      </item>
<item>
      <title>
      <![CDATA[ Tune in to Watch LIVE at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026: Three Days. One Global Front Row ]]>
      </title>
      <link>https://blog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com/products/solidworks/tune-in-to-watch-live-at-3dexperience-world-2026-three-days-one-global-front-row/</link>
      <guid>https://blogs.solidworks.com/guid/67502</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:00:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>
      <![CDATA[ LIVE at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 returns with three full days of live-streamed…
 ]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
      <![CDATA[ LIVE @ 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026: Three Days. One Global Front Row. If you can’t be in the room, we’ll bring the room to you.LIVE at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 returns with three full days of live-streamed interviews, behind-the-scenes access, technical insight, and community storytelling. We’ll deliver the heart of the conference straight to engineers, designers, students, and innovators around the world!Just like last year, our live broadcast is more than a recap. It’s a front-row pass to the people, ideas, and energy that define 3DEXPERIENCE World.Whether you’re tuning-in between meetings, watching from a classroom, or following along from across the globe, LIVE is your way to experience the conference as it unfolds.Day 1: The Excitement Starts HereDay 1 is all about discovery and the moments that remind you why this conference matters.We’ll kick things off live from the show floor with interviews featuring YouTube Creator Chat and a General Session speaker, Pablos Holman, giving you early insight into the ideas shaping the future of design and engineering. From there, we’ll guide you through the many dimensions of the conference experience, including the General Session itself!Expect conversations around Training &#038; Certification, a spotlight on SOLIDWORKS for Students, and a guided Tour of the Hive, where creativity, collaboration, and hands-on innovation collide.Technical depth arrives with our featured breakout session:
“The Intentional Interface: Optimizing SOLIDWORKS for Your Workflow,” delivers practical takeaways you can apply immediately.Day 1 also celebrates creativity and inclusion. We’ll highlight a customer profile of Meow Wolf and host a female-led technology panel, spotlighting diverse voices, leadership, and real-world experience from across the industry.Rounding out Day 1, we’ll capture the intensity of Sheet Metal Showdown at the Model Mania Xtreme ring, and bring the fun with Recess in the Playground, showcasing the abundance of talent and ingenuity within the exhibition space of the conference.Day 1 is about possibility — and reminding everyone why 3DEXPERIENCE World is unlike any other conference.Watch Day 1 here: http://solidworks.com/3dxw26_day1Day 2: Technology, Engineering, and Innovation in ActionDay 2 dives deep into how innovation actually happens.This is the day for engineers who want to understand what’s next — and how today’s tools are being used to get there. Our live interviews will feature forward-thinking organizations including MAGLEV Aero, Westwood Robotics, and Sparx Hockey, each sharing how they approach design, testing, iteration, and manufacturing.We’ll explore how real teams solve real problems — from advanced mobility and robotics to high-performance consumer products — and how SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform fit into those workflows.The day culminates with the second General Session, bringing big-picture vision and future-focused announcements directly to the LIVE audience.Day 2 is about momentum — where engineering meets ambition.Watch Day 2 here: https://www.solidworks.com/3dxw26_day2 Day 3: Community, Competition, and What Comes NextDay 3 is where everything comes together.We’ll recap the intensity and ingenuity of Model Mania Xtreme, highlighting not just the winners, but how they approached the challenge — breaking down design methodology, decision-making, and speed under pressure.Community takes center stage with interviews featuring YouTube’s Engineezy, celebrating the creators and educators who help extend SOLIDWORKS beyond the conference walls.We’ll also feature a second technical breakout session, offering one more opportunity to sharpen skills before the conference wraps — and we’ll look ahead with a special segment teasing what’s coming in SOLIDWORKS 2027.The broadcast concludes with highlights from the final General Session, closing out the event the same way it began: inspired, energized, and connected.Day 3 is about people and the future we’re building together.Watch Day 3 here: https://www.solidworks.com/3dxw26_day3One Conference. Everywhere.LIVE @ 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 isn’t just coverage — it’s a connection.It’s where students, professionals, creators, and industry leaders all meet in the same digital space to learn, share, and celebrate what’s possible when great tools meet great people.Wherever you are, we’ll be live.Join us. ]]>
      </content:encoded>
      </item>
    </channel>
   </rss>