Get in Gear in the New Year with SOLIDWORKS Cloud
I’m excited to share with you a recap of some of the top enhancements added in 2024 to the SOLIDWORKS browser-based design apps (known as the xApps) in the SOLIDWORKS Cloud offer.
SOLIDWORKS Cloud features purpose-built solutions for parametric design, freeform design, sheet metal design and more, that you can access from anywhere on any device.
Here’s a look at some of the top enhancements, including popular SOLIDWORKS Desktop enhancements now available in the xApps, including the sheet metal Bend Order Table and Command Search, in addition to the AI-powered Command Predictor and more!
- Command Predictor
Speed up design time with the Command Predictor that uses AI to predict your next move. Simply activate the Command Predictor from the Action bar to display a toolbar with up to seven suggested commands based on your recent design activity. The toolbar dynamically updates with every step, helping you work faster by reducing the need to return to the Action bar. If the Command Predictor toolbar doesn’t display the command you need, simply use the intelligent command search located at the end of the toolbar.
The xApps include many AI-powered features to help increase efficiency and eliminate redundant tasks. Learn more in this blog post.
- DFM Helper
Design for manufacturing and eliminate errors before they hit the shop floor with the DFM Helper that enables you to define checks for certain parameters such as maximum part size, minimum wall thickness, and hole specifications to ensure that designs are manufacturable.
Improve manufacturability by identifying design flaws with the ability to run customizable geometry checks early in the design phase, streamlining production workflows downstream.
- Picture to Sketch
Easily convert images to editable 2D sketches with the “Picture to Sketch” tool. Let’s say you want to turn a logo into a sketch as pictured below, you could do so. Once converted to a sketch, you can further edit and refine the lines and curves to match your exact design needs.
You could also use it to trace screenshots of 2D sketches and drawings from other CAD systems to more easily import them into a 3D CAD system.

- Command Search
Quickly find commands with the ability to pull up the Command Search and search for commands by pressing the “s” or “/” key on the keyboard or access the search from the Action bar. With the Command Search you can search for commands by the command name, keywords in the tooltip description, or common synonyms from other CAD systems, in case you don’t know the exact command name.
This is a favorite feature in SOLIDWORKS Desktop and now it’s available in the xApps!

- Align to Geometry
Easily design a freeform shape around existing geometry with the ability to align subdivision cage points to external geometry by making it Coincident, Colinear, Perpendicular, or Parallel to that geometry.
In addition, you can align the subdivision cage points to an external geometry. For example, you can select different faces of a subdivision and then select an external geometry like a plane to make it parallel or perpendicular. This provides more control to manipulate your mesh to better align with existing geometry.

- Alternate Robot for Modifying a Sub-D Mesh
Make faster and more intuitive mesh modifications by launching the Modifier Robot directly on your model in xShape to extrude, crease an edge, or insert a loop without having to navigate to the Action bar to launch the command.

- Hole Callout
The new Hole Callout in the xDrawing app enables you to define any hole pattern created as a hole feature in the xDesign app.
Efficiently and accurately create comprehensive hole callouts to ensure proper hole fit, sizing, positioning and tolerance.

- Bend Order and Bend Table
The Bend Order feature enables you to view both the folded and flat states of a sheet metal part, along with key information such as bend order, direction, angle, radius, K-factor, and more, in a tabular format. Additionally, the Bend Table allows you to modify the bend order and rename bends as needed. The ability to reorder the bends in the table and rename them on the fly ensures that the correct manufacturing intent is conveyed from the design side.
In addition, the cross-highlighting of the bends from the table enables easy identification on both the folded and flattened states of the sheet metal part from the graphics area, making it easy to understand the manufacturing intent.

- Closed Corner
The Closed Corner command is also a favorite among our team in the xSheetmetal app. To ensure a proper alignment for welding and to optimize the structural integrity of sheet metal designs, it’s important to close any gaps with overlapping flanges.
The Closed Corner command includes three options: Gap, Overlap and Tabbed. The Gap option lets you specify the gap dimensions. The Overlap option will close the gap completely. You can also use the option called Tabbed to close the gap between two flanges.
- Enhanced Soft Selection
Gain more control and create models ready for manufacturing with new and improved soft selection capabilities for precise draft creation.
You now have the flexibility to add draft for a subdivision model. For example, you can select the “Affected faces” and “Reverse Influence” to add draft to specific areas of a subdivision model and target the areas you want to adjust.
This is just a glimpse of what was added throughout the year in functional delivery releases. Check out these blog posts for more details about all the enhancements that were added this year: November 2024 Update, July 2024 Update, April 2024 Update, and February 2024 Update.
The first update of the year is coming soon too, in early February! Stay tuned, and if you’d like to weigh in on future updates you can vote here in the Top Ten list. But hurry, voting ends January 26th and will be revealed at this year’s 3DEXPERIENCE World annual user event taking place February 23-26th in Houston, Texas. To learn more about the Top Ten list check out this blog post.
If you’re attending 3DEXPERIENCE World, catch up with me and my team in these sessions.