Model Mania® is a fun and challenging experience where participants model a predetermined part, including a follow-up edit, and the fastest, most accurate modeler wins. Accuracy comes first, speed comes second—just like in real-world design, where changes often come after the initial design is complete. Model Mania has become a long-standing tradition at the annual 3DEXPERIENCE World conference, providing designers and engineers with the chance to test their skills on the same part problem in a fast-paced environment.

The Top-Secret Model Mania 2026 part will not be available ahead of time. You’ll have to attend 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 to try it yourself, or wait until after the winners are announced. Winners of the live Model Mania challenge in Houston will receive cash prizes up to $500, with participants judged on accuracy first, and then speed. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 4, in the 3DEXPERIENCE Theater, and the announcement will be broadcast live on SOLIDWORKS Live.

Model Mania Xtreme

We will also be bringing back Model Mania Xtreme, where attendees can watch and participate in live, head-to-head speed modeling challenges. These sessions feature fast-paced modeling under pressure, giving participants the chance to test their skills, earn bragging rights, and win incredible prizes and giveaways. Whether you step up to participate or just watch, Model Mania Xtreme is a great way to see advanced modeling workflows in action.

SOLIDWORKS Retro

New this year, we’ll have a SOLIDWORKS Retro area celebrating 30 years of SOLIDWORKS. Attendees can step back in time and try using SOLIDWORKS ’95, with several laptops set up and experts available to guide you. It’s a fun way to see how far the software—and the SOLIDWORKS community—has come.

Practice before the Conference: Join the Online Model Mania Challenge

New for 2026, we’re also hosting an online Model Mania challenge ahead of the conference. On January 21, 2026, the challenge will go live online at 8:30 PM ET and is open to all users, regardless of whether you plan to attend 3DEXPERIENCE World in Houston.

This online challenge is a great way to practice the Model Mania format before the live event. While this version is just for bragging rights, participants will also earn a voucher to take the Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) exam.

The drawing for the challenge will be released during a SOLIDWORKS YouTube livestream, which will begin 15 minutes prior to the challenge going live. Full details, timing, and access information will be available at solidworks.com/modelmania, which is the best place to learn more and prepare. Note: For the best experience, open the link on a desktop, not a mobile device.

See you at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026!

If you’re attending 3DEXPERIENCE World this year, we look forward to seeing you in the Model Mania area of the Playground. A lot is happening across the conference, and we hope you’ll stop by to participate, watch the action, or explore everything on display.

To see past Model Mania parts, drawings, and solution videos, visit my.solidworks.com and search for Model Mania.

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SOLIDWORKS

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. offers complete 3D software tools that let you create, simulate, publish, and manage your data. SolidWorks products are easy to learn and use, and work together to help you design products better, faster, and more cost-effectively. The SolidWorks focus on ease-of-use allows more engineers, designers and other technology professionals than ever before to take advantage of 3D in bringing their designs to life.