Simulation with SOLIDWORKS Connected

You have access to a subset of the SOLIDWORKS Simulation functionality to run simulations with SOLIDWORKS Connected. SOLIDWORKS Connected only supports simulation for linear static studies for parts and assemblies.

Prerequisites

  • Activate the 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Premium and 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Simulation Designer roles to run simulations with SOLIDWORKS Connected.
  • Activate the 3DEXPERIENCE add-in in SOLIDWORKS.
  • Have access to a 3DEXPERIENCE collaborative space.

Simulation Functionality

SOLIDWORKS Connected supports all functionality available for linear static studies. After you run a static study, you can save the simulation results (*.cwr) files locally or on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform in a storage area known as a collaborative space.

When you save SOLIDWORKS models with associative SOLIDWORKS Simulation results on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the SOLIDWORKS geometry converts to a physical product and the simulation results file is saved as a PLM database object that is associative to the physical product. Every physical product is assigned a unique PLM object identifier on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Simulation database objects have the same PLM identifier on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform as the physical product with which they are associated.

Differences Between Commonly Used Simulation Functionality

The following table summarizes the differences between SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS Connected for commonly used simulation functionality.

Functionality Differences in SOLIDWORKS Connected
Simulation studies Only linear static studies for parts and assemblies are supported.
Saving simulation results (*.cwr) files You can save simulation results files locally or on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. To save simulation results on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, in a simulation study tree, do one of the following:
  • Right-click the top node, and select Save Results To 3DEXPERIENCE .
  • Right-click Results Options and select Save Results to 3DEXPERIENCE .
  • In the Static - Options dialog box, select Save Results to 3DEXPERIENCE.
  • After you run a simulation, right-click Results and select Save Results to 3DEXPERIENCE .
  • For new studies, select Default Options > Solver and Results > Save Results > 3DEXPERIENCE.
Simulation results are saved to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform with the associated SOLIDWORKS model.

If you select to save the simulation results on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the icon appears on the top simulation study node and also on the simulation study tab.
Opening SOLIDWORKS models You can search for the SOLIDWORKS models you saved on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, using the top search box of the 3DEXPERIENCE task pane and load them directly in SOLIDWORKS. If you also saved simulation results with the SOLIDWORKS models on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the results become available when you activate the associative simulation study.

New Functionality

The following table summarizes functionality that is only available in SOLIDWORKS Connected.

Functionality in SOLIDWORKS Connected Description
3DEXPERIENCE PLM Services

The 3DEXPERIENCE task pane enables you to store and manage SOLIDWORKS parts, assemblies, and SOLIDWORKS Simulation results on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Product lifecycle management (PLM) actions on files You can perform PLM actions on files in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform using the MySession widget on the 3DEXPERIENCE task pane. See also Basic Product Lifecycle Actions in MySession.
Searching for database objects on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform You can search for content you saved to a collaborative space using the top search box of the 3DEXPERIENCE task pane. You can also use the Open tool.
You can also use Relational Explorer on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to view a graphical representation of the relationship between the database object containing simulation results and the SOLIDWORKS model.