Trimech-Main-Site-Group-Navigation Trimech-Main-Site-Group-Navigation Trimech-Main-Site-Group-Navigation Solid-Solutions-Group-Navigation Javelin-Group-Navigation Solid-Print-Group-Navigation 3DPRINTUK-Group-Navigation Trimech-Enterprise-Solutions-Group-Navigation Trimech-Enterprise-Solutions-Group-Navigation Trimech-Advanced-Manufacturing-Group-Navigation Trimech-Staffing-Solutions-Group-Navigation
With over 35 years of experience, the TriMech Group offers a comprehensive range of design, engineering, staffing and manufacturing solutions backed by experience and expertise that is unrivalled in the industry. The TriMech Group's solutions are delivered by the divisions and brands shown here, use the links above to visit the group's websites and learn more.
x
Search

SOLIDWORKS 2020

WHAT'S NEW OVERVIEW

What's New in 2020?
Check Out New Features
SOLIDWORKS 2020 provides hundreds of new features driven by customer feedback and enhancement requests to help you design your products faster than ever.
How can I upgrade to SOLIDWORKS 2020?

SOLIDWORKS 2020 is available to everyone with an active SOLIDWORKS subscription, however before upgrading there are a number of considerations you may need to make depending on your products and team structure. View our upgrade FAQs here.

If you wish to discuss best practices for a SOLIDWORKS upgrade then please contact our support team.

Where can I download SOLIDWORKS 2020?

You can find the latest SOLIDWORKS downloads from within SOLIDWORKS by opening the Help menu and choosing "Check for Updates".

Alternatively you can access the SOLIDWORKS Download page here. This will require your SOLIDWORKS Customer Portal details to access the downloads.

View SOLIDWORKS 2020 Video Content

If you're looking to get our take on the best new features then check out our SOLIDWORKS 2020 video playlist. where our engineers cover what's new in each area of the software and provide useful advice on how to get the most out of the new functionality.

What's New SOLIDWORKS 2020 - Full Details

Looking to learn everything that's new about SOLIDWORKS 2020, or need to look up a specific new feature?

Check out the SOLIDWORKS online web help pages for the full details on What's New in SOLIDWORKS 2020.

Download SOLIDWORKS 2020 Product Datasheets
1. Faster Assembly Drawings

Work faster on drawings with many sheets, configurations, and resource-intensive views. Detailing mode allows you to open drawings in a matter of seconds while maintaining the ability to add and edit annotations. With the Graphics Acceleration for drawings you can improve frame rates when panning and zooming within drawings with hardware-accelerated rendering.

2. Faster Assembly Design

Envelope Publisher is a new feature in SOLIDWORKS 2020 that includes components from a top-level assembly as envelopes in a subassembly, as well as this, Large Design Review can help you create mates to the reference geometry of components, create and edit linear and circular component patterns, edit pattern-driven and sketch-driven component patterns. Defeature is a great way to create a configuration by removing details from an assembly using Silhouette.

3. Flexible Components

Make Part Flexible allows you to display the same part in different conditions in the same assembly. For example, you can show a spring compressed and at full length in the same assembly which enables you to create designs faster while maintaining an accurate bill of materials. This optimizes your data management and efficiency bringing parts to life.

4. Faster Sketching

Silhouette Entities can create multiple sketch entities by projecting the outline of component bodies onto a parallel sketch plane. Creating smooth transitions between sketch entities has always been possible but with SOLIDWORKS 2020 it gets even smoother. Torsion Continuity Relation achieves G3 curvature between sketched curves, thereby allowing a seamless transition. Sketching for Touch enable devices has also been improved with easier access to common tools, simplified dimension input and the new "Power Modify" command.

5. Faster Calculations and Improved Accuracy for Simulation

Speed and accuracy are key when using SOLIDWORKS Simulation, in SOLIDWORKS 2020 you can speed up analysis and improve accuracy by combining linear and quadratic elements in the same simulation study. Pin and Bolt Connectors can deform faces attached to these connections and beam models import temperatures to perform a stress analysis after running a thermal analysis on a model that has beams.

6. Improved PDM Browsing and Searching

Browse through PDM Projects, BOM, Where Used, and Contains tabs, while file data loads asynchronously. This means you do not have to wait for the file contents to load before you can browse into a subfolder. Search quickly right from Windows Explorer with no need to open additional windows. Search for multiple variables at the same time with any combination of operands (e.g. bold & iron, screw, copper).

7. Fillet Repair

In this 2020 upgrade, a new streamlined workflow allows you to automatically preview and repair fillet edges after losing edge references from a model edit. While this is a simple improvement we see this regularly saving time during your design change process, helping you to stay focused on your design.

8. Simplified Mesh Workflow

SOLIDWORKS 2020 introduces the new Mesh Decimation Command that allows you to simplify complex meshes and scan data to improve performance. Simply input a percentage decrease target and hit 'Calculate' to reduce the number of faces. Use the new Body Compare Tool to compare mesh data with your CAD bodies and view the results on a heat map to help evaluate or inspect your designs.

9. Improvements to SOLIDWORKS Visualize

Extended Reality (XR) Exporter can easily convert your Visualize files to Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR) experiences to make your projects more interactive. This gives you the opportunity to see what your finished model could be like if it was right in front of you. Additionally to help you manage your files SOLIDWORKS Visualize can now be integrated with SOLIDWORKS PDM to make organising simpler.

10. More Flexibility for Surfacing

Offset Surface can identify faces on a surface that cannot be offset, this gives you more flexibility and allows you to create an offset surface without the failing faces. Regular surfacing tools then enable you to repair the problem areas. Surface thicken has also been improved, you can now thicken evenly around a surface and specify more types of surface direction vectors (other than normal) to a face.

Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to upgrade to a new version of SOLIDWORKS?
The cost to upgrade SOLIDWORKS to the latest version is included in the subscription cost for the support of the software.

If subscription has lapsed, please contact your regional sales manager for the best option to proceed. If you do not know who your regional sales manager is, please use the enquiry form.
Where can I download the latest version of SOLIDWORKS?
To ensure you have the latest version of SOLIDWORKS installed, you can accesses the SOLIDWORKS Customer Portal and download the latest major version and subsequent service packs.
How can I request new functionality for SOLIDWORKS?
SOLIDWORKS new functionality is driven by the users of the software. To have your input you can submit an enhancement request on the SOLIDWORKS Customer Portal. It is best to search to see if the enhancement request already exists and if so vote for this enhancement as it adds weighting to the ticket.

Go to SOLIDWORKS Customer Portal -> My Support section -> Enhancement Requests
Can I get a summary of just the new features that are relevant to my team?
Our CAD Management services has a team development section, that is designed to upskill your team ensuring they have the knowledge and skills required to stay at their best. Here we offer a What’s New presentation with a certified application engineer who will deliver bespoke content relevant to your industry.
What are the main technical considerations when updating to a new version?
  • Hardware – Check your computer meets the system requirements.
  • Standardisation – Ensure the whole company is installing the same version and all customised materials are in unique file structure outside the default SOLIDWORKS installation locations.
  • Back up – SOLIDWORKS files are not backwards compatible, so newer files cannot be edited in previous major versions.
  • Download – Have the download/source files downloaded before starting, this will minimise down time. You can perform a full download so the media can be shared regardless of package and add-ins.
  • Standalone – If moving machine, ensure you deactivate the licenses before installing on a new system.
  • SolidNetwork License Manager – Both the individual machine and the license manager on the server need upgrading. Upgrade server first to minimise downtime.
  • SOLIDWORKS PDM – If SOLIDWORKS PDM is being used this needs to be upgraded first.
  • Graphic driver – Once installed it is important to match your graphics driver to the new version of the software for better performance. Check graphics card driver
  • Ask – If you are not sure about any part of the process please Contact Us and we can assist.
Contact Us

If you would like to speak to someone about upgrading, call 01926 333777 or complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
If it is a technical query please use our support team.

 Solid Solutions | Trimech Group

MENU
Top