What is SOLIDWORKS Connected: Overview and Use Cases
SOLIDWORKS Connected is a cloud-based version of SOLIDWORKS that allows users to access CAD tools and collaborate on designs through a web browser without installing software locally. It connects your design work to the cloud for easy sharing, version control, and teamwork.How It Works
SOLIDWORKS Connected works by running the SOLIDWORKS CAD software on cloud servers instead of your local computer. You access it through a web browser, which means you don't need to install or update software yourself. Think of it like streaming a movie instead of downloading it; the heavy work happens on powerful remote computers.
This setup lets multiple users work on the same design files stored in the cloud. Changes are saved automatically, and everyone sees the latest version. It’s like working on a shared document online, but for 3D models and engineering drawings.
Example
This example shows how you might start a session with SOLIDWORKS Connected using a simple web API call to authenticate and open a design file stored in the cloud.
import requests # URL for SOLIDWORKS Connected API login login_url = 'https://api.solidworks.com/connected/login' # User credentials credentials = { 'username': 'user@example.com', 'password': 'securepassword' } # Authenticate and get access token response = requests.post(login_url, json=credentials) if response.status_code == 200: token = response.json()['access_token'] print('Login successful. Access token:', token) else: print('Login failed:', response.text)
When to Use
Use SOLIDWORKS Connected when you want easy access to SOLIDWORKS tools without installing software, especially if you work on different computers or collaborate with remote teams. It’s great for companies that want to centralize design files and improve teamwork.
It’s also useful for quick design reviews, sharing prototypes with clients, or when you need to access your CAD projects from anywhere with internet access.
Key Points
- Runs SOLIDWORKS CAD in the cloud, accessed via web browser.
- Enables real-time collaboration and file sharing.
- No local installation or updates needed.
- Supports version control and centralized file management.
- Ideal for remote teams and flexible work environments.