SolidWorks has had a major milestone birthday. In November of 1995, SolidWorks 95 was released changing the 3D CAD market. I had one of the first commercially purchased packages which at the time cost about $4000 a seat.

SolidWorks – Wikipedia
”SolidWorks, initially named “Winchester Design Systems“, was founded in December 30th, 1993 by Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate, Jon Hirschtick and cofounders Constantine Dokos, Scott Harris, Bob Zuffante, Mike Payne, and Tommy Li. Hirschtick used $1 million he made while being a member of the MIT Blackjack Team to set up the company.

Initially based in Concord, Massachusetts, Hirschtick gathered a team of engineers with the goal of building 3D CAD software that was easy to use, affordable, and available on the Windows desktop.”

On July 25, 1997, Dassault Systèmes acquired SolidWorks for $310 million.

My SolidWorks 1995 Package:

SolidWorks Release History

SolidWorks 95 (November 1995)

• Debuted as the first affordable, Windows-based 3D CAD software, making 3D modeling accessible to a broader audience.
• Leveraged the familiar Windows environment, reducing the learning curve for new users.
• Introduced fully shaded and lit models, moving beyond traditional wireframe views.
• Provided parts, assemblies (without mates initially), and drawings from the outset.

• SolidWorks 96 (Early 1996)
• SolidWorks 97 (Late 1996)
• SolidWorks 97Plus (1997)
• SolidWorks 98 (1997)
• SolidWorks 98Plus (1998)
• SolidWorks 99 (1998)
• SolidWorks 2000 (1999)
• SolidWorks 2001 (2001)
• SolidWorks 2001Plus (2001)
• SolidWorks 2003 (2002)
• SolidWorks 2004 (2003)
• SolidWorks 2005 (2004)
• SolidWorks 2006 (2005)
• SolidWorks 2007 (2006)
• SolidWorks 2008 (July 2007)
• SolidWorks 2009 (January 2008)
• SolidWorks 2010 (December 2009)
• SolidWorks 2011 (June 2010)
• SolidWorks 2012 (September 2011)
• SolidWorks 2013 (September 2012)
• SolidWorks 2014 (October 2013)
• SolidWorks 2015 (September 2014)
• SolidWorks 2016 (October 2015)
• SolidWorks 2017 (September 2016)
• SolidWorks 2018 (September 2017)
• SolidWorks 2019 (October 2018)
• SolidWorks 2020 September 2019)
• SolidWorks 2021 (September 2020)
• SolidWorks 2022 (September 2021)
• SolidWorks 2023 (September 2022)
• SolidWorks 2024 (November 2023)

SolidWorks has come a long ways over the years.

Key Themes Over the Years:

• User Experience: Continuous refinement of the interface and workflows to enhance usability.
• Design Capabilities: Expansion of tools for specialized design needs like sheet metal, surfacing, and weldments.
• Performance Optimization: Ongoing improvements to handle larger assemblies and complex models efficiently.
• Collaboration and Interoperability: Enhanced data sharing and compatibility with other CAD systems.
• Automation and Intelligence: Introduction of features to automate repetitive tasks and assist in design decisions.
• Visualization and Rendering: Integration of advanced rendering tools for high-quality visualizations.
• Sustainability and Simulation: Embedding analysis tools to simulate real-world conditions and assess environmental impacts.

Happy Birthday SolidWorks!