AI in SOLIDWORKS

Note: Some of the features and videos referenced in this article are currently released in BETA, and all future‑looking functionality is subject to change as development progresses. Videos were created and are owned by Dassault Systèmes.

AI in SOLIDWORKS

Just like in any other industry, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way we design and engineer.

There are AI capabilities already directly built into SOLIDWORKS for accelerating repetitive tasks, repairing sketch and geometry issues, offering real-time guidance, and helping you stay focused on solving meaningful engineering challenges rather than managing your CAD system.

AI in SOLIDWORKS is generally categorised into tools that advise, or tools that act on your behalf. SOLIDWORKS now brings several of these capabilities together through three intelligent Virtual Companions: AURA, LEO and MARIE. Each virtual companion is designed to support different stages of the design, analysis and decision-making process.

Believe it or not, AI-powered technology has been part of SOLIDWORKS since the early 2000’s, continually evolving with each Service Pack (SP) and Functional Delivery (FD). These capabilities now span both SOLIDWORKS Desktop and the cloud-connected 3DEXPERIENCE platform, leveraging cloud intelligence to deliver smarter, faster and more intuitive workflows.

What Exactly Is AI?

AI is an umbrella term covering multiple technologies that mimic aspects of human intelligence, problem-solving, and decision-making.

AI Tools That Advise

These tools guide, recommend and diagnose to help you work faster without taking control away from you.

Pattern Driven Component Enhancements — 2022

• Improved logic reduces “invalid selection” errors
• Works even when selecting patterned instances

Repair Sketch Relations — 2025x GA

• Automatically identifies broken sketch relations or dimensions
• Suggests intended replacements
• Repair all dangling relations/dimensions in one click

Selection Accelerators — 2025x GA

AI-powered edge selection within the Chamfer command:

• Outer edges
• Inner edges
• Edges outside selected faces
• Edges on extrusions

Dynamic previews help reduce manual clicking.

Command Predictor — 2025x GA

Machine learning predicts which command you’re likely to use next based on your current modelling behaviour.

Predict and Prevent Delay — 2026x FD01

AI analyses schedules, dependencies, and workloads to identify potential delays early.

FEA Machine Learning Model — 2027x GA (Coming Soon)

AI models trained on simulation data accelerate validation workflows by predicting outcomes without full solver runs.

AI Tools That Act

These tools perform tasks for you by generating geometry, repairing mates, producing drawings and more.

Repair Missing Mate References — 2023

Automatically redefines mate references when faces/edges change, with optional one-click batch repair.

Silhouette Defeature (Parts) — 2025x GA

Generates lightweight geometries for performance optimisation, now available for parts and bodies, not just assemblies.

Generative Rendering — 2025x GA

AI-assisted denoising and real time ray tracing accelerate Visualize workflows.

Generative Hole Callout — 2025x FD03 (xDrawing)

Automatically creates complete, intelligent hole callouts — even on imported geometry.

Automatic Fastener Recognition & Assembly — 2025x FD03

Identifies fasteners and assembles them with correct mates automatically.

Mate Replication — 2025x FD03 (xDesign)

Replicate mates across similar geometry using AI-powered suggestions.

Structural End Plate Suggestion — 2025x FD03 (xFrame)

AI identifies additional end plate opportunities automatically.

Image to 3D Mechanism — 2025x FD03 (xDesign)

Generative AI converts images into functional, constrained sketches.

Auto-Generate Drawings — 2025x FD03

Creates detailed drawings (tolerances, callouts, dimensions) automatically.

Automatic Toolpath Generation — 2027x GA (Coming Soon)

AI-driven toolpath optimisation in DELMIA for reduced machining time.

Meet Your New Virtual AI Companions

Together, these Virtual Companions provide:

• guidance (advise)
• action (execute)
• context awareness
• workflow automation
• engineering orchestration

AI built for engineers, inside your familiar SOLIDWORKS environment.

SOLIDWORKS Labs (BETA)

New experimental AI functionality is accessible through the SOLIDWORKS Labs tab in the Task Pane.

Below are selected upcoming or BETA features:

AI Advisors in Development

What’s Wrong Analysis — 2026x FD01

AI-guided root-cause analysis for modelling failures.

Model Insights – 2026x FD03 (Coming Soon)

Ask LEO to:

• identify components
• find parts based on material
• query mass properties
• select entities interactively

Explore Design Options — 2026x FD04 (Coming Soon)

AURA helps explore design alternatives via prompt-driven exploration.

AI Actions in Development

Assembly Structure Generator – 2026x FD01 (BETA)

Generate assembly structures from simple text prompts.

2026x FD02

Assembly Performance Advisor

Identifies and explains assembly performance bottlenecks.

Convert BREP to Parametric (xDesign)

AI reconstruction of imported geometry into editable models.

Auto Task Generation

AURA builds project tasks automatically.

Create PLM Change Action

AI-driven change actions within the 3DEXPERIENCE PLM workflow.

Prompt to Drawing – 2026x FD03 (BETA)

Prompt-based drawing creation with preview refinement.

2027x GA (Coming Soon)

Drawing to Parametic Model

Convert 2D drawings or PDFs into editable parametric models.

Image to Mesh

Convert images to 3D meshes for simulation or visualisation.

Drop Test Simulation

LEO guides setup of advanced SIMULIA drop-test workflows.

Spec to CAD

Generate engineering-ready starting points from written specifications.

DELMIA Integration

AURA connects engineering models with manufacturing data.

AURA + LEO Collaboration

Orchestration of engineering workflows, not isolated AI features.

There are many more AI capabilities coming to SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.