Software | News

Dassault Systèmes Unveils Solidworks Education Edition 2014-2015

• By Leila Meyer
• 08/18/14

Dassault Systèmes has released Solidworks Education Edition 2014-2015, which includes new tools and features designed to help students learn 3D design in the classroom.

Solidworks is 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software commonly used by engineers and designers in industry. Solidworks Education Edition is designed to help students learn 3D CAD, simulation, product data management, technical communication and electrical design. According to the company, "Solidworks training, education and certification are major assets validating student expertise to prospective employers."

New features in the 2014-2015 education edition are intended to increase collaborative learning, shorten student design processes and help teachers improve efficiency.

Key features of Solidworks Education Edition 2014-2015 include:

• Updates to teaching guides and lessons designed to support educators developing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum;
• Libraries of robot assembly models to help competitive teams in First Robotics and other platforms such as Lego, Tetrix by Pitsco and Matrix, with more examples to come throughout the year;
• Solidworks Simulation Premium for interactive FEA results;
• Path Dimension, a key sketch feature for robot and FSAE teams that need to design with chains and belts;
• Curve-Driven Patterns, a feature that enables faster and easier creation of patterns, such as chains and conveyor system; and
• Assembly Explode, to add rotational explode to components and more clearly and effectively communicate product assembly processes on drawings and in animations.

Schools can also purchase Solidworks Electrical, which is fully integrated into Solidworks Education Edition and "enables students in engineering, robotics and other disciplines to create electrical projects starting with 2D system schematics and ending with 3D routing and cabling interconnecting components," according to the company.

The company offers free Solidworks Student Edition licenses to qualifying schools. The student edition licenses allow students to use the software outside the classroom. Schools with Education Edition subscriptions can also become Certified Solidworks Academic Exam Providers.

Further information about Solidworks Education Edition can be found on the company's site.