SolidWorks

SolidWorks

SolidWorks 2012 displaying a 3D part in multiple views.
Developer(s)	Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
Initial release	November 1, 1995; 21 years ago (1995-11-01)
Stable release	SolidWorks 2017 SP1.0
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Available in	English
Type	CAD and CAE
License	Proprietary
Website	www.solidworks.com

SolidWorks (stylized as SOLIDWORKS) is a solid modeling computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) computer program that runs on Microsoft Windows. SolidWorks is published by Dassault Systèmes.

According to the publisher, over two million engineers and designers at more than 165,000 companies were using SolidWorks as of 2013. Also according to the company, fiscal year 2011–12 revenue for SolidWorks totalled $483 million.

SolidWorks Corporation was founded in December 1993 by Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate Jon Hirschtick. Hirschtick used $1 million he had made while a member of the MIT Blackjack Team to set up the company. Initially based in Waltham, Massachusetts, United States, Hirschtick recruited a team of engineers with the goal of building 3D CAD software that was easy-to-use, affordable, and available on the Windows desktop. Operating later from Concord, Massachusetts, SolidWorks released its first product SolidWorks 95, in November 1995. In 1997 Dassault, best known for its CATIA CAD software, acquired SolidWorks for $310 million in stock. Jon Hirschtick stayed on board for the next 14 years in various roles. Under his leadership, SolidWorks grew to a $100 million revenue company.

SolidWorks currently markets several versions of the SolidWorks CAD software in addition to eDrawings, a collaboration tool, and DraftSight, a 2D CAD product.

SolidWorks was headed by John McEleney from 2001 to July 2007 and Jeff Ray from 2007 to January 2011. The current CEO is Gian Paolo Bassi from Jan 2015. Gian Paolo Bassi replaces Bertrand Sicot, who is promoted Vice President Sales of Dassault Systèmes’ Value Solutions sales channel.