Thousands of engineers, designers, makers, students, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers have gathered at the Houston Convention Center today for the official start of the world’s largest gathering of SOLIDWORKS users, also known as 3DEXPERIENCE World 2025. Today kicks off the first of three days of innovation, collaboration, and networking, and the General Sessions are where it all begins.
First up on the stage is Gian Paolo Bassi, SVP of Mainstream Innovation and Customer Role Experience at Dassault Systèmes, who asked everyone to join him in celebrating an important milestone: in 2025, SOLIDWORKS turned 30!
SOLIDWORKS has gained a special place not only in the marketplace but, more importantly, in the hearts of its users because it’s not just a design tool; it’s a comprehensive platform that empowers people to create amazing products. Some of these products can have a real impact on our lives.
One example is SPOT, an agile robot that can be used for sensing and inspection, capturing limitless data, and exploring without the limitations of traditional robots. SPOT has been used to inspect oil rigs without putting humans at risk. After Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rica in 2022, SPOT was used to assess damage, help first responders and workers prioritize their efforts, and get aid to those in the most urgent need. SPOT was even used to safely and accurately explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii in Italy.
Gian Paolo then talked about the evolution of design. In the 1990s, design accuracy was the bottleneck for most companies, with traditional validation through prototyping and field testing being costly in terms of time and resources. SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD changed the game, followed by simulation, data management, and digital manufacturing.
“Now you need constant and secure access to up-to-date information and solutions around the clock and around the world,” he said. “That is why we spent the last decade developing a unified platform for SOLIDWORKS with all the solutions from design to manufacturing with a single view of your data.”
Product developers are under increasing pressure to deliver better and cheaper products faster, and today’s customers want personalized, connected and sustainable experiences. At the same time, companies face skilled labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, rising costs, cybersecurity threats, and the task of staying on top of advances in science and technology.
“We understand these challenges and are ready to change the game once again.”
Next, Gian Paolo introduces Pascal Daloz, the new CEO of Dassault Systemes, who addressed the audience about the future of product development.
Pascal shared that his personal connection to SOLIDWORKS started many years ago. He was raised on a farm in the mountains, so human innovation often led to solutions when anything broke. He shared how he loves exploring the Playground, checking out the Shop Floor, and the Makers section because “I am an engineer. We speak the same language.”
Pascal discussed that we are all part of the Generative Economy, which is about taking inspiration from nature to design smarter and waste less.
What does that mean to attendees and users? Two things: First, the next frontier is to create virtual twins of everything for everyone on the planet, which opens up tremendous opportunities to improve your business.
Second, you all have amazing knowledge and know-how in design, engineering, and manufacturing. This data you create is the currency of this new economy.
“It’s your intellectual property, your IP. We are with you to protect it, grow it, and valorize it.”
To help achieve this, Pascal says, we are combining the best modeling, simulation, data science, and AI-assisted content, which we call 3D UNIV+RSES. “This new generation places artificial intelligence at the very core of everything we do.”
Pascal went on to explain all how AI will not only help businesses, but improve the way we all work. “It’s going to make you more powerful, efficient and innovative.” AI will help engineers and designers automate repetitive tasks, provide design suggestions, and protect intellectual property.
To allow users to fully leverage the power of AI, SOLIDWORKS is introducing two new categories of AI-powered services:
Generative Experiences –AI-driven automation for assembly, requirements, and design validation.
Virtual Companions—AI-powered assistants that enhance your skills and accelerate workflows.
Pascal added, “We are committed to protecting all our customers, small and large, and their IP. We are committed to protecting you. We are set to become data-centric and content-centric. We are committed to making AI accessible and expanding the SOLIDWORKS experience, keeping it intuitive, powerful and connected.”
Next, Manish Kumar, the CEO of SOLIDWORKS, took us back to 1995, the year that SOLIDWORKS was founded. He shared an amusing story about asking a team member to model a Model Mania part using SOLIDWORKS 95. After 30 minutes, he was able to complete the sketch.
“What was interesting was his expressions while using the software,” says Manish. “Amazed, happy, curious, then puzzled, and then pretty upset.”
Be sure to stop by the “30 Years of SOLIDWORKS” booth in the Playground and try your hand at using SOLIDWORKS 95 to model a part. Complete the part successfully within the allotted time, and you can win a prize!
Manish explained the expansion of the SOLIDWORKS solutions with Simulation, Data Management, Electrical and Manufacturing – solutions for every part of your business.
Community Update
Suchit Jain, VP of Strategy and Community at SOLIDWORKS, joined the stage to discuss how innovation connects ideas, people and industries and hear from three incredible companies who embody the spirit of innovation and showcase the power of the SOLIDWORKS ecosystem.
Suchit started by discussing another important milestone: the SOLIDWORKS community now has over 8 million designers, engineers, students, makers, and entrepreneurs!
Next up were some customers using SOLIDWORKS in some interesting ways. Those customers included Matt Fonte, founder of ColdSnap, a company revolutionizing the frozen treat industry, Dr. Sriharsha from Bullwork Mobility, which uses SOLIDWORKS to create sustainable electric tractors for farmers, and Kyle Doerksen from OneWheel who rolled onto the stage to discuss how the company is redefining personal mobility.
Keynote – Marc Raibert, Boston Dynamics
Marc Raibert, Boston Dynamics and the Robotics and AI Institute, spoke on the topic of Dynamic Intelligent Robots. He mentioned that about 2,000 mobile robots are already in use today. He provided an update on the current state of humanoid robots and showed the audience a video of them in action, doing several repetitive tasks, including the new Atlas autonomous robot.
Marc said that the number of companies creating humanoid robots is increasing in the US and Europe, but nowhere more so than in China. Marc mentioned being at a recent event in China where he was surprised to see 27 different humanoid robots on display.
Be sure to watch the full recap of today’s general session, because Marc’s talk was not one to miss. You can watch the full day one general session here. For the daily recap of today’s action, watch the video below.
“30 years ago, SOLIDWORKS goal was to make 3D design accessible to everyone. Seeing all our customers and the growing number of startups using SOLIDWORKS proves that the dream is becoming a reality. And that’s thanks to you – your feedback, support and enthusiasm that drive our vision.”
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