This year at our annual D2M Conference we brought you the latest SOLIDWORKS Simulation enhancements.
Missed the session? Watch it online or read the highlights:
Enhanced Usability and Performance Improvements: More Realistic Simulations, Less Effort
The most noteworthy SOLIDWORKS Simulation enhancements include new visualization capabilities for angular displacement, improved shell definition options, and substantial performance gains across multiple simulation tools. These updates reduce simulation setup time and computational overhead.
SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2026: Boosting Efficiency for Engineers
Most important features and improvements:
- Angular Displacement Plots: Plot rotations around any axis in degrees/radians — no manual trigonometry needed for turning analysis.
- Default Thick Shells: Set thick as the default shell formulation. This avoids tedious clicks and errors in large models.
- Distributed Loads on Shell Edges: Flexible loads on edges for realistic simulations without having to fall back on rigid connections or solid meshes.
- Better Error Messages: Pinpoints bodies with missing materials/failed meshes for faster fixes.
- Pin Forces in Random Vibration: PSD results (shear, torque) for pins in random vibration studies.
- Total Force on Beams: Auto-distributes total load by length across beams; simplifies multi-beam setups.
- Remote Masses in Response Spectrum: Add lumped masses for quick seismic beam analyses — no dummy solids.
- Plastics Updates: 30% faster solver, 85 new materials, unfilled volume plots for short shots, edge venting for realism.
Dive into the release notes or watch Terence Woo, Product Manager – FEA at Hawk Ridge Systems, present “What’s New in SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2026” for hands-on tips!
SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2026 FAQ
Q: How does the angular displacement plot feature save time in my workflow?
A: Previously, engineers had to manually perform trigonometry calculations to convert linear displacement data into angular measurements. Now, you can directly visualize rotational displacement around any chosen axis in degrees or radians. This eliminates calculation steps, reduces potential for error, and provides immediate visual feedback on how components rotate under load.
Q: What are the benefits of using distributed connections on shell edges?
A: This feature allows you to create more realistic load and constraint representations on shell models without having to switch to computationally expensive solid meshes. Previously, when using shells, you were forced to either use rigid connections (less accurate) or switch to solid elements (more computational overhead). Now you get the best of both worlds — accurate distributed loading with the efficiency of shell elements.
Q: How significant are the performance improvements across the simulation tools?
A: The performance gains are substantial across all simulation products. Connector calculations in SOLIDWORKS Simulation improved by approximately 30%, meaning assemblies with multiple connectors solve significantly faster. SOLIDWORKS Plastics shows 15-30% solver speed improvements depending on the process type, with cooling calculations seeing the largest gains at around 25%. These improvements translate directly to reduced waiting time and increased engineering productivity.
