What’s New in SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2026
SOLIDWORKS Simulation, Plastics, and Flow Simulation have exciting new upgrades that enhance control, provide greater flexibility, and simplify tasks with new automation features. Just like SOLIDWORKS CAD updates, you’ll find major updates that boost productivity — such as new distributed mass and force options for beam elements, a new “Unfilled Volume” plot in fill simulation results, and an auto-fill thin gap feature in thermal analyses.
Here are the 2025 SOLIDWORKS Simulation updates if you’re curious about them.
Let’s take a closer look at the new 2026 simulation updates.
6 New Enhancements in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
This year’s release of SOLIDWORKS Simulation includes enhancements that improve structural simulations with greater flexibility and precision, as well as updates for optimizing modeling, streamlining pinned joints in vibration environments, and refining setups.
Focus Options for Beams
- Choose between Per Item and Total definitions when applying force to beam elements
- Enjoy more precise control in structural simulations
Pin Connector Force Results in Random Vibration
- Extract detailed Pin Connector forces in random vibration simulations
- Get a full-force breakdown, including shear force, axial force, bending moment, and torque
Angular Displacement Plot Options
- Plot angular rotation in degrees or radians for flexibility in how displacement data is displayed and interpreted
Validity Check Improvements
- Improve simulation reliability with clearer alerts for missing materials, invalid mesh controls, and incomplete fixture definitions
- Speed troubleshooting with one-click report deselection, faster stress diagnostics, and streamlined validation messaging
Shell Improvements
- Save setup time with global defaults for thick or thin shell definition
- Set distributed remote loads or mass on shell edges
Remote Mass in Response Spectrum
- Apply remote masses as part of the response spectrum analysis
- Apply external mass to capture the effect of components not included in the mesh
2 New Enhancements in SOLIDWORKS Plastics
Post-Processing Enhancements
- Check out the latest Unfilled Volume plots in fill simulation results alongside short-shot predictions
- Identify areas that remain unfilled due to incomplete material injection
Edge-Based Air Vent Definition
- Define Air Vent boundary conditions directly on model edges for realistic venting analysis
- Apply vents to both Cavity and Cold Runner System domains to better reflect mold behavior
2 New Enhancements in SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation
Fill Thin Slot Feature
- Fill thin gaps automatically with specified materials for more accurate thermal modeling
- Apply user-defined thickness thresholds to simulate real-world assemblies more precisely
Component Explorer: New Columns
- View a summary of all component temperatures and surface sources in Component Explorer
- Gain faster insights into thermal performance
