SolidWorks 1995 marked the debut of SolidWorks as a computer-aided design (CAD) software. Being the first release, it laid the foundation for what would become a widely used tool in the engineering and design industries.
SolidWorks 1995 Package (front)
SolidWorks 1995 Package (back
SolidWorks 1995 CD-ROM
User Interface:
SolidWorks 1995 introduced a user-friendly interface, which was a significant aspect of its early appeal. It featured a more intuitive layout compared to other CAD programs available at that time, making it accessible to a broader range of users.
3D CAD Functionality:
From its initial release, SolidWorks focused on providing robust 3D modeling capabilities. This included basic features for creating, modifying, and manipulating 3D solid models. It was less complex than some high-end CAD programs but still powerful enough for professional use.
Parametric Modeling:
SolidWorks 1995 utilized parametric modeling techniques, allowing users to define dimensions and relations between different parts of a model. This meant that changes in one part could automatically update related parts, streamlining the design process.
Assembly Modeling:
Even in its first version, SolidWorks allowed for assembly modeling, enabling users to put together multiple parts in a virtual environment to see how they fit and interact with each other.
Upon its release, SolidWorks positioned itself as an affordable yet powerful option for 3D CAD. It targeted both small and medium-sized businesses, which were looking for cost-effective solutions without compromising on capability.
This first release set the stage for the evolution of SolidWorks into a more sophisticated and feature-rich tool in subsequent versions evolving into the most popular 3D mechanical design software. The capabilities of SolidWorks have vastly expanded since 1995.
SolidWorks 1995 User’s Guide
The installation software these days certainly is easier…
SolidWorks 95 ReadMe
All images were created from the SolidWorks 1995 package in my personal collection. Please don't take and use my blog images without asking. I'm happy to let people use in most cases if they ask. Recently someone took many of my historical images along with other people and company product copyrighted images and placed them in their published CAD History infographic. They never asked to use anyone's images. I do hope they learned and felt bad that just taking someone's images and work is stealing and not cool.
Cheers,
Shaan
