French company Dassault Systèmes has announced the launch of the latest version of its 3D design and engineering application suite, SOLIDWORKS 2019. The latest version of the package come with several enhanced features and new functionality, including the ability to experience designs in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

SOLIDWORKS 2019 is powered by the Dassault Systèmes 3DExperience platform, and has been created to support the entire process from design to manufacturing, with specialised capabilities to solve complex design challenges.

The new featured added to the latest version of the application package lets product development teams better manage large data volumes and capture more accurate digital representations of a design. The new technology also means that collaborative projects are easier, particularly with the ability to view a project in AR or VR for interactive experiences during design or engineering meetings.

“We are using SOLIDWORKS to support implementation of the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer 10-meter-class telescope that will open new possibilities for scientific discovery,” said Greg Green, Mechanical Designer/Instrument Maker, Canada France Hawaii telescope facility. “Our design processes generate a large and growing dataset. The final production version of the telescope will contain over 100,000 parts. We needed technology that can tackle large design projects, and SOLIDWORKS delivers.”

One of the key new features is referred to as ‘Extended reality or XR, a new application for publishing CAD scene data into VR AR or web viewers. With the rise of affordable VR and AR viewers, this development means that designers and engineers can use SOLIDWORKS XR to improve internal design reviews, sell designs more effectively to clients and train users how to assemble and use new products.

“This latest SOLIDWORKS release is packed with enhancements and innovations built based on insights and feedback from the SOLIDWORKS community. We continue to drive our products forward in terms of usability, quality, and productivity, and SOLIDWORKS 2019 delivers a complete design ecosystem,” said Gian Paolo Bassi, CEO, SOLIDWORKS, Dassault Systèmes. “Designers and engineers who prioritize design performance, attention to detail and innovation, as well as seek the powerful storytelling capabilities of VR and AR, can experience the prototyping shop of the future—one where digital design data makes it easier to visualize parts in 3D and improve how designs are translated from virtual to real.”

For future coverage on new developments in VR and AR, keep checking back with VRFocus.