Is your computer slow with SOLIDWORKS? Learn here how to improve performance and optimise your design.
Introduction
After using SOLIDWORKS for some time, you start to notice problems: files open very slowly, the graphics display is unusual, SOLIDWORKS even crashes...
Let's take a look at good design practice with SOLIDWORKS to optimise your performance.
Step 1: Establish a diagnosis
To solve a problem, you first need to understand where it comes from.
In general, there are two sources that affect SOLIDWORKS performance: the hardware used and the design method.
But don't panic, your design will become infallible if you know the following tips!
1. Check computer certification
The Dassault Systèmes eligibility test is used to check the compatibility of your computer with 3DEXPERIENCE software.
To ensure that SOLIDWORKS runs smoothly, it is important to consider the following elements:
- Graphics card: an integrated or gaming graphics card is not suitable for SOLIDWORKS. We recommend using an AMD or NVIDIA graphics card.
- Operating system: Windows systems are compulsory; however, we would specifically exclude Windows Home, which is a source of problems.
Tip: find the list of certified equipment here!
2. Evaluating the performance of your files on SOLIDWORKS
Having studied the possible causes of hardware-related problems, it is now time to analyse your files.
Open an assembly in SOLIDWORKS, then click on "Performance Evaluation".
This tool analyses your file, detecting any sources that may be slowing down the software's performance, and opens a dialogue box with details of the problem components in several categories.
a. File open time
The first item displayed is the file open time.
An abnormally long component open time will increase the overall open time of the assembly. Start by locating them, then open them individually to analyse them.
b. Graphic triangles
Next are the graphical triangles, which indicate the level of detail of a component.
Above a certain threshold, components are considered to be graphically very heavy and increase SOLIDWORKS latency.
Very often, these components are files imported from an external source. Open them individually and rework them to make them lighter:
- Breaking links: break links with external references
- Surface cleaning: simplify component geometry and details (3D threads, extruded text, etc.)
Example: screw with detailed 3D thread; for simplicity, a shaded representation of the thread is sufficient
Tip: if you don't have enough time to rework the components, convert them to Parasolid format, which is lighter.
c. Flexible sub-assemblies
The statistics generated by the assessment tool give an indication of the quantity of components by type.
It is important to consider the data on flexible sub-assemblies; a flexible sub-assembly allows movements. Each time an assembly is opened, all these movements have to be reconstructed, resulting in very long calculation times!
To reduce calculation times, make your sub-assemblies as rigid as possible.
Tip: only make your assemblies flexible when you need them!
Step 2: Adopt good design practices
The SOLIDWORKS performance evaluation gives an initial overview of good practices to adopt in order to optimise performance: simplify component geometry and work with rigid sub-assemblies. Other practices should also be taken into consideration:
1. Avoid external references
External references are created when a part is built directly into an assembly. Using the existing geometry of another part to create a new part generates an external reference.
This practice results in very long loading times, as each function that depends on another must be rebuilt.
Note: for more details on external references, see our article here!
2. Using sub-assemblies
Before creating an assembly, it's important to think about how it will be created.
Avoid importing a whole bulk of parts, and instead use sub-assemblies (even if it means having sub-assemblies with one or two parts). Sub-assemblies simplify the modification, navigation and re-use of groups of parts, improving performance and productivity.
3. Open files in lightweight mode
When a file is opened in SOLIDWORKS, it is possible to choose a resolved or light opening mode.
- Resolved mode: allows full loading of graphical elements, rather long opening time
- Light mode (or quick view): allows partial loading of graphical elements, fast opening time
Depending on how you are going to use the file when you open it, for reading in particular, light mode offers time and performance savings.
Conclusion
Improving SOLIDWORKS performance can be achieved by choosing the right hardware, but also by optimising the design. It is of course possible to go even further, by using design intelligence (symmetries, repetitions, etc.) and other tricks included in our coaching programmes.
If this article hasn't solved your problem, contact us!