Upgrading to the initial release of SOLIDWORKS 2025 unlocks far more than just bug fixes or small tweaks. However, the initial release is just the start! While my team at SOLIDWORKS covers many of our favorite initial release enhancements within the annual What’s New in SOLIDWORKS episode of SOLIDWORKS LIVE, that’s actually just the mere beginning of the enhancement cycle for that year’s version!

That’s because, across multiple forthcoming Functional Deliveries that appear every couple months, well over 40 meaningful enhancements have been added that improve performance, simplify collaboration, and streamline everyday design work.

In fact, this is exactly why Jesse Sprague and I launched the SOLIDWORKS Delivery Day video podcast this year! If you happened to miss one or more episodes (or just need a refresher), we’re sure you’ll enjoy this rundown.

Here’s a rundown of 40 of the best features you may have overlooked!

Smarter BOMs and Drawings

1. Display State BOM Filtering – Use lightweight display states to build accurate BOMs without heavy configuration overhead.
2. Flattened BOM – Roll up total part quantities across subassemblies automatically.
3. Family Table – Display configurations or custom properties in a one-click table.
4. Automatic Drawing Generation – Instantly generate standard views, saving time on repetitive setup.
5. Revision Table Controls – Lock the first entry and limit rows for cleaner revision tables.
6. Drawing Stamping – Stamp drawings with usernames, trigrams, or email addresses for clear traceability.
7. Total Cable Length Reporting – Combine wire lengths across subassemblies for more accurate BOM totals.

Stronger Data Management

8. Change Action Stamping – Automatically push PLM change data back into drawings in real time.
9. Work Under Change Action – Get prompts if you edit a file tied to a change action without the proper workflow.
10. Design Iterations – Save lightweight checkpoints of your design without full revisions.
11. Reload from Server – Reset your model to the last saved state instantly.
12. Phase-Based Revisions – Use different revision schemes for development vs. production.
13. Comment Support – Add notes when saving design iterations for better traceability.

Collaboration Made Easy

14. Share Package – Like Pack-and-Go for the cloud, bundles designs for round-trip collaboration.
15. Share STEP 242 – Securely send PMI data along with your models—no extra drawings required.
16. Exclude Drawings in Packages – Skip unnecessary drawings to keep export bundles clean.
17. Connect with Peers – Access SOLIDWORKS forums directly inside the interface.

Performance for Large Assemblies

18. Selective Open – Load only the parts or subassemblies you need.
19. Disable Auto-Resolve – Prevent unnecessary loading when expanding the FeatureManager tree.
20. Large Assembly Performance – MySession now loads only first-level metadata by default.
21. Unplanned Offline Mode – Stay productive even if your internet connection drops mid-session.

Modeling & Part Design

22. Deformable Components – Represent flexible items like cables or hoses in multiple states while keeping a single part number.
23. Streamlined Design Creation – Add attributes when starting a part or assembly to ensure consistency from the start.
24. Edge Flange by Vertex – Define flange length by selecting a vertex, with parametric updates.
25. Library Features with DimXpert – Drag-and-drop features now carry MBD dimensions with them.
26. Smart Components on 3DEXPERIENCE – Bring intelligent parts with predefined features to cloud-managed data.
27. Save As New – Create new parts or assemblies directly from a configuration without messy file copies.
28. Sketch Squares Shortcut – Hold Shift while drawing a rectangle to instantly create a perfect square.
29. Cut List IDs – Ensure weldment cut lists follow your document’s unit settings for consistency.

Assembly & Fastener Improvements

30. Component Displacement Warning – Get alerts when large, unintentional moves happen in assemblies.
31. Fastener Automation – Automatically recognize and mate nuts, bolts, and washers with a drag-and-drop.
32. Cut Lists on 3DEXPERIENCE Platform – Share weldment cut lists on the platform for seamless EBOM/MBOM integration.

Visualization & Rendering

33. Bokeh Control – Replicate physical lens behavior for cinematic rendering.
34. DSPBR Updates – More realism with thin-film and translucency controls.
35. Boost for Connected – Offload rendering jobs to the cloud so your machine stays free for design.

Interface & Usability

36. Simplified User Interface – A clean interface mode for new users, with easy toggle to advanced tools.
37. Command Search Tags – Teach SOLIDWORKS your own vocabulary with personalized search terms.
38. Display Expressions Toggle – Turn property text expressions on or off to quickly find missing links.
39. Tree Display Overrides – Control tree display preferences through System Options, not file-by-file.

Electrical Design

40. Wire and Cable Enhancements – Includes better splice highlighting and a new Wire Search to quickly locate cables in large projects.

Wrapping Up

That’s (at least!) 40 improvements since the release of SOLIDWORKS 2025, each designed to reduce friction in your daily work. Whether you’re tackling large assemblies, sharing some data with suppliers, or simply trying to get drawings done faster, there’s something here to save time and cut complexity. If you haven’t explored these yet, now’s the perfect time to dive in and put them to work!

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Sean O'Neill

Senior Manager, SolidWorks Product Strategy & Product Introduction at Dassault Systèmes

Sean O'Neill is a senior leader in Product Introduction at SOLIDWORKS and the creator of the SOLIDWORKS Champions and Influencer Programs. He is also passionate about Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the future of work.

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• 40 of the Best Features You Missed Since Upgrading to SOLIDWORKS 2025 - 20 August 2025