Tools for Streamlining Design Team Collaboration | What's New in SOLIDWORKS 2025

#1 - Quick Tours for New Users

One of the standout features for SOLIDWORKS 2025 is the introduction of Quick Tours—interactive, guided tours designed to introduce new users to the platform’s key features.

These Quick Tours are an ideal way to familiarize yourself or team members with SOLIDWORKS’ collaborative tools.

The tours offer helpful tooltips that explain various actions, such as saving to and opening from the cloud platform, navigating the interface, and utilizing platform concepts like bookmarks and collaborative spaces.

Additionally, users can learn how to lock and unlock files, ensuring data integrity during collaborative work.

Completing each tour ensures that new users are immediately set up to work efficiently, fostering a better onboarding experience for your team.

#2 - Integrated 3D Swym Chat and Community Access

Staying connected to the team while working on designs is crucial. SOLIDWORKS 2025 now includes 3D Swym directly within the SOLIDWORKS task pane, allowing users to access chat conversations and community discussions without leaving the software.

This feature takes full advantage of SOLIDWORKS’ file-sharing capabilities, enabling users to post design files directly into conversations and receive markups or feedback.

This seamless integration ensures that engineers can maintain real-time communication with teammates and stakeholders, keeping the workflow uninterrupted.

#3 - Local Cache Notifications for Synchronisation

Another critical enhancement is the introduction of local cache notifications. When a design change is made and saved to the cloud platform, users will be alerted if their local cache is out of date.

This ensures that you are always working with the most current version of a design, preventing errors caused by working on outdated files.

This notification system provides clear visibility into which files have been updated and need to be reloaded, helping users stay aligned with the latest changes and reducing the risk of miscommunication.

#4 - Multiple Approvals on Drawings for Formal Workflows

For teams utilizing formal approval processes, SOLIDWORKS 2025 introduces the ability to stamp multiple approvals directly onto drawings. This is especially beneficial for designs that require several reviewers before final approval.

Each approval is automatically added to the drawing's title block, ensuring a clear trace of who approved the design and when.

This feature not only saves time but also ensures full traceability, making it easier to manage and comply with organizational and regulatory standards.

#5 - SOLIDWORKS PDM Support for SOLIDWORKS Connected Users

For users who rely on SOLIDWORKS PDM (Product Data Management), SOLIDWORKS 2025 expands its support to SOLIDWORKS Connected users.

This integration offers a great solution for teams that want to maintain their existing PDM infrastructure while taking advantage of the cloud-connected benefits of SOLIDWORKS Connected.

This enhancement allows for seamless collaboration, even if your team is using a mix of traditional and cloud-based workflows.

You can securely share designs with external partners, review files without requiring additional viewers, and manage version control with confidence.

#6 - Streamlined Access to Files and Data via Dashboard

One of the most practical updates is the improved dashboard navigation. SOLIDWORKS 2025 enables users to easily access files, whether they’re stored on 3D Drive, 3D Space, or Part Supply, directly from the dashboard toolbar.

This feature simplifies the browsing experience and ensures that you can quickly locate and open the files they need—whether they’re at the desk or on the go.

The improved access cuts down on time spent navigating the platform, boosting productivity and reducing frustration.

#7 - Design History for Enhanced Traceability

Finally, the new design history panel provides us with a comprehensive view of all actions performed on a design. By clicking on the history tab, you can see who modified the design, when the modification occurred, and what specific actions were taken.

This feature is invaluable for maintaining transparency and traceability throughout the design process.

It allows users to review key milestones and ensure accountability within the design team, making it easier to track changes and resolve issues quickly.

Conclusion

The latest collaboration enhancements in SOLIDWORKS 2025 provide powerful tools to streamline workflows, improve communication, and ensure that teams are always on the same page. Whether you’re using desktop SOLIDWORKS or 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS, these updates offer greater flexibility, visibility, and control over your design process.

Take advantage of these new features, to boost collaboration, reduce errors, and ultimately speed up your time-to-market today.

For more detailed information about these new features, be sure to check out the online documentation. With these tools at your disposal, your design process just got a lot more connected and efficient.