One of the most innovative new features to be included in SOLIDWORKS 2010 is the ability to conduct Product Life Cycle Analysis. This basically tells you how "green" your design is before you have produced a single drop of Carbon Dioxide (apart from getting to work, and turning your PC on). The feature is called SustainabilityXpress and will ensure that you have the most sustainable, environmentally-friendly design possible.
However, you probably will not want to wait to save the planet (and possibly save a lot of money too), so why not try it with SOLIDWORKS 2009? It is now available for download from SOLIDWORKS Labs. There are both 32- and 64-bit versions, as well as a tutorial available to use with SOLIDWORKS 2009.
SustainabilityXpress checks the Carbon Footprint, the Total Energy Consumed, Effect on Air and the Effect on Water. It then helps by suggesting what other materials could be used instead and you can check the difference it will make.
Why not give it a try and let us know what you think? Download it from
here...