SOLIDWORKS 2020 What’s New – Changes to System Options

With so many updated features in SOLIDWORKS 2020, it’s tough to go through them all. This post pinpoints a few subtle changes that can make a big difference in handling your files after the update.

Don’t worry about individually updating each referenced file for your assemblies or drawings. Go to System Options > External References and select Force referenced documents to save to the current version. As you modify your assemblies or drawings all the referenced documents will automatically be converted to the current version by saving one modified document. If you would like to manage which files are updated to the SOLIDWORKS 2020 then simply uncheck the box and then only the file you’ve modified in the current version will be updated once it’s saved.

Looking at the External References you might notice that the Assemblies section has a few more options than the 2019 version. Do not create references external to the model, was changed to Allow creating of references external to the model. This option will automatically create external references, and you can customize how they are created by selecting Reference component type and Context of assembly.

Aside from adding options to External References there was one option that was removed and now is part of Pack and Go trimming down that amount of time you spend searching through the System Options.

I hope this part of the What’s New series gives you a better understanding of the new features and functions of SOLIDWORKS 2020. Please check back to the CATI Blog as the CATI Application Engineers will continue to break down many of the new items in SOLIDWORKS 2020. All these articles will be stored in the category of “SOLIDWORKS What’s New.”

Design Innovation Month – October 2019

What is DI Month? We’re declaring October Design Innovation Month—again! It’s a month-long series of special events focused on what’s new in design and manufacturing technology. You’ll learn about enhancements in SOLIDWORKS 2020 that deliver new capabilities for improved performance, streamlined workflows, and a connected design ecosystem. Find out what’s new in 3D printing applications and 3D scanning to integrate into your design process. So, get ready to do things differently. It’s time to innovate!

Sara Hollett
Application Engineer
Computer Aided Technology, LLC