DriveWorks is a software that works alongside SolidWorks to complete automation in your design process, freeing your team up to work on innovating and perfecting new product lines. With the various DriveWorks packages, you can automate repetitive model design updates and the creation of these drawings. Not only is this helpful for saving time on the design team, but it can also be used for online sales, allowing the consumer to configure a product themselves.

This blog is the first of a three-part series and will be focusing on the entry and mid-level package of DriveWorks which are known as DriveWorksXpress and DriveWorks Solo respectively. You can read more about the general functionality of DriveWorks here. If you have a SolidWorks license, then you have access to DriveWorksXpress. With this, you are provided the basic tools needed to automate design changes for your products with the use of basic form controls.

The base version limits you to changing part and assembly dimensions, custom properties, and basic features. Advanced features such as Hole Wizard or Sheet Metal features are not available for edit with this tier. Once upgraded to DriveWorks Solo (or Pro), you are given the ability to control much more. The breakdown of CAD features available for control can be seen in the following table.

You can find a full list of comparisons of features available between packages here.

With DriveWorks you can create your own forms in which you can edit dimensions, features, and custom properties; an example form can be seen below. Once the fields are populated, you can run the form. All relevant part, assembly, and drawings files will be generated according to the form and saved to the desired location.

DriveWorks also gives the user the ability to write and apply rules to their design. An example of application for a rule would be if a height of a cupboard assembly exceeds a set value, then the number of rows of shelves is increased. Once a part or assembly is fully set up with its driven dimensions, features, and rules, creating custom instances is as easy as filling out the form and running the program, saving valuable time. With DriveWorksXpress the files will be saved without a preview, however, with DriveWorks Solo you are able to preview the model before the files are generated and saved. This feature saves designers even more time by confirming design intent along with the reduction of potential for human error.

Click on the button below to see the power of this yourself.

*NOTE: The online configuration abilities are that of the pro tier of DriveWorks.

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