Top 11 Features in the Latest 3DEXPERIENCE Update (FD06)

While there are many improvements and new roles in the latest functional delivery in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform (FD06), today we are focusing on the improved features for those that are using the most typical workflows from a mechanical engineer’s point of view.

In my engagement with customers that have been using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, many have yielded similar questions and feedback for features that we have taken for granted on the desktop products. What happens when you want to take a project and duplicate it, or pull up a bill of materials without entering the CAD application? What about the deployment of that software? Do you have a centralized system to push out a standard set of software options for those that are in a collaborative environment?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. With that said, this blog is a high-level review of the latest features, and there is much deeper and more comprehensive detail on these attributes and more that you will learn as you work within the platform.  

1. 3DDrive App

3DDrive is each user’s personal cloud storage mechanism. Maybe you want to backup your data to your personal cloud storage in the platform, or you want to share files with external collaborators. These are all great benefits of this app. A simple, but powerful feature in FD06 is getting a list view. Now it more closely resembles the familiar File Explorer.

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2. UI improvements to Mobile 3DPlay App

Since the platform’s introduction, I’ve lauded it as operating system agnostic all day every day. The ability to communicate and collaborate on a phone is astounding- no app required- really! However, there are some substantial improvements in working with markups and text as well as using a variety of photo-realistic ambiances or backgrounds.

3. 3DSearch App

Instant search helps with predicting the items I’m seeking. With this, as I type certain characters, the search results will begin to populate. This is activated by the platform administrator.

4. Compare App

It’s a very common workflow to want to compare Rev A and Rev B of a product, or maybe even two products that don’t relate. The Compare Tool app has been a great tool to quickly show differences both in tabular and graphical form. Better yet, you can export results in CSV for downstream editing. Now it’s easier to manipulate the references with pull-down menus to navigate the items that you’re comparing.

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5. DWG/ DXF Markups

DWG and DXF files are where CAD started for me. The formats today continue to be important to communicate 2-dimensional representations, things like process or plant layout continue to be relevant along with various tools like water and laserjets downstream. Now, there is the ability to measure these formats in the 3D Markup app.

6. Save as New Option

This is a simple one, but a goodie. Almost everyone out there at some point wants to create the next best thing that just so happens to be based on an existing product. Well, now in SOLIDWORKS Connected or the Enovia plug-in to SOLIDWORKS, this is easier than ever with the “Save as New” option.

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>> Revisioning in the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

7. Lightweight Mode Option

With each release of desktop SOLIDWORKS, we get great new functionality. Every year, we get performance enhancements and one of those that has been around for quite some time on the desktop side is Lightweight Mode. In the platform now, when saving SOLIDWORKS files up to the platform (Cloud), those files do NOT need to be fully resolved. You can understand the performance dividends here. The blue feather below indicates lightweight mode.

8. Admin Settings Enforced and Consistent Save Rules

With Collaborative Designer, “mySession settings” can be enforced. This will help standardize settings for end-users and ensure consistency across the users, which will improve stability.

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9. Motion Studies re Visualize Connected

One of my true CAD passions is rendering. Oftentimes, when creating a complex animation, it starts with a motion study in SOLIDWORKS mechanical CAD. Now, we can translate those authored keys from SOLIDWORKS over to Visualize Connected, which takes a lot of manual keying and time out of the equation.

10. File Auto Naming

This is a new admin setting that allows enforcing of file auto naming. The admin can specify an auto-naming rule, and once enabled, new parts and assemblies are assigned names following the rule.

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11. 3DSwym Conversations

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform can be a one-stop-shop. The backbone of the platform is the community where users can collaborate and tag each other to work more efficiently. Now, your meetings can allow for screen sharing, so you can see directly what your colleagues are developing.

Hopefully, you’ll start using these latest enhancements in the FD06 delivery and be even more efficient using the power of 3DEXPERIENCE and SOLIDWORKS.

Want to learn more about the 3DEXPERIENCE platform? We recommend you watch our on-demand webinar Get to Know the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform.