SolidWorks Flow Simulation
MEP software
Simulation & CAE software
CAD software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
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What is SolidWorks Flow Simulation
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) add-in for SOLIDWORKS CAD used to analyze fluid flow and heat transfer directly on 3D models. It supports engineers who need to evaluate cooling, pressure drop, internal/external airflow, and related thermal performance during product design. The tool runs inside the SOLIDWORKS interface and uses the CAD geometry and configurations to set up and compare design variants. It is typically used for mechanical and product design workflows rather than full-building MEP design and documentation.
Embedded in SOLIDWORKS CAD
The simulation workflow runs as an add-in within SOLIDWORKS, so users can set up studies without exporting geometry to a separate CFD application. This reduces translation issues and keeps simulation tied to the design model, configurations, and assemblies. It also supports iterative design changes with less manual rework than disconnected tools.
Thermal and flow use cases
The product focuses on common engineering CFD scenarios such as internal ducting, electronics cooling, fans, heat exchangers, and external aerodynamics at a design level. It includes capabilities for heat transfer and fluid flow results that can inform sizing and design decisions. This aligns well with product engineering needs where CAD-driven analysis is required.
Design comparison and reporting
Users can run multiple studies to compare design alternatives and evaluate the impact of geometry changes on performance metrics. Results visualization is integrated with the model, supporting plots and cut sections for communicating findings. This can shorten review cycles when teams need to document why a design change was made.
Not a full MEP platform
While it can analyze airflow and thermal behavior, it does not provide building-focused MEP design authoring, coordination, or construction documentation workflows. Users looking for discipline-specific building objects, schedules, and BIM deliverables typically need separate MEP design tools. As a result, it fits better as an engineering analysis component than as a primary MEP design system.
Requires SOLIDWORKS licensing
Flow Simulation is tied to the SOLIDWORKS ecosystem and generally requires compatible SOLIDWORKS versions and licensing. Organizations standardized on other CAD/BIM platforms may face additional cost and process overhead to adopt it. Cross-platform collaboration can require neutral file exchange rather than native model sharing.
CFD setup and compute demands
Meaningful CFD results depend on correct boundary conditions, material properties, and mesh/solver settings, which can require specialized expertise. Larger assemblies and higher-fidelity studies can be computationally intensive and may need stronger hardware or longer runtimes. These factors can limit use for teams seeking quick, low-effort analysis.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation (base add-in) | Contact sales / Not listed on official site | General parametric CFD add-in for SOLIDWORKS: fluid flow, heat transfer, internal/external flows. Purchased separately from SOLIDWORKS CAD. |
| HVAC Module (Flow Simulation add-on) | Contact sales / Not listed on official site | Dedicated heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning simulation tools; radiation modeling. |
| Electronics Cooling Module (Flow Simulation add-on) | Contact sales / Not listed on official site | Thermal management tools for PCB and enclosure cooling studies. |
Seller details
Dassault Systèmes SE
Vélizy-Villacoublay, France
1981
Public
https://www.3ds.com/
https://x.com/3DS
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dassaultsystemes/
