Installation
- SOLIDWORKS and SW PDM System Requirements
- Preparing for Installation
- How to Download SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager (.EXE)
- How to Request a Manual Download for SOLIDWORKS
- How To Order A SOLIDWORKS Media Kit
- Installing – A Complete Overview to Managing a CAD Environment
- SOLIDWORKS Individual Installation
- How to Modify Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- How to Repair Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard: How to Transfer SOLIDWORKS License
- Performing a Clean Uninstall
- How to Quickly Update SOLIDWORKS to a Newer Service Pack
- Install the 3DEXPERIENCE Add-in for SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing
- How to Upgrade SolidNetWork License Manager
- Moving from SOLIDWORKS Standalone to Network Licenses
- Adding License to an Existing SolidNetwork License Manager
- Use Options File to Reserve Licenses for Specific Users
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Order Guide
- How to Reactivate SOLIDWORKS Network Licenses
- How to Move the SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager to a New Server
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetwork License Manager Overview
- How to Install the SolidNetwork License Manager
SOLIDWORKS Portal
SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Hardware Guide – 2021 Update
- SOLIDWORKS Keyboard Shortcuts
- SOLIDWORKS Copy Settings Wizard
- Accessing Xpress Tools
- How To Tell Who Has a SOLIDWORKS File Open
- How to Use SOLIDWORKS Pack and Go
- SOLIDWORKS Administration Overview
- Rebuild Types and How They Work
- How to Store SOLIDWORKS Templates on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
- How to Adjust Annotation Formatting and Spacing
- Understanding SOLIDWORKS Settings and Templates
- How to create SOLIDWORKS Part, Assembly, and Drawing Templates
PDM
- PDM How to Work in Off-line Mode
- Enhancement Requests for PDM Users
- How to Use PDM Move Tree
- How to Use PDM Copy Tree
- PDM - What are Private State Files?
- PDM Search Operators
- How to Set PDM to Details View in Windows File Explorer
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Search Results – Which Configuration’s Variables are Displayed?
- PDM Automatic Login Options
- PDM Administrators: Roles and Responsibilities
- PDM License Type Matrix
- PDM Server Recommendations
- PDM Backup Procedures
- How to Reset Your SOLIDWORKS PDM Admin Password
- How to Control Get Version Commands
- Adding a PDM Vault View with a Windows Azure Active Directory Account
- PDM Major Minor Revisions
- How to Set Revision Manually in PDM
- How to Set Up Revision Tables
- PDM - What are Version Free Variables?
- PDM How to Rollback a File to a Previous Version
- PDM Setting Cache Options Automatically
- How to Change PDM Date Formatting
- How to Delete a PDM User Completely
- How to Reset Web2 Authentication in IIS
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Connectivity Test Tool
- How to Configure the SOLIDWORKS PDM Local HOSTS file to Resolve Server Name
- Show all articles ( 3 ) Collapse Articles
- Create Local Vault View
- How to Delete or Recreate a Local Vault View
- Create Local PDM Vault View Using .cvs File
- How to Change PDM Client License Type after Installation
- PDM File Version Upgrade Tool
- PDM Upgrade Checklist
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS PDM Add-ins
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in PDM
- SOLIDWORKS PDM: Moving Server Components - Checklist
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
- SOLIDWORKS PDM / Manage Installation Guide (PDF)
- Install Microsoft SQL 2019 for PDM Professional
- How to Install PDM Client Software
Known Solutions
- Windows Firewall Exceptions for SOLIDWORKS Network Based Products
- Why Users Need Local Admin Rights to Install SOLIDWORKS
- How to Run SOLIDWORKS with Administrator Permissions
- Blank SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager - Resolution
- SOLIDWORKS RX - The Ultimate CAD Diagnostic Tool
- SOLIDWORKS Safe Modes
- How to Force SOLIDWORKS to Use Your Graphics Card
- How to Ensure that You are Running a SOLIDWORKS Certified Graphics Card Driver
- Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS Installation Issues
- Resolution to Common File Location Errors
- Non-Matching Internal ID
- Could not obtain a license for SOLIDWORKS CAM. Invalid (inconsistent) license key
- “The Source Folder Is Not Versioned Properly…” Error when Modifying Serial Number
- “A Newer Version of This Product is Already Installed” Error when Installing SOLIDWORKS
- "Error obtaining License (-85, 147, 0)"
- SOLIDWORKS Search Routine Order
- How to Restore Dismissed SOLIDWORKS Messages
- Viewing SOLIDWORKS Configurations in eDrawings
- How to Modify the Reference/Update Dialog Dismissal Time
- Show all articles ( 4 ) Collapse Articles
Simulation
- Simulation Meshing Guide
- How to Duplicate and Reuse Simulation Study Data
- Setting Up Default Options for SOLIDWORKS Simulation Studies
- Which Type of Elements Should I Use?
- Is SOLIDWORKS Simulation Accurate?
- Getting Started with Simulation
- The Basics of Setting Up a Study in Simulation
- Do I Need Non-linear Simulation?
How to Force SOLIDWORKS to Use Your Graphics Card
SOLIDWORKS is a heavily visual program, so making sure that it is using the correct graphics card is critical to performance and reliability. This article will cover how to force SOLIDWORKS to use your Dedicated Graphics Card. The preferred method to do this is through the dedicated Graphics Card Settings (NVIDIA or AMD) but it can also be done through Windows Settings. This article goes over how to do this through NVIDIA, AMD, and Windows Settings. If you want to learn more about how computer hardware affects SOLIDWORKS performance check out this guide: MLC CAD SOLIDWORKS Hardware Guide.
Choose Your Graphics Card Type
Force SOLIDWORKS to Use Graphics Card Through NVIDIA Control Panel (Recommend Method for NVIDIA Graphics Cards)
1. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel by right clicking on your Desktop and selecting “NVIDIA Control Panel” (Note: If you are using a NVIDIA card and don’t see this option, I would recommend checking out the How to Ensure that You are Running a SOLIDWORKS Certified Graphics Card Drive article to make sure you are running an appropriate Graphics Card Driver.)

2. Within the NVIDIA Control Panel, perform the following steps (See Screenshot for Reference):
1. Open the “Manage 3D settings” page under the “3D Settings” category.
2. Select the “Program Settings” Tab to specify what graphics card to us for specific programs.
3. Under “Select a program to customize” drop-down select “Dassault Systems SolidWorks…” If you don’t see it in the list, click the “Add” button and select it from the list here or browse to the SLDWORKS.exe file for the application. (The default location for it is “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\SLDWORKS.exe”)
4. Under the “Select the preferred graphics processor for this program:” expand the drop-down and select “High-performance NVIDIA processor” to make it use your NVIDIA Graphics Card.
5. Select “Apply” to lock in the changes.

Force SOLIDWORKS to Use Graphics Card Through AMD Radeon Pro Settings Pro (Recommend Method for AMD Graphics Cards)
1. Open AMD Settings by right clicking on your Desktop and selecting “AMD Radeon Pro Settings” (Note: If you are using a AMD card and don’t see this option, I would recommend checking out the How to Ensure that You are Running a SOLIDWORKS Certified Graphics Card Drive article to make sure you are running an appropriate Graphics Card Driver.)

2. Select the “System” option

3. Within this page perform the following steps (see screenshot):
1. Select the “Switchable Graphics” Tab
2. Select the “Installed Profile Applications” button
3. Select the “Browse Button” and browse to the SLDWORKS.exe file for the application (The default location for it is “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\SLDWORKS.exe”)
4. Once you see SLDWORKS.exe in the list, click on it and change to “High Performance”

Force SOLIDWORKS to Use Graphics Card Through Windows Settings
1. Open Windows Settings. This can be done by pressing the Windows key and selecting the gear icon.

2. Click on “System” and go to the “Display” section.


3. Scroll down to the very bottom and select the option “Graphics settings”.

4. In this dialog, make sure the app preference is set to “Desktop app” and select “Browse”.

5. Browse to the “SLDWORKS.exe” file used to open SolidWorks and select “Add”. The default location for it is “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\SLDWORKS.exe”

6. SolidWorks should now appear on your applications list. Select the “Options” button under SolidWorks and specify “High Performance” and save the changes.
