How to Install SOLIDWORKS Composer
SOLIDWORKS Composer is a desktop content-creation system that enables the reuse of digital 3D data from CAD and other sources. Composer lets you create assembly and disassembly procedures, technical illustrations, interactive 3D animations, training materials, marketing materials, sales tools, and more. This guide provides detailed steps to install SOLIDWORKS Composer using the SOLIDWORKS installation manager.
Licensing
SOLIDWORKS Composer is installed as a standalone application. This means the software requires a separate serial number other than your core SOLIDWORKS serial number. This allows SOLIDWORKS Composer to be installed on a separate computer than your core SOLIDWORKS.
SOLIDWORKS Composer Player is a free application that lets content creators distribute Composer content to any end-user. Composer Player offers the same high performance as Composer. Much more than a simple viewer, Composer Player makes it possible for content consumers to have highly interactive experiences with product deliverables. Composer Player is included with SOLIDWORKS licenses and does not require its own serial number.
SOLIDWORKS Composer Player Pro includes all the features of the SOLIDWORKS Composer Player, but also enables you to interrogate a model, adjust the viewing angle, and rotate/pan/zoom in real time. You can also use custom APIs to customize the Player. Composer Player Pro requires a separate serial number other than your core SOLIDWORKS or Composer serial number.
SOLIDWORKS Composer Sync creates a batch conversion process from 3D CAD and other 3D formats into SOLIDWORKS Composer format. Changes in product data or manufacturing information can be automatically updated to SOLIDWORKS Composer deliverables. You can save batch job settings to XML for future use. SOLIDWORKS Composer Enterprise Sync is the enterprise version of SOLIDWORKS Composer Sync with additional features to update information for maintaining accurate product technical communication.
SOLIDWORKS Composer products can also be purchased separately from other SOLIDWORKS products by contacting your MLC CAD Systems account rep. A SOLIDWORKS Composer specific serial number will be provided after your purchase is completed.
Installation
SOLIDWORKS Composer products are installed using the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager.
When installing SOLIDWORKS Composer on a computer which does not already have another SOLIDWORKS product, the installation manager will display and option to ‘Install on this Computer’. Click Next to proceed.
When adding SOLIDWORKS Composer to a computer with an existing SOLIDWORKS installation of the same versions of SOLIDWORKS Composer, the installation manager will display an option to ‘Modify your installation’. Click Next to proceed.
On the Serial Number screen, expand Technical Communication and check the box next to SOLIDWORKS Composer to activate the serial number fields. Enter your SOLIDWORKS Composer or SOLIDWORKS Composer Player Pro serial number. Tip, you can copy (Ctrl + c) and paste(Ctrl + v) the number into the first cell to avoid typing mistakes.
On the Summary screen, SOLIDWORKS Composer is listed under the products list along with any required prerequisites to be installed automatically.
If SOLIDWORKS Composer is not displayed, then click Change to the right of the products list to access the product selection screen. Click the box next to SOLIDWORKS Composer and then click Back to Summary.
NOTE: SOLIDWORKS Composer will not be available to install if the standard free Composer Player is already installed. You will need to modify your SOLIDWORKS installation to remove Composer Player before installing the full version of Composer, which will include Composer Player by default. See the next two images for clarification.
When installing Composer on a computer which does not include SOLIDWORKS, then SOLIDWORKS Translator will be required to import SOLIDWORKS files into Composer. Simply expand SOLIDWORKS Composer and select SOLIDWORKS Translator. Note, this will add several GB of additional space requirement for installation. The image below for the 2024 version requires 7.1 GB of space to include SOLIDWORKS Translator.
For new installations of SOLIDWORKS Composer, read and accept the license agreement and then click Download and Install. Note, for network installations of SOLIDWORKS Composer, you will be prompted to enter the server’s communication port and server’s hostname. The default port is 25734. For example, 25734@Server.
If you are adding SOLIDWORKS Composer to a computer with an existing installation of SOLIDWORKS, read and accept the license agreement and then click Modify Now.
Once installation/modification is complete, click Finish.
Activation
For network seats of SOLIDWORKS Composer, activation is managed on the license server. Once installation is complete on your computer, you can use the software without additional activation requirements.
For standalone seats of SOLIDWORKS Composer or Composer Player Pro, the software must be activated once installation is complete. The first time the application is launched, the activation prompt will be displayed. Select SOLIDWORKS Composer from the list to highlight. We recommend using the Automatic over the internet activation method. Enter your email address (if required by the version you are installing) and click Next to activate.
Once activation is completed, a status screen will display. Click Finish to close the activation and launch SOLIDWORKS Composer. The software is now installed and ready to use.
SOLIDWORKS Composer Add-in
The SOLIDWORKS Composer add-in enables the option to save your SOLIDWORKS files in the SOLIDWORKS Composer format (.smg) in the File > Save-as options. This assists the SOLIDWORKS Composer user as it saves the step of running the SOLIDWORKS Translator utility in SOLIDWORKS Composer which converts the SOLIDWORKS file into a .smg file.
The Composer Add-in is installed automatically if you already have SOLIDWORKS or are including SOLIDWORKS with your installation on the same computer as SOLIDWORKS Composer. The add-in can be turned on within SOLIDWORKS under Tools > Add-ins, and the selecting the SOLIDWORKS Composer option for the current session and/or at start up.
Frequently Asked Questions
SOLIDWORKS Composer is used to create 2D and interactive 3D graphical content like assembly instructions, user manuals, and technical illustrations directly from your CAD data. It can often replace traditional image-editing tools like Snagit or Photoshop by allowing engineers and technical teams to generate content without needing to rework designs in separate software.
Yes, SOLIDWORKS Composer requires its own serial number and license, separate from the standard SOLIDWORKS installation.
Composer is typically available through the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager, but it does not install by default without a SOLIDWORKS Composer specific serial number.
SOLIDWORKS Composer has specific hardware and OS requirements. Check our system requirements here: mlc-cad.com/solidworks-help-center/solidworks-system-requirements/
Follow the activation process outlined in our guide here: mlc-cad.com/solidworks-help-center/solidworks-license-activation/
You can install Composer on more than one device, but you must transfer the license if you’re not using a floating/network license. Only one activation is allowed per license at a time.
Visit our installation guide for SOLIDWORKS here: mlc-cad.com/solidworks-help-center/how-to-download-solidworks/
Make sure your serial number includes Composer as a licensed product. If it doesn’t appear, check with your SOLIDWORKS reseller or system admin to confirm your entitlements.
Technical Support
Get help from our team by Calling us at 800-364-1652 x 2. You can also get assistance by clicking the Technical Support button or the Email Our Experts button below.