SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation
Simulate the fluid flow, heat transfer, and fluid forces that are critical to the success of your designs.
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation Overview
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is an intuitive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solution seamlessly integrated within SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD. It empowers engineers and designers to quickly and easily simulate liquid and gas flows through and around their designs, enabling precise calculation of product performance and capabilities. This tool helps in understanding fluid behavior, optimizing designs for flow efficiency, and predicting thermal performance, all within a familiar design environment.
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation Use Cases
Common use cases and integration points into your engineering workflow include:
Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics
Optimize external flow around vehicles, aircraft, or marine vessels to reduce drag and improve performance.
Thermal Management
Analyze heat transfer in electronic components, enclosures, and systems to prevent overheating and ensure reliable operation.
HVAC System Design
Simulate airflow and temperature distribution within buildings and ventilation systems to ensure occupant comfort and energy efficiency.
Valve and Manifold Design
Evaluate pressure drop, flow distribution, and mixing efficiency in fluid control devices.
Pumping and Piping Systems
Optimize pump selection, pipe sizing, and system layouts to minimize energy consumption and maximize flow rates.
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation Features & Benefits
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation enables engineers to predict and visualize fluid flow and heat transfer within their designs, leading to optimized product performance, reduced prototyping costs, and accelerated time-to-market. Its seamless integration with SOLIDWORKS CAD allows for rapid design iterations and comprehensive analysis, ensuring that products meet performance requirements and operate efficiently in real-world conditions.
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation Key Features
- Ease of Use
- Multi-Parameter Optimization
- Material Database
- Internal
- External
- Head Conduction
- 2D – 3D
- Gravity
- Symmetric
- Boundary Layer Description
- Flow Conditions
- Thermal Conditions
- Wall Conditions
- Porous Components
- Visualization
- Results Customization
- Communication & Reporting
- Two-phase (Fluid + Particles) Flows
- Design Data Reuse
- Rotation
- Flow Simulation Capabilities
- Free Surface
- Liquids
- Mixing Flows
- Non Newtonian Fluids
- Gases
- Steam
- HVAC Module Add-On
- Electronics Cooling Module Add-On
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation Licensing & Packages
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation offers flexible licensing options, including specialized modules, to meet your specific fluid flow and thermal analysis needs:
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation License
A general parametric flow simulation tool that uses the Finite Volume Method (FVM) to calculate product performance through "what if" studies that allow you to perform optimization using the results.
HVAC Module Add-On
Dedicated heating, cooling, and ventilation tools for simulating HVAC systems and radiation phenomena with features for HVAC Conditions, comfort parameters, and tracer study. (Available to add-on to a Flow Simulation license).
Electronics Cooling Module Add-On
Dedicated thermal management study simulation tools for accurate thermal analysis of electronic Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and enclosure designs. (Available to add-on to a Flow Simulation license).
SOLIDWORKS SIMULATION FAQs
Does SOLIDWORKS come with Flow Simulation?
No, SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is not included in standard SOLIDWORKS CAD licenses. It’s a separate add-in that requires its own license.
How much does SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation Cost?
Pricing for SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation depends on the license type, add-on modules, and support options. Most customers will need to request a quote based on their use case.
Is There Any Training to Help My Company Succeed Using the Software?
Yes, a big part of MLC CAD Systems is being a solution provider, and software is just a piece of that. We offer public SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation Classes, custom training specific to your organization, and Consulting Services to dive deep into your simulations and develop workflows.
Do you need a SOLIDWORKS CAD License to Run Flow Simulation?
Yes, SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation acts as an add-on to SOLIDWORKS CAD, so you will also need a SOLIDWORKS CAD license to use the Simulation packages.
Is SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation Accurate?
Yes, SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is as accurate as your inputs to the Simulation and would have the same accuracy as other general CFD solvers. The software goes through extensive validation studies to compare simulation results to real-world tests and can be set up yourself to validate.
What Hardware is Recommended for Using SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation?
This will heavily depend on the complexity of the simulations. SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation will run on any SOLIDWORKS-certified machine (see SOLIDWORKS Hardware Recommendations), but as your simulations get more complex, it is recommend to have better hardware for faster solving time. CPU and RAM are the primary factors that affect solve speed. For most simulations, having a high clock speed CPU (3-4 GHz or higher) with 8 or more cores, along with 32–64 GB of RAM, will work very well. You can also set up a Central Computer to be a remote solver to send simulations to that computer to solve. Understanding and using best simulation practices will be better than throwing more hardware at a problem.
What is the difference between the Thermal Analysis in SOLIDWORKS Simulation and the Thermal Analysis in SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation?
Both allow you to analyze the thermal effects of your products but the main difference is that Thermal Analysis in SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation goes deeper into calculating the convection heat transfer (Heat transfer from Solids to Fluid) and is going to be the more capable solution.
Related Resources
Blog & Articles
Supercharge your simulations with MLC CAD’s “How to Import Flow Simulation Results to FEA” guide! Learn how to seamlessly transfer CFD results—like fluid pressures and shear stresses—from Flow Simulation into SOLIDWORKS Static studies. The guide walks you through exporting .fld files, enabling fluid pressure options, and applying them as external loads, so your structural analysis reflects real-world fluid interactions. Ideal for engineers aiming to streamline multi-physics workflows and elevate simulation realism—click to enhance your FEA game!
Bring your fluid dynamics models to life with MLC CAD’s “SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation Transient Animations” guide. This expert walkthrough reveals how to visualize time-dependent simulation results—like cut plots, flow trajectories, and temperature variations—through dynamic animations. Perfect for engineers working with transient CFD studies, it guides you step-by-step in setting up animations that clearly communicate changing behaviors over time. Ready to make your simulations more insightful and engaging? Discover how to turn raw data into visual clarity!
Webinars & Videos
Discover supersonic simulation with SOLIDWORKS: Learn how to model high-speed aerodynamics—including shock waves, compressibility effects, and pressure jumps—that occur at Mach speeds. The guide walks through when to treat airflow as compressible, how to capture shock formation, and which solver setups accurately predict real-world supersonic behavior. Ideal for engineers working on aerospace, defense, or advanced vehicle projects, these insights help you simulate extreme aerodynamics confidently and precisely.
Elevate your CFD analysis with MLC CAD’s Flow Simulation Post‑Processing Tips & Tricks! This expert-led video demonstrates how to fine-tune solver settings, visualize data in real time, and craft compelling result plots that make insights immediately clear. Whether you’re evaluating convergence accuracy or creating stunning visualizations, this guide gives you the tools to streamline your workflow and present results like a pro. Perfect for engineers looking to maximize their post-processing efficiency and clarity.
Boost your CFD expertise with MLC CAD’s Flow Simulation Tips & Tricks guide! Discover advanced techniques—from mesh optimization and solver tuning to clever post-processing hacks—that enable you to extract more accurate insights faster. Ideal for SOLIDWORKS users looking to refine their simulation pipelines, this resource equips you with pro-level strategies to streamline setup, improve convergence, and elevate result accuracy. Ready to step up your fluid dynamics game?
Master SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation with MLC CAD’s comprehensive tutorial series! From using the intuitive setup wizard and defining boundary conditions/goals to visualizing results, these videos offer a structured, step‑by‑step learning path. Perfect for beginners and intermediate users alike, each clip empowers you to seamlessly integrate CFD into your SOLIDWORKS workflow—boosting design accuracy and confidence. Dive in and elevate your fluid dynamics skills today!