As I sit down to reflect on my recent trip to Dallas, Texas, for 3DEXPERIENCE World 2024, I have to say that I’m quite excited about and inspired by the future of product design and manufacturing. Hosted by Dassault Systèmes and previously known as SOLIDWORKS World, this annual event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts from around the globe to explore the latest advancements in the world of design and engineering.
As a Senior Consultant and Managing Partner of xLM Solutions, an end-to-end PLM consulting firm with years of experience working with Dassault’s suite of solutions, I was eager to soak up everything this year’s show had to offer and had the opportunity to sit in on both general and technical sessions, as well as explore the 3DEXPERIENCE Playground. Here are some of my top takeaways from the event.
From Sketch to Reality: How AI is Reshaping Product Design
One of the overarching themes of the event was the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the design process. Dassault has made significant investments in AI, paving the way for groundbreaking features such as creating 3D objects from hand sketches, material optimization, and automatic generation of drawings. The fusion of modeling, simulation, and AI promises to revolutionize the way we design and evaluate products, with capabilities ranging from command prediction to self-driving mode and smoother design processes.
Moreover, Dassault showcased their commitment to bringing AI-driven business analytics to the forefront, enabling tasks such as pricing optimization, risk analysis, and finding alternate parts. This strategic focus on AI underscores the company’s dedication to empowering users with intelligent tools that enhance productivity and drive innovation – and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
SIMULIA’s Expansion: Bringing Advanced Simulation to SOLIDWORKS Users
Another key highlight was Dassault’s expansion of SIMULIA, with the goal of bringing multi-physics simulation to the SOLIDWORKS market. It marks something of a departure for SIMULIA, which is currently mostly liner at this time, and represents a significant step forward in bridging the gap between traditional SOLIDWORKS users and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, offering advanced simulation capabilities previously unavailable in SOLIDWORKS.
Addressing concerns about the future of desktop clients versus cloud-based solutions, Dassault emphasized their commitment to both paradigms, ensuring that users have the flexibility to choose between the traditional SOLIDWORKS desktop client with cloud connectors or on-platform deployments (e.g. xDesign and xShape, cloud-based CAD). This reassurance is particularly significant for users and value-added resellers (VARs) concerned about the longevity of desktop software in an increasingly cloud-centric landscape.
Exciting Announcements from 3DEXPERIENCE World 2024
In addition to these overarching themes, several exciting announcements caught my attention, including new offerings for 3D mechatronics on the cloud, Draftsight Creator—a cloud-based design tool, and specialized solutions for educators on the platform. Furthermore, Dassault’s strategic partnership with Cadence promises to bring new synergies and capabilities to the forefront, although specific details were not disclosed during the event.
On the technical front, sessions focused on the migration of SOLIDWORKS data to the 3DEXPERIENCE cloud showcased significant advancements and upcoming features. Support for revision settings, enhanced compatibility definitions, and improvements to the migration assist tool underscore Dassault commitment to streamlining the transition process for users migrating to the cloud. I feel our existing migration tools for 3DEXPERIENCE and migration methodologies will align nicely with Dassault’s direction for migrating SOLIDWORKS data.
Lastly, the event provided a glimpse into the future of product innovation, with companies showcasing their cutting-edge creations, from miniature robots for internal organ surgery to autonomous strollers and innovative transportation solutions designed for Indian roads.
Empowered by Innovation: Looking Ahead After 3DEXPERIENCE World 2024
In conclusion, 3DEXPERIENCE World 2024 was a testament to the boundless possibilities that lie ahead in the world of design and engineering. As technology continues to evolve and AI-driven solutions become increasingly integrated into the design process, the future holds endless opportunities for innovation and collaboration. I return from this event more inspired and energized than ever, ready to leverage these advancements to drive meaningful change in our industry.
