SolidWorks Installation

IMPORTANT Installation tips for SolidWorks

Before you install a new version of SolidWorks, we recommend you read the SolidWorks Installation and Administration guide. This document is found at on the SolidWorks Customer Portal under Install & Admin Guides. Make sure you read and understand everything in that document before you install. Some of the highlights include:

Activation

Customers who are properly registered via the SolidWorks web site will need to activate their software within 30 days of installation. Activation is found in SolidWorks itself under Help > Activation. The process is automatic and need only be done when you first install the software. More information can be obtained by contacting Graphics Systems Technical support, at (800) 454-2233.

SolidNetwork License File (SNL)

For each new version of SolidWorks, the SNL manager for that version must be installed and activated. The SNL manager can be obtained from the SolidWorks DVD or you can download it from SolidWorks.

Other Good Advice

Do not upgrade Beta or Pre-Release software. Uninstall the Beta/Pre-Release software and install as a new install.

Backup part, assemblies, drawings, document templates, sheet formats, palette items, or any other SolidWorks files you may have customized.

Turn off your anti-virus software before you install SolidWorks. Restart your anti-virus software once the installation is complete. In addition, it is recommended that SolidWorks part, assembly and drawing file types be excluded from any on-access virus scanning you may be running.

If you are using PDM/Works or PhotoWorks TCP/IP must be installed on your machine. If you are unsure, ask your system administrator.

More IMPORTANT Installation tips for SolidWorks

Thank you for your recent purchase of SolidWorks. In order to make the installation process easier, please read the installation instructions located inside of the SolidWorks documentation before proceeding with this document.

The installation instructions that SolidWorks provides give a good overview of how the installation process works. However, our years of experience in working with new SolidWorks users have prompted us to create this document. You will find herein some helpful tips regarding the installation of SolidWorks. SolidWorks Explorer: If you are loading SolidWorks Explorer, do not load the SolidWorks Explorer as a separate application. It is loaded by default with SolidWorks itself.

Swap Space

We recommend that you increase your swap file to a size of 3 times the amount of system RAM. For example, if your machine has 1GB of RAM, then the recommended swap file size would be 3GB. A good rule of thumb in Windows is to set the "swap file initial size" to this number, and set the "swap file maximum size" to 100 megabytes larger than that. You don't want them exactly the same size, because if you have them equal, Windows won't have a buffer to use and instead of warning you when you're running low on memory, you application will simply crash. We also recommend defragmenting your hard disk BEFORE you increase the swap file size. This will make the new swap file more efficient and increase overall system performance.

Use Custom Installation for Old A La Carte Add-Ins

If you have purchased products in the past such as PhotoWorks or FeatureWorks a la carte, you must choose "Custom Installation" during the setup routine. Keep in mind that the system defaults to "Typical Installation," which installs only SolidWorks.

Serial Numbers for Old A La Carte Add-Ins

Each copy of SolidWorks that you have purchased has a unique serial number. This number must be used in order to install the product. If you are installing products purchased in the days when they were offered a la carte, such as PhotoWorks or FeatureWorks, then you will have serial numbers for those products as well, and you will be prompted for them during the setup routine.

Installation Support

Regardless of your support status with Graphics Systems Corporation, you can always call our technical support hotline with installation questions. The number is (800) 454-2233. Press option "2" when prompted, and you will be taken right into the technical support area.

You Are Important! Graphics Systems Corporation is dedicated to giving our customers the best support possible. We look forward to working with you!