A designer made a change to a part, opened the assembly – and it suddenly “broke”: some references disappeared, the drawing pulled in old geometry, and it later turned out that a colleague had been editing the same file from an old folder at the same time. For engineering teams, this is not a minor technical inconvenience, but a real risk to deadlines, production documentation and project quality. It is precisely these “broken links” that often become the biggest problem for teamwork in SolidWorks without centralised data management. In this article, we’ll look at how 3DEXPERIENCE cloud tools help solve this problem and nine other common issues: from version control to collaborative mark-ups, CAD-aware storage and secure collaboration with contractors.
In many engineering teams, working with CAD data starts simply: there is a shared network folder, a local server or internal storage for SolidWorks files. This may suffice in the early stages, but as the number of projects grows, typical problems arise: constant IT support is required, it becomes more difficult to grant access to remote engineers, and the risk of file duplication and loss of up-to-date versions increases. If a company needs local control, approval workflows and structured document management, SolidWorks PDM could be the logical solution – a system that has its place within the engineering infrastructure.
The issue is not that on-premise PDM is outdated or doesn’t work. The problem arises when a team scales rapidly, brings in contractors, works from different locations, and does not want to spend resources on servers, VPNs, backups, and access administration. In such scenarios, cloud-based collaboration via 3DEXPERIENCE becomes a more flexible solution: it helps to centrally store CAD data, manage versions, grant access to the right people and reduce dependence on local IT infrastructure.
A standard cloud drive such as Google Drive or Dropbox stores CAD files as separate documents but does not understand their engineering logic. For SolidWorks, this is critical, as an assembly consists of more than just a single file: it contains parts, sub-assemblies, drawings, external references and dependencies between elements. When some files are renamed, moved or uploaded separately, the assembly can lose its links. This is precisely why, for teamwork, you need not just cloud storage, but CAD-aware storage that “sees” the project structure.
In 3DEXPERIENCE, these links are preserved automatically: parts, assemblies and drawings remain linked to one another, even when several engineers are working on the project. Open an assembly, and the system fetches the latest links without the need to manually search for files in folders. For teams wishing to combine their familiar workflow in SolidWorks with cloud-based data management, 3DEXPERIENCE SolidWorks is worth considering as an environment where CAD files are not merely stored, but remain an integral part of the engineering process.
In manufacturing teams, a model often needs to be shown not only to designers, but also to process engineers, contractors, clients or service specialists. However, sharing the original CAD files with all stakeholders is risky, especially when dealing with unique assemblies, industrial equipment or parts with commercial value. In 3DEXPERIENCE, you can grant access for viewing and commenting without editing rights, so the team receives feedback without losing control over intellectual property. This is useful when you need to quickly agree on a change, check installation access, or get feedback from an external partner.
This approach helps replace lengthy emails, screenshots and “for review” files with a clear annotation system. Comments are linked to a specific version of the model, rather than a randomly opened file, so everyone sees the same context:
This is particularly important for manufacturing companies, because IP is not an abstract legal term, but a real business asset. If drawings, 3D models and technical solutions circulate uncontrollably among contractors, the team loses transparency and increases the risk of errors. Collaborative annotations in 3DEXPERIENCE help teams work openly, but without unnecessary access: each participant sees exactly what they need for their task.
Folders containing files named “part_final_v3_DEFINITELY_LAST.sldprt” appear when the team manages versions independently and relies effectively on the engineers’ memories. In 3DEXPERIENCE, automatic version control retains a complete history of changes: who updated the model, which revision was current, what has already been approved, and what is still under review. This directly impacts ECOs (Engineering Change Orders), as each change is linked not only to the file but also to the approval status, the reason for the amendment, and the responsible parties. As a result, production documentation becomes more accurate: the workshop, procurement department or contractor receives not a random copy from a folder, but a verified version that reflects the current state of the project.
Traditionally, PLM is perceived as a large and complex project: separate servers, months of implementation, hiring consultants, configuring processes and ongoing IT infrastructure support. 3DEXPERIENCE offers a different approach: a team can start with cloud-based PDM to manage CAD data, versions and access, and then gradually expand the system to PLM without switching to another platform. When the need arises for change management, task management, approvals or broader cross-departmental collaboration, simply add the required roles and licences. For small and medium-sized manufacturers, this provides access to enterprise-level engineering data management without the need to start with a complex infrastructure; you can find out more about the ecosystem of solutions for such a transition on the 3DExperience Works page.
Cloud PDM is suitable for teams that work from different locations, quickly onboard engineers and do not have their own IT infrastructure for servers, VPNs and backups. On-premise PDM is a better choice for companies with strict requirements for physical data storage, security or deep process customisation. Therefore, the decision should be based not on trends, but on the team’s actual needs.
3DEXPERIENCE does not replace SolidWorks, but extends it into a team platform where CAD data, versions, access rights, mark-ups and approvals all operate within a single environment. For some teams, the optimal solution will be cloud-based collaboration without their own IT infrastructure; for others, on-premise PDM with local control and more in-depth process customisation. GEO-MENTOR will help assess your workflow structure, security requirements, number of participants and scaling scenarios to select a model that truly suits your engineering team.
No, 3DEXPERIENCE does not replace SolidWorks as a CAD system. It extends the workflow: adding cloud storage, collaborative annotations, version control, access management and a gradual transition to PLM.
A standard drive stores a file but does not understand the structure of a CAD project. CAD-aware storage takes into account the relationships between parts, assemblies, drawings and revisions. This is critical for SolidWorks, as a single broken link can break the entire assembly.
On-premise PDM is worth considering if a company has strict requirements for local data storage, complex approval workflows or extensive customisation. GEO-MENTOR can help compare both scenarios.
