One of the highlights every year at SolidWorks WORLD is the preview of the next release of the software.  This is usually done by a funny skit from the Product Marketing team at SolidWorks and this year did not disappoint.

CAD COPS, CAD COPS..WHATCHA GONNA DO WHEN THEY COME FOR YOU!

Now that I have been back to work for just over a week I have had some time to digest all of the new features in SolidWorks 2012 that were previewed during the Wednesday morning General Session.  Please keep in mind that not all of these features actually make it to the actual initial release but for the most part they do.  Here are the enhancements that you can look for in SolidWorks 2012.

• Performance
  • Clear the file from memory when closed
• Administration
  • Complete uninstall
  • Uninstall via an admin image
• UI
  • The ability to pin documents in recent files
  • Unit switcher on the status bar
  • Command search
  • Dual monitor support
• Parts
  • Feature freeze
• Sheet Metal
  • Parallel to base flange
  • Form tool rotation
  • Ignore faces when unfolding
• Equations
  • Equation editor
  • Different variables available via dropdowns
  • Automatic solve order
• Assemblies
  • Tab key to hide components
  • Additional motion sensors including actuator loads and bearing loads
• Drawings
  • Exploded views available in view pallete
  • Create BOM’s without pre-selecting views
  • Sequential ballooning
  • Magnet lines to line up balloons
  • Automatic reuse of view labels
  • Add center marks at any time
• 3dvia Composer
  • Per pixel lighting and ambient inclusion
  • BOM highlights
  • Custom compass
• Costing Tool
  • Sheet metal costing including templates for suppliers
  • Cost reports
  • Template editor

I will be selecting some of my favorites from these in the upcoming weeks and give you my reaction to them.  Ricky Jordan from www.rickyjordan.com has a great write up and some great pictures of the new features listed above.  Make sure you go check out his SolidWorks 2012 Sneak Peak post.