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Software restrictions

  • The student license of Solidworks may be used for academic purposes only.
  • ME Researchers need to contact mech-it@austin.utexas.edu and ask about purchasing research licenses or other CAD products that may be available.

How can I access this software

  •  Solidworks is available via:
    • Install onto personally owned laptops (this method may NOT be used on any UT owned system!).  
      1. Fill out the request form here, https://utexas.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_8IZhD3xMerIVF5P
        1. NOTE - We suggest copying the instructions at the end of the request form to a text editor. You will need the serial number later during setup.
      2. Open the link provided in the Qualtrics request form and follow the directions below.
        1. Fill out the SOLIDWORKS Community Download form with your information.
        2. For Product Information, select Yes to having a serial number that starts with 9020 (serial number provided in the Qualtrics form).
        3. For SOLIDWORKS Version, select 2023-2023
        4. Select Request Download, then click Accept and Continue to the terms, and then click Download to download SolidWorksSetup.exe
      3. Run the SolidWorksSetup.exe (WinZip self-extracting EXE file) and upzip the contents to a desired folder/destination on your computer.
      4. If it doesn't launch the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager automatically, run the setup.exe file that was extracted to start the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager.
      5. Select "Install of this computer" for the type of installation and click Next.
      6. Make sure SOLIDWORKS under 3D Design is checked and paste in the serial number from the Qualtrics request form's instructions.
      7. The default installation options are fine unless you have a specific need.
      8. Accept the terms at the bottom and click "Downloand and Install"
      9. Restart the computer if requested.
      10. Open Solidworks and select activate and click Next
      11. Select Automatically over the internet and click Next
      12. Click Finish.

Common Problems

  • Solidworks won't install onto my Apple computer - Using from a Mac with appropriate Windows accommodations

  • Blank installation Window
  • "Unsupported SQL Server Version" when installing an updated version
    • The electrical component of Solidworks use SQL Server. If you are needing to install a newer version of Solidworks, you have a couple options.
      • Don't install the electrical component. It won't need SQL Server and will skip that check and install the remaining components.
        • Or
      • Fully uninstall the older version of Solidworks and then uninstall all SQL Server versions from your machine first. It will probably be listed as SQL Server Express, Microsoft SQL Server, etc, then install Solidworks as above
        • Or
      • Best option, do both. Uninstall everything first, and then on the new install, don't install electrical unless you need it because it does install a SQL server on your machine.
  • Solidworks Crashing:
    • Possible disk corruption or install errors
    • GPU settings configuration issue (submitted and solved by Ziam Ghaznavi)
      • Open the Solidworks Diagnostic tool (Start > Solidworks Tools year > Solidworks Rx year
      • Click the Diagnostics tab, and click Reload Results
      • There is an Error listing "There is no information on your configuration in our database. If you are experiencing issues with your system, you may want to visit the website to find recommended cards and drivers."
      • Open Solidworks and go to Tools > Options > Performance and check the box marked "Use software OpenGL
      • Close Solidworks and reopen it

  • "Sorry, unable to lookup your session" error filling out request form






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