Your workspace · Your CAD tools
Connect your tools.
Keep your work moving.
Use the web studio now. When you’re at your CAD computer, one kit brings the local SOLIDWORKS connection steps and revision tools together.
The kit contains the existing companion, a synthetic STEP example, and checks that leave your original files intact. Installation and native CAD testing are still required on your Windows computer.
Your web studio
Work with the existing model tools, ask for the next step, and record a change for the next hourly batch.
Open the studio →SOLIDWORKS
The companion is ready to test on the computer that runs your licensed SOLIDWORKS installation. A successful native connection has not been verified.
Set up that computer →Cloud CAD development
An open CAD kernel created and reopened a real STEP solid. The example is in the kit. An ongoing cloud CAD worker is still pending.
See the next step →These are release checks, not a live scan of your computer. Saving a request and completing its development are separate steps.
On the computer running SOLIDWORKS
Three steps to the first connection test
Open your CAD workspace
Extract the complete connection kit into a new local folder. Open your existing licensed SOLIDWORKS installation and a saved, approved native part copy. Keep the original master unchanged.
Confirm the installed SOLIDWORKS year, service pack and Windows version. No CAD license or paid subscription is included.
Start the included companion
Open solidworks-companion/Start-GO3D-Live.cmd. If Python or its Windows connection library is missing, the launcher explains the next setup step. It does not install anything automatically.
In the local viewer on that same computer, review the permissions, connect, then choose Watch open design. Keep the companion window open.
Check a small copy first
Verify the preview before trying a native operation. Test one supported component or cut on a new copy, then check the returned part in SOLIDWORKS. The kit explains the required template, source identity and result checks.
Phone-to-SOLIDWORKS movement is still in development. The current local connection does not expose your CAD computer to the internet.
Use Ask GO3D in the corner. Describe what you see or what you want to achieve. The guide can point you to the right tool; it does not silently install software or change native CAD.
Describe the result
Speak to your engineer
“Move this bracket back 5 mm. Keep the face unchanged. Show me the fit before the final export.”
Use the request page for the next hourly batch. The offline packet tool can also collect your note, revision label and exact source checksum into one review file.
Your voice-to-text availability depends on your device. The packet tool preserves text for review; it does not execute it as CAD code or submit another queue request.
Start with open tools
Cloud work without another CAD seat
The included CadQuery/OpenCascade example is a 40 × 30 × 6 mm plate with a 6 mm hole. It was exported and reopened as one valid solid with matching dimensions.
The next step is a bounded processing worker using the existing GO3D workflow. Bill’s native files still need acceptance in his licensed SOLIDWORKS session.
No VM, cloud CAD subscription or QUICKSURFACE purchase is needed to inspect this example or prepare an offline revision packet.
A separate MAKER validation kit now checks registration and creates a derived union for small closed STL regions. It retains both sources and verifies the reopened STEP/STL. Current limits: 500 triangles per input, 2,000 in the result, and a 45-second job deadline. It runs offline; the ongoing cloud worker and printer connection remain pending.
Check the kit or prepare a revision packet
From the extracted kit’s top folder, this checks Python prerequisites without starting SOLIDWORKS:
py -3 -B -m processing.connection_readiness doctor
To verify the downloaded ZIP, replace the example filename with its actual saved path:
py -3 -B -m processing.connection_readiness verify --packet "GO3D_Connection_Readiness_GUIDE1_2026-10-21.zip"
Write the desired result into intent.txt, choose the saved source, and create a new packet:
py -3 -B -m processing.connection_readiness packet --source "approved-part.stl" --intent-file "intent.txt" --revision "Route A review 1" --units mm --output "GO3D_Revision_A1.zip"
By default this includes the source’s identity, not its CAD data. Add --include-source for an unchanged selected-file copy, up to 100 MiB. Assembly dependencies require a separate native package. The included README has the complete steps.
When would another license or remote computer help?
Start with the current licensed CAD computer and the open CAD test. A dedicated Windows host becomes useful only if a measured test shows the need and the software license permits that setup.
QUICKSURFACE remains an optional scan reconstruction tool to benchmark on a representative region. A free Onshape account uses public documents and is for noncommercial work, so it is not the private customer-file route.
Current references: SOLIDWORKS supported systems · Onshape plans · QUICKSURFACE. A new account, trial, license or paid host must be selected and configured separately.