# CAD **URL:** https://forum.cadmunity.com/c/cad/6.md [Latest](https://forum.cadmunity.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.cadmunity.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.cadmunity.com/tags.md) --- ## [About the CAD category](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/about-the-cad-category/9)
**Author:** [@system](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/about-the-cad-category/9 "2025-05-01T18:58:53Z")
This category is for forums just related to creating and documenting product geometry --- ## [SolidCraft](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/solidcraft/6472)
**Author:** [@SPerman](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/SPerman)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2026, 6:34pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/solidcraft/6472 "2026-11-04T18:34:17Z")
Free Open-Source Alternative to Fusion 360. The same company has also created a free open source alternative to the adobe suite. --- ## [Attempting to support / learn 3 cad systems](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/attempting-to-support-learn-3-cad-systems/6364)
**Author:** [@SPerman](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/SPerman)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/attempting-to-support-learn-3-cad-systems/6364 "2026-07-24T21:23:00Z")
I am currently still doing work in Solidworks. I’m no longer employed by the old company, but I’m still an owner, and still the only design engineer. Fortunately there isn’t much need for my services, but when there is… --- ## [Alibre Cad](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/alibre-cad/421)
**Author:** [@Craig\_Makarowski](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/Craig_Makarowski)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/alibre-cad/421 "2026-05-15T15:41:29Z")
Well I tried Alibre Cad demo to day , they have spring sale for 149usd for the basic level. The cool thing is it imports SolidWorks 2018 assemblies and parts just fine so far. I was looking for an alternate just in case… --- ## [Mini-Vent](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/mini-vent/6063)
**Author:** [@JimSculley](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JimSculley)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2025, 4:05pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/mini-vent/6063 "2025-12-08T16:05:50Z")
There’s nothing like spending a Saturday trying to figure out what the real issues are (compared to what SW says on screen) when doing a server migration and upgrade of SOLIDWORKS/PDM/SOLIDWORKS Electrical from 2017 SP5 … --- ## [License deactivation when admin image used for install](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/license-deactivation-when-admin-image-used-for-install/6040)
**Author:** [@JimSculley](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JimSculley)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2025, 10:34pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/license-deactivation-when-admin-image-used-for-install/6040 "2025-11-24T22:34:44Z")
It has been many years since I’ve had to do an uninstall of SOLIDWORKS. I have several workstations that IT will be upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and some of them have SOLIDWORKS installed. The installs were … --- ## [Quadro K5000 with SOLIDWORKS 2025](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/quadro-k5000-with-solidworks-2025/6012)
**Author:** [@JimSculley](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JimSculley)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/quadro-k5000-with-solidworks-2025/6012 "2025-11-05T19:55:28Z")
We are dangerously close to upgrading from SW2017 to SW2025. Our workstation are a little old, and are equipped with Quadro K5000 video cards. The latest Nvidia driver is the 475.14 version. Is anyone out there runnin… --- ## [Setting up multiple CAD license servers : bare metal or VM?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/setting-up-multiple-cad-license-servers-bare-metal-or-vm/5730)
**Author:** [@mp3-250](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/mp3-250)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2025, 5:16pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/setting-up-multiple-cad-license-servers-bare-metal-or-vm/5730 "2025-10-15T17:16:35Z")
We are facing a reorganization of the way we handle licensing and putting some order with floating license servers we will keep on premises. SW SNL is currently running on a VM, with like 2 cores @2.1GHz 8GB RAM and 90G… --- ## [Bild cloud PDM](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/bild-cloud-pdm/2038)
**Author:** [@Brian-M](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/Brian-M)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/bild-cloud-pdm/2038 "2025-10-15T17:13:07Z")
This is interesting. https://www.getbild.com/ Looks like they are on the right track for small teams using Solidworks. Started in 2021. --- ## [Being the CAD admin without being an IT admin](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/being-the-cad-admin-without-being-an-it-admin/5949)
**Author:** [@JimSculley](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JimSculley)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/being-the-cad-admin-without-being-an-it-admin/5949 "2025-10-08T21:28:09Z")
As a long time SOLIDWORKS user and developer of in-house SOLIDWORKS and PDM addins, I am constantly being stymied by our (typical) draconian IT department with respect to admin rights. I am the CAD admin, but I have no … --- ## [Do/Have you used Solidworks Admin Image?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/do-have-you-used-solidworks-admin-image/706)
**Author:** [@bnemec](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/bnemec)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2025, 8:28pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/do-have-you-used-solidworks-admin-image/706 "2025-08-28T20:28:35Z")
Do/Have you used Admin Image poll If so, does anything stand out in your mind? Pros/Cons etc. Like most things it depends on the scenario and many factors. I opted to use it and I’m not sure if I’m regretting it or … --- ## [MSsql change tempdb default size](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/mssql-change-tempdb-default-size/5779)
**Author:** [@mp3-250](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/mp3-250)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2025, 3:25am UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/mssql-change-tempdb-default-size/5779 "2025-08-02T03:25:43Z")
Is there a way to change the initial size for tempdb files while the server is running? I do not mind to wait until the next reboot to take effect, but I do not want to stop the server to change it. --- ## [GPU stuck at 100% – Found Trojan:Win32/Kepavll!rfn disguised as Windows Defender service](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/gpu-stuck-at-100-found-trojan-win32-kepavll-rfn-disguised-as-windows-defender-service/5753)
**Author:** [@mihkov](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/mihkov)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2025, 10:55am UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/gpu-stuck-at-100-found-trojan-win32-kepavll-rfn-disguised-as-windows-defender-service/5753 "2025-07-24T10:55:51Z")
Recently, I noticed my GPU (NVIDIA Quadro P2200) was constantly running at 100% 3D load, even when no graphics-intensive applications were open. Task Manager showed high GPU usage with no obvious culprit. Chrome was clos… --- ## [Eplan Propanel](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/eplan-propanel/5749)
**Author:** [@jcapriotti](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/jcapriotti)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/eplan-propanel/5749 "2025-07-21T19:48:31Z")
Anyone here intergrate Eplan Pro Panel into their SolidWorks or other 3d MCAD process? Our company has decided to standardize on Eplan Pro Panel for controller cabinet assembly designs. The sheetmetal enclosure parts are… --- ## [Microstation export file types](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/microstation-export-file-types/5678)
**Author:** [@DeanD](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/DeanD)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/microstation-export-file-types/5678 "2025-06-25T20:11:44Z")
We’ve a customer wanting to supply us with Microstation CAD models. Would like to know what are the best file types that it can export for use in a SolidWorks environment. Would appreciate any insight from those that ha… --- ## [CAD license servers and OS](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/cad-license-servers-and-os/5669)
**Author:** [@mp3-250](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/mp3-250)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2025, 2:10pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/cad-license-servers-and-os/5669 "2025-06-24T14:10:51Z")
My understanding is that to run FLEXLM like licensing servers under windows, you need a SERVER OS and while a workstation OS like Windows 11 is technically perfectly able to run it, according to Microsoft TOS, EULA and w… --- ## [AI driven CAD](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/ai-driven-cad/5595)
**Author:** [@jcapriotti](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/jcapriotti)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2025, 1:56pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/ai-driven-cad/5595 "2025-06-13T13:56:05Z")
Ran across this and was wondering, who is this geared toward? AI creation of standard typical designs of common parts. Their tag line is real stretch “Get the full power of a professional CAD platform”. Haven’t seen a… --- ## [Crazy Hardware Issue](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/crazy-hardware-issue/5611)
**Author:** [@JimSculley](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JimSculley)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/crazy-hardware-issue/5611 "2025-06-05T14:34:18Z")
I have a user who said that when he rebooted his Windows 10 machine last night, nothing showed up on the displays after the Windows boot splash screen: The machine has clearly finished booting though, because he can… --- ## [Sharepoint portal with QA](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/sharepoint-portal-with-qa/3492)
**Author:** [@mp3-250](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/mp3-250)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 6:40pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/sharepoint-portal-with-qa/3492 "2025-06-02T18:40:01Z")
We want to make a internal use portal with some sw tutorial, our internal training documents, Q&A, administrative procedures and make it to be searchable somehow. We have a company 365 tenant, what do I need to accompli… --- ## [Xerox Printers](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/xerox-printers/3123)
**Author:** [@AlexLachance](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/AlexLachance)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2025, 3:18pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/xerox-printers/3123 "2025-05-14T15:18:06Z")
I’m just starting this thread to vent some frustration. The company I work for did an administrative decision by switching our Network Printers from HP to Xerox to diminish the costs. It’s been a little over 6 months now… --- ## [Design Profile ISO 68-1 M Thread Sketches (SolidWorks or Any CAD)](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/design-profile-iso-68-1-m-thread-sketches-solidworks-or-any-cad/5449)
**Author:** [@jcoeng](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/jcoeng)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2025, 7:47pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/design-profile-iso-68-1-m-thread-sketches-solidworks-or-any-cad/5449 "2025-05-13T19:47:32Z")
Hello, I’m curious what others are doing for accurate design profiles for threads, internal and external. I know some use a thread tool, I’m not asking about this, I’m aware of it (in SolidWorks) and know how to modify … --- ## [Who is improving their CAD?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/who-is-improving-their-cad/5420)
**Author:** [@m2shell](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/m2shell)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2025, 7:56pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/who-is-improving-their-cad/5420 "2025-05-07T19:56:30Z")
A lot has been written here about companies that are not making daring improvements to their software but are there any software companies that are actually pushing the boundaries and creating new CAD capabilities? --- ## [PDM Standard - Changing Login](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/pdm-standard-changing-login/5419)
**Author:** [@SPerman](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/SPerman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/pdm-standard-changing-login/5419 "2025-05-06T16:21:41Z")
There are times that I need to log out of PDM as my user account, and log back in using the Admin account. I almost always have to reboot for this to work. If I try and log out of one account and log into the other, th… --- ## [Admin Image, only allow install on listed machines](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/admin-image-only-allow-install-on-listed-machines/3437)
**Author:** [@bnemec](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/bnemec)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2025, 12:22pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/admin-image-only-allow-install-on-listed-machines/3437 "2025-02-09T12:22:58Z")
Hello, Is there a way to prevent an admin image from running if the machine it’s installing on is not listed in any of the groups? I would like to prevent people installing SW or PDM on machines that are not assigned t… --- ## [How to simulate a drive fault in a RAID](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/how-to-simulate-a-drive-fault-in-a-raid/3441)
**Author:** [@mp3-250](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/mp3-250)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2025, 12:21pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/how-to-simulate-a-drive-fault-in-a-raid/3441 "2025-02-05T12:21:29Z")
New servers are almost up, but not yet ready for production. HPE DL360 with a raid1+0 on pdm db server and raid6 on pdm archive server both with 6 active ssd and 2 hot spares in the array. Pulling a disk while running … --- ## [PDM, Is there a better place to Destroy the Deleted files? Sort by file type?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/pdm-is-there-a-better-place-to-destroy-the-deleted-files-sort-by-file-type/1976)
**Author:** [@bnemec](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/bnemec)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 6:07pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/pdm-is-there-a-better-place-to-destroy-the-deleted-files-sort-by-file-type/1976 "2025-01-23T18:07:23Z")
The Vault Properties dialog window is fine for General and Permissions maybe, but the Deleted Items tab needs more room but the window size is locked. :frowning: I have not set up to automatically destroy deleted file… --- ## [WIP for every part?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/wip-for-every-part/2201)
**Author:** [@mike\_miller](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/mike_miller)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2025, 11:46pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/wip-for-every-part/2201 "2025-01-04T23:46:24Z")
This is a conversation we just had today. Should all parts/items perpetually have one WIP revision on top of all released revisions? I thought it’s a less-than-great idea, even though General Motors does it. But there is… --- ## [Aras and its SolidWorks connector](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/aras-and-its-solidworks-connector/3119)
**Author:** [@CarrieIves](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/CarrieIves)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 8:10am UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/aras-and-its-solidworks-connector/3119 "2025-01-03T08:10:19Z")
Our company is looking at Aras for PLM. It has a connector to SolidWorks. Anyone using it? Anything we should watch out for? Any using Aras for PLM? And anything we should watch out for with that? Thanks, Carrie --- ## [Workstations, what do you use?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/workstations-what-do-you-use/2199)
**Author:** [@AlexLachance](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/AlexLachance)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2024, 1:41pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/workstations-what-do-you-use/2199 "2024-12-12T13:41:50Z")
What workstations do you guys use? We’ve been using Thinkstations by Lenovo for about 8 years and their more recent models aren’t quite as ‘neat’ as I’d like them to be. The graphic card makes a lot of noise when doing a… --- ## [\[Geomagic Design X\] Workflow for jigs and fixures](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/geomagic-design-x-workflow-for-jigs-and-fixures/3267)
**Author:** [@Welded](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/Welded)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/geomagic-design-x-workflow-for-jigs-and-fixures/3267 "2024-11-13T19:14:54Z")
Hello, I’m relatively new to Design X and try to figure out a proper workflow for this problem: I have a 3D scan of a part, for training purpose I scanned the underside of a spoon (the real parts are pretty comparable)… [Next page](https://forum.cadmunity.com/c/cad/6.md?page=1)