Is SolidWorks Available for Android?
If you’re a fan of SolidWorks and use an Android device, you might be wondering if there is a version of SolidWorks available for your platform.
Limited by the technical specifications and processing power of mobile devices, full-featured CAD software like SolidWorks has traditionally been limited to desktop computers. However, there are some alternatives and companion apps that can help you work with SolidWorks files on your Android device.
Companion Apps
One way to work with SolidWorks files on your Android device is through companion apps developed by SolidWorks itself.
SolidWorks eDrawings
SolidWorks eDrawings is a mobile app available for both Android and iOS devices. It allows you to view, review, and collaborate on 2D and 3D CAD models created in various file formats, including SolidWorks files.
The app offers powerful visualization tools that enable you to rotate, zoom, pan, and section models with ease. You can also add markups, annotations, and measurements to communicate design changes or ideas effectively.
SolidWorks Mobile Viewer
SolidWorks Mobile Viewer is another app developed by SolidWorks that allows you to view 3D models on your Android device.
This app provides an easy-to-use interface where you can load SolidWorks files from cloud storage services or directly from your device’s storage. Once loaded, you can explore the model using touch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom and swipe-to-rotate. The viewer also supports exploded views and animations for better understanding of complex assemblies.
Alternative CAD Apps
If you need more comprehensive CAD functionality on your Android device, there are alternative CAD apps available that can work with SolidWorks files.
Onshape
Onshape is a cloud-based CAD platform that offers both web and mobile apps for Android and iOS devices.
With Onshape, you can create, edit, and collaborate on 3D models directly in your browser or mobile device. It supports importing and exporting SolidWorks files, ensuring compatibility with your existing designs. Onshape’s intuitive interface and powerful feature set make it a viable option for mobile CAD work.
AutoCAD Mobile
AutoCAD Mobile is the mobile version of Autodesk’s popular CAD software AutoCAD. It is available for both Android and iOS devices.
This app allows you to view, edit, annotate, and share DWG files on your Android device. While it doesn’t have all the advanced features of SolidWorks, it provides a robust set of tools for working with 2D drawings. AutoCAD Mobile also integrates with cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox for seamless file access across devices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there isn’t a full version of SolidWorks available for Android devices, there are companion apps like SolidWorks eDrawings and SolidWorks Mobile Viewer that allow you to view and collaborate on SolidWorks files. Additionally, alternative CAD apps like Onshape and AutoCAD Mobile offer more comprehensive functionality for creating and editing 3D models on your Android device.
Whether you’re looking to simply view designs or perform more complex CAD tasks on the go, these options provide flexibility and convenience without compromising too much on functionality.