SolidWorks Corporation Eliminates Compatibility Problem for AutoCAD Users; New DWGgateway plug-in allows any version of AutoCAD to read and write any DWG file

Business Wire, Feb 2, 2005

CONCORD, Mass. -- AutoCAD(R) users who need to work with multiple versions of DWG files can now work confidently with any DWG file, regardless of the AutoCAD version that produced it, without suffering error messages or being forced to upgrade to a new software version.

The new DWGgateway, a free software component available at www.dwggateway.com or www.solidworks.com, installs itself into AutoCAD in only a minute or two. The DWGgateway enables AutoCAD versions going back to AutoCAD R14 for the first time to read, edit, and save AutoCAD (.dwg and .dxf) 2D files created by more recent versions of the software, including AutoCAD 2005.

For example, design engineers who prefer AutoCAD 2000i can give their software the ability to read DWG and DXF files produced by AutoCAD 2004 or 2005 simply by downloading and installing the DWGgateway. The DWGgateway also allows AutoCAD 2005 through AutoCAD 14 versions to produce DWG and DXF data in older formats, going all the way back to AutoCAD Release 2.5.

No longer must AutoCAD users upgrade just to continue sharing standard 2D design data with colleagues and business partners. The DWGgateway ensures that AutoCAD users can work efficiently with colleagues, customers, partners, and suppliers without facing annoying "incompatible version" messages.

"The DWGgateway is the latest in a series of tools we've given to the design engineering community to enable the efficient exchange of engineering information," said Chris Garcia, SolidWorks Corporation's vice president of research and development. "In SolidWorks(R) 2005 software, we introduced the DWGEditor(TM) tool, which allowed customers to read, edit, and save any DWG file produced by any version of AutoCAD. Our customers asked if their colleagues using AutoCAD could have the same capability, so we're delivering it, free, in the same spirit we created eDrawings(TM) for easy exchange of designs and XchangeWorks for importing 3D models into AutoCAD. As always, the overarching goal is building new customer relationships and helping designers and engineers more quickly bring better products to market."

About SolidWorks Corporation

SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software for mechanical design, analysis, and product data management. It is the #1 supplier of 3D mechanical design software for the mainstream market. SolidWorks leads the market in number of users in production, customer satisfaction, and revenue. For the latest news, information, or a live online demonstration, visit the company's Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call 1-978-371-5000).

SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation, and eDrawings and DWGEditor are trademarks of SolidWorks Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2005 SolidWorks Corporation.