3DEXPERIENCE
PLM Software
For end-to-end PLM (product lifecycle management) and collaborative innovation.

What is 3DEXPERIENCE?
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform by Dassault Systèmes is a comprehensive, cloud-based solution that integrates all aspects of product development, from ideation and design to simulation, manufacturing, and lifecycle management. It provides a unified, collaborative environment for cross-functional teams to work together seamlessly, enabling organizations to accelerate innovation, optimize processes, and bring products to market faster.
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform combines powerful 3D modeling, simulation, and data management capabilities with social collaboration tools, allowing teams to co-create, share ideas, and make informed decisions throughout the product lifecycle. It offers a wide range of industry-specific applications and solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of various sectors, including aerospace, automotive, industrial equipment, and more.
Most popular uses for 3DEXPERIENCE
Aerospace and defense
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform is invaluable for the aerospace industry, enabling seamless collaboration and data management throughout the entire product lifecycle, from conceptual design to manufacturing and maintenance. Its advanced simulation capabilities allow engineers to virtually test and optimize aircraft designs, ensuring compliance with stringent safety and performance standards.
“Documentation work can be expensive and costs more than what you gain at the other end. So, you have to make a simple and beautiful solution that works well in the future.”
Flight Structures Manager, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
Life sciences and healthcare
The pace of change in the life sciences industry is both exciting and extraordinary. PLM is a proven solution in this industry, reducing the time-to-market by making the product development process much more efficient and, at the same time, ensuring regulatory compliance.
“As the company grows, you cannot afford to have 20 systems, but if you have three systems that you work hard on, and integrate them wing to wing, then that's a prerequisite for the scalability and sustainable business growth.”
PLM Leader, Cytiva
Industrial equipment
The industrial equipment sector describes a diverse set of industries, from complex machinery, both fixed and mobile, to large scale process and construction industry plants. With solutions powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and specifically tailored for the industrial equipment market.
“It is a much more controlled and efficient process to access product information in real time, and not wait for an Excel spreadsheet to be updated.”
Senior Specialist Engineering & PDM Applications, Outotec
Automotive
OEMs and suppliers alike need to deliver cutting-edge innovation while carefully managing costs and targeting zero defects. At the same time, consumers want attractive and user-friendly vehicles that carry advanced safety features. With Dassault Systèmes tailored 3DEXPERIENCE industry solutions, companies within the transportation & mobility sector are able to embrace these changes.
“Utilizing the strength of a unified product structure has not only transformed everyday work at our mechanical engineering department but also led to major improvements for all downstream departments, partners, and suppliers in need of up-to-date, accurate, and relevant engineering data.”
Chief Operations Officer, Koenigsegg
High-tech
Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE solutions for high-tech reinvent the way high-tech innovators can engage customers, employees, and partners to imagine, design, engineer, and manufacture, sell, and service products. These solutions combine function-specific engineering and manufacturing tools with social and lifecycle information management to enable seamless multidisciplinary collaboration.
“We really found the TECHNIA team to be very experienced and knowledgeable. They were very pleasant and easy to work with, and had solutions for every problem we presented.”
Global Quality Senior Business Process Manager (eQMS), CoorsTek
Energy, process, and utilities
Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE provides outstanding digital engineering technologies for tackling the toughest challenges in the energy and process industries, whether you’re an EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) company, plant owner and operator, or equipment and services supplier.
“The 3DEXPERIENCE platform start-up offering is a crucial way for us to develop efficient and sustainable energy storage systems. The software enables us to implement the prototyping phase and the market launch within a short time.”
CEO, Kite Rise
Marine and offshore
Safer, cleaner, greener vessels and offshore structures, as well as new sources of energy, require a whole new way of thinking. Efficiently designing and delivering exceptional products while keeping costs and schedules within contractual boundaries has never been easier with Dassault Systèmes solutions for marine and offshore, powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
“With just a few clicks of the mouse, our application engineers can switch back and forth between simulation and construction mode, make adjustments to the milling unit and continue with the changed settings. In addition to saving time, this also ensures more quality, as possible collisions are recognized and resolved much faster. ”
Application Engineer, Waldrich Siegen
Architecture, engineering, and construction
AEC professionals face increasing pressure to optimize project outcomes, streamline collaboration, and deliver exceptional customer satisfaction in a competitive, fragmented industry. From managing multi-CAD environments to reducing costs and accelerating delivery times, digital transformation is reshaping the way architecture, engineering, and construction projects are executed.
“To introduce a PLM philosophy successfully, we required support from a genuine partner that is itself a leading-edge user of the software, rather than just a supplier.”
Managing Director, Heatherwick Studio
Why use 3DEXPERIENCE?
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides a range of benefits that enhance engineering capabilities and streamline processes, especially for organizations that integrate this toolkit into their PLM (product lifecycle management) system.
Seamlessly integrate design, engineering, and manufacturing processes within a single platform. This holistic approach streamlines product development by providing a unified environment for collaboration and data management across disciplines, ensuring consistency at every stage of the product lifecycle.
Advanced simulation capabilities enable virtual prototyping, allowing engineers to test and optimize designs before physical prototyping. This reduces development costs, accelerates time-to-market, and ensures products meet performance and safety requirements.
Robust data management and traceability features ensure version control, secure data storage, and access control. This facilitates compliance with industry regulations and enables efficient data sharing and collaboration across teams and locations.
The cloud-based architecture of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform ensures scalability and flexibility, allowing organizations to adapt to changing business needs and accommodate future growth. It also enables remote access and collaboration, supporting distributed teams and global operations.
What can you do with 3DEXPERIENCE?
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools and applications for end-to-end product lifecycle management, enabling organizations to streamline processes, foster collaboration, and drive innovation.
3D Modeling and design
Powerful 3D modeling and design tools for creating detailed and accurate 3D models of individual components and complex assemblies. The intuitive interface and robust features streamline the design process, ensuring precision and efficiency.
Simulation and analysis
Advanced simulation and analysis capabilities allow engineers to virtually test and optimize designs, ensuring compliance with performance, safety, and regulatory requirements. This reduces the need for physical prototyping and accelerates time-to-market.
Data management and collaboration
Robust data management and collaboration tools facilitate secure data storage, version control, and access control, enabling efficient teamwork and data sharing across disciplines and locations.
Manufacturing and production
Integrated manufacturing and production tools streamline the transition from design to manufacturing, enabling efficient planning, scheduling, and execution of production processes.
Lifecycle management
Comprehensive lifecycle management capabilities enable organizations to track and manage products throughout their entire lifecycle, from ideation to retirement, ensuring compliance, maintenance, and continuous improvement.
How to choose your product lifecycle management platform
Choosing the right PLM (product lifecycle management) platform is a critical decision that can significantly impact your organization’s ability to collaborate effectively, manage data securely, and optimize processes. When planning your purchase and implementation, it’s essential to evaluate several key factors to ensure the platform aligns with your current and future needs.
First, consider the platform’s scalability and flexibility to accommodate your organization’s evolving requirements, such as future growth or changes in workflows. Seamless integration with your existing software ecosystem, including CAD, CAM, CAE, ERP, and other specialized tools, is also crucial for facilitating data exchange and streamlining processes.
Collaboration and accessibility features, such as real-time co-authoring, version control, and secure data sharing, are vital for enabling effective teamwork across different locations and disciplines. Robust data management capabilities, including secure storage, version control, and access control, ensure data integrity, traceability, and compliance with industry regulations.
Evaluate the platform’s user interface, ease of use, and available training resources to facilitate user adoption and maximize productivity. Explore industry-specific applications and solutions tailored to your sector’s unique requirements to ensure the platform meets your domain-specific needs.
Finally, assess the vendor’s reputation, technical support, and the availability of a vibrant user community for knowledge sharing, best practices, and ongoing development. By carefully considering these factors, you can select a PLM platform that aligns with your organization’s goals, streamlines processes, and fosters collaboration, ultimately driving innovation and business success.
How to buy 3DEXPERIENCE
Looking to purchase 3DEXPERIENCE licenses? Want to see a demo to understand what 3DEXPERIENCE can do? Or do you need to speak to an expert before you can make your decision?
3DEXPERIENCE comes in all shapes and sizes. We’re here to make sure that you’re getting the right software package for your team.
3DEXPERIENCE FAQs
Troubleshooting and Support
Looking for help with 3DEXPERIENCE?
Connection issues with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform can arise due to network settings, certificate problems, or software misconfigurations. Below are troubleshooting steps to resolve common connectivity issues:
- Verify network and trusted sites:
- Ensure that your internet connection is stable and reliable.
- Add *.3ds.com and https://*.3ds.com to your browser’s trusted sites list:
- For Internet Explorer, navigate to internet options > security > trusted sites > sites, and add the URLs.
- For other browsers, check their respective security settings.
- Address Certificate Issues:
If the platform’s certificate is not trusted, follow these steps to export and install it:- Export the certificate:
- Open the 3DEXPERIENCE platform in your browser.
- Click on the padlock icon in the address bar and select connection is secure > certificate is valid (for Chrome) or equivalent options in other browsers.
- In the certificate viewer window, go to the details tab, select the certificate, and click export.
- Install the certificate:
- Open a command prompt as an administrator.
- Navigate to your JRE security folder (e.g., <installation directory>\jre\lib\security).
- Copy the exported certificate file into this folder.
- Run the following command:
text
..\..\bin\keytool.exe -import -trustcacerts -keystore cacerts -storepass changeit -noprompt -alias ‘DS_Platform’ -file .\<cert_filename>
- Export the certificate:
- Clear cache and temporary files:
Delete temporary files related to 3DEXPERIENCE:- Navigate to %localappdata%\Temp\ and delete swcefcache or similar folders.
- Clear browser cache and cookies:
- Use Incognito/Private mode (Chrome/Edge/Firefox) to test connectivity without cached data.
- Reset browser settings:
Reset Internet Explorer settings if used for platform access:- Delete cache (INetCache) and restore default security levels under internet options > advanced settings.
- For other browsers, reset advanced settings or reinstall them if necessary.
- Reinstall Software:
If issues persist, uninstall and reinstall affected components, such as SOLIDWORKS connected or the 3DEXPERIENCE launcher:- Perform a clean uninstall by removing all related files from %programdata% and %localappdata%.
- Download and install the latest version of the software from Dassault Systèmes’ official support portal.
- Check roles and permissions:
- Ensure you have a valid 3DEXPERIENCE login with appropriate roles (e.g., 3DSwymer).
- Verify that you have access to a collaborative space with write permissions.
- Use diagnostic tools:
- Run the eligibility checker tool provided by Dassault Systèmes to identify network or system compatibility issues.
- Check logs (e.g., PLMCSA Client Log) for specific error codes that may help pinpoint problems.
By following these steps, you can resolve most connection issues with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. If problems persist, contact your platform administrator or Dassault Systèmes support for further assistance.
Here’s how you can effectively manage revisions:
- Using the collaborative lifecycle app:
- Open the file you want to revise in the collaborative lifecycle app.
- Click on the “new revision” icon (a vertical line with a “+” symbol) under the lifecycle tab.
- A dialog box will appear showing the new revision (e.g., moving from A to B).
- Optionally, add a revision comment to document changes.
- Click revise, and the file will be updated with a new revision while maintaining a reference to the previous one.
- Through bookmark editor:
- Open the bookmark editor app and locate your file.
- Under the lifecycle tab, select “new revision.”
- Enter any optional comments and confirm to create the new revision.
- From CATIA V5 or SOLIDWORKS:
- For CATIA V5, use the “save with options” feature in the 3DEXPERIENCE connector to create a new revision before making changes.
- For SOLIDWORKS, access the lifecycle tab in the CommandManager, select “new revision,” and save changes to update the revision on the platform.
Managing revisions
- Files in 3DEXPERIENCE have maturity states like, in work, released, or obsolete. When creating a new revision, files typically revert to In work for further modifications.
- Use the maturity graph in collaborative lifecycle to track and update states as needed.
- Administrators can configure primary (e.g., A, B, C) or primary-secondary (e.g., A.1, A.2) revision schemes based on organizational needs. These rules ensure consistency across all revisions.
- All revisions are linked within a “revision family,” allowing users to track changes over time and maintain references between versions.
Best practices for revision control:
- Always lock files before making changes to prevent conflicts with other users.
- Use descriptive comments when creating new revisions to document why changes were made.
- Leverage tools like collaborative lifecycle or bookmark editor for centralized control of revisions across projects.
If the embedded certificate in your launcher has expired, or if you’re facing installation issues, follow these steps to update or reinstall the launcher:
- Identifying certificate expiry:
- The embedded certificate in older versions of the 3DEXPERIENCE launcher (e.g., version 19.45.2384 or lower) may have expired, preventing the launching of rich client applications.
- To check your launcher version:
- Click the Show hidden icons arrow on the Windows taskbar.
- Right-click the 3DEXPERIENCE launcher icon and select about to view the version details.
- Alternatively, navigate to apps and features, locate “3DEXPERIENCE launcher,” and check the version.
- Updating the 3DEXPERIENCE launcher:
If your version is outdated or affected by certificate expiry, follow these steps:- Uninstall the old version:
- Go to apps and features in Windows.
- Select “3DEXPERIENCE launcher” and click uninstall.
- Download the latest version:
- Obtain the latest version of the launcher (e.g., version 20.2.2283) from your IT administrator or Dassault Systèmes support.
- Install the new version:
- Run the 3DEXPERIENCELauncher.msi installer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions:
- Click next to proceed with installation.
- Use the default installation directory unless otherwise specified.
- Click install, and then finish when completed.
- Restart your browser:
- After installation, refresh your browser (press F5) before launching any native apps.
- Uninstall the old version:
- Network configuration for proper operation:
- Ensure your network is configured correctly for local communication between the Launcher and other 3DEXPERIENCE services:
- Verify that any proxy servers are set up to allow local communications.
- Use the 3DEXPERIENCE eligibility checker tool to confirm compatibility with your network environment.
- Ensure your network is configured correctly for local communication between the Launcher and other 3DEXPERIENCE services:
- Installing native apps:
- Once the launcher is updated:
- Log in to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform via your browser.
- Click on any native app icon in the compass; this will prompt installation if not already installed.
- Choose between “Install all granted roles” or individual apps as needed.
- Follow on-screen prompts to complete installation.
- Once the launcher is updated:
- Troubleshooting common issues:
- If you encounter issues during installation or app launches:
- Use the 3DEXPERIENCE eligibility checker tool to diagnose network or system compatibility problems.
- Refer to detailed troubleshooting guides provided by Dassault Systèmes support.
- If you encounter issues during installation or app launches:
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides a streamlined, collaborative, and traceable change management process. It integrates tools like issue management, change requests, and change actions to ensure efficient handling of design changes, approvals, and implementation. Here’s an overview of how the process works:
Key features of 3DEXPERIENCE change management
- Issue management:
- Users across departments (e.g., shop floor, design) can raise issues related to products or processes.
- Issues are tracked with attributes like priority, due dates, and affected items.
- Attachments and markups can be added for clarity.
- Change requests:
- Once an issue is validated, a change request is created to formalize the proposed change.
- Impact analysis is conducted across departments to evaluate feasibility and implications.
- Approvals are obtained before proceeding to the next step.
- Change actions:
- Approved change requests lead to the creation of change actions.
- Designers or assignees work on implementing changes, such as revising CAD models or updating EBOM parts.
- The maturity state of files (e.g., “In Work,” “Frozen”) is updated to reflect progress.
- Approval workflow:
- Approvers review proposed changes using dashboards or 3D viewers integrated into the platform.
- They can accept, reject, or request modifications with comments for better collaboration.
- Traceability and automation:
- All steps in the change process are tracked for accountability and compliance.
- Automated workflows reduce manual intervention and ensure consistent execution.
- Scenarios simplified by 3DEXPERIENCE
- Single component approval:
- A designer creates a change action for a single component in the native app (e.g., CATIA).
- The lead designer/reviewer approves the change after reviewing the proposed updates.
- The component is promoted from “In Work” to “released.”
- Multi-object changes:
- A designer uses the Web App to create a change action for both a physical product (CAD model) and an EBOM part.
- Changes are implemented in respective apps (native app for CAD, web app for EBOM).
- Once approved, both objects are released simultaneously.
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform by Dassault Systèmes organizes its applications into four main categories, accessible via the Compass interface. These apps are tailored to specific roles and tasks within design, simulation, collaboration, and data management. Below is an overview of the categories and key app examples:
- Social & collaborative apps:
These apps focus on teamwork, communication, and project organization.- 3DSwym: A social collaboration tool for creating blogs, wikis, sharing media, and engaging with communities.
- 3DDrive: A cloud-based storage solution for syncing, sharing, and previewing CAD files and documents.
- 3DSpace: Manages collaborative spaces for organizing project data and controlling access.
- Collaborative Lifecycle: Tracks object lifecycles and facilitates concurrent access management.
- Information intelligence apps:
These apps provide advanced data analysis and insights.- EXALEAD: A powerful search engine for accessing structured and unstructured data.
- Netvibes: Allows users to monitor trends, gather insights, and create dashboards for decision-making.
- Simulation apps:
These apps enable virtual testing and process simulation.- SIMULIA: Conducts advanced simulations such as structural analysis, fluid dynamics, and thermal studies.
- DELMIA: Focuses on manufacturing process simulation, lean production planning, and operations optimization.
- 3DVIA: Creates interactive 3D experiences for training or product demonstrations.
- 3D modeling apps:
These apps are designed for creating and modifying 3D models.- CATIA: Used for complex product design, including surface modeling and assembly creation.
- SOLIDWORKS: Integrates desktop SOLIDWORKS with the cloud for file sharing and collaboration.
- XDesign/XShape: Browser-based tools for parametric design (XDesign) or freeform modeling (XShape).
- Generative shape design (GSD):
- Specialized in creating complex reference geometries.
- Additional features:
- The platform includes tools like 3DPlay, a model viewer that allows users to manipulate designs, measure distances, annotate models, and view simulation results without needing native CAD software.
- Custom dashboards can be created to organize frequently used apps and widgets based on specific workflows or roles.
- The 3DEXPERIENCE platform’s modular structure ensures that users have access to the tools they need based on their assigned roles, fostering collaboration while streamlining workflows across disciplines.
Need help with 3DEXPERIENCE?
Matthias Hogberg and team are on-hand to provide tailored guidance and support with a deep knowledge of the full Dassault Systèmes portfolio. Reach out for a free consultation today.