When running the COMSOL Multiphysics® software and the SOLIDWORKS® CAD software side by side you can associatively transfer geometry from the CAD software to COMSOL Multiphysics using the LiveLink™ interface. In the other direction, from COMSOL Multiphysics to the CAD software, the interface enables you to update the dimensions in the CAD file. If running the software side by side is not available — for example, when you want to run your COMSOL Multiphysics simulation on a different platform from where your CAD software is installed— the LiveLink interface also provides a file-based offline synchronization mode. After synchronization you can apply further geometry operations to prepare the synchronized geometry objects for analysis — for example, by removing details.

You can also analyze designs using simulation apps that connect to SOLIDWORKS® by utilizing the LiveLink interface. This section includes the following topics: