Dassault Systèmes (DS) commonly references the term "FD" when talking about 3DExperience platform upgrades and enhancements. In this blog, we will explore what an FD is, and other types of updates made to the 3DExperience (3DX) platform.
At a basic level, FD (Functional Delivery) is a scheduled 3DExperience update package that introduces new features, fixes bugs, and enhances platform performance. FD vs SP: You may already be familiar with the FD's "cousin," an SP (Service Pack). While SPs update standalone SOLIDWORKS desktop apps, FDs update the 3DExperience platform. Both are tied to the yearly GA (General Availability) release. These are software upgrade packages that update, fix, and enhance standalone SOLIDWORKS desktop applications incrementally throughout the year. 3DX FD's serve a very similar purpose: Introducing new features and functionality, addressing user enhancement requests, fixing bugs from BR's (bug reports), etc. Both update deliveries are served by the same major update; the "Golden" release, or GA (General Availability) release. This is the first major release of the software for the upcoming year. For example, update R2026x GA refers to the first general availability release for SOLIDWORKS 2026.
A HotFix (HF) is an unscheduled patch that quickly resolves unexpected bugs in 3DExperience. Think of it like a pit crew changing a tire on a race car: fast, targeted, and essential. The issues dealt with are often unforseeable, you don't know how many times you'll need it, but the crew is always there when there's a problem to fix. The Dassault Systèmes R&D team is always on the lookout for software bugs or unintended behavior. These HotFixes are akin to patches, fixing pesky software bugs to enhance the user experience. The frequency of these fixes varies, but they are always in between two functional deliveries. They are deployed to address 3DX Bug Reports (BR's) and their nomenclature is as follows:
Do I have to update 3DExperience? The short answer: not always. Updates are optional for FDs and HFs, but you must update with each new GA (General Availability) release at the start of the calendar year. When you open SOLIDWORKS Connected, and a HotFix update is available, you will get a dialogue box letting you know.
You have a couple of options when this dialogue box pops up: "Prompt only when an update is required," "Update," and "Skip." As of the 2025 3DX FD04 update on September 14-15, you have the freedom to update whenever you want -- you can skip HotFixes and FD's, and the only caveat to that is you are required to update on a new GA release at the beginning of a new calendar year. So, if you want to hold off on an FD or HF, skip them.
In the FD04 update, if you select "Update" in the above dialogue, you can select "Update 3DExperience Platform Components Only." This will allow you to remain on the current SOLIDWORKS version and keep working. This will only affect 3DExperience platform applications.
Just like an SP, the FD introduces more significant changes to 3DExperience and SOLIDWORKS Connected via added features and functionality. Recently, DS introduced features in their FD's like an AI-based fastener placement tool and an automated drawing creation tool, just to name a few. On the 3DExperience side, it's vast library of applications are enhanced regularly with FD's as well. "But you just told me I don't have to update for an FD, why should I?" If you want to keep up on the latest and greatest features, or there is a bug affecting your SOLIDWORKS instance, you will definitely want to consider updating. Plan the update for the end of the day or a Friday evening, click through the menu prompts, and let it update. Want to see these features live? [Register for our next CADimensions "What’s New" Webinar]. Make sure you set your computer to go into sleep mode after an hour or two.
If you are a SOLIDWORKS user, you can go into the top right of your screen and click "?" icon to get to About SOLIDWORKS:
Click "About SOLIDWORKS" -- this will trigger a pop-up screen that will tell you what version of 3DExperience you have, and what HotFix you are currently on.
You will notice in the above screenshot that next to SOLIDWORKS Connected Premium 2025, it says "SP3." This just shows that the FD and SP releases are aligned (and they always will be).
If you are looking for information on updates to the platform and SOLIDWORKS Connected/UES (Connector for standalone), there is a release notes and user assistance index built into your platform.
At the top right of your screen on your 3DExperience home page, click the "?" icon > Click "Help" > Follow the index tree structure below:
For each FD, there will be feature highlights that you can click on and read more about.
Alternatively, the CADimensions Customer Success team hosts a quarterly "What's New" Webinar for each FD. An invite is sent out to all SOLIDWORKS users by the Customer Success and Marketing teams ahead of time. These webinars are typically more in depth with live demos of new and exciting features for SOLIDWORKS and 3DExperience. We break down the update and give you exactly what you need to know in a live and interactive setting. We hope to see you at the next one for FD04!
FD means Functional Delivery. It’s a scheduled update that introduces new features and fixes.
FDs update the 3DExperience platform. SPs update standalone SOLIDWORKS desktop apps. Both align with the yearly GA release.
No. HotFixes are optional patches, but they may be necessary if a bug directly affects your work.
In SOLIDWORKS, click the "?" icon > "About SOLIDWORKS" to see your FD and HotFix version.