Install CADABRA

Three steps, about five minutes, on the SOLIDWORKS license and files you already have.

Install it

  1. 01

    Download and run the installer

    Get it from the download page or from the dashboard. Close SOLIDWORKS before you run it, because the installer registers the add-in and cannot do that while SOLIDWORKS holds it open.

  2. 02

    Enable the add-in

    Open SOLIDWORKS, go to Tools in the top menu, then Add-Ins. Scroll to Other Add-Ins and tick the box next to CADABRA. Tick the second column too if you want it to load every session.

  3. 03

    Open CADABRA

    A CADABRA icon appears in the add-in panel on the right side of the SOLIDWORKS window. Click it to open the panel and sign in with the account you created.

Check that it worked

Open any part and ask a question that does not change anything, for example what material is this part or how many features are in this tree. A correct answer means the add-in is loaded, signed in, and reading your document.

If the panel says it cannot reach CADABRA, the add-in is installed but not connected. See CADABRA will not connect.

What installing changes

Nothing about your existing setup. Your license, files, templates, libraries, and PDM vault are untouched, and CADABRA reads from them rather than replacing them.

  • No file conversion, and no new file format.
  • No changes to PDM state. CADABRA respects checkout and revision.
  • Uninstalling removes the add-in and leaves your files exactly as they are.