Four University Teams Win SolidWorks' 3D Design & Analysis Award for Race Car Designs at Formula Student Competition

CONCORD, Mass.--July 14, 2004--

Winners Selected From Teams That Used SolidWorks 3D Mechanical Design and COSMOS Analysis Software to Compete at Prestigious Formula Student 2004 Competition

SolidWorks Corporation today announced the winners of the first annual SolidWorks 3D Design & Analysis Award for the best race car designs in the Formula Student 2004 competition, where university students design, build, develop, test, market, and race in a small Formula One racing car.

SolidWorks was a sponsor of this year's Formula Student competition in Leicestershire, England, and it hosted the SolidWorks 3D Design & Analysis Award. Of the 85 teams from around the world entered in the competition, these teams won for the best use of SolidWorks(R) 3D mechanical design, COSMOS(TM) design analysis, PhotoWorks(TM) and SolidWorks Animator software:

-- The University of Applied Sciences, Stralsund, Germany won first place;

-- Oxford Brookes University, U.K. won second place;

-- Universita degli Studi di Firenze, Italy won third place;

-- Instituto Superior Tecnico, Portugal won fourth place.

Formula Student is a global competition sponsored by engineering organizations and businesses featuring teams of students using different CAD software to design and build Formula One cars. It fuels budding engineers' creativity and hones their design and analysis skills. The experience teaches students about every aspect of product development, including drafting the initial concept, ordering parts, building prototypes, working in teams, and operating under deadlines.

"Students who enter the Formula Student competition undergo the same pressures, frustrations, and successes that engineers and designers face every day on the job," said Brian Robinson, Formula Student event manager. "SolidWorks' sponsorship of the contest and its own award underscore the need for easy-to-use design and analysis software that helps engineers tackle daily challenges efficiently and work productively."

The SolidWorks Education Edition software that some Formula Student teams used provides the intuitive interface and powerful design tools to let competitors explore all possibilities to deliver fast, light, durable, and safe race cars on time and under budget. SolidWorks chose the winners based on design precision, the use of COSMOSWorks(TM) analysis software to troubleshoot potential errors, and the compelling race car design images developed in PhotoWorks and SolidWorks Animator.

"Formula Student is about challenging students to reach their engineering potential," said Rosanne Kramer, director of worldwide education markets for SolidWorks Corporation. "It gives them a real-life product development experience and encourages them to pursue engineering careers. SolidWorks feeds their enthusiasm by showing them how to attack a design challenge from many different angles to arrive at the best approach. It also exposes them to the 3D CAD software they will most likely use as professionals."

About SolidWorks Corporation

SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. 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, and PhotoWorks is a trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. COSMOS and COSMOSWorks are trademarks of Structural Research and Analysis Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2004 SolidWorks Corporation.