--- title: General FAQ | MECAD Systems Knowledge Base description: FAQ to addresses the most common questions customers have and are useful to customers at all stages of the customer journey. --- [Skip to content](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [More support](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) [![MECAD Systems Logo - Original 2](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/MECAD%20Systems%20Logo%20-%20Original%202.png?width=190&height=60&name=MECAD%20Systems%20Logo%20-%20Original%202.png)](https://mecad.co.za/) - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Request Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Contact Us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Promotions](https://mecad.co.za/end-of-promotion/) - [Product Brochures](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-product-brochures/) - [Customer Stories](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-customer-stories/) - [Blog](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-blog/) - [Webinars](https://www.youtube.com/@mecadsystems-solidworksand4875) - [Events](https://mecad.co.za/events/) - [Careers](https://mecad.co.za/careers/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Request Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Contact Us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Promotions](https://mecad.co.za/end-of-promotion/) - [Product Brochures](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-product-brochures/) - [Customer Stories](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-customer-stories/) - [Blog](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-blog/) - [Webinars](https://www.youtube.com/@mecadsystems-solidworksand4875) - [Events](https://mecad.co.za/events/) - [Careers](https://mecad.co.za/careers/) - English Show submenu for translations - [More support](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Contact us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) [Contact us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [MECAD Systems Knowledge Base](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge) 2. [General FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq) # General FAQ FAQ to addresses the most common questions customers have and are useful to customers at all stages of the customer journey. - [What Graphics Card (GPU) do I need for SOLIDWORKS?](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/what-gpu-solidworks) - [What CPU do I need for SOLIDWORKS?](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/what-cpu-do-i-need-for-solidworks) - [How to Deactivate SOLIDWORKS using the Activation Wizard.](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/how-to-deactivate-solidworks-using-activation-wizard) - [Populating variables on a Data Card](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/pupulating-variables-on-a-data-card) - [SOLIDWORKS System Requirements](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-system-requirements) - [SOLIDWORKS RX Capture Tool](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-rx-capture-tool) - [How to save and restore your SOLIDWORKS settings](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/how-to-save-and-restore-your-solidworks-settings) - [How and when to run an SFC scan](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/how-to-run-an-sfc-scan) - [How to modify your Windows host file?](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/how-to-modify-your-windows-host-file) - [SOLIDWORKS 2023 Hardware Requirements](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-2023-hardware-requirments) See less ▼ ## BOM - [How can I get my Composer BOM to be the same as my SOLIDWORKS BOM?](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/how-can-i-get-my-composer-bom-to-be-the-same-as-my-solidworks-bom) ## Sheet Metal - [Sheet Metal: Common Mistakes](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/sheetmetal-common-mistakes) - [Sheet metal: Setting up custom bend/gauge tables](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/sheetmetal-setting-up-custom-bend-tables) ## Files - [Importing files from a different format](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/importing-files-from-a-different-format) - [Corrupted SOLIDWORKS File](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/why-is-my-solidworks-files-coorupted) ## PDM - [How to backup PDM Database and SQL Database](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/how-to-backup-pdm-database-and-sql-database) - [PDM Automatic login](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/pdm-setup-automatic-login) - [Why are my PDM folders blue?](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/why-are-my-pdm-folders-blue) - [SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Web2 Upgrade](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-pdm-professional-web2-upgrade) ## Weldments - [How To Convert Solid Bodies To Weldments In SOLIDWORKS](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/how-to-convert-solid-bodies-to-weldments-in-solidworks) ## Assembly - [Blank/Empty Assembly in SOLIDWORKS](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/assembly-appears-to-be-blank-when-trying-to-rotate) ## Installation - [How to Repair the SOLIDWORKS Installation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/how-to-repair-the-solidworks-installation) ## SolidWorks Standalone License - [How to deactivate SOLIDWORKS Standalone License](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/how-to-deactivate-solidworks-standalone) - [SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard Initialization Error 72](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/activation-wizard-initialization-error-72) ## File Locations - [Why Are My Symbols Missing in my SOLIDWORKS Drawing?](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/why-are-my-symbols-missing-in-solidworks) ## Certifications - [How to Access Free SOLIDWORKS Exams](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/how-to-redeem-free-solidworks-certifications) - [SOLIDWORKS PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-pdm) - [SOLIDWORKS CAM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-cam) - [SOLIDWORKS Visualize](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-visualize) - [SOLIDWORKS Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation#main-content) - [SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation#solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SOLIDWORKS Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation#solidworks-simulation) - [SOLIDWORKS Electrical](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-electrical) - [SOLIDWORKS Inspection](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-inspection) - [General FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#main-content) - [BOM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#bom) - [Sheet Metal](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#sheet-metal) - [Files](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#files) - [PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#pdm) - [Weldments](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#weldments) - [Assembly](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#assembly) - [Installation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#installation) - [SolidWorks Standalone License](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#solidworks-standalone-license) - [File Locations](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#file-locations) - [Certifications](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq#certifications) - [3DEXPERIENCE Platform](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform#main-content) - [FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform#faq) - [Updates](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform#updates) - [SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad#main-content) - [Activation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad#activation) - [Tips & Tricks](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad#tips-tricks) - [Installation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad#installation) - [Custom](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad#custom) - [Configurations](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad#configurations) - [Drawings](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad#drawings) - [PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad#pdm) - [Assemblies](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad#assemblies) - [SOLIDWORKS Gold Products](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-gold-products#main-content) - [myCADtools](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-gold-products#mycadtools) - [Licensing FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/licensing-faq#main-content) - [July 2023 SOLIDWORKS License & Subscription Changes](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/licensing-faq#july-2023-solidworks-license-subscription-changes) - 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