SolidWorks Rx is a tool installed together with SolidWorks and is highly helpful for keeping a SolidWorks installation in good shape and obtaining data that you may utilize for troubleshooting. With a three-step problem capture wizard, SolidWorks RX enables you to diagnose and comprehend the effects of your existing hardware and operating system on using SolidWorks. It also offers suggestions for improvements and aids in documenting and communicating technical support concerns. An additional troubleshooting program called SolidWorks RX seeks to accomplish the same thing as SolidWorks by enabling users to quickly and easily produce logs, videos, and files to submit to technical support, making it a crucial troubleshooting tool for users. You’ll have the diagnostic tools to identify and resolve any issues you encounter if you know how to use the SolidWorks Rx tool.

How Do I Open SOLIDWORKS Rx?

Windows’ start menu and the SolidWork task pane’s SolidWorks Tools section offer access to SolidWorks Rx.

You can select Programs from the Windows Start menu. After that, choose SolidWorks 20xx and go to the SolidWorks Tools folder. If you’re using Cortana, you may search for the name or manually navigate the programs on the newer Windows platform.

Why use SolidWorks Rx?

You may monitor and test the performance of your computer and SolidWorks with the aid of SolidWorks Rx, a useful application. This window appears when you launch SolidWorks Rx.

A list of tabs will then appear at the top of your window. These are also displayed as hyperlinks in the first inset window for easier access. Another one is below the top inset.

You can utilize these two tools for testing purposes.

1. You can assist session of SolidWorks will be launched by selecting the “Click here to Launch SolidWorks in OpenGL mode” link without needing a CAD video card. This feature might be a useful test to determine whether the SolidWorks graphic issue is related to your graphics card, graphics card firmware, or graphics card software.
2. You will also notice a tool that says, “Click here to open SolidWorks without using the Tools/Options settings.” To start SolidWorks, click this link. Because this tool ignores your SolidWorks Tools and System Choices, you might use it as a test to confirm that the SolidWorks issue you are experiencing is caused by anything you have customized in your options or something that isn’t working properly.

SOLIDWORKS Rx Diagnostics Tab

Your current system settings and hardware that impact SolidWorks are listed here. The graphics card data at the top is the most significant. The best place to get a tested SolidWorks video card driver for your system is to visit the SolidWorks video card test page and browse the selection.

A driver that is out of date can cause instability and odd graphical behaviors.

You might need to upgrade your graphics if your graphics card is outdated by heading to the website for video card testing. A notice regarding our toolbox’s diagnostic test is also shown.

SOLIDWORKS Rx Troubleshoot Tab

For full access, you’ll need to log in to your SolidWorks Customer Portal. In the SolidWorks Knowledge Base, there are 12 categories that you may investigate to correct information, as you can see from the list (KB).

System Maintenance 

Several optional automatic actions may be performed with only one click.

• Clean SolidWorks backup directory
• Clean SolidWorks temporary directory
• Clean Windows temporary directory
• Clean temporary internet files
• Cleaning temporary files in SolidWorks data folders
• Run Checkdisk
• Run Windows Defragmenter

SolidWorks Rx Problem Capture Tab

SolidWorks could or might not be operating in the background, depending on how the tool is used. For instance, you may launch Rx and start recording a video of what you see if a problem arises during your SolidWorks session. This knowledge is helpful when attempting to solve problems. As well as obtaining crucial operating system information, you may use this information to capture the process flow that led to the issue you are experiencing in SolidWorks. A Problem Capture consists of three phases.

STEP 1: Record

You will see this screen after clicking “Start capture.”

You should click the “Start Recording” button.

‘Use Current Session’ is the option you’ll most frequently choose. Select “Restart SolidWorks Now” if you want to launch a fresh SolidWorks session and show the problem in its entirety.

The “Start Recording” button should be clicked.

Note: You must capture the SolidWorks menus, and you will not capture the SolidWorks graphics if you have two monitors and the menus do not appear there. You can capture and access the entirety of SolidWorks while you record this problem. Click record and move the record menu window aside. When you’re finished recording, click ‘Finish Recording.’

You will then be prompted to close SolidWorks to complete the remaining steps of the problem capture.

STEP 2: Package Files

Make sure to pick a location to preserve this information so you do not have to seek it once the problem capture creation is finished. If required, add your SolidWorks files using the ‘Add More Files to Zip’ option.

Then click “Continue to Step 3.”

STEP 3: Description 

You must fill out the form for problem capture details must be filled out entirely.

You can store all your RX packages after you choose “OK.” Alignex will need to get the generated zip folder. Please submit the zip folder to our FTP server if it exceeds 10MB.

Your RX package will be stored after you choose “OK.” Alignex will need to get the generated zip folder. Please submit the zip folder to our FTP server if it is greater than 10MB.

SOLIDWORKS Rx Reliability Tab

You may get details on sessions that have ended within the last 60 days on the Reliability page. You may use this tab to display various colored icons in the daily summary.

• Blue is a normal termination
• Orange is terminated by user

Red denotes an unexpected termination.

The “Session Ending” section provides a list of Windows events for sessions that ended abruptly or at the user’s request. This part covers things like network outages or driver accidents. The Reliability tab shows a call stack for sessions that end abruptly. To see the list, click the number within the session with the same stack. You may use this information to convey crucial details regarding what might be causing SolidWorks to shut down. Windows drivers and patches are shown by Windows and installation events.

(This information is collected into a zipped file folder when you create the Problem Capture.)

SOLIDWORKS Rx Benchmark Tab

Using the SolidWorks Performance Benchmark Test, you can run tests and compare outcomes with other SolidWorks users.

To run a Benchmark, keep in mind the following:

• Before you begin, restart your computer.
• Depending on your computer arrangement, this test might take 30 minutes or more. 
• During this test, do not use your computer for any other purposes.

Troubleshooting common SOLIDWORKS issues using RX Tool

SOLIDWORKS is a complex software and users may face several issues while working on it. Some of the common issues include crashes, slow performance, display issues, and more. The RX tool is a powerful diagnostic tool that can help SOLIDWORKS users troubleshoot these issues effectively.

To diagnose common SOLIDWORKS issues using the RX tool, follow these steps:

1. Launch SOLIDWORKS RX: To launch SOLIDWORKS RX, go to the Windows Start menu and search for SOLIDWORKS RX. Select “SOLIDWORKS RX” from the search results to open the tool.
2. Select the desired diagnostic test: In the SOLIDWORKS RX tool, you will see several diagnostic tests listed under the “Home” tab. Select the test that corresponds to the issue you are facing. For example, if you are experiencing crashes, select the “Problem Capture” test.
3. Run the diagnostic test: Once you have selected the diagnostic test, click on the “Run Diagnostics” button to run the test. The test will run for a few minutes and generate a report with the results.
4. Analyze the report: Once the diagnostic test is complete, a report will be generated with the results. The report will highlight any issues that were detected during the test and provide recommendations for resolving the issues.
5. Apply the recommended solution: After analyzing the report, apply the recommended solution to resolve the issue. For example, if the report recommends updating your graphics card driver, follow the instructions provided in the report to update your driver.

By following these steps, SOLIDWORKS users can effectively troubleshoot common issues using the RX tool. It is important to note that while the RX tool can help diagnose issues, it may not always provide a solution to the problem. In some cases, further investigation or assistance from technical support may be necessary to resolve the issue.

Using RX Tool for system requirements and compatibility testing

Before installing and running SOLIDWORKS, it is important to ensure that the computer meets the minimum system requirements to run the software. The SOLIDWORKS RX tool can be used to check if a system meets these requirements and to diagnose compatibility issues.

To use the RX tool for system requirements and compatibility testing, follow these steps:

1. Launch SOLIDWORKS RX: To launch SOLIDWORKS RX, go to the Windows Start menu and search for SOLIDWORKS RX. Select “SOLIDWORKS RX” from the search results to open the tool.
2. Select the “System Maintenance” test: Under the “Home” tab, select the “System Maintenance” test.
3. Run the diagnostic test: Click on the “Run Diagnostics” button to run the test. The test will check if the system meets the minimum requirements to run SOLIDWORKS and provide recommendations for resolving any issues that are detected.
4. Analyze the report: Once the test is complete, a report will be generated with the results. The report will highlight any issues that were detected and provide recommendations for resolving the issues.
5. Resolve compatibility issues: If the report highlights compatibility issues, follow the recommendations provided in the report to resolve the issues. This may involve updating drivers, installing Windows updates, or upgrading hardware.

In addition to the “System Maintenance” test, the SOLIDWORKS RX tool also includes a “System Diagnostics” test that can be used to diagnose compatibility issues related to the graphics card. This test can help identify any graphics card issues that may be causing display issues or slow performance in SOLIDWORKS.

By using the SOLIDWORKS RX tool to check system requirements and diagnose compatibility issues, users can ensure that their system is optimized to run SOLIDWORKS effectively. It is recommended to run the tests periodically, especially when upgrading SOLIDWORKS or updating the system, to ensure that the software is running at its best.

Best practices for using the RX tool

To get the most out of the SOLIDWORKS RX tool, it is important to follow some best practices. By following these best practices, users can effectively diagnose issues, troubleshoot problems, and optimize the performance of SOLIDWORKS.

Here are some best practices for using the SOLIDWORKS RX tool:

1. Understand the different diagnostic tests: Before running a diagnostic test, make sure to understand what the test is designed to diagnose. The SOLIDWORKS RX tool includes several diagnostic tests, each of which is designed to diagnose a specific issue. Make sure to select the right test to diagnose the issue you are facing.
2. Analyze the results: Once the diagnostic test is complete, make sure to analyze the report carefully. The report will highlight any issues that were detected and provide recommendations for resolving the issues. Make sure to follow the recommendations provided in the report to effectively troubleshoot the issue.
3. Take preventative measures: The SOLIDWORKS RX tool is designed to diagnose issues, but it is also important to take preventative measures to avoid issues in the first place. Some preventative measures include keeping the software and hardware up-to-date, avoiding excessive customization, and maintaining good system hygiene by removing unnecessary files, programs, and temporary files.
4. Optimize system settings: The SOLIDWORKS RX tool can also be used to optimize system settings for better performance. For example, the tool can be used to adjust graphics card settings, reduce the impact of background programs, and optimize system settings for specific use cases. By optimizing system settings, users can improve the performance of SOLIDWORKS and reduce the risk of issues.
5. Follow SOLIDWORKS support guidelines: If the RX tool is not able to diagnose the issue or if further assistance is needed, it is important to follow the support guidelines provided by SOLIDWORKS. The SOLIDWORKS support team can provide additional assistance and guidance for resolving issues.

By following these best practices, SOLIDWORKS users can get the most out of the RX tool and effectively troubleshoot issues, optimize system settings, and prevent issues from occurring in the first place.

Using the RX Tool for SOLIDWORKS add-ins and customization

SOLIDWORKS add-ins and customization can greatly enhance the software’s capabilities, but they can also cause issues and conflicts. The SOLIDWORKS RX tool can be used to diagnose issues related to add-ins and customization.

To use the RX tool for add-ins and customization, follow these steps:

1. Launch SOLIDWORKS RX: To launch SOLIDWORKS RX, go to the Windows Start menu and search for SOLIDWORKS RX. Select “SOLIDWORKS RX” from the search results to open the tool.
2. Select the desired diagnostic test: Under the “Home” tab, select the diagnostic test that corresponds to the add-in or customization issue you are facing. For example, if you are experiencing issues related to a macro, select the “Macro Diagnostics” test.
3. Run the diagnostic test: Click on the “Run Diagnostics” button to run the test. The test will run for a few minutes and generate a report with the results.
4. Analyze the report: Once the diagnostic test is complete, analyze the report carefully. The report will highlight any issues that were detected and provide recommendations for resolving the issues.
5. Apply the recommended solution: After analyzing the report, follow the recommendations provided to resolve the issue. This may involve disabling or uninstalling an add-in, modifying a macro, or adjusting a customization setting.

In addition to the RX tool, SOLIDWORKS also provides an add-in manager that can be used to manage and troubleshoot add-ins. The add-in manager allows users to enable or disable add-ins and provides information on the status of each add-in.

By using the SOLIDWORKS RX tool to diagnose add-in and customization issues, users can identify and resolve conflicts effectively. It is important to note that some customization issues may require further investigation or assistance from technical support to resolve.

 

Conclusion

Learning how to use the SolidWorks RX tool is very important in the aspect of troubleshooting SolidWorks issues. You may quickly record video and diagnostic data using the SolidWorks Rx tool to diagnose issues, evaluate system performance and update your video card driver. You may also use it to test your knowledge and see how well you performed in relation to other SolidWorks users. This keeps you progressing.