Error

After launching SolidWorks, the Ansys plug-in does not load, but also gives no error.  When revisiting the add-ins menu, the box to load the add-in will be unchecked, even if the dialog was previously checked.

Software & Version

SolidWorks 2024 SP5, Ansys 2025 R1

Description/Cause

This is a known issue where security libraries are missing between the Ansys installation and the SolidWorks plugin folder.

Solution

1. Create a BAT file with the name SolidWorksAddIn_Ansys251.bat, and the following contents:

@echo on
copy /Y "%AWP_ROOT251%\Framework\bin\Win64\Xalan-C_1_12.dll" "%AWP_ROOT251%\aisol\CADIntegration\SolidWorks\winx64"
copy /Y "%AWP_ROOT251%\Framework\bin\Win64\XalanMessages_1_12.dll" "%AWP_ROOT251%\aisol\CADIntegration\SolidWorks\winx64"
copy /Y "%AWP_ROOT251%\Framework\bin\Win64\xerces-c_3_2.dll" "%AWP_ROOT251%\aisol\CADIntegration\SolidWorks\winx64"
copy /Y "%AWP_ROOT251%\Framework\bin\Win64\zlibd1.dll" "%AWP_ROOT251%\aisol\CADIntegration\SolidWorks\winx64"

2. Exit SolidWorks
3. Exit Ansys 
4. As Administrator, Run the .bat 
5. Open SolidWorks
6. Open the Add-in.
7. Select the Active Add-in checkbox, and the Startup checkbox. Confirm
8. Confirm the Ansys Geometry Interface for Workbench starts properly.