PhotoWorks is software included with the SolidWorks product that enables users to create photorealistic images to rival those of studio-based photography. It is based on mental ray from mental images, and provides a number of features to help convey realistic looking images. The power of PhotoWorks can be combined with SolidWorks Animator to produce photorealistic animations of SolidWorks models.

Features include:

A complete set of Machine and Consumer Product Design materials.

Materials can be dragged from the resource pane and dropped onto object in the SolidWorks view for quick and easy application.

Pre-defined scenes using HDR images to allow realistic lighting of the SolidWorks model without having to adjust the SolidWorks lights.

There are many different ways to generate renderings of SolidWorks models.

This often involves converting the geometry into another representation and using software such as 3DS Max.

However, Maxwell from Next Limit, provides an alternative rendering application that is fully integrated within the SolidWorks environment.

Loading the Maxwell addin for SolidWorks, provides an easy to use interface that allows you to add and modify materials within the SolidWorks environment.

A thriving user community provides access at the mxm gallery to more than 200 materials if you don't want to create your own.