Batch Save to 3DEXPERIENCE
Saving Without Stopping
A workflow enhancement for SOLIDWORKS users that allows cloud saving to 3DEXPERIENCE in the background without freezing the main application.
View Solution
The Problem
SOLIDWORKS users faced significant workflow disruptions when saving their work to the
3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Before & After Comparison
Before
Saving causes app to hang
Forced context switching
Delayed saves, risking data loss
Productivity loss
After
Increased productivity
Regular saving habits
Uninterrupted workflow
Background saving process
Workflow Interruption
Before our solution, every time a SOLIDWORKS user needed to save their work to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the entire application would freeze during the upload process. For complex models or slow connections, this could mean minutes of productivity lost with each save.
Users would often delay saving their work to avoid interruptions, leading to increased risk of data loss and frustration.
"It was like hitting the handbrake on the highway. Every time I needed to save, my entire workflow came to a complete stop."
— Senior CAD Designer
My Role & Team
As the solo UX Designer at Dassault Systèmes - SOLIDWORKS for this project, I was responsible for the entire
user experience from research to implementation.
Project Timeline
Discovery
Mar 2023
User research & problem definition
Design
Mar-Apr 2023
Wireframes & prototypes
Testing
Apr 2023
User testing & iteration
Launch
May 2023
Implementation & release
Team Structure
UX Designer (Me)
Lead Designer
Dev Team
Product Manager
QA Team
My Responsibilities
User Research
Conducted interviews with SOLIDWORKS users to understand pain points and workflow needs
UX Design
Created wireframes, prototypes, and final UI designs
Usability Testing
Conducted testing sessions with users to validate design decisions
Stakeholder Collaboration
Worked closely with development team and product management to ensure successful implementation
Research & Insights
I conducted extensive research to understand user needs and pain points when saving work to
the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
User Personas
Active Designer
Rohan Mehta, Mechanical Design Engineer
GOALS
Maintain creative flow while ensuring work is safely saved
FRUSTRATIONS
Frequent interruptions, lost train of thought, delayed project timelines
QUOTE
"I need to save frequently but can't afford to break my concentration every time."
Upload Manager
Priya Nair, Engineering Project Coordinator
GOALS
Ensure all team files are properly saved and synced to 3DEXPERIENCE
FRUSTRATIONS
Lack of visibility into save status, failed uploads, incomplete team submissions
QUOTE
"I need to know which files have been successfully saved without constantly checking."
Affinity Map of Frustrations
Workflow Adaptations
Visibility Issues
Technical Issues
Workflow Disruption
UX Process
My approach focused on creating a seamless background saving experience that maintains
workflow momentum while providing visibility into save status.
2. Wireframing
Save Dashboard Wireframes
Save to 3DEXPERIENCE
Show details
Folder 1
SAVING
(Batch 1 of 10)
00:01:23 (hh:mm:ss)
Total Elapsed time:
Export Report
Save to 3DEXPERIENCE
Save Dashboard Wireframes
Save to 3DEXPERIENCE
SAVING
Folder 2
(Batch 2 of 2)
02:01:23 (hh:mm:ss)
Total Elapsed time:
Export Report
Cancel
Pause
Show less details
Warnings will not stop the save
Folder
Time
Report
Save Status
Status
-
-
View Report
Folder 4
-
-
View Report
Folder 3
Save Complete
22:00
View Report
Folder 2
Save Complete
21:00
View Report
Folder 1
3. Prototyping
Save Dashboard
Show details
Folder 1
SAVING
00:01:23 (hh:mm:ss)
Save to 3DEXPERIENCE
(Batch 1 of 10)
Total Elapsed time:
Export Report
Cancel
Pause
Save Dashboard for Batch Upload
Save Dashboard for Batch Upload - with Error repoorting
Key Iteration Insights
User Feedback
"I need to know exactly which files are being saved and their status without having to open a separate window."
Solution: Added minimizable dashboard with file-by-file status
Technical Challenge
Balancing background processing with system resources to prevent performance degradation
Solution: Implemented adaptive throttling based on system load
UX Improvement
Initial notifications were too intrusive and interrupted workflow
Solution: Redesigned as subtle, non-modal notifications with quick actions
1. Defining Key Scenarios
Inline Save
When a user initiates a save through normal SOLIDWORKS commands, the system should:
Immediately return control to the user
Process the save in the background
Provide subtle status indicators
Notify only on completion or error
Manual Batch Upload
When a user needs to upload multiple files at once, the system should:
Allow selection of multiple files
Provide a dashboard view of upload status
Allow cancellation of individual uploads
Enable retry of failed uploads
Final Solution
The Batch Save to 3DEXPERIENCE feature provides a seamless background saving experience
that maintains workflow momentum while giving users full visibility and control.
Batch Save to 3DEXPERIENCE details
Save to 3DEXPERIENCE
SAVING
Folder 2
(Batch 2 of 2)
02:01:23 (hh:mm:ss)
Total Elapsed time:
Export Report
Cancel
Pause
Show less details
Warnings will not stop the save
Folder
Time
Report
Save Status
Status
-
-
View Report
Folder 4
-
-
View Report
Folder 3
Save Complete
22:00
View Report
Folder 2
Save Complete
21:00
View Report
Folder 1
All files saved by the user—whether from within SOLIDWORKS or separately uploaded—will appear in this table along with their details.
File Status Table
Non-Intrusive Save progress pop-up
If there’s an issue during the save process, a gentle pop-up notifies the user with clear error details and an option to retry—without disrupting their workflow.
Non-Intrusive Save progress pop-up
The save progress window can be minimized to the system tray, staying out of the way while remaining accessible at any time.
Status Indicator
Status indicators show the progress of each folder in the save queue without interrupting the workflow.
Saved
In Progress
Error
Waiting in que
Workflow Overview
1. Save Initiation
2. Background Processing
3. Completion & Notification
Save via SOLIDWORKS or Batch Save to 3DEXPERIENCE
Background save starts instantly
Subtle indicator confirms save started
Files are processed in the background
Status indicator shows progress
User can continue working without interruption
Subtle notification of completion
Detailed status available in dashboard
Error handling options
Impact & Learnings
The Batch Save feature transformed how SOLIDWORKS users interact with the 3DEXPERIENCE
platform, delivering significant improvements in productivity and user satisfaction.
Key Outcomes
94%
User satisfaction with the new save experience
68%
Increase in save frequency
87%
Reduction in reported data loss
incidents
42 min
Average daily time saved per user
User Feedback
"This is a game-changer for our design team. We're saving more frequently and no longer losing our train of thought during complex design tasks."
— Lead Designer
"The batch save dashboard gives me complete visibility into what's happening without interrupting my workflow. It's exactly what we needed."
— CAD Manager
"Our team's productivity has noticeably improved. The seamless background saving means we're no longer waiting around for uploads to complete."
— Engineering Director
Key Learnings
Invisible UX
Sometimes the best user experience is one that users don't notice. By moving the save process to the background, we created an "invisible" experience that removed friction rather than adding features.
System Thinking
This project required thinking beyond the UI to understand the entire system of file saving, cloud synchronization, and user workflow. The solution had to address the entire ecosystem, not just the interface.
Workflow Over UI
Focusing on the user's workflow rather than just the interface led to a more holistic solution. Understanding how users move through their tasks helped create a seamless experience that supported their process.
Enterprise UX | High-Impact | Invisible but Powerful