How it compares with SolidWorks
SolidWorks solves heat in a Simulation thermal study or in Flow Simulation with its Electronics Cooling module, paid add-ins where the board's copper and each part's resistances and watts are typed by hand.
Use this map early, to compare layouts and find the hot spot in seconds, then hand the parts table to the engineer who runs the full solve.
It solves no airflow, enclosure, fan or change over time, it reads about 10 to 30 percent on temperature rise, and it is an estimate, never a sign-off.
SolidWorks and this map, side by side
Where the heat solve lives: SolidWorks, A Thermal study in Simulation Professional or Premium, or Flow Simulation, a separate add-in with its own Electronics Cooling module; This map, The 3D view of the Designer, chosen from Show.
What it costs: SolidWorks, Flow Simulation is about 9,946 pounds to buy plus 2,344 a year, and the Electronics Cooling module about 2,811 more, all on a paid SOLIDWORKS seat; This map, Nothing extra: it comes with the Designer.
Getting the board in: SolidWorks, Exported, imported through CircuitWorks, mapped and cleaned up; This map, Your KiCad board, read as it is, in your browser.
The copper: SolidWorks, Often one block with one set of conductivities, typed or worked out by hand; This map, Read cell by cell from every copper layer, pour, track and via.
Each part: SolidWorks, A box drawn for each part, with its power, θJC and θJB typed by hand; This map, Placed from its footprint, with θJC and θJB from our catalog or its package, each with its source.
Watts: SolidWorks, Typed for each part; This map, Typed for each part too, and the example board comes with sourced watts.
The air: SolidWorks, Flow Simulation solves the air itself, with fans, vents and the enclosure; This map, A coefficient from the orientation, the ambient and one airflow speed, with no airflow solve.
Heat sinks and screws: SolidWorks, Drawn as fins, or typed as a contact resistance; This map, One resistance for each sink and each screw, from cited presets or your own.
What only SolidWorks does: SolidWorks, Fans, vents, enclosures, heat pipes, changes over time and thermal stress; This map, None of these is modelled.
Accuracy: SolidWorks, A full solve, used to sign a design off; This map, About 10 to 30 percent on temperature rise, best for comparing layouts and finding the hot spot, never a sign-off.