How to Add Balloons in SolidWorks Drawing Quickly

To add balloons in a SolidWorks drawing, open your drawing file, go to the Annotation tab, and select Balloon. Click on the part or component you want to label, then place the balloon in the desired location on the drawing sheet.

Syntax

In SolidWorks, adding balloons follows this basic workflow:

• Open Drawing: Have your drawing file open with views displayed.
• Annotation Tab: Navigate to the Annotation toolbar.
• Select Balloon Tool: Click on Balloon to activate the tool.
• Click Component: Click on the part or assembly feature to label.
• Place Balloon: Move your cursor and click to place the balloon on the sheet.

This process labels parts with numbers or letters linked to a Bill of Materials (BOM).

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1. Open your SolidWorks drawing file.
2. Go to the Annotation tab on the CommandManager.
3. Click the Balloon tool.
4. Click on the component or part in the drawing view.
5. Click again to place the balloon where you want it on the sheet.

Example

This example shows how to add a balloon to a part in a SolidWorks drawing view:

1. Open your drawing with an assembly view.
2. Click the Annotation tab.
3. Select Balloon.
4. Click on a part in the assembly view.
5. Move your mouse and click to place the balloon.

The balloon will display a number linked to the BOM.

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Open drawing file with assembly view
Go to Annotation tab
Select Balloon tool
Click on a part in the view
Click on the sheet to place balloon

Output

A numbered balloon appears next to the selected part, linking it to the BOM.

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when adding balloons include:

• Trying to add balloons without a BOM linked, so balloons show no numbers.
• Clicking outside the drawing view, which places balloons disconnected from parts.
• Not selecting the correct view, causing balloons to label wrong components.
• Placing balloons too close together, making the drawing cluttered and hard to read.

Always ensure your BOM is set up and place balloons clearly.

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Wrong way:
1. Select Balloon tool
2. Click outside any part or view
3. Balloon appears but not linked to any component

Right way:
1. Select Balloon tool
2. Click directly on a part in the drawing view
3. Balloon appears linked to that part

Quick Reference

Step	Action	Tip
1	Open drawing file	Ensure assembly or part views are visible
2	Go to Annotation tab	Find Balloon tool easily
3	Select Balloon tool	Activates balloon placement mode
4	Click on part in view	Balloon links to BOM item
5	Place balloon on sheet	Keep spacing clear for readability

Key Takeaways

Use the Annotation tab and Balloon tool to add balloons in SolidWorks drawings.

Always click directly on parts in the drawing view to link balloons correctly.

Ensure a Bill of Materials (BOM) is set up for balloons to show numbers.

Place balloons clearly to avoid clutter and improve drawing readability.