How to Add Views in SolidWorks Drawing Quickly and Easily

To add views in a SolidWorks drawing, open your drawing file, then use the View Layout tab and select Standard 3 View or Model View. Place the views on the sheet by clicking where you want them, and adjust properties as needed.

Syntax

In SolidWorks, adding views in a drawing is done through the user interface, not code. The main commands are:

• Standard 3 View: Automatically adds front, top, and right views.
• Model View: Lets you select any model and choose specific views like isometric or custom.
• Projected View: Creates views projected from an existing parent view.

These commands are found under the View Layout tab in the drawing environment.

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Standard 3 View
Model View
Projected View

Example

This example shows how to add a standard 3 view and a projected view in a SolidWorks drawing:

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1. Open your SolidWorks drawing file.
2. Go to the <View Layout> tab.
3. Click <Standard 3 View> and select the model.
4. Click on the drawing sheet to place the front view.
5. The top and right views appear automatically.
6. Select the front view, then click <Projected View>.
7. Move the cursor to the desired position and click to place the projected view.

Output

Front, Top, and Right views placed on the drawing sheet; a projected view added from the front view.

Common Pitfalls

• Trying to add views without opening a drawing file first.
• Not selecting the correct model when using Model View.
• Placing projected views without first selecting a parent view.
• Confusing Insert Model with adding views, which inserts the entire model as a graphic.

Always ensure you are in the drawing environment and have the correct model loaded.

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Wrong way:
- Trying to add a projected view without a parent view selected.

Right way:
- Select the parent view first, then use <Projected View> to add related views.

Quick Reference

Command	Purpose	Where to Find
Standard 3 View	Adds front, top, and right views automatically	View Layout tab
Model View	Select and place any model view including isometric	View Layout tab
Projected View	Create views projected from an existing view	View Layout tab
Insert Model	Insert the entire 3D model as a graphic	Insert menu

Key Takeaways

Always open a drawing file before adding views in SolidWorks.

Use the View Layout tab to access Standard 3 View, Model View, and Projected View commands.

Place the parent view first before adding projected views.

Select the correct model when adding views to ensure accuracy.

Avoid confusing Insert Model with adding drawing views.