Creating a drawing from part or assembly in Solidworks - Complete Walkthrough

Introduction

This feature helps you make a detailed drawing from a 3D part or assembly model. It solves the problem of sharing precise design details in a 2D format that others can easily understand and use for manufacturing or review.

When you need to create a blueprint for manufacturing a part.

When you want to show assembly instructions with exploded views.

When you must provide detailed dimensions and annotations for quality checks.

When sharing design details with team members who do not use 3D software.

When preparing documentation for product approval or certification.

Steps

Step 1: Open

- SolidWorks main window

Your 3D part or assembly model is loaded and visible

Step 2: Click

- File menu > Make Drawing from Part/Assembly

The drawing template selection window appears

Step 3: Select

- Drawing template window

A blank drawing sheet opens with the chosen template

Step 4: Drag

- Model View pane onto the drawing sheet

The front view of the part or assembly appears on the sheet

Step 5: Add

- View Palette or Drawing toolbar

Additional views like top, side, or isometric are placed on the sheet

Step 6: Use

- Annotation tools on the Drawing toolbar

Dimensions, notes, and symbols are added to clarify the design

Step 7: Save

- File menu > Save As

The drawing file is saved separately from the 3D model

Before vs After

Before

Only a 3D part or assembly model is open with no 2D documentation

After

A detailed 2D drawing sheet shows multiple views, dimensions, and notes ready for printing or sharing

Settings Reference

Drawing Template

📍 Make Drawing from Part/Assembly dialog

Defines the sheet size and layout for the drawing

Default: A size

View Orientation

📍 Model View pane

Sets the initial view angle of the model on the drawing

Default: Front

Scale

📍 PropertyManager when placing views

Controls the size ratio of the model views on the drawing sheet

Default: Automatic

Dimension Style

📍 Annotations tab > Dimension Style

Formats how dimensions appear including font and units

Default: Standard

Common Mistakes

Choosing the wrong drawing template size

The drawing sheet may be too small or too large, causing views to be cramped or wasted space

Select a template size that fits the model scale and detail level before placing views

Not adding necessary views

Important details may be missing, making the drawing unclear or incomplete

Add all relevant views like top, side, and isometric to fully communicate the design

Skipping dimensioning

Manufacturers or reviewers cannot understand exact sizes or tolerances

Use annotation tools to add clear and complete dimensions on the drawing

Summary

Creates a 2D drawing from a 3D part or assembly for clear communication.

Choose the right template and views to show all necessary details.

Add dimensions and notes to make the drawing useful for manufacturing or review.

Practice

1. What is the first step when creating a drawing from a part or assembly in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Add dimensions to the drawing before selecting views.

B. Export the part as a PDF before creating the drawing.

C. Save the drawing file without selecting a template.

D. Open the part or assembly file and select 'Make Drawing from Part/Assembly'.

Solution

1. Step 1: Open the part or assembly file

   You must first open the part or assembly you want to create a drawing from in SolidWorks.

2. Step 2: Select 'Make Drawing from Part/Assembly'

   Use the menu option to start a new drawing based on the opened file.

3. Final Answer:

   Open the part or assembly file and select 'Make Drawing from Part/Assembly'. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Starting from the part file = Open the part or assembly file and select 'Make Drawing from Part/Assembly'. [OK]

Hint: Always start from the part or assembly file first [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to add dimensions before creating views
• Skipping template selection
• Exporting before drawing creation

2. Which of the following is the correct way to insert a standard view into a drawing in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Right-click on the drawing sheet and select 'Insert Standard 3D View'.

B. Select 'Insert' > 'Model View' and choose the desired view orientation.

C. Drag the part file directly onto the drawing sheet.

D. Use the 'View Layout' tab and click 'Standard 3 Views'.

Solution

1. Step 1: Open the drawing and go to Insert menu

   In SolidWorks, to add views, you use the 'Insert' menu and select 'Model View'.

2. Step 2: Choose the part or assembly and view orientation

   After selecting 'Model View', pick the file and the view (front, top, side) to insert.

3. Final Answer:

   Select 'Insert' > 'Model View' and choose the desired view orientation. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Insert > Model View = Select 'Insert' > 'Model View' and choose the desired view orientation. [OK]

Hint: Use Insert > Model View to add standard views [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to drag files onto the drawing sheet
• Looking for 'Insert Standard 3D View' which doesn't exist
• Using 'View Layout' tab incorrectly

3. Given a part drawing with a front view inserted, what happens if you select the front view and choose 'Projected View' and drag to the right?

medium

A. A section view is created automatically to the right of the front view.

B. A top view is created automatically to the right of the front view.

C. A side view is created automatically to the right of the front view.

D. Nothing happens until you manually select the view type.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Projected View behavior

   When you create a projected view from a front view and drag right, SolidWorks creates the right side view.

2. Step 2: Confirm view placement

   The projected view aligns with the front view and shows the side profile automatically.

3. Final Answer:

   A side view is created automatically to the right of the front view. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Projected view right = side view [OK]

Hint: Projected view direction matches standard view orientation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing top and side views
• Expecting section view from projected view
• Thinking manual selection is needed

4. You try to insert a drawing view but get an error saying 'Model not found'. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The part or assembly file was moved or renamed after creating the drawing.

B. You forgot to save the drawing file before inserting views.

C. The drawing template is corrupted.

D. You selected the wrong sheet size in the drawing.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify cause of 'Model not found' error

   This error usually means SolidWorks cannot locate the original part or assembly file linked to the drawing.

2. Step 2: Check file location and name

   If the part or assembly was moved or renamed after the drawing was created, the link breaks causing this error.

3. Final Answer:

   The part or assembly file was moved or renamed after creating the drawing. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Model not found = moved/renamed file [OK]

Hint: Keep part files in original location to avoid link errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming saving drawing fixes model link
• Blaming template corruption
• Changing sheet size unrelated to model link

5. You need to create a detailed drawing of an assembly showing exploded views and balloon annotations for each part. Which sequence of actions is correct?

hard

A. Create drawing from assembly, insert exploded view, then add balloons linked to BOM.

B. Create drawing from assembly, add balloons first, then insert exploded view.

C. Create drawing from assembly, export exploded view as image, then add balloons manually.

D. Create drawing from assembly, insert section views, then add balloons.

Solution

1. Step 1: Create drawing from assembly

   Start by opening the assembly and creating a new drawing from it.

2. Step 2: Insert exploded view

   Use the drawing tools to insert the exploded view of the assembly to show parts separated clearly.

3. Step 3: Add balloons linked to BOM

   Add balloon annotations that automatically link to the Bill of Materials for clear part identification.

4. Final Answer:

   Create drawing from assembly, insert exploded view, then add balloons linked to BOM. -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Exploded view then balloons linked to BOM = Create drawing from assembly, insert exploded view, then add balloons linked to BOM. [OK]

Hint: Insert exploded view before adding balloons for clarity [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding balloons before exploded view
• Exporting exploded view as image instead of native view
• Confusing section views with exploded views