Creating a drawing from part or assembly in Solidworks - Business Scenario Walkthrough

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a mechanical design engineer at a manufacturing company.

📋 Request: Your manager wants you to create detailed technical drawings from 3D parts and assemblies for production and quality control.

📊 Data: You have access to 3D CAD models of parts and assemblies created in SolidWorks.

🎯 Deliverable: Produce clear, dimensioned 2D drawings from the 3D models that include multiple views, annotations, and a title block.

Sample Data

Model Name	Type	Description	Material
Bracket_A	Part	Support bracket for assembly	Aluminum
Gearbox_Assembly	Assembly	Gearbox with 5 parts	Steel and Plastic
Cover_Plate	Part	Protective cover plate	Steel
Motor_Assembly	Assembly	Electric motor assembly	Steel and Copper

1

Step 1: Open the 3D model in SolidWorks (either a part or an assembly).

File > Open > Select model (e.g., Bracket_A or Gearbox_Assembly).

Expected Result

3D model is loaded and visible in the SolidWorks workspace.

2

Step 2: Create a new drawing document linked to the open 3D model.

File > New > Drawing > Select sheet size (e.g., A3) > Click OK > In 'Model View' dialog, select the open model.

Expected Result

A new drawing sheet is created with the model view placed.

3

Step 3: Insert standard views of the model on the drawing sheet.

Use 'View Palette' or 'Model View' to drag and drop Front, Top, Right, and Isometric views onto the sheet.

Expected Result

Multiple views of the model appear on the drawing sheet, showing different angles.

4

Step 4: Add dimensions and annotations to the drawing views.

Use 'Smart Dimension' tool to click on edges, holes, or features to add measurements; add notes or symbols as needed.

Expected Result

All critical dimensions and notes are clearly visible on the drawing.

5

Step 5: Insert a title block with relevant information (part number, material, scale, date).

Right-click on the sheet > Properties > Fill in title block fields or use a predefined template.

Expected Result

Title block is complete with all necessary metadata.

6

Step 6: Save and export the drawing as a PDF for sharing with production.

File > Save As > Select PDF format > Save.

Expected Result

A PDF file of the drawing is created, ready for printing or emailing.

Final Result

Bracket_A

↓

Bracket_A

✓The drawing clearly shows all necessary views for manufacturing.

✓Dimensions and annotations provide exact measurements for production.

✓Title block contains essential metadata for traceability.

Bonus Challenge

Create a drawing template that automatically updates the title block with model properties when a new drawing is created.

Show Hint

Use SolidWorks custom properties linked to the title block fields and save the drawing as a template (.drwdot).

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