Projected and auxiliary views in Solidworks - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Projected and auxiliary views

Goal

Understand how projected and auxiliary views help visualize 3D parts in 2D drawings for better design communication.

Sample Data: Part Dimensions and Views

Feature	Dimension (mm)	View Type	Description
Base Length	100	Front View	Main horizontal length
Base Height	50	Front View	Main vertical height
Hole Diameter	20	Auxiliary View	Diameter of angled hole
Hole Angle	45°	Auxiliary View	Angle of hole relative to base
Side Length	50	Projected View	Depth of part
Chamfer	5	Projected View	Edge chamfer size

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Base Dimensions showing Base Length (100 mm) and Base Height (50 mm)
• KPI Card: Hole Details showing Hole Diameter (20 mm) and Hole Angle (45°)
• Projected View Diagram: 2D front and side views showing base length, height, and side length with chamfer
• Auxiliary View Diagram: 2D angled view showing hole diameter and angle clearly
• Data Table: Summary of all features and dimensions for quick reference

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+
| Base Dimensions KPI   | Hole Details KPI     |
| (Length & Height)     | (Diameter & Angle)   |
+----------------------+----------------------+
|                      Projected View Diagram                      |
|                      (Front & Side Views)                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
|                      Auxiliary View Diagram                     |
|                      (Angled Hole View)                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
|                      Data Table Summary                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

Filters allow selecting specific features (e.g., only holes or base features). Selecting a feature highlights it in all views and updates KPI cards. Changing the angle filter updates the auxiliary view to show the hole at different angles.

Self Check

If you filter to show only 'Hole' features, which components update?

• KPI Card: Hole Details updates to show hole dimensions.
• Auxiliary View Diagram updates to highlight the hole.
• Projected View Diagram dims base features.
• Data Table filters to show only hole-related rows.

Key Result

Dashboard shows base and hole dimensions with projected and auxiliary views for clear 2D visualization of a 3D part.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a projected view in SolidWorks drawings?

easy

A. To display the true shape of angled surfaces

B. To show standard 90° views from a base view

C. To add color to the drawing for better visualization

D. To create 3D models from 2D sketches

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand projected views

   Projected views are created by projecting lines at 90° from a base view to show standard views like front, top, and side.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from auxiliary views

   Auxiliary views show true shapes of angled surfaces, not standard 90° views.

3. Final Answer:

   To show standard 90° views from a base view -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Projected views = standard 90° views [OK]

Hint: Projected views are always at right angles to the base view [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing projected views with auxiliary views
• Thinking projected views show angled surfaces
• Assuming projected views add color or 3D

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create an auxiliary view in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Select an edge and project a view perpendicular to that edge

B. Project a view at 90° from the base view

C. Use the extrude feature on the base view

D. Rotate the base view by 45° and save

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify auxiliary view creation method

   Auxiliary views are created by projecting a view perpendicular to an angled edge or surface to show its true shape.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Projecting at 90° from base view creates projected views, not auxiliary. Extrude and rotate do not create auxiliary views.

3. Final Answer:

   Select an edge and project a view perpendicular to that edge -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Auxiliary view = perpendicular to angled edge [OK]

Hint: Auxiliary views are perpendicular to angled edges, not base views [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing auxiliary with projected views
• Trying to create auxiliary views by rotating base views
• Using features unrelated to view creation

3. Given a base front view of a part, which view will show the true length of an inclined edge?

medium

A. Auxiliary view

B. Projected top view

C. Projected side view

D. Isometric view

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand true length display

   True length of an inclined edge is shown only when the view is perpendicular to that edge.

2. Step 2: Identify which view is perpendicular

   Projected views are at 90° to base views, but not necessarily perpendicular to inclined edges. Auxiliary views are created perpendicular to inclined edges.

3. Final Answer:

   Auxiliary view -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   True length = auxiliary view [OK]

Hint: True length appears only in auxiliary views perpendicular to the edge [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming projected views show true length of inclined edges
• Confusing isometric views with true length views
• Ignoring the angle of the edge

4. A user tries to create an auxiliary view but the view shows distorted shapes instead of true shapes. What is the most likely mistake?

medium

A. Selecting the wrong part in the assembly

B. Using the extrude feature instead of creating a view

C. Rotating the base view by 90°

D. Projecting the view at 90° from the base view instead of perpendicular to the edge

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the cause of distortion

   Distorted shapes occur if the auxiliary view is not projected perpendicular to the angled edge.

2. Step 2: Identify correct projection method

   Auxiliary views must be projected perpendicular to the edge to show true shape; projecting at 90° from base view creates projected views, causing distortion.

3. Final Answer:

   Projecting the view at 90° from the base view instead of perpendicular to the edge -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Distortion = wrong projection angle [OK]

Hint: Auxiliary views must be perpendicular to the edge, not base view [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Projecting auxiliary views at 90° from base view
• Using features unrelated to view creation
• Selecting wrong parts causing confusion

5. You have a complex part with multiple angled surfaces. To clearly communicate the true shape of all angled surfaces in a drawing, which combination of views should you use?

hard

A. Only projected views from front, top, and side

B. Only auxiliary views for each angled surface

C. Projected views for standard sides and auxiliary views for angled surfaces

D. Isometric views combined with exploded views

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of projected views

   Projected views show standard 90° views and provide overall shape context.

2. Step 2: Understand the role of auxiliary views

   Auxiliary views show true shapes of angled surfaces that projected views cannot accurately display.

3. Step 3: Combine views for clarity

   Using projected views for standard sides and auxiliary views for angled surfaces ensures clear communication of all shapes.

4. Final Answer:

   Projected views for standard sides and auxiliary views for angled surfaces -> Option C

5. Quick Check:

   Combine projected + auxiliary for clarity [OK]

Hint: Use projected for standard, auxiliary for angled surfaces [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using only projected views and missing true shapes
• Using only auxiliary views and losing overall context
• Relying on isometric or exploded views alone