Projected and auxiliary views in Solidworks - Deep Dive

Overview - Projected and auxiliary views

What is it?

Projected and auxiliary views are special types of drawings used in SolidWorks to show different sides or angles of a 3D object. Projected views display the object from standard directions like front, top, or side, while auxiliary views show angled or tilted faces that are not visible in standard views. These views help people understand the full shape and details of a design clearly.

Why it matters

Without projected and auxiliary views, it would be hard to see all parts of a 3D object on a flat drawing. This can cause mistakes in manufacturing or assembly because some details might be hidden or unclear. These views solve this by showing every important angle, making communication between designers, engineers, and builders much clearer and reducing costly errors.

Where it fits

Before learning projected and auxiliary views, you should understand basic 2D and 3D drawing concepts and how to create simple views in SolidWorks. After mastering these views, you can learn advanced drawing techniques like section views, detail views, and dimensioning for precise manufacturing instructions.

Mental Model

Core Idea

Projected and auxiliary views are like shining light from different directions to cast clear shadows that reveal every side of a 3D object on a flat surface.

Think of it like...

Imagine holding a small toy in front of a lamp. The shadow on the wall changes depending on how you turn the toy. Projected views are like shadows from straight-on light, while auxiliary views are shadows from light shining at an angle to show hidden sides.

  Front View
     │
     ▼
┌───────────┐
│           │
│   Object  │
│           │
└───────────┘
     │
     ├──► Projected View (Top, Side)
     │
     └──► Auxiliary View (Angled Face)

Each arrow shows a direction from which the object is 'projected' onto a flat drawing.

Build-Up - 6 Steps

1

Foundation

Understanding Basic Views

Concept: Learn what standard views are and how they represent a 3D object in 2D.

In SolidWorks, a 3D object is shown on paper using views like front, top, and side. These views are flat pictures that show the shape from those directions. They help us see the object's size and shape without turning it around.

Result

You can identify and create front, top, and side views of simple objects.

Knowing basic views is essential because all other views, including projected and auxiliary, build on this foundation.

2

Foundation

Creating Projected Views

Concept: Learn how to generate projected views from a base view automatically.

Projected views are made by projecting lines from a base view (like the front) straight out to create other views (like top or side). In SolidWorks, you select a base view, and the software helps you create these views aligned properly.

Result

You can produce accurate top, bottom, left, and right views aligned with the base view.

Understanding projection lines and alignment ensures your drawings are consistent and easy to read.

3

Intermediate

Introducing Auxiliary Views

Concept: Learn why and how auxiliary views show angled or hidden faces.

Sometimes, faces of an object are tilted and not clear in standard views. Auxiliary views are created by projecting the object onto a plane parallel to that angled face. This shows the true shape and size of that face clearly.

Result

You can create auxiliary views that reveal details hidden in standard views.

Knowing auxiliary views helps you communicate complex shapes that standard views cannot show properly.

4

Intermediate

Using Auxiliary Views for Accurate Dimensions

🤔Before reading on: Do you think you can measure angled faces accurately from standard views? Commit to yes or no.

Concept: Auxiliary views allow precise measurement of angled faces by showing them flat.

Because auxiliary views show the angled face as if it were flat, you can measure lengths and angles directly without distortion. This is important for manufacturing parts that fit together perfectly.

Result

You can dimension angled features accurately, avoiding errors in production.

Understanding this prevents costly mistakes caused by measuring distorted shapes in standard views.

5

Advanced

Combining Projected and Auxiliary Views

🤔Before reading on: Can projected and auxiliary views be used together on the same drawing? Commit to yes or no.

Concept: You can use projected views for standard sides and auxiliary views for angled faces in one drawing.

A complete drawing often includes multiple projected views plus auxiliary views to fully describe the object. SolidWorks lets you add both types, keeping them aligned and organized for clarity.

Result

Your drawings show all necessary details from every angle in one place.

Knowing how to combine views creates professional, clear drawings that reduce confusion.

6

Expert

Advanced View Management and Automation

🤔Before reading on: Do you think SolidWorks can update auxiliary views automatically when the 3D model changes? Commit to yes or no.

Concept: SolidWorks links views to the 3D model, updating them automatically when the model changes.

When you modify the 3D object, SolidWorks updates all related projected and auxiliary views to reflect changes. This saves time and ensures drawings are always accurate without manual redrawing.

Result

Your drawings stay consistent with the latest design, reducing errors and rework.

Understanding this automation helps you trust and rely on your CAD system for efficient workflows.

Under the Hood

SolidWorks creates projected views by mathematically projecting points from the 3D model onto planes aligned with standard directions. Auxiliary views are generated by defining a custom projection plane parallel to an angled face, then projecting the model onto that plane. The software maintains relationships between views and the 3D model, so changes propagate automatically.

Why designed this way?

This system was designed to mimic traditional drafting methods but automate them for speed and accuracy. Using projection planes and mathematical projection ensures views are precise and consistent. Alternatives like manual drawing were slower and error-prone, so this approach balances human understanding with computer precision.

3D Model
  │
  ├─► Projection Plane (Front) ──► Front View
  │
  ├─► Projection Plane (Top) ─────► Top View (Projected)
  │
  └─► Projection Plane (Auxiliary, angled) ──► Auxiliary View

Each arrow represents a projection from the 3D model onto a 2D plane.

Myth Busters - 3 Common Misconceptions

Quick: Do you think auxiliary views are just rotated standard views? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: Auxiliary views are simply rotated versions of standard views.

Reality: Auxiliary views are projections onto a plane parallel to an angled face, not just rotated views. They show the true shape and size of that face without distortion.

Why it matters: Mistaking auxiliary views for rotated views leads to incorrect measurements and misunderstandings of the object's geometry.

Quick: Can projected views show hidden angled faces clearly? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: Projected views can always show all details, including angled faces.

Reality: Projected views only show faces aligned with standard directions; angled faces often appear distorted or hidden, requiring auxiliary views.

Why it matters: Relying only on projected views can cause missing or unclear details, leading to errors in manufacturing.

Quick: Do you think auxiliary views need to be redrawn manually after model changes? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: Auxiliary views must be manually updated after any model change.

Reality: In SolidWorks, auxiliary views update automatically when the 3D model changes, keeping drawings consistent.

Why it matters: Believing manual updates are needed wastes time and risks outdated drawings.

Expert Zone

1

Auxiliary views can be created from any edge or face, not just obvious angled ones, to reveal hidden features.

2

Projected and auxiliary views maintain associative links to the 3D model, enabling dynamic updates and reducing drawing errors.

3

Proper alignment and spacing of views on the drawing sheet are critical for readability but often overlooked by beginners.

When NOT to use

Avoid auxiliary views when the angled face is simple or can be fully described by standard projected views. Instead, use section views or detail views for complex internal features. Also, for very complex shapes, 3D models or interactive digital views may be better than static drawings.

Production Patterns

In professional practice, engineers use projected views for main orientations and auxiliary views for angled surfaces like chamfers or draft angles. Drawings are organized with clear labels and consistent alignment. Automated updates ensure drawings reflect design changes, supporting agile manufacturing workflows.

Connections

Orthographic Projection

Projected and auxiliary views are specific applications of orthographic projection principles.

Understanding orthographic projection helps grasp why views are flat and aligned, which is fundamental to creating accurate technical drawings.

3D Modeling

Projected and auxiliary views are 2D representations derived directly from 3D models.

Knowing how 3D models work clarifies how views update automatically and why precise geometry is essential for accurate drawings.

Photography and Lighting

Auxiliary views relate to how light and shadows reveal shapes from different angles in photography.

Recognizing this connection helps understand how changing the 'viewing angle' reveals hidden details, similar to how photographers use lighting to highlight features.

Common Pitfalls

#1 Creating auxiliary views without aligning them properly to the angled face.

Wrong approach:

Auxiliary view created at random angle without reference to the face orientation.

Correct approach:

Auxiliary view created by selecting the edge or face and projecting onto a plane parallel to it.

Root cause:

Misunderstanding that auxiliary views must be parallel to the angled face to show true shape.

#2 Using only projected views to dimension angled features.

Wrong approach:

Dimensioning angled face lengths directly on front or side projected views.

Correct approach:

Create an auxiliary view of the angled face and dimension it there for accuracy.

Root cause:

Not realizing that projected views distort angled faces, making measurements inaccurate.

#3 Manually redrawing auxiliary views after model changes.

Wrong approach:

Deleting and recreating auxiliary views every time the 3D model updates.

Correct approach:

Rely on SolidWorks' automatic update feature to keep views synchronized.

Root cause:

Lack of trust or knowledge about CAD software's associative drawing capabilities.

Key Takeaways

Projected views show standard sides of a 3D object by projecting it onto flat planes aligned with main directions.

Auxiliary views reveal angled or hidden faces by projecting onto planes parallel to those faces, showing true shape and size.

Using auxiliary views is essential for accurate measurement and clear communication of complex shapes.

SolidWorks automates the creation and updating of these views, saving time and reducing errors.

Combining projected and auxiliary views creates complete, professional drawings that guide manufacturing precisely.

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