Why Projected and auxiliary views in Solidworks? - Purpose & Use Cases

The Big Idea

What if you could see every hidden detail of your design without redrawing it by hand?

The Scenario

Imagine trying to understand a complex 3D object by looking only at a single flat drawing. You try to sketch different angles by hand, but it's hard to keep proportions and details accurate.

The Problem

Drawing multiple views manually is slow and mistakes happen easily. You might miss hidden details or create inconsistent views that confuse your team.

The Solution

Projected and auxiliary views automatically generate accurate side or angled views from your main drawing. This saves time and ensures every detail is clear and consistent.

Before vs After

✗ Before

Draw front view, then sketch side views freehand.

✓ After

Use 'Projected View' tool to create side views instantly from front view.

What It Enables

You can quickly explore and communicate every angle of a design with perfect accuracy and clarity.

Real Life Example

An engineer designing a complex machine part uses auxiliary views to show hidden holes and angled surfaces clearly, avoiding costly manufacturing errors.

Key Takeaways

Manual sketches are slow and error-prone.

Projected and auxiliary views automate accurate multi-angle drawings.

This improves communication and reduces mistakes in design.

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