eDrawings for sharing in Solidworks - Deep Dive

Overview - eDrawings for sharing

What is it?

eDrawings is a special file format and viewer tool that lets you share 3D and 2D CAD designs easily. It allows people to view, measure, and interact with designs without needing the full CAD software. This makes sharing designs with clients, colleagues, or suppliers simple and clear.

Why it matters

Without eDrawings, sharing detailed CAD designs would require everyone to have expensive and complex CAD software. This slows down communication and collaboration. eDrawings solves this by providing a lightweight, easy-to-use way to share and review designs, speeding up decision-making and reducing errors.

Where it fits

Before learning eDrawings, you should understand basic CAD concepts and file types. After mastering eDrawings, you can explore advanced collaboration tools, cloud sharing, and integration with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems.

Mental Model

Core Idea

eDrawings is like a universal viewer that lets anyone open, explore, and comment on CAD designs without needing the original design software.

Think of it like...

Imagine sending a photo album to a friend who doesn’t have a camera app; eDrawings is like a special photo viewer app that lets them see and zoom in on your pictures perfectly.

┌───────────────┐
│  CAD Software │
└──────┬────────┘
       │ Export eDrawings file (.eprt, .easm, .edrw)
       ▼
┌───────────────┐
│  eDrawings    │
│  Viewer App   │
└──────┬────────┘
       │ Share file
       ▼
┌───────────────┐
│  Anyone with  │
│  eDrawings    │
│  Viewer       │
└───────────────┘

Build-Up - 6 Steps

1

Foundation

What is eDrawings and its purpose

Concept: Introduce eDrawings as a file format and viewer for sharing CAD designs easily.

eDrawings is a file format created by SolidWorks that packages 3D and 2D CAD models into a lightweight file. This file can be opened with the free eDrawings Viewer software, allowing users to view, rotate, zoom, and measure the design without needing the full CAD program.

Result

You can share your design files with anyone, and they can open and explore them easily.

Understanding that eDrawings separates viewing from editing makes sharing designs accessible to non-engineers.

2

Foundation

How to create an eDrawings file

Concept: Learn the steps to export CAD models into eDrawings format from SolidWorks.

In SolidWorks, open your design, then go to File > Save As, and choose eDrawings format (.eprt for parts, .easm for assemblies, .edrw for drawings). You can set options like including measurements or animations before saving.

Result

You get a compact eDrawings file ready to share.

Knowing how to export correctly ensures your shared file contains the right information for viewers.

3

Intermediate

Using the eDrawings Viewer features

🤔Before reading on: do you think eDrawings Viewer allows editing the design or only viewing? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Explore the main tools in the eDrawings Viewer for interacting with designs.

The eDrawings Viewer lets you rotate, zoom, pan, measure distances, and view exploded views or animations if included. It also supports markups and comments to communicate feedback.

Result

Users can understand and analyze the design without CAD software.

Recognizing that eDrawings supports interactive review helps improve collaboration and reduces misunderstandings.

4

Intermediate

Sharing eDrawings files securely

🤔Before reading on: do you think eDrawings files can be password protected or restricted? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Learn how to protect and share eDrawings files safely.

You can add passwords or restrict certain features like printing or copying in eDrawings files. Sharing can be done via email, cloud storage, or company portals. This keeps your designs safe while allowing easy access.

Result

Your design data stays protected during sharing.

Understanding security options prevents accidental leaks of sensitive design information.

5

Advanced

Integrating eDrawings with collaboration workflows

🤔Before reading on: do you think eDrawings can be integrated with other tools like PLM or cloud platforms? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Explore how eDrawings fits into larger product development and collaboration systems.

Many companies use eDrawings files within PLM systems or cloud collaboration platforms to streamline design reviews. Automated workflows can send eDrawings files for approval or feedback, speeding up product cycles.

Result

Teams collaborate faster and with fewer errors.

Knowing integration possibilities helps leverage eDrawings beyond simple file sharing.

6

Expert

Limitations and advanced customization of eDrawings

🤔Before reading on: do you think eDrawings supports full CAD editing or complex simulations? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Understand what eDrawings cannot do and how to customize its output for specific needs.

eDrawings is for viewing and basic interaction only; it does not allow editing or running simulations. Advanced users can customize export options, like including specific views, animations, or metadata. Knowing these limits helps choose when to use eDrawings or full CAD files.

Result

You avoid misuse and select the right tool for each task.

Recognizing eDrawings' boundaries prevents workflow errors and improves communication clarity.

Under the Hood

eDrawings files are compressed packages containing geometry, metadata, and optional animations or markups. The viewer software reads this data and renders the 3D or 2D model interactively using a lightweight graphics engine. It does not store full CAD parametric data, so it cannot edit models but can display them efficiently.

Why designed this way?

eDrawings was created to solve the problem of sharing complex CAD data with people who don't have CAD software. By focusing on viewing and basic interaction, it keeps files small and software simple, making it accessible and fast. Full CAD editing was left to specialized software to keep eDrawings lightweight.

┌───────────────┐
│ SolidWorks CAD│
│  Model Data   │
└──────┬────────┘
       │ Export
       ▼
┌───────────────┐
│ eDrawings File│
│ (Geometry +   │
│ Metadata +    │
│ Animations)   │
└──────┬────────┘
       │ Open
       ▼
┌───────────────┐
│ eDrawings     │
│ Viewer Engine │
│ (Render +     │
│ Interaction)  │
└───────────────┘

Myth Busters - 4 Common Misconceptions

Quick: Can you edit the 3D model inside eDrawings Viewer? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: Many think eDrawings lets you edit or change the CAD model.

Reality: eDrawings only allows viewing, measuring, and commenting, not editing the design.

Why it matters: Trying to edit in eDrawings wastes time and causes confusion about design changes.

Quick: Do eDrawings files contain full CAD parametric data? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: Some believe eDrawings files have all the detailed CAD parameters and history.

Reality: eDrawings files contain only the geometry and some metadata, not full parametric data.

Why it matters: Expecting full CAD data leads to errors when trying to reuse or modify designs from eDrawings.

Quick: Are eDrawings files always secure and cannot be copied? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: People often think eDrawings files are inherently secure and cannot be copied or shared without permission.

Reality: Without added password protection or restrictions, eDrawings files can be freely copied and shared.

Why it matters: Assuming security can cause accidental leaks of sensitive designs.

Quick: Can eDrawings replace full CAD software in product development? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: Some believe eDrawings can fully replace CAD software for all design tasks.

Reality: eDrawings is only for viewing and reviewing; full CAD software is needed for design and engineering.

Why it matters: Misusing eDrawings as a design tool leads to incomplete workflows and errors.

Expert Zone

1

eDrawings supports embedding animations and exploded views, which can greatly enhance design communication but are often overlooked.

2

The viewer can be customized with API hooks for integration into company portals, enabling automated review workflows.

3

File size optimization in eDrawings export balances detail and performance, a subtle art that impacts user experience.

When NOT to use

Do not use eDrawings when you need to edit models, run simulations, or perform detailed CAD operations. Instead, use full CAD software like SolidWorks or specialized simulation tools.

Production Patterns

In production, eDrawings is used for design reviews with clients and suppliers, internal design approvals, and as part of PLM workflows where quick, secure sharing of design snapshots is needed.

Connections

PDF Document Sharing

Similar pattern of sharing complex content in a simplified, widely accessible format.

Understanding eDrawings as the CAD equivalent of PDFs helps grasp its role in making complex data easy to share and view.

Cloud Collaboration Platforms

Builds on eDrawings by enabling real-time sharing, commenting, and version control in the cloud.

Knowing eDrawings files integrate with cloud tools shows how traditional file sharing evolves into dynamic teamwork.

Digital Photography

Opposite in that photos are static images, while eDrawings are interactive 3D models for exploration.

Comparing static photos to interactive eDrawings highlights the value of interactivity in understanding complex designs.

Common Pitfalls

#1 Sharing eDrawings files without setting security options.

Wrong approach:

Exporting eDrawings with default settings and emailing to external partners without password or restrictions.

Correct approach:

Enable password protection and restrict printing or copying before sharing sensitive eDrawings files.

Root cause:

Assuming eDrawings files are secure by default leads to accidental exposure of confidential designs.

#2 Expecting to edit or modify designs inside eDrawings Viewer.

Wrong approach:

Trying to change dimensions or features directly in the eDrawings Viewer interface.

Correct approach:

Use SolidWorks or other CAD software to edit designs, then export updated eDrawings files for sharing.

Root cause:

Misunderstanding the purpose of eDrawings as a viewer rather than an editor.

#3 Sending very large eDrawings files with unnecessary details.

Wrong approach:

Exporting eDrawings with all layers, high detail, and animations even when not needed.

Correct approach:

Customize export options to include only necessary views and details to keep file size manageable.

Root cause:

Not optimizing export settings causes slow sharing and poor user experience.

Key Takeaways

eDrawings is a lightweight file format and viewer that makes sharing CAD designs easy and accessible to non-CAD users.

It allows interactive viewing, measuring, and commenting but does not support editing or full CAD functionality.

Proper export and security settings are essential to protect sensitive design information when sharing eDrawings files.

eDrawings fits into larger collaboration workflows, speeding up design reviews and approvals without requiring full CAD software.

Knowing its limits and strengths helps you choose the right tool for each stage of product development.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using eDrawings in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To share CAD models and drawings without needing full SolidWorks software

B. To create 3D models from scratch

C. To edit CAD files with advanced tools

D. To convert drawings into PDF format

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand eDrawings purpose and compare options

   eDrawings is designed to share CAD files easily without requiring the full SolidWorks software. The other options describe functions not related to its sharing purpose.

2. Final Answer:

   To share CAD models and drawings without needing full SolidWorks software -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   eDrawings sharing = To share CAD models and drawings without needing full SolidWorks software [OK]

Hint: Remember: eDrawings is for sharing, not editing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing eDrawings with full CAD editing software
• Thinking eDrawings creates models
• Assuming it converts files to PDF

2. Which file extension is NOT used when saving eDrawings files from SolidWorks?

easy

A. .eprt

B. .easm

C. .edrw

D. .edxf

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify valid eDrawings extensions and check .edxf

   Valid eDrawings file extensions are .eprt (part), .easm (assembly), and .edrw (drawing). .edxf is not a recognized eDrawings file extension.

2. Final Answer:

   .edxf -> Option D

3. Quick Check:

   Invalid eDrawings extension = .edxf [OK]

Hint: Only .eprt, .easm, .edrw are valid eDrawings files [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming .edxf is a valid eDrawings extension
• Confusing with other CAD file types
• Mixing up assembly and part file extensions

3. If you save a SolidWorks assembly as an eDrawings file and send it to a colleague, what can they do with the file using the free eDrawings Viewer?

medium

A. Edit the assembly and change parts

B. View, rotate, and add comments to the assembly

C. Convert the assembly back to a SolidWorks file

D. Export the assembly as a 2D image only

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand eDrawings Viewer capabilities and evaluate options

   The free eDrawings Viewer allows users to view, rotate, and add comments but not edit or convert files. View, rotate, and add comments to the assembly matches viewer capabilities; the other options describe unsupported actions.

2. Final Answer:

   View, rotate, and add comments to the assembly -> Option B

3. Quick Check:

   Viewer functions = View + Rotate + Comment [OK]

Hint: Viewer = view and comment, no editing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking viewer allows editing
• Believing it converts files
• Assuming export is limited to images only

4. You tried to share a SolidWorks drawing by saving it as an eDrawings file, but your colleague cannot open it. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The file size is too large for eDrawings Viewer

B. The colleague does not have SolidWorks installed

C. You saved the file with the wrong extension, like .sldprt instead of .edrw

D. You forgot to export the file as a PDF

Solution

1. Step 1: Check file extension and rule out other causes

   eDrawings files must have extensions like .edrw for drawings; .sldprt is a SolidWorks part file, not eDrawings. The colleague does not need full SolidWorks installed, file size rarely blocks opening, and PDF export is unrelated.

2. Final Answer:

   You saved the file with the wrong extension, like .sldprt instead of .edrw -> Option C

3. Quick Check:

   Wrong extension blocks opening [OK]

Hint: Check file extension before sharing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming full SolidWorks is needed to open eDrawings
• Blaming file size without checking format
• Confusing PDF export with eDrawings sharing

5. You want to share a complex assembly with a client who only needs to review and comment on the design. Which steps should you follow to prepare the file using eDrawings for sharing?

hard

A. Save the assembly as .easm using 'Save As' in SolidWorks, then send the file; client uses free eDrawings Viewer to review and comment

B. Export the assembly as a .sldasm file and ask the client to install SolidWorks

C. Save the assembly as a PDF and email it; client can edit comments directly on the PDF

D. Send the original SolidWorks assembly file; client opens it with any CAD software

Solution

1. Step 1: Save assembly as eDrawings file and share for review

   Use 'Save As' in SolidWorks to save the assembly as .easm, which is the correct eDrawings format for assemblies. Send the .easm file; the client can open it with the free eDrawings Viewer to review and add comments without needing full SolidWorks.

2. Final Answer:

   Save the assembly as .easm using 'Save As' in SolidWorks, then send the file; client uses free eDrawings Viewer to review and comment -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Save as .easm + free viewer = sharing with review [OK]

Hint: Save as .easm and use free viewer for client comments [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Sending full SolidWorks files expecting client to edit
• Using PDF which does not support 3D review
• Assuming any CAD software can open SolidWorks files