eDrawings for sharing in Solidworks - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a product design analyst at a manufacturing company.

📋 Request: Your manager wants you to share 3D CAD models with the sales and marketing teams so they can review designs without needing SolidWorks software.

📊 Data: You have access to SolidWorks 3D CAD files (.sldprt and .sldasm) for recent product designs.

🎯 Deliverable: Create eDrawings files from the CAD models and prepare a simple report showing how to share these files effectively with non-technical teams.

Sample Data

File Name	Type	Size (MB)	Model Description
WidgetA.sldprt	Part	12	Small mechanical widget
GadgetB.sldasm	Assembly	45	Complex gadget assembly
BracketC.sldprt	Part	8	Mounting bracket
DeviceD.sldasm	Assembly	60	Electronic device assembly

1

Step 1: Open each SolidWorks CAD file in SolidWorks software.

Use File > Open and select each .sldprt or .sldasm file.

Expected Result

All CAD models load correctly in SolidWorks.

2

Step 2: Create eDrawings files from each CAD model.

In SolidWorks, go to File > Save As, then select 'eDrawings (*.eprt, *.easm)' format and save each file.

Expected Result

eDrawings files are created for each CAD model, reducing file size and enabling easy sharing.

3

Step 3: Verify eDrawings files open correctly in the free eDrawings Viewer.

Open each .eprt and .easm file using the eDrawings Viewer software.

Expected Result

Models open with interactive 3D view, allowing rotation, zoom, and section views without SolidWorks.

4

Step 4: Prepare a simple report explaining how to share eDrawings files with non-technical teams.

Include instructions: 'Send eDrawings files via email or shared drive. Recipients can use free eDrawings Viewer to open and explore models without CAD software.'

Expected Result

Report clearly explains sharing process and benefits of eDrawings for collaboration.

Final Result

---------------------------------------------
|           eDrawings Sharing Report         |
---------------------------------------------
| File Name   | Type     | Size(MB) | eDrawings    |
|-------------|----------|----------|--------------|
| WidgetA     | Part     | 12       | WidgetA.eprt |
| GadgetB     | Assembly | 45       | GadgetB.easm |
| BracketC    | Part     | 8        | BracketC.eprt|
| DeviceD     | Assembly | 60       | DeviceD.easm |
---------------------------------------------
Instructions:
- Share eDrawings files via email or cloud storage.
- Recipients use free eDrawings Viewer to open files.
- Viewer allows 3D rotation, zoom, and section views.
- No SolidWorks needed for viewing.
---------------------------------------------

✓eDrawings files are much smaller and easier to share than original CAD files.

✓Non-technical teams can view and interact with 3D models without CAD software.

✓Sharing eDrawings improves collaboration between design and sales/marketing teams.

Bonus Challenge

Create a simple interactive dashboard in Power BI or Excel that tracks which eDrawings files have been shared and viewed by team members.

Show Hint

Use a table with columns: File Name, Shared Date, Viewer Name, View Count. Use slicers or filters to analyze sharing activity.

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