eDrawings for sharing in Solidworks - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to save the model as an eDrawing file.

Solidworks

model.SaveAs("[1]", eDrawingsFormat, true);

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A"model.sldprt"

B"model.edrw"

C"model.dxf"

D"model.pdf"

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using the original SolidWorks part file extension instead of .edrw

Saving as PDF or DXF which are different formats

The eDrawings file format uses the .edrw extension, so saving as "model.edrw" is correct.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to open an eDrawing file for viewing.

Solidworks

eDrawApp.OpenFile("[1]", true);

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A"model.edrw"

B"model.step"

C"model.sldasm"

D"model.iges"

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Trying to open native SolidWorks or CAD files directly in eDrawings

Using STEP or IGES files which are not eDrawings format

eDrawings opens files with the .edrw extension for viewing shared models.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the code to export the eDrawing with markup enabled.

Solidworks

model.ExportToEDrawing("output.edrw", [1]);

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Anull

B0

Ctrue

Dfalse

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Passing false disables markup

Passing null or 0 causes errors

Setting the markup parameter to true enables markup in the exported eDrawing.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to set the eDrawing view to shaded and enable section view.

Solidworks

eDrawApp.SetViewMode([1]);
eDrawApp.EnableSectionView([2]);

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A"Shaded"

B"Wireframe"

Ctrue

Dfalse

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 'Wireframe' instead of 'Shaded' for view mode

Passing false disables section view

Setting view mode to 'Shaded' shows the model with colors and shading.
Enabling section view requires passing true.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a shared eDrawing link with password protection and expiration.

Solidworks

shareSettings = {
  password: [1],
  expirationDays: [2],
  allowDownload: [3]
};

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A"secure123"

B30

Ctrue

Dfalse

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Not quoting the password string

Using a string instead of number for expirationDays

Setting allowDownload to false disables downloads

The password is set as a string "secure123".
Expiration is set to 30 days.
Allowing download is enabled by true.

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