Are you looking to convert your 3D drawings to 2D in SolidWorks? Look no further!
In this tutorial, we will guide you step by step on how to accomplish this task. So let’s dive right in!
Step 1: Open the 3D Drawing
First, open your SolidWorks software and load the 3D drawing that you want to convert. Make sure all the necessary components and features are included in the drawing before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Switch to the Drawing Workspace
To convert a 3D drawing to 2D, we need to switch from the default modeling workspace to the drawing workspace. Click on ‘File’ in the menu bar, then select ‘Make Drawing from Part/Assembly’. This will create a new drawing file based on your 3D model.
Step 3: Set Up Drawing Sheet
Now that you’re in the drawing workspace, it’s time to set up your drawing sheet. This includes selecting the appropriate paper size, orientation, and scale. You can access these options by clicking on ‘Sheet Format/Size’ in the toolbar.
Selecting Paper Size and Orientation
In the ‘Sheet Format/Size’ dialog box, choose your desired paper size from the available options. Additionally, you can select either portrait or landscape orientation depending on your preference or requirement.
Selecting Scale
The scale determines how much of your 3D model will fit onto the sheet. You can choose a predefined scale from the drop-down menu or enter a custom scale value if needed. Take note that a smaller scale will fit more details onto the sheet but may result in smaller dimensions.
Step 4: Insert Views
Now it’s time to insert views of your 3D model onto the drawing sheet. To do this, click on ‘Insert Model Views’ in the toolbar.
Selecting View Type
In the ‘Insert Model Views’ dialog box, you can choose between various view types such as ‘Parent/Child View’, ‘Projected View’, or ‘Section View’. Select the appropriate view type based on your requirements.
Placing Views
After selecting the view type, click on your desired location on the drawing sheet to place the view. You can add multiple views if needed by repeating this step.
Step 5: Add Annotations and Dimensions
To make your 2D drawing more informative and accurate, it’s important to add annotations and dimensions. SolidWorks provides a wide range of tools for this purpose.
Add Annotations
To add annotations such as notes, symbols, or geometric tolerances, click on ‘Annotations’ in the toolbar. Then select the desired annotation type from the dropdown menu and place it on the drawing sheet.
Add Dimensions
To add dimensions to your drawing, click on ‘Smart Dimension’ in the toolbar. Then select two points or edges that you want to dimension and drag your mouse to position the dimension line. Repeat this step for all necessary dimensions.
Step 6: Save and Export
Once you have completed all necessary annotations and dimensions, it’s time to save your 2D drawing. Click on ‘File’ in the menu bar and select ‘Save As’. Choose a suitable file name and location for your drawing file.
Exporting to Different Formats
If you need to export your 2D drawing to a different format, such as PDF or DXF, click on ‘File’ in the menu bar and select ‘Save As’. From the ‘Save As’ dialog box, choose your desired file format from the dropdown menu and save the file.
That’s it! You have successfully converted your 3D drawing to 2D in SolidWorks.
With this newfound knowledge, you can now create detailed and precise 2D drawings for manufacturing or documentation purposes. Happy designing!