How Do I Change the Scale of a Part in a SolidWorks Drawing?

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Changing the scale of a part in a SolidWorks drawing is a useful skill to have, especially when you need to create drawings that accurately represent your design. Whether you want to make your part appear larger or smaller, SolidWorks provides several options for adjusting the scale. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to change the scale and ensure that your drawings are presented correctly.

Method 1: Changing the Scale Using the Scale Tool

To change the scale of a part in a SolidWorks drawing, follow these steps:

  1. Select the part or parts that you want to change the scale of.
  2. Go to the “Tools” menu and click on “Scale.”
  3. In the “Scale” dialog box, enter the desired scale factor.
  4. Choose whether you want to apply the scaling uniformly or in specific directions.
  5. Click “OK” to apply the changes.

Note: Keep in mind that changing the scale will affect all dimensions and annotations associated with the selected part or parts. Make sure to update them accordingly if necessary.

Method 2: Changing the Scale Using Custom Sheet Scale

If you prefer to change the scale using custom sheet scales, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure that your drawing sheet is active by clicking on it.
  2. Go to “File” > “Properties. “
  3. In the “Sheet Properties” dialog box, click on “Custom..” next to “Scale.

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  4. Enter your desired custom sheet scale in either decimal or fractional format.
    • TIP: If you want to reduce the scale, enter a value less than 1. For example, entering 0.5 will make your part half the original size.
  5. Click “OK” to apply the changes.

Method 3: Changing Scale Using Configurations

An alternative method to change the scale of a part is by using configurations:

  1. Create a new configuration for your part by going to “File” > “Save As.” and selecting “Configuration” from the drop-down menu.
  2. In the Configuration Manager, right-click on the newly created configuration and click on “Properties.”
  3. In the “Configuration Properties” dialog box, go to the “Scale” tab.
  4. Enter your desired scale factor in either decimal or fractional format.
    • TIP: You can also specify different scales for different directions by unchecking the “Uniform scaling” option.

By using any of these methods, you can easily change the scale of a part in SolidWorks drawings. Remember that it’s essential to update dimensions and annotations accordingly after changing the scale to ensure accurate representation of your design.

Now you have the necessary knowledge and tools to create drawings with precise scaling. Happy designing!