How Do I Open a Drwdot File in SolidWorks?

Opening a Drwdot File in SolidWorks

If you have received a Drwdot file and you want to open it in SolidWorks, don’t worry! It’s a simple process that we will guide you through. In this tutorial, we will explain step-by-step how to open a Drwdot file in SolidWorks.

What is a Drwdot File?

A Drwdot file is a template file used by SolidWorks to create new drawing files (.slddrw). It contains predefined settings for drawing views, dimensions, annotations, and other elements that are common to multiple drawings. By using a Drwdot file, you can save time and maintain consistency across your drawings.

Step 1: Launch SolidWorks

The first step is to launch SolidWorks on your computer. You can do this by double-clicking the SolidWorks shortcut on your desktop or by searching for it in the Start menu.

Step 2: Create a New Drawing

Once SolidWorks is open, click on the “File” menu at the top-left corner of the screen. From the drop-down menu, select “New” and then choose “Drawing” from the submenu. This will create a new drawing document.

Step 3: Select the Drwdot File

In the New Drawing dialog box that appears, click on the “Use a template” option. Then, click on the “Browse” button next to it. This will open a new window where you can navigate to the location of your Drwdot file.

  • Note: If you don’t have a Drwdot file yet, you can create one by customizing an existing drawing with your desired settings and then saving it as a template.

In the file explorer window, locate and select the Drwdot file you want to open in SolidWorks. Once you have selected the file, click on the “Open” button.

Step 4: Customize Drawing Options (Optional)

After selecting the Drwdot file, SolidWorks will load the drawing template and display the drawing area. At this point, you can customize various options such as sheet size, title block, units, and other settings to suit your needs.

Step 5: Save and Start Drawing

Once you have customized the drawing options (if necessary), it’s time to save your new drawing. Click on the “File” menu again and choose “Save As” from the drop-down menu. Give your drawing a name and choose a location to save it.

  • Note: By default, SolidWorks will save your drawing in a .slddrw format.

After saving your drawing, you can start working on it by adding views, dimensions, annotations, and any other elements required for your project.

In Conclusion

Opening a Drwdot file in SolidWorks is a straightforward process that allows you to create new drawings based on predefined templates. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can quickly open a Drwdot file and start working on your project without having to recreate common elements from scratch.

We hope this tutorial has been helpful. Happy designing!