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How to Open a Model in a Drawing in SOLIDWORKS

In SOLIDWORKS, you can create a 2D engineering drawing from an existing Part or Assembly. The drawing can contain standard views, dimensions, annotations, section views, and other manufacturing information.

Opening a 3D model (Part or Assembly) directly from an existing 2D Drawing in SOLIDWORKS can be done quickly using several built-in shortcuts:

1. Right-Click Short Cut (Fastest Method)

1. Open your .slddrw drawing file.
2. Right-click on any drawing view or any model edge/face within a view.
3. Select Open Part (or Open Assembly) from the context menu (it appears near the top with an icon showing a open folder with a part/assembly).

2. Using the FeatureManager Design Tree

1. Look at the FeatureManager Design Tree on the left side of your screen.
2. Expand the drawing view branch (e.g., Drawing View1).
3. Right-click the listed model file underneath it.
4. Click Open Part or Open Assembly.

3. Keyboard Shortcut (Hover & Click)

• Hover your mouse over any drawing view and press Shift + R (or right-click and select Open Model in Position if available in your version setup).

4. Opening a Component from a BOM (Bill of Materials)

If your drawing contains a Bill of Materials table:

1. Expand or click the row corresponding to the item you want to open.
2. Right-click the cell/row and choose Open Part / Open Assembly.

SOLIDWORKS Help: Opening a Model from a Drawing View: Official Dassault Systèmes documentation on opening part and assembly models directly from drawing views.

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How to Create a Drawing from a Model

Method 1: Make Drawing from Part or Assembly

This is the easiest method.

Step 1: Open the Model

Open your SOLIDWORKS:

• Part (.SLDPRT) or
• Assembly (.SLDASM)

file.

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Step 2: Start a New Drawing

Go to:

File → Make Drawing from Part/Assembly

SOLIDWORKS will create a new drawing based on the active model.

You can also use the Make Drawing from Part/Assembly command from the toolbar.

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Step 3: Select a Drawing Template

Choose a drawing sheet format such as:

• A4
• A3
• A2
• A1
• A0

Select the required template and click OK.

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Step 4: Insert the Model View

The View Palette / Model View options will appear.

Select the model orientation you want, such as:

• Front
• Top
• Right
• Left
• Bottom
• Back
• Isometric

Click the desired view and place it on the drawing sheet.

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Step 5: Add Additional Views

After placing the main view, you can create additional views such as:

• Projected View
• Section View
• Detail View
• Auxiliary View
• Broken View

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Method 2: Create a Drawing from an Open Model

If the Part or Assembly is already open:

1. Open the model.
2. Go to File.
3. Select Make Drawing from Part/Assembly.
4. Choose a drawing template.
5. Select the required model orientation.
6. Place the view on the sheet.

This is the most common workflow.

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Method 3: Insert a Model into an Existing Drawing

If you already have a drawing open and want to add a model:

1. Open the drawing.
2. Select:

Insert → Drawing View → Model

3. Select the required Part or Assembly.
4. Choose the required orientation.
5. Place the view on the drawing sheet.

Depending on your SOLIDWORKS version, the exact menu wording may vary.

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How to Add Dimensions

Once the model views are placed, you can add dimensions.

Go to:

Annotations → Model Items

to bring dimensions and annotations from the model into the drawing.

You can also create drawing dimensions manually using:

Smart Dimension

Common Drawing Information

• Linear dimensions
• Angular dimensions
• Diameter
• Radius
• Hole callouts
• Center marks
• Geometric tolerances
• Surface-finish symbols

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How to Create a Section View

To show internal features:

View Layout → Section View

Then:

1. Select the parent view.
2. Draw a cutting line.
3. Position the section.
4. Click to place the section view.

A section view is particularly useful for showing:

• Holes
• Internal cavities
• Shafts
• Bearings
• Internal components

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How to Create an Isometric Drawing View

To add an isometric view:

View Palette → Isometric

Then drag the isometric view onto the drawing sheet.

An isometric view is commonly used as a 3D visual reference on engineering drawings.

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Important: Model and Drawing Are Linked

A SOLIDWORKS drawing is normally associated with the referenced Part or Assembly.

For example:

If you modify the part, the drawing can update to reflect the model changes.

This is one of the major advantages of parametric CAD.

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Common Drawing File Extensions

File Type	Extension	Purpose
Part	.SLDPRT	3D component
Assembly	.SLDASM	Multiple components
Drawing	.SLDDRW	2D engineering drawing

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Quick Method

If your model is already open:

Open Part/Assembly

→ File

→ Make Drawing from Part/Assembly

→ Choose Drawing Template

→ Select Model View

→ Place View

→ Add Dimensions & Annotations

→ Save Drawing

That’s the standard way to open a SOLIDWORKS model in a drawing and create its 2D engineering documentation.

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