1. How to Make a SolidWorks Drawing (It’s based on a part: Duh)

2. Step 1: Make a Part Actually: Make a good part – Fully define the 2D sketch (pay attention to the origin!) – Think about the whole part before you start sketching: Sometimes you’ll want to sketch on the Front plane, and sometimes you don’t!

3. Step 2: Start the Actual Drawing Once the part is done (and saved!), start a new document (Make Drawing from Part)

4. Step 3: Third Angle Projections From the View Palette on the right-hand menu, select the best view for a front aspect, and drag it onto your drawing Then move the mouse pointer up (or down – or both, depending) and right to place third-angle projections, and diagonal up/right for the isometric

5. Step 4: Add Dimensions, Hole Callouts, etc. Follow these rules: – Don’t cross leaders – Don’t leave notations inside a part – Don’t dimension to hidden lines – Reference dimensions from a common datum – Leaders should be between 30 and 60 degrees relative to their feature – Don’t duplicate dimensions: Only state a given dimension ONCE – Provide exactly enough information to locate and identify each feature – no more, no less

6. Step 4 Examples Crossed leaders: Bad! Notation inside a part: Bad! 45-degree leader: Good!

7. More Step 4 Examples Duplicate dimension: Boo! Distance measured from the top edge Distance measured from the bottom edge – pick one, and stick with it! Another duplicate dimension (This 2 inches is the same as the other 2 inches: Knock it off!