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Time-saving Tip for Re-using SolidWorks Drawings

Started by Josh M · 10 months ago

If you feel frustrated each time you have to re-create a drawing, you’re not alone. All of a sudden, five other configurations and five other drawings are needed, all the same. Typically, you may open the part, start a new drawing, rinse, repeat. But, with just a few st ... Continue reading »

15 comments

  • Bruce Buck

    1 year ago

    This truly is a great tip. I've been using this for the past year or so and it REALLY saves a TON of time.

    Also, another way to save time is to not have to create multiple drawings in the first place. You can accomplish this through a creative part-numbering system.

    For example, we'll design an extrusion that has multiple cut lengths. The main part number is 7 digits, following by a generic .XXX extension (I know what you're thinking. This wasn't my idea). The actual cut length has the full 10 digit numbering. So the Drawing Model are in the format 1234567.XXX For the model, you simply create multiple configurations. For the drawing, since the document is named 1234567.XXX, you simply show ONE part with all the views you need, and create a table to show the various configurations. For the extrusions, you're simply listing in one column the different cut lengths, and in the drawing the dimension that varies is labeled DIM "A". Each cut length will have a unique part number 1234567.006, 1234567.015, 1234567.024, etc.
    reply
  • Josh

    1 year ago

    That is a great tip too Bruce! Makes it very easy to add additional configurations.
    reply
  • Russell

    1 year ago

    I use both configurations and this trick, depending on the situation.

    Configurations of views can be changed with a right click.
    reply
  • Josh

    1 year ago

    Great point Russell. Make a new config, copy views to a new sheet, and change the configurations. It's really that easy.
    reply
  • Devon T. Sowell

    1 year ago

    Hi Josh-

    Here's another drawing tip. How many times have you heard this: Make a new drawing of this new Bracket B just like this old drawing of Bracket A (Brackets A Bracket have completely different shapes)use all the same notes(lots of notes), revison block, title block...etc.

    Here's what I do; I Open the old drawing of Bracket A, then, I Save The Sheet Format; with the name Format Bracket A. Now, this Sheet Format will have all the Notes, Title Block, Revision Block, Annotations, etc.

    I Open a New Drawing, Insert the Views of Bracket B, Edit the Sheet Format, Window Select and Delete the Title Block, Border, Revison Block, etc. Next, RMB the Sheet Properties and Select the Sheet Format A. And there you have it. All the desire Notes and Annotations from the old drawing are now in the new drawing.

    Cheers,
    Devon
    reply
  • Josh

    1 year ago

    That's a great tip Devon. Seems like I always have to do that on large drawings to get the notes and stuff out of them. This would save time for sure. Thanks!
    reply
  • Michael Schettine

    1 year ago

    Josh,

    I am selling the Accuframe System IP protection...please let me know if you may have an interested party.

    Thanks,

    Mike email mike@accuframesystem.com
    reply
  • Jason

    1 year ago

    Josh,

    That is a good tip! I've wanted for years to have a drawing open different models than the one it currently opens but didn't relize I could change the references when opening. I've always just temporarily renamed the files the drawing references so when it says it can't find them, I point it to the files I want it too. Then I make sure to undo my renaming of the files once my new drawing is saved with reference to the other files. But your trick works much better. Thanks!


    Devon,

    I'm curios why you said you have to edit the sheet format and window select to delete all of your title block, border, revision block, etc. You shouldn't have to do this. If you just RMB to Sheet Properties and select your desired sheet format, it removes the old sheet format for you. This should save you a step.

    Jason
    reply
  • Josh

    1 year ago

    Jason, thanks. Just wanted to mention also that you can do the same thing with assemblies before opening them up. Makes it really quick to replace parts.
    reply
  • Devon Sowell

    1 year ago

    Jason-

    RE:"If you just RMB to Sheet Properties and select your desired sheet format, it removes the old sheet format for you. This should save you a step."

    Yep, thanks for the correction. Sometimes, my brain thinks faster than I type.

    Devon
    reply
  • Chris Chastine

    1 year ago

    Josh,
    I really appreciate this tip. I used to use SW Explorer to replace parts within my drawings but since 2007 came out there have been issues with that process. I just used your tip and it worked wonders.
    Kudos to you and thanks for all your tricks.
    reply
  • Josh

    1 year ago

    Chris, awesome. I'm glad it worked well for you. Thanks!
    reply
  • Jim M

    1 year ago

    This is a good tip. I have used this before but forgot how to find the place to change the references. Thanks!
    reply
  • Josh

    1 year ago

    Hey Jim, glad the tip helped!
    reply
  • tom ruggiero

    1 year ago

    Thanks for the tip, I've been using it a lot. I do have one problem. This does not work on assy. drawings...multible parts mating together. Is there a tip.
    reply

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