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Technical drawings online from a 3D model: views, PDF

A technical drawing is the sheet a machinist or cutting shop works from. On the DRAWING tab it comes straight from the model: lay out views, sections and dimensions on a sheet and save it as PDF or DXF. The drawing is saved with the project and follows the model, so if you make a hole bigger, the views and the dimension show the new diameter.

What you can do

  • Base view is the first view. Pick the orientation (Front, Top, Isometric and more) and the bodies; on an empty sheet the scale comes from the standard list. Any view can show Hidden lines (edges behind material, drawn dashed) and Centerlines and center marks.
  • Projected adds side and top views: click a view, then a spot next to it. The viewing direction follows the sheet's projection method, first angle (E, the default) or third angle (A). A diagonal click gives a pictorial axonometric view.
  • Section shows the inside of the part as if sawn through. Draw the cutting line on a view (it snaps to hole centers) and place the section beside it. Steps in the line make an offset section through several holes, a line that turns aside at the axis makes a half section (half cut, half outside), and a slanted second arm makes an aligned section. Double-click the section to untick screws and shafts under Cut bodies, as those are drawn whole.
  • Detail enlarges an area marked with a circle, at least twice the scale, with a Wavy line or Circle boundary.
  • Dimension (D): a circle gives a diameter, an arc a radius, two points a distance, an edge plus a click beside it its length, and two edges that are not parallel an angle. Dimensions are attached to model edges and follow model changes.
  • Double-click a dimension to set a tolerance: Symmetric ±, Deviation, Limits or Fit. A fit says how far a hole or shaft diameter may stray so the shaft goes in tight or loose. Type a class such as H7 and the program looks up the deviations in the ISO 286 tables: for Ø20, +0.021 mm upper and 0 lower.
  • Surface texture (how smooth a surface must be, such as Ra 3.2), Feature control (a form or position requirement, such as flatness) and Datum (the letter of a reference surface) point at an edge in a view. Text adds a note.
  • Parts list for assemblies sits above the title block with item number, name, quantity and material from the model. Place balloons in its panel spreads numbered balloons around the views, and Balloon adds one at a time.
  • Bend table for sheet metal lists every bend with its number, direction, angle and radius.
  • Sheet sets the size (A4 to A0), scale, projection method and title block, and New sheet adds a page.
  • PDF saves every sheet as a page with vector lines and selectable text. DXF puts the sheets side by side at paper scale, with a layer for each kind of line (see file formats).

How it works in practice

  1. Model a plate with a hole and open the DRAWING tab. An A3 sheet with a border and title block is waiting.
  2. Click Base view, keep Front and click where the view should go.
  3. Click Projected, then a spot below the front view and one beside it. Projections come from the selected view, and Enter finishes.
  4. Click Section, then the two ends of a line through the hole's center in the front view. Enter closes the line and the next click places section A-A.
  5. Press D, click the hole's circle, then where the dimension goes. Double-click the dimension, choose Fit and type H7.
  6. Double-click the title block, fill in the material and your name, then click PDF in the EXPORT group.

Things to keep in mind

  • Views are computed on the server. Without a server connection the view tools, Refresh and Place balloons do not work, and the drawing does not update after model changes.
  • Changed views recompute by themselves when you return to the DRAWING tab. Refresh recomputes every view on the sheet from scratch.
  • If the edge behind a dimension disappears (say you delete the hole), the dimension turns orange and "Dimensions without reference" appears at the bottom of the drawing area. It is left out of PDF and DXF, so delete it or dimension again.
  • Surface texture and feature control symbols do not track edges the way dimensions do, so check where they point after a bigger change.
  • Meshes, such as an STL file, give no view. Convert them to a solid first (see meshes).
  • The bend table needs a view of the flat plate: run Create Flat Pattern (SHEET METAL tab) with Flat pattern body as the result and put that body on the drawing.