Why can’t I Foreshorten my SOLIDWORKS Dimension?

I recently had a reoccurring problem when creating drawings in SOLIDWORKS. I would constantly lose the Foreshorten option. Yes, you read that correctly! See below for a typical Display Options menu where the Foreshorten dimension option is missing.

Foreshorten Option Missing in Display Options

Something to note is that the Foreshorten option isn’t technically missing from the menu but rather we’re not seeing the correct menu. Since the foreshortening occurs to the dimension line itself and not the dimension value, the trick is to right click the dimension line (demonstrated below).

Right Click Dimension Line, NOT the Value

We will then see the Foreshorten option available in the Display Options as seen below.

Right Click Dimension Line and see Foreshorten Option

Foreshortened Dimension

Did this solution not work?

If you are using an older version of SOLIDWORKS you may see a reversed behaviour. I would suggest taking a look at the articles below for further insight.

• Adding Foreshortened Diameter Dimensions in Detail Views
• Creating Foreshortened Dimensions in Drawings

If you are not using an older version of SOLIDWORKS and this solution did not work, please reach out to your VAR for support.

Subscribe and stay tuned for an upcoming article about adding driven dimensions to detail views like a pro!