Create a Template with SOLIDWORKS Predefined Views

When working with SOLIDWORKS drawings, it’s possible to add predefined views to your drawing.

This view type is most useful when creating drawing templates. It provides the ability to have your drawing automatically populated with predefined drawing views. As an example, if you find yourself continually adding the standard top, front, right & isometric drawing views into the first sheet of every drawing you create, why not eliminate this repetitive task by adding predefined views to a drawing template instead?

Keep in mind when using Predefined Views

When adding a predefined view, additional selections are available beyond the specification of the view orientation. We can specify the Display Style, Scale, Dimension Type and more. We also have the added ability to select Import Options for certain annotations.

It’s also valuable to note that there is currently a limitation when using SOLIDWORKS predefined views on multi-sheet drawing templates. With the latest version of SOLIDWORKS at the time of this publication (SOLIDWORKS 2022 x SP3.1), predefined views on multi-sheet drawing templates will only populate on the last active sheet. By leveraging SOLIDWORKS API, we can easily create a macro to overcome this limitation.

Create a SOLIDWORKS Drawing Template with Predefined views

1. Create a new drawing and specify a sheet format, from which the basis of your new drawing template will be formed.
   

   Sheet Format Selection

2. From the “Drawing” tab, select the “Predefined View” command and locate the view on the active drawing sheet. Repeat this step as required, to achieve multiple predefined views.

Add SOLIDWORKS Predefined Views

3. Individually select and define the view orientation and additional options, for each of the placed views. Demonstrated in the image below, we begin by configuring Drawing View 1 to orient as isometric and to display High Quality as Shaded With Edges.

Predefined Views Properties

4. If desired, finalize your layout by aligning views.

Align SOLIDWORKS Predefined Views

5. Once the views are configured to your liking and you’re ready to save the drawing as a drawing template, perform Save As; Specify the file directory, file name & set the Save as type: to “Drawing Template (.drwdot)”.

Save Drawing template with Predefined Views

6. Begin using your new drawing template with predefined views.
   

   Using the SOLIDWORKS Predefined Views Template

Learn more about SOLIDWORKS Drawings

Take a SOLIDWORKS Drawings training course with Javelin live online to learn more about creating drawing templates.