You can generate drawings in SolidWorks the same way you would generate them in 2D CAD systems. However, creating 3D models and generating drawings from the model has many advantages; for example:
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2D CAD Systems
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SolidWorks
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Creating Drawings
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drawing lines
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generated automatically from models (parts or assemblies) or drafted
with sketch tools
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Standards
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default ANSI (inches) and ISO (mm), with templates for DIN and JIS
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ANSI, ISO, DIN, GOST, JIS, BSI, and GB standards are available in document property options, and the settings can also be saved in templates
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Scaling
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scale "viewports"
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scale sheets and views as properties
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Multiple Drawings
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multiple "layouts"
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multiple drawing sheets
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Title Blocks
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prompts for title block information
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edit sheet format, adding lines, text, and links to document properties and custom properties
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Drawing Views
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views created manually with "viewports," geometry, and layers
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standard 3 views, model views (such as isometric and exploded), and relative views created automatically from models; derived views (projected, auxiliary, section, detail, broken, broken-out section, and alternate position) are created with one or two steps from the standard views
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Aligning Views
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manual command
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aligned automatically, but can be dragged; alignment can be broken; views can be rotated and hidden
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Dimensions
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inserted manually and do not change geometry
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model dimensions specified in sketches and features and inserted from models into drawings; model dimensions can be modified in drawings and are linked to the model; reference dimensions in drawings cannot be modified but do update automatically if the model changes; sketches and drawings can be dimensioned in one step
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Dimension Formats
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dimension styles
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dimension favorites
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Symbols
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available with control codes, Microsoft Character Map, or third party software
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available from an internal library for dimensions and the annotations that use symbols, and in the Design Library
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Annotations
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text, center marks, and geometric tolerance symbols available, others created manually (often in blocks)
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notes, cosmetic threads, surface finish symbols, datum feature symbols, datum target symbols, dowel pin symbols, multi-jog leaders, balloons, stacked balloons, area hatch, weld symbols, geometric tolerance, center marks, centerlines, weld beads, revision symbols, and hole callouts are available as tools
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Automatic Operations
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automatic regeneration, saving, stacking of multiline text
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automatically insert center marks, centerlines, balloons, and dimensions into new drawing views; also insert these items into a drawing or drawing view in one operation
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Leaders
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separate entities, attached manually
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available with annotations and attached automatically to the annotation and (if desired) to the model; the leader moves with the annotation and model
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Crosshatching
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separate entities
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added to section views automatically, can be modified individually; area hatch available for faces and closed areas bounded by model edges or sketch entities
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Tables
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blocks often used to create tables; links to database tables
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Bill of Materials, Hole Tables, Revision Tables, Weldment Cut Lists, Design Tables, and General Tables
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Bill of Materials
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parts lists are created by extracting attribute information manually
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generated automatically with item number, quantity, part number, description, custom properties; numbers in balloons correlated; anchor point
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Layers
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primary organizational tool, group information by function, equivalent of overlays
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specify color, style, and thickness of lines in named layers, turn layers on and off, but other means available for hiding views, lines, components
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Blocks
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often used to create annotations and symbols
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can be created, inserted by instance, exploded, edited, and so on; most annotations and symbols available as tools or in libraries; legacy 2D CAD blocks, including title blocks, can be imported and used in SolidWorks
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