- Dimensions in Drawings
Usually you specify dimensions when you design a part, then insert the dimensions from the model into the drawing. Changing a dimension in one document changes it in any associated documents.
- Dimension Formats
You can format dimensions individually or as a group in sketches and drawings. If you select a group of dimensions, only those properties the dimensions have in common are available for editing.
- Symbols
SOLIDWORKS has a library of symbols (such as degrees, depth, and so on). In the Dimension Value PropertyManager, click More Symbols under Dimension Text to access the library. Symbol libraries for various annotations, such as Notes, Geometric Tolerance Symbols, Surface Finish Symbols, Weld Symbols, and so on, are also available in PropertyManagers.
- Annotations
SOLIDWORKS has many tools for specific annotations, as shown below. You can control many properties of the annotations in PropertyManagers and dialog boxes.
- Leaders
In SOLIDWORKS, leaders are available with all annotations that use leaders. You can choose straight, bent, or multi-jog leaders. You can also create multi-jog leaders separately, and you can add multiple leaders.
- Crosshatching
SOLIDWORKS adds crosshatching to section views automatically. You can modify the crosshatch pattern manually. You can also add area hatching to faces or to closed sketch entities in drawings.
- Tables
- Bill of Materials
SOLIDWORKS automatically populates a Bill of Materials (BOM) with item numbers, quantities, part numbers, and custom properties in assembly drawings. You can anchor, move, edit, and split a BOM.
- Layers
In SOLIDWORKS, you can specify the color, style, and thickness of lines in named layers. You can move objects into layers, and you can turn layers on and off. The layer list is built into many annotation and dimension dialog boxes.
- Blocks
You can make, save, edit, and insert blocks for drawing items and sketch entities that you use often, such as standard notes, title blocks, label positions, and so on. You can attach blocks to geometry or to drawing views, and you can insert them into sheet formats.