Capturing 3D Views in SOLIDWORKS MBD

SOLIDWORKS MBD is a useful tool where the 3D models you create contain all necessary manufacturing information, eliminating the need for 2D drawings where there is room for interpretation and possibly error. In this blog, we will discuss how SOLIDWORKS MBD makes it easy to capture your own 3D Views that can be used to create and publish 3D PDFs, eDrawings files, or STEP 242 files.

These custom captured 3D views can be created on both parts and assemblies and are saved under a unique name, giving you the ability to navigate back to the views. The product and manufacturing information (PMI) that is saved in the view includes the configuration, display state, annotation views, exploded and model break views, reference dimensions and DimXpert annotations, zoomed position, and section views.

The 3D Views tab is in the bottom left of your SOLIDWORKS window. This is where you will capture your 3D views and where previews of your captured 3D views will reside once created.

Before capturing a 3D view, rotate the part or assembly until it is in the desired position. To capture the 3D view, click “Capture 3D View” from the 3D Views tab. This launches a PropertyManager (shown below) that allows you to rename the view, choose the configuration and display state, and select Annotation Views that you want included in the 3D View.

You can even create a section view to be included in the 3D view as seen in the image below.

Selecting Annotation Views will bring in the DimXpert Annotations and any other notes or dimensions that can be seen in the various listed views (*Front, *Right, *Top, Notes Area). See below:

You can recapture/edit views by right clicking the preview on the 3D Views tab and selecting “Recapture View”. Similarly, right clicking the preview allows you to rename or delete the view. Additionally, hovering over the 3D Views will show details about the view such as the configuration, display state, and annotation views.

Once you create your 3D Views, they will be selectable as view options when publishing your part or assembly to a 3D PDF, eDrawings file, or STEP file using the “Publish to 3D PDF”, “Publish to eDrawings”, or “Publish to STEP 242 File” commands on the SOLIDWORKS MBD CommandManager.

I hope this blog gives you a better understanding of the capabilities of SOLIDWORKS MBD and how to capture 3D Views!

Nicole Kelley
Application Support Engineer
cati.com