Solid Edge contains an unmatched set of capabilities for the 2D documentation process, with excellent drawing layout, detailing, annotation and dimensioning controls that automatically comply with the mechanical drafting standard you select.

Streamlined drawing creation

These process-specific applications take the complexity out of common engineering requirements and help you develop complete digital prototypes much more quickly than general purpose CAD modeling tools.

Solid Edge's comprehensive dimensioning and annotating tools enable you to create fully detailed drawings remarkably fast. Practical and intelligent dimensioning and annotation tools mean you can create fully dimensioned views in seconds. With Solid Edge, you have full control over every element of your drawings, so you know that they meet the requirements of organizational and international standards.

And, unlike other 3D-only products, Solid Edge lets you create 2D drawings from scratch or continue to make full use of your existing 2D legacy data. Intuitive wizards provide robust translation of existing 2D files such as AutoCAD, while 2D drafting tools not only emulate the workflows you already know but offer additional capabilities as well. Solid Edge also provides a familiar process for generating detail drawings from 2D layouts. Similar in concept to the model and paper space methodology in other 2D products, you develop 2D layouts at 1:1 scale and then create multiple detail views of the layout on separate drawing sheets. Each view can be scaled as required, while still maintaining correct dimensions and annotations. Any changes to the original 2D layout are automatically reflected in the detail views.

Documenting the largest assemblies

Solid Edge dramatically accelerates the production of assembly drawings by automatically creating exploded views, balloons, parts lists and bills of material for models of any size. Solid Edge customers are routinely creating and documenting massive assemblies, taking advantage of innovative management techniques for drawing view generation. You can place drawing views based on a search query and turn off all the components that are not essential for the purpose of the view. With significantly fewer hidden lines to calculate, drawing views can be placed and updated much faster. It's just one of many tools that will reduce the time you spend creating and updating your assembly drawings.

Solid Edge tracks drawing changes that result from alterations of the 3D model, eliminating the need for manual checking. Prominent visual cues signal when drawing views and annotations are out of date and instructions direct the designer to find and amend potential drawing errors.

Drawing automation with Quicksheet templates

Many manufacturing companies have standards for creating drawings, or common assemblies that require similar drawings to be made of each unique configuration. Using Quicksheet templates in Solid Edge, you can eliminate repetitive tasks by pre-defining a drawing layout and creating new drawings by simply dragging a different part or assembly into the template. All views then re-compute to create the new drawing, including any derived views such as sections or detail view, as well as parts lists and auto balloons.