How Do I Cut a Drawing in SolidWorks?

When you ask how to "cut a drawing" in SolidWorks, it generally refers to two primary actions: modifying the underlying 3D model by adding cut features, which then updates the drawing views, or performing specific operations directly within a SolidWorks drawing sheet, such as cropping a view. This guide will cover both, starting with the most common interpretation: modifying the 3D model.

Cutting a 3D Model (Reflected in Drawings)

The most frequent use of "cutting" in SolidWorks involves removing material from your 3D part or assembly. These modifications are then parametrically linked and automatically reflected in any associated 2D drawing views.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Extruded Cut Feature

An Extruded Cut is a fundamental feature for removing material by projecting a 2D sketch profile through a model.

Prerequisites

Ensure your base model (part or assembly file) is open and active in SolidWorks.
Identify the location on the model where the material needs to be removed.

Procedure for Extruded Cut

Display the Base Model: Open the 3D part or assembly file you want to modify.
Start a Sketch: Select a flat face or a reference plane on your model. Click the "Sketch" icon from the context toolbar or navigate to the Sketch tab in the CommandManager and select Sketch.
Create the Cut Profile: Draw the 2D sketch that defines the shape of the material you want to remove. This sketch will serve as the "cutting tool" and must be a closed loop. For example, draw a circle for a hole or a rectangle for a slot.
Exit Sketch and Select Feature: Exit the sketch. Navigate to the Features tab in the CommandManager and select Extruded Cut (sometimes labeled "Cut-Extrude").
Define Cut Parameters: In the PropertyManager, specify the Direction (e.g., normal to sketch plane) and the End Condition. Common end conditions include:
- Blind: To a specified depth.
- Through All: To cut through the entire model.
- Up To Next: To cut up to the next surface encountered.
- Up To Surface: To cut up to a selected surface.
Confirm the Cut: Click the green checkmark to finalize the cut feature.

Other Material Removal Features

While Extruded Cut is widely used, SolidWorks offers other powerful tools for more complex material removal:

Revolved Cut: Removes material by revolving a 2D profile around an axis. This is ideal for features like circular grooves, internal bores, or turned profiles.
Swept Cut: Removes material by sweeping a 2D profile along a defined path. This is useful for creating complex, non-linear cuts, like channels or intricate slots.
Lofted Cut: Creates a cut by blending between two or more different 2D profiles (sketches) located on separate planes. This is excellent for organic or complex transitional shapes.
Hole Wizard: A specialized tool for quickly creating standard holes such as drilled, tapped, counterbore, or countersink holes with predefined sizes and types.

Impact on Drawings

Once you save the modified 3D model, any open or subsequently generated SolidWorks drawings that reference this model will automatically update to reflect the new cut features. This parametric linkage ensures accuracy between your 3D design and 2D documentation. You may occasionally need to rebuild or refresh the drawing for immediate updates.

Cutting Operations Directly within SolidWorks Drawings

Beyond modifying the 3D model, there are specific "cutting" or trimming actions you can perform directly on a drawing sheet to control view display or specific sketch elements without altering the 3D part.

Cropping a Drawing View

This allows you to display only a selected portion of a drawing view, effectively "cutting off" the unnecessary parts to focus on a specific detail.

Select the Drawing View: Click on the drawing view you wish to crop.
Define Crop View: Right-click on the view and choose Crop View > Define Crop View.
Sketch the Boundary: Sketch a closed profile (e.g., a circle, rectangle, or spline) around the area you want to keep.
Exit the Sketch: The view will be cropped to your defined boundary.
Remove Crop (Optional): To revert the view to its original state, right-click the view and select Crop View > Remove Crop.

Note: Cropping only affects the view's display on the drawing sheet; it does not alter the 3D model.

Breaking a Drawing View

For very long parts or assemblies, you can "break" a drawing view to show only the ends and a central portion, allowing it to fit better on the sheet without changing the scale. This visually "cuts out" a section.

Select the Drawing View: Click on the view you want to break.
Activate Broken View: Go to Insert > Drawing View > Broken View.
Define Breaks: In the PropertyManager, define the break lines (number and position) and select the desired gap style (e.g., straight cut, zigzag).

Trimming Sketch Entities in a Drawing

If you've created sketches directly on a drawing sheet (e.g., for custom borders, annotations, or detailed views), you can trim excess sketch lines, similar to how you would in a part sketch.

Start a Sketch: Create a new sketch on the drawing sheet or activate an existing one.
Draw Entities: Draw the lines, arcs, or other entities you need.
Activate Trim: Go to the Sketch tab in the CommandManager and click Trim Entities.
Trim: Select Power trim and drag your mouse across the entities you want to remove, or use other trim options like Trim to Closest.

Here's a quick comparison of these "cutting" actions:

Action	Primary Purpose	Affects 3D Model?	SolidWorks Feature/Location
Extruded Cut	Remove material from a 3D part/assembly	Yes	`Features` tab > `Extruded Cut`
Revolved Cut	Remove material (revolved shape) from a 3D part/assembly	Yes	`Features` tab > `Revolved Cut`
Crop Drawing View	Display only a portion of a drawing view	No	Right-click view > `Crop View` > `Define Crop View`
Broken Drawing View	Shorten long components in a drawing view	No	`Insert` > `Drawing View` > `Broken View`
Trim Sketch Entities	Remove portions of sketch lines in a drawing sketch	No	`Sketch` tab > `Trim Entities` (within an active sketch)

Remember to always save your changes to both the 3D model and the drawing to ensure all modifications are retained.