Drawing automation in Solid Edge and SolidWorks with rules and AI
In short
Drawing automation in Solid Edge and SolidWorks means that software derives views, dimensions, the title block and parts lists from the 3D model according to a defined drawing standard. We develop it with you through the Solid Edge and SolidWorks APIs, also for Inventor. Rules and AI propose the drawing, an engineer confirms it.
Updated 27 Oct 2026
Every new part needs the same drawing steps: choose the sheet format, place views, set dimensions, fill the title block, insert the parts list. The application does these steps through the API of your CAD system with your templates and hands the drawing to the engineer as a preview.
- Start with
- Sprintone use case · €9,900
- Systems
- Solid Edge, SolidWorks, Inventor
- Result
- Drawing as a preview, confirmed by an engineer
How it works
- 01
Capture the drawing standard
We collect your drawing templates, background sheets or sheet formats, title block fields and the rules for views, scales and dimensioning per part family, and write them down as rules that can be checked.
- 02
Rules build the base drawing
Fixed rules choose sheet size and scale, place the standard views, fill the title block from the file properties and insert the parts list on assembly drawings.
- 03
AI proposes views and dimensions
The AI reads the part geometry and proposes sections, detail views and a dimension scheme that suits the part, for example ordinate dimensions for a sheet metal part with many holes.
- 04
Check, preview, confirm
A rule check flags undimensioned features and empty title block fields. The drawing appears as a preview, the engineer adjusts and confirms, and every change is one undo step.
What you get
Drawing add-in for your CAD system
Runs in the Solid Edge Draft environment or in SolidWorks drawings, through the Solid Edge API or the SolidWorks API, and uses your existing templates and title blocks. Inventor works the same way through the Inventor API.
Your drawing standard as rules
Rules for views, scales, dimensioning and the title block, written down once and applied to every drawing in the same way.
Title block and BOM from the model
Part number, material, revision and description come from the model properties, and parts lists follow your column layout. Nothing is typed twice.
Check list per drawing
Everything the rules flagged, such as an undimensioned hole or an empty material field, so the engineer knows where to look first.
See it in a real CAD session
Siemens NX drafting with AI: a 2D drawing from one prompt
Watch on YouTube ↗
Limits
Simple parts, sheet metal parts and parts of medium complexity with a clear drawing standard work best. Castings, weldments and drawings with many sections still need an engineer to rework views and dimensions. Tolerances, fits and surface finish follow from the function of the part, so the application only proposes what your rules define and flags the rest. Empty or inconsistent custom properties lead to empty title blocks. Assembly drawings with balloons depend on a clean BOM structure in the model.
Systems
- Solid Edge
- SolidWorks
- Inventor
Frequently asked questions
Can Solid Edge and SolidWorks create drawings automatically from a 3D model?
Partly. In the Solid Edge Draft environment, the View Wizard places part views, Create Drawing sets up assembly drawings and Retrieve Dimensions pulls the modelling dimensions into a view. In SolidWorks, the View Palette and Model Items do similar work, and SolidWorks 2026 adds AI drawing creation as a beta in SolidWorks Labs. Company rules for the views, sections and dimension scheme of each part family are added through the API of each system.
Which API is used to automate drawings in Solid Edge, SolidWorks and Inventor?
Each system has its own documented API. Solid Edge offers the Solid Edge API, used from .NET programs or add-ins. SolidWorks offers the SolidWorks API, used from VBA macros or add-ins in C# or VB.NET. Inventor offers the Inventor API and iLogic rules. All three can create drawing views, add dimensions and parts lists and write the properties shown in the title block.
What is the difference between rule-based and AI-based drawing automation?
Rule-based automation applies fixed rules and gives the same drawing every time, which suits sheet formats, title blocks, parts lists and standard views. It reaches its limit when each part needs its own choice of sections and dimension scheme. AI proposes that choice per part, fixed rules check it against the drawing standard, and an engineer confirms the result.
What data does automated drawing derivation in CAD need?
It needs clean 3D models with correct features, material and properties, a written drawing standard with templates and sheet formats, and a few released example drawings per part family. Gaps in the model, such as an empty material property, show up as gaps on the drawing, and the rule check reports them to the engineer.
Talk to us about your task.
In the free 45-minute intro call we show a live demo on comparable geometry. Someone from our team replies personally within one working day.