Is it possible to change a 3D part back into a 2D sketch in SolidWorks?

Short Answer

Yes — in SolidWorks, you can turn 3D part geometry back into a 2D sketch by creating a sketch on a plane and using Convert Entities to project model edges into sketch geometry. This is the fastest and most common professional method. Limitation: it only captures edges visible or selectable from the chosen sketch plane.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: Converted edges are often linked to the original 3D part, so later model changes can break or heavily alter the sketch. Imported solids, fillets, and complex curved faces also commonly create fragmented or unusable sketch entities.

How-to

• Command: Convert Entities

• Shortcut: No default keyboard shortcut

• Quick Steps:

  1. Start a new sketch on the target face or plane from the FeatureManager or right-click a plane and choose Sketch.
  2. Go to the Sketch toolbar or CommandManager and click Convert Entities, then select the model edges, loop, face, or silhouette edge you want to project.
  3. In the PropertyManager, confirm the selection and keep Select chain enabled if you want connected edges converted automatically, then click the green check.

Variables & Settings

• Key Setting: Select chain

• Expert Setting: When enabled, SolidWorks grabs connected edges in one operation, which is faster for profiles. Turn it off if you need only specific segments and want to avoid converting extra geometry.

Why it Fails

• Cause 1 (Geometry): The part contains splines, fillets, or non-planar geometry that converts into many small entities or cannot form a clean closed profile.
• Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The sketch is created on the wrong plane or face, so projected geometry does not match the intended 2d view and appears unusable.
• Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Convert Entities does not truly “flatten” the whole 3D body automatically; it only projects selected edges into the active sketch.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

• Quick Fix: Create a sketch on the correct standard plane, use Convert Entities, then clean the result with Trim Entities or Repair Sketch if the profile is broken.
• Manager’s Verdict: Use this method for extracting manufacturable 2D profiles from faces, outlines, or simple parts. Avoid relying on it for complex organic solids when a drawing view or dxf export gives cleaner downstream results.

FAQ

Can I convert an entire 3d solid into one 2D sketch in SolidWorks?
No, not automatically as one perfect sketch; it usually requires selecting edges, faces, or silhouette edges.

Can I make the converted sketch independent from the model?
Yes, by deleting external relations after conversion if you no longer want associativity.

Is Convert Entities better than tracing manually?
Yes, for most professional workflows it is faster, more accurate, and keeps design intent when associativity is needed.

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