How to save your drawing as a PDF or an image in SolidWorks?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

To save your drawing as a PDF or an image in SolidWorks, use Save As from the File menu and choose PDF, JPG, PNG, or TIFF as the file type. This is the fastest and most common professional method for exporting SolidWorks drawings. Some export formats may not preserve editable drawing data.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: SolidWorks exports exactly what the drawing sheet and current settings define, so incorrect sheet scale, hidden layers, or low image resolution can produce poor output. A very common failure is exporting only the active sheet when you expected all sheets in the drawing.

How to Save as PDF or Image in SolidWorks

  • Command: Save As

  • Shortcut: None by default

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Open the drawing, then go to File > Save As.
    2. In Save as type, choose PDF (.pdf) or an image format such as PNG (.png), JPG (.jpg), or TIFF (.tif).
    3. Click Options, set a real export option such as All sheets for PDF or Print capture / Remove background for image export, then click Save.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Options in the Save As dialog

  • Expert Setting: For PDF export, the All sheets option controls whether SolidWorks saves only the current sheet or the full drawing set. For image export, settings like Remove background and output resolution directly affect clarity, especially for documentation and client submittals.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): Very thin lineweights, sketch entities, or raster views may look missing or unclear in the exported PDF or image because the output resolution or display style is too low.

  • Cause 2 (Layers/Locks): Items placed on hidden layers or annotations suppressed in the drawing will not appear in the exported file, even though the model itself is fine.

  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Saving without checking Options often exports only the active sheet, or uses default image settings that are too low for professional issue or printing.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Use File > Save As > PDF > Options and enable All sheets, then verify lineweights in Page Setup before saving.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Use PDF for formal issue, review, and archive workflows; use PNG or TIFF for reports and presentations. Avoid JPG when sharp linework or small annotation text must stay crisp.

FAQ

Can solidworks save a drawing directly as a PDF?
Yes, use File > Save As and select PDF.

Can I export all drawing sheets at once in SolidWorks?
Yes, enable All sheets in the PDF export options.

Which image format is best for drawing quality in SolidWorks?
PNG or TIFF is usually better than JPG for clean linework and readable text.

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