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How do I change the transparency of a drawing in Solidworks?

Published in SolidWorks Drawings 2 mins read

You can change the transparency of components in a Solidworks drawing in two main ways: by adjusting a global setting that affects all transparent components, or by modifying the display style of the drawing view.

1. Global Setting for Transparent Components:

This method controls how all transparent components are displayed in Hidden Lines Removed (HLR) or Hidden Lines Visible (HLV) drawing views.

  • Steps:

    1. Click Tools > Options > Document Properties > Detailing.
    2. Under the Display filter, select "See through transparent components in HLR/HLV."
    3. Click OK.

This will make transparent components appear see-through in HLR/HLV drawing views throughout the entire drawing.

2. Display Style Setting for the Drawing View:

This allows you to control the transparency display on a per-drawing view basis.

  • Steps:

    1. Select the drawing view you want to modify.
    2. In the PropertyManager (usually on the left side of the Solidworks window), under Display Style, select "See through transparent components". If the PropertyManager isn't visible, right click on the drawing view border, and select properties. The Property Manager should then appear.
    3. Adjust the transparency slider, if available, for more granular control (depending on your Solidworks version and graphics card).
    4. Click OK.

This will make the transparent components appear see-through in that specific drawing view only.

Important Considerations:

  • Component Transparency: The transparency setting applied in the part or assembly file affects whether a component can be displayed as transparent in the drawing. If a component isn't set as transparent in the model, these drawing settings won't make it transparent. You may need to edit the appearance of the component in the part or assembly level and set the transparency there first.
  • Graphics Card: The ability to display transparency smoothly depends on your graphics card. If you experience performance issues, consider updating your graphics drivers or simplifying the model.

By using these methods, you can effectively control the transparency of components in your Solidworks drawings, enhancing clarity and communication.

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