ME231

NX Drafting Mode
Basic Operations

Creating A Drawing From a Solid Model

• Start

Open the solid model file

Start > Drafting

Toggle “Template” OFF

Select “Standard Size”
Select appropriate paper size (will typically use 1:1 scale)

• To add a predefined titleblock

File > Import > Part

Settings:
Scale: Create named Group
Layer: Work
Destination Coordinate System: WCS
Select appropriate title block from course website (Drawingsheet A or B)

• Before inserting any views, make the following settings:

Preferences > Drafting > View Tab > toggle “off “ Display Boundaries

Preferences > Annotation

Line/Arrow Set to “Open Arrow”

Set values:
A = .125
B = .250
E = .125
H = .0625

Dimensions No line between arrows

Manual Arrows In
Set Angle to Horizontal
2 digit precision
No Tolerance

Preferences > View

General > toggle on Centerlines

Hidden Lines > change dropdown from Invisible to Dashed
• To insert drawing views

Insert > View > Base View

Select “Front” (or desired view) from the drop-down menu
Place the view on screen
Drag and place the Top and Front views

• To create dimensions

Insert > Dimension

Select dimension type/orientation
Select reference locations on drawing view
Drag and place dimension

• To edit dimensions (most aspects)

Select Dimension (it should highlight)

Press RMB
Choose Style
Select appropriate options
Use to Add Tolerances to specific dimensions
Use to turn off one or both extension lines when they coincide with
an object or centerline

• To delete dimensions

Select Dimension (it should highlight)

Press RMB
Choose Delete

• To create notes

Insert > Annotation > Note

Enter desired text in window. Add symbols as desired from the icon menus
(third, fourth and fifth radio buttons)
Move text to desired screen location and pick
MMB to end

• To add a leader line to an existing note

Edit > Leader > Add

Define the attachment side (leader to note)
Select the note
Select attachment point for the arrow head
Pick point for start of horizontal line’
Press MMB
• To add centerlines

Insert > Centerline

Select desired centerline type
CenterMark for two crossing centerlines
Pick circle and Apply
3D Centerline for single centerline in rectangular view of hole
Pick the two lines bounding the diameter
Pick the start and end points of the centerline
Select Apply

• To add text to hole dimensions

Select Dimension (it should highlight)

Press RMB
Choose Edit
Select Annotation Editor from menu bar that opens

Adding Views

Insert > View

Select Base View for first view

Drop down menu allows selection of view orientation (based
upon Absolute CS of part file)
Orient View Tool allows editing of view orientation
Place view (move to position on screen and pick)
Move mouse to define adjacent projected views
MMB to end

• Adding Text to Titleblock

Double click on existing text

Change text in the Text Input Window
MMB to end
• Plotting Files

File > Print

Select printer

Settings
Output > B&W Wireframe
Image Resolution > Medium

Details > Properties

Page Layout > Orientation > Landscape

2 – Sided Printing > 1 - Sided

Paper
For A-size, use Letter (8-1/2 x 11)
For B-size, use Tabloid (11 x 17)

Fit to Paper Size > Select “Same Size”