Preview Tab Options

The Preview tab allows you to view either an eDrawing or bitmap of a file.

To access the Preview tab, from the Windows Explorer view, select a file and click the Preview tab.

If eDrawings is installed, you can switch to eDrawings mode by clicking eDrawings on the toolbar or expanding Commands and selecting Show eDrawings for SOLIDWORKS files.

This page discusses:

Commands Menu

When you access the Preview tab, you can click the Preview Commands menu . This menu controls what is displayed in the Preview tab.

Show eDrawings for SOLIDWORKS filesDisplays the eDrawing for the selected file. This option is only available if you have SOLIDWORKS eDrawing installed.
Show bitmap for SOLIDWORKS filesDisplays the bitmap image of the selected file.
Always Download Missing FilesDownloads missing files when they are missing from cache. This option is available when you choose to show eDrawing or bitmap files.

eDrawings Toolbar

When eDrawings is selected as the Preview mode, the toolbar contains an extended set of commands.



Zoom to FitZooms in or out so that the model fits within the Preview tab.


Zoom to AreaZooms in to an area that you select by dragging a bounding box.


Zoom In/OutZooms in when you drag the pointer up and out when you drag the pointer down.


Rotate ViewRotates the model view for parts and assemblies.


PanScrolls the part, assembly or drawing in the Preview tab.


ShadedDisplays a shaded view of the model.

When you select a face on a model that is in shaded view, the entire face is highlighted.



PerspectiveDisplays a perspective view of the model, which is the view normally seen by the eye.

Parallel lines recede into the distance to a vanishing point.



Top ViewRotates the model and zooms to the top view orientation.


Left ViewRotates the model and zooms to the left view orientation.


Front ViewRotates the model and zooms to the front view orientation.


Right ViewRotates the model and zooms to the right view orientation.


Back ViewRotates the model and zooms to the back view orientation.


Bottom ViewRotates the model and zooms to the bottom view orientation.


Isometric ViewRotates the model and zooms to the isometric view orientation.


MeasureLets you measure exact dimensions in parts, assemblies, and drawings.


SelectLets you select an area on the model.


PrintPrints the active document.

eDrawings Shortcut Menus

The eDrawings shortcut menu that displays when you right click in the image also provides access to most of the toolbar controls.



The Animate Views submenu contains controls that let you play through the view orientations.



Bitmap Toolbar

When you from the Commands menu, the Preview tab displays the bitmap toolbar.



Zoom to FitZooms in or out so that the model fits within the Preview tab.


Zoom to AreaZooms in to an area that you select by dragging a bounding box.


Zoom In/OutZooms in when you drag the pointer up and out when you drag the pointer down.


PanScrolls the part, assembly or drawing in the Preview tab.
eDrawingsDisplays the model view using eDrawings. This option requires that you have eDrawings installed.