How to Show Bend Lines in a SOLIDWORKS Drawing

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Bend lines in a SOLIDWORKS drawing show where a sheet metal part bends in the flat pattern. They are important for fabrication because they communicate bend location, bend direction, and bend notes when the flat pattern view is prepared correctly.

If bend lines are missing, the drawing view usually needs a flat pattern view, visible bend line sketch, or enabled bend-line display setting.

SOLIDWORKS sheet metal drawing before bend lines are shown — Bend lines belong in flat pattern drawing views of sheet metal parts.

Use a flat pattern drawing view

Open the sheet metal part drawing.
Insert or select a flat pattern view.
Confirm the view is using the flat pattern configuration.
Check that bend notes and bend lines are enabled for the view.
Rebuild the drawing after changes.

Flat pattern view in SOLIDWORKS drawing — Start with a true flat pattern view before troubleshooting bend lines.

Turn on View Bend Lines

SOLIDWORKS includes a visibility command for bend lines in flat pattern drawing views. Use Hide/Show Items > View Bend Lines where available, or check the drawing view and FeatureManager tree for the bend line sketch visibility.

View Bend Lines option in SOLIDWORKS — The View Bend Lines command controls bend-line visibility in flat pattern views.

Show the bend line sketch

If the view is correct but bend lines are still missing, expand the drawing view in the FeatureManager tree. Look for the bend line sketch under the flat pattern view. Right-click the sketch and set it to show.

This is a common fix when bend notes are present but the actual bend lines are hidden.

Showing bend line sketch in SOLIDWORKS drawing tree — The bend line sketch can be hidden even when the flat pattern view is present.

Check bend notes and direction

Bend lines are only part of the manufacturing information. Bend notes should also be readable and consistent with your shop or supplier’s drawing standard. Check direction, angle, radius, and any bend allowance or K-factor assumptions used in the sheet metal model.

Bend notes shown in a SOLIDWORKS sheet metal drawing — Review bend notes along with the visible bend lines.

Troubleshooting missing bend lines

The view is not flat: insert a flat pattern drawing view.
The bend sketch is hidden: expand the drawing view and show the bend line sketch.
The part is not sheet metal: confirm the model has sheet metal features and a flat pattern.
Bend notes appear but lines do not: check sketch visibility for the bend line sketch.
The drawing is crowded: adjust view scale or sheet layout before release.