How to Do a Broken Out Section in SOLIDWORKS

A broken out section removes part of a drawing view so you can show interior geometry without creating a full section view. It is useful when only a local area needs to be exposed, such as a pocket, hole, rib, internal shoulder, or hidden feature inside a larger part.

Start from a drawing view

Broken out sections are created in drawings. Open the drawing and choose the view where the internal detail should be shown. The view should have enough space for the removed area and the exposed geometry to be readable.

This tool is best for a local detail. If the entire part needs to be cut open, a normal section view is usually clearer. If only one pocket or internal feature needs attention, a broken out section keeps the rest of the view intact.

Sketch the broken boundary

Activate the drawing view and sketch a closed profile around the area you want to remove. A spline is often used because it creates the familiar irregular broken-out boundary, but the sketch still needs to be closed and clear.

1. Select the drawing view.
2. Start a sketch on the view.
3. Draw a closed boundary around the local area.
4. Exit the sketch if needed.
5. Start the Broken-out Section command.
6. Set the cut depth and confirm the result.

Set the section depth

The depth controls how far SOLIDWORKS cuts into the drawing view. You can define the depth by distance or by selecting geometry. Choose a depth that exposes the feature you want without removing more material than necessary.

If the model has a clear edge or vertex at the desired cut depth, selecting that reference can be easier than typing a value. For simple parts, a distance value may be faster and easier to adjust later.

Keep the view readable

A broken out section should make the drawing easier to understand. If the boundary is too large, the view may become confusing. If it is too small, the interior detail may still be hard to see. Adjust the boundary and depth until the drawing communicates the feature clearly.

Place dimensions and notes after the broken out section is stable. If you change the sketch boundary later, some annotations may need to be moved so they do not overlap the exposed area.

Use section hatching carefully

Depending on the drawing settings, the exposed cut area may show section hatching. Check that the hatch direction, spacing, and visibility are appropriate. If the section becomes crowded, adjust the hatch or simplify nearby annotations.

For assemblies or multi-material parts, hatching can help identify cut components. For a small local cut, too much hatch detail can also make the drawing harder to read, so use the drawing standard that best fits the part.

Troubleshooting

If the broken out section fails, confirm that the sketch boundary is closed and belongs to the correct view. If the wrong area is removed, edit the sketch or depth. If the drawing becomes cluttered, reduce the boundary size or use a separate section view instead.

Before releasing the drawing, check that dimensions and notes still point to clear geometry. A broken out section is helpful only when it improves communication for manufacturing or inspection.

Also check the exported PDF. A boundary or hatch pattern that looks acceptable in SOLIDWORKS can become visually busy when the drawing is printed or shared as a PDF.