How to Use Alternate Position View in SOLIDWORKS
Contents
Alternate Position View shows a second position of an assembly in a drawing view, usually with phantom lines. It is commonly used for moving mechanisms, handles, doors, linkages, clamps, and other assemblies where the drawing needs to show more than one operating position.
Prepare the assembly first
Before creating the drawing view, create or confirm the assembly position you want to show. The alternate position usually comes from another configuration of the same assembly. One configuration can show the normal position, while another shows the moved, opened, rotated, or extended position.
Check that mates solve cleanly in both configurations. If the assembly jumps unexpectedly or becomes over-defined, fix the assembly before using it in the drawing. The drawing view can only communicate the motion clearly if the assembly configurations are reliable.
Add the alternate position view
- Open the drawing and select the parent view of the assembly.
- Go to View Layout and choose Alternate Position View.
- Select whether to use an existing configuration or create a new one.
- Choose the configuration that represents the alternate position.
- Confirm the view and review the phantom outline.
The alternate position should appear over the original drawing view. SOLIDWORKS normally displays the moved position with phantom line style so the reader can distinguish it from the main position.
Make the drawing readable
After adding the alternate position, zoom out and check whether the view is easy to read. If the phantom position overlaps too much geometry, consider changing the view orientation, adding a detail view, or using a section view to make the motion clearer.
Add dimensions or notes only where they help explain the travel or range of motion. Avoid dimensioning every phantom edge. A clean drawing usually needs the main position, the alternate position, and a small number of meaningful dimensions.
Common problems
If the command is unavailable, make sure you selected an assembly drawing view, not a part view. If the alternate position looks wrong, return to the assembly and verify that the chosen configuration shows the intended position.
If the phantom lines are hard to see, check the document line font settings and drawing standard. The view should be visible enough for manufacturing or review without overpowering the main assembly position.
