Open the zip file sent to you from Drafter with your plugin, Please ensure SolidWorks is closed before beginning the download process.
Download the file named “Drafter Plugin”, (currently only compatible with SolidWorks 2024 and 2025)
When the Download is complete, open SolidWorks

2. Sending File to Drafter

Find and open the CAD file you’d like to begin drawing creation with
Locate the Drafter tab on the right-hand side of your screen in the Task Pane, select to open the plugin
Click “Send to Drafter.”
You’ll be prompted to provide your part’s material, part number, and revision, then hit “Export.”
You should be redirected to the Drafter website with your part open, if not your part may still be uploading and can be accessed from the Drafter homepage.

3. Homepage

Upload a part by either selecting the “+” or dragging a file into this region
Drafter supports only step or .stp files, depending on your file size this may take several minutes

Screen Recording 2024-11-20 at 11.31.13 AM.mov
After your file has successfully uploaded, it will appear in the top left corner
If your part upload takes more then several minutes or an error screen appears, contact your drafter support representative

Start your drawing submission by selecting the file you’d like to open
When opened, you’ll see your part in a 3D viewer
Learn more about navigation in the 3D viewer here

<aside>
- How do navigate to make changes to my drawing? </aside>

Input or review part specifications
Manufacturing process is the machining process by which your part will be made.
Part material is what your part will be made from. This field allows you to select a material from our list or create a custom material.
Part finish is any finishes to be applied to the entire part. This field allows you to select a material from our list or create a custom material. You are able to add multiple processes here.
Units will determine the units your drawing is represented in.
Tolerance precision is the general tolerance Drafter will apply to your part. These can be overwritten later, but give us a starting point by which to tolerance your part.

At this step you’ll see Drafter’s “Detected Features” along with a prompt to select on your uploaded part. Some of these features may be auto-grouped.
Next select your datums. Datums are the axis, surface, point, or plane that act as fixed points of reference and measurement when manufacturing or inspecting a part. Effective datums constrain 6 degrees of freedom. These are chosen based on features most critical to the part’s function (often mating surfaces.)

You can not select datums that do not constrain additional degrees of freedom
You may select groups of features, individual features, or surfaces
You must select datums that constrain your part to a minimum 5 degrees of freedom, but we encourage you to aim to constrain 6 degrees of freedom
You are required to select a minimum of 2 datums, but we encourage you to select 3 in order to fully constrain your part in space
Each datum selection will prompt a notification indicating your current degrees of freedom constrained
Currently, selecting beyond 3 datums is not supported by Drafter
After a datum is selected you’ll see it move from under “Detected Features” to “Critical Features” along with a datum symbol.
To remove a datums, simply hover over the element in the “Critical Features” and select X. Removing a selected datums will wipe any following selected datums

Critical features are specific characteristics of a part or assembly that are essential to its intended functionality. These features must meet precise specifications to ensure the component operates effectively and reliably. Any deviation from these specifications can compromise performance or lead to failure of the system. Learn more about Critical Features here.
In Drafter’s workflow there are 3 steps to “Critical Feature” selection. You’ll notice “Critical Features” appear above “Detected Features.” Any selected datums should already be labeled as “Critical Features.”
Identify and select critical features of the part, beyond the datums you’ve already selected. These selections should be specific to “Detected Features” that can be seen in the right side panel. As a selection is made the feature will move to the “Critical Features” section.
Identify and select critical surfaces of the part. These selections should be surfaces that are critical to function and are typically not seen in the right side panel. As a selection is made the feature will appear in the “Critical Features” section.
Identify and select critical distances of the part. To select a critical distance, select two surfaces of the part. As a selection is made the feature will appear in the “Critical Features” section.
To remove a critical feature, simply hover over the element in the “Critical Features” and select X