What information can SOLIDWORKS MBD include?
| Information type |
Examples |
Purpose |
| Dimensions |
Linear, angular, radial, and diameter dimensions |
Communicate measurable product requirements |
| GD&T |
Feature control frames, datum references, geometric tolerances |
Define functional tolerances and inspection criteria |
| Manufacturing annotations |
Surface finish, weld symbols, notes, callouts |
Capture production and finishing requirements |
| BOM and tables |
Bills of material, custom tables, metadata fields |
Support manufacturing, procurement, and documentation |
| 3D views |
Saved annotated model views |
Organize PMI for clear review and communication |
How does it work?
A typical SOLIDWORKS MBD workflow starts with a 3D part or assembly. The engineer adds or organizes PMI directly on the model, creates annotated 3D views, and then publishes the information in a format that downstream stakeholders can consume.
Common publishing outputs include 3D PDF, eDrawings, and STEP AP242. STEP AP242 is especially relevant for interoperability because it is used to exchange 3D product data with PMI in model-based engineering workflows.
Standards alignment
SOLIDWORKS MBD is built for standards-oriented model-based definition workflows. It is commonly associated with standards and specifications such as:
- ASME Y14.41
- ISO 16792
- DIN ISO 16792
- GB/T 24734
- MIL-STD-31000A
These standards matter because MBD is not only a visual annotation practice. It is also a communication method that has to be clear, consistent, and interpretable by manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams.
Applications and Industry Use Cases
SOLIDWORKS MBD is used in manufacturing environments where teams want to communicate product requirements directly through the 3D model. It is especially useful when organizations are moving toward model-based engineering, digital product definition, or drawingless manufacturing workflows.
| Use case |
How SOLIDWORKS MBD helps |
| Manufacturing communication |
Provides machinists and suppliers with 3D model views and embedded manufacturing requirements |
| Quality inspection |
Gives inspection teams direct access to dimensions, tolerances, and datums linked to model geometry |
| Supplier collaboration |
Reduces ambiguity by sharing annotated 3D datasets instead of disconnected drawings |
| Procurement and quoting |
Supports RFQ and specification packages with clearer manufacturing data |
| Design review |
Lets reviewers inspect product requirements in the context of the 3D model |
Relation to Other Concepts
Related glossary terms: Model-Based Definition, PMI, semantic PMI, graphical PMI, GD&T, STEP AP242, 3D PDF, eDrawings, model-based engineering, digital product definition, CAD interoperability, inspection planning.
Challenges or Common Pitfalls
| Pitfall |
What to keep in mind |
| Treating MBD as just "adding annotations to a 3D model" |
A useful workflow needs structure: annotations have to be organized into clear 3D views, associated with the correct geometry, and presented so downstream users can interpret them without ambiguity. |
| Assuming every downstream system consumes MBD the same way |
Some workflows support visual PMI only; others support semantic PMI that can be queried or used for automation. This matters for inspection planning, CAM automation, and quality control. |
| Dropping 2D drawings too early |
Don't retire drawings before suppliers, inspection teams, and manufacturing partners are ready. MBD adoption is as much a process and standards challenge as a software one. |
How Spatial Helps
We support MBD-related workflows through 3D InterOp, especially when developers need to import CAD data with PMI into downstream engineering applications.
3D InterOp reads both graphical PMI and semantic PMI, including the links between PMI and 3D geometry. That lets your application display annotations for human review, query tolerances and dimensions programmatically, or automate manufacturing and metrology tasks.
For SOLIDWORKS-centered environments, you can import SOLIDWORKS CAD data and its associated PMI straight into your own application, and carry it across to other formats like STEP AP242 and JT. That makes 3D InterOp a fit for teams building inspection, CMM, manufacturing, or engineering review software that has to preserve design intent, not just geometry.
Want to try it on your own SOLIDWORKS files? Request an evaluation or talk to our team.