How do I change the front view of a SOLIDWORKS part or assembly model?

Initial situation

Let's take the example of this part created in SOLIDWORKS, shown below in isometric view (left) and front view (right).

Objective

We wish to modify the front view so that it is oriented as follows:

How to proceed

1. Orient the part in the orientation chosen for the front view (make sure the part is in the position shown in the image above).

2. With the mouse in the graphics area, without clicking, press Space bar. This brings up the orientation window.

Note: If it doesn't appear, you can also access it from the Orientation cube in the upper view .

In the orientation window, click on the 3rd icon (Update standard views), then select the view to be redefined in the orientation you've just set.

In this case, select the front view. Confirm the message that appears to inform you that all your predefined views will be modified according to this new front view.

Check that your views have been updated.

ATTENTION: redefining model views will also have an impact on drawing view names. All previously created drawing views will be updated with the new orientation.

TIPS

You can take advantage of the following tools to orientate your part correctly:

• If you wish to replace an already predefined view (a top view, right view etc.) with the front view, you can simply use the View Orientation cube, located in the upper viewfinder, to position yourself correctly.

Example below: top view positioning

If the desired orientation is not predefined, you can optionally position yourself "normal to" the correct face, then use keyboard shortcuts to rotate the model precisely to known angles.

Useful shortcuts :

Alt + arrow keys: rotate model 15° parallel to viewing plane

Shift + arrow keys: rotates the model by 90°.

• If you don't know the orientation precisely with an angle, but you do know the face you want to see parallel to the screen (face A), and a flat face you want to see horizontal (face B), see image below:

Select side A, press CTRL, then select side B (in this order).

Release CTRL and click on the "Normal to" command, which by default is located in the Orientation cube of the high view. This will orient you with the B-side above, as desired.

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