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Enhance your 2D Draughting with these Draftsight 2025 Updates | What's New in SOLIDWORKS 2025?

Friday January 31, 2025 at 8:00am

With the release of DraftSight 2025, users can look forward to several new features that enhance productivity, improve file compatibility, and streamline the drafting process. Whether you're working on complex designs, collaborating with other CAD platforms, or simply looking to refine your workflow, DraftSight 2025 has something to offer. Here’s a breakdown of the top new features and improvements in this latest version.

CONTENTS

  1. 3D STEP File Import
  2. DGN Import and Export
  3. Enhanced Custom Blocks with Multiple Visibility Elements
  4. Menu Bar Option Across All Workspaces
  5. New Block Structure Palette
  6. Flatten Command for Clean and Optimized Files
  7. Visual Style Manager for 3D Customization
  8. Dimension Space Command for Automatic Organization
  9. Table Enhancements for Improved Performance
  10. New Dimension Style Manager

#1 - 3D STEP File Import

In the world of CAD design, STEP files (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) are a widely used format, especially for 3D models. With DraftSight 2025, users can now easily import 3D STEP files, making it easier to work with files from a variety of CAD systems like SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, and others within the Dassault Systèmes ecosystem.

This new capability allows for a smoother transition and better interoperability when working with 3D models, ensuring that data flows seamlessly across platforms.

#2 - DGN Import and Export

DraftSight 2025 introduces full DGN file support, which is a critical feature for those involved in large-scale construction or infrastructure projects. The DGN format is commonly used for 2D and 3D technical drawings, especially in industries like civil engineering.

Now, DraftSight users can both import and export DGN files, providing greater flexibility for those working on multidisciplinary teams or with clients who rely on this format for technical drawings. This addition complements DraftSight's existing capabilities and strengthens its compatibility with various industries.

#3 - Enhanced Custom Blocks with Multiple Visibility Elements

Custom blocks have always been a powerful tool in DraftSight for organizing and reusing design elements. DraftSight 2025 takes custom blocks to the next level by introducing multiple visibility elements within a single block.

This enhancement allows users to control which parts of a custom block are visible at any given time, making it easier to manage complex designs with conditional elements.

#4 - Menu Bar Option Across All Workspaces

DraftSight is also making the user interface more adaptable with the addition of the menu bar in all workspaces.

Previously, users had to choose between a traditional menu-based interface and the ribbon-based interface, but with version 2025, you can now keep the menu bar active across all your workspaces.

This means that users can enjoy the best of both worlds: the flexibility of a traditional menu alongside the powerful features of a ribbon interface.

#5 - New Block Structure Palette

Managing nested blocks—blocks within blocks—has never been easier. DraftSight 2025 introduces the Block Structure Palette, a tool that allows users to organize, preview, hide, and isolate blocks with greater control.

This feature is especially useful when dealing with complex drawings that contain nested blocks, enabling users to work more efficiently by isolating parts of the design.

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With the Block Structure Palette, navigating and modifying nested blocks is a breeze, saving you time and reducing design errors.

#6 - Flatten Command for Clean and Optimized Files

The new Flatten command in DraftSight 2025 is designed to simplify your 3D drawings by automatically flattening all Z-axis elevations to zero. This is especially useful when working with 3D data that needs to be converted to 2D for certain applications.

The Flatten command cleans up your drawing, ensuring that all elevations are uniform, which is vital for creating accurate, readable 2D drawings from 3D models.

#7 - Visual Style Manager for 3D Customization

DraftSight 2025 introduces a new Visual Style Manager, giving users the ability to customize how their 3D entities are displayed.

This new interface palette allows you to adjust visual settings such as face settings, lighting, environment settings, edge settings, and silhouette edges.

Whether you're working with realistic renderings or simple wireframes, this tool provides greater control over how your 3D models appear, ensuring that you can tailor the visual presentation of your work to suit your needs.

#8 - Dimension Space Command for Automatic Organization

The Dimension Space command in DraftSight 2025 is a significant productivity booster for engineers and drafters. This powerful tool automatically organizes and positions dimension strings with just a few clicks.

Whether you're working on detailed mechanical designs or architectural plans, this command saves you time by automating the placement of dimensions, ensuring consistency and accuracy across your drawings.

#9 - Table Enhancements for Improved Performance

DraftSight 2025 introduces several performance and functionality improvements for tables, including the ability to insert blocks into individual cells, use quick grips for table adjustments, and access more comprehensive contextual menus.

Additionally, auto formulas make it easier to create tables with dynamic content that updates automatically, further improving efficiency when working with complex data.

#10 - New Dimension Style Manager

For users who frequently work with dimensions, the new Dimension Style Manager in DraftSight 2025 offers a more efficient way to create, edit, and share dimension styles.

This new window allows users to manage dimension styles in a more organized manner, ensuring that dimensions are consistent throughout the drawing and easily customizable.

Conclusion

DraftSight 2025 offers a range of exciting new features and enhancements that cater to the evolving needs of CAD professionals.

Whether you’re importing STEP files for better cross-platform compatibility, managing complex blocks with nested elements, or customizing your 3D visualizations, DraftSight 2025 provides the tools necessary to take your drafting to the next level.

These updates reflect the growing demand for more flexible, efficient, and user-friendly CAD solutions—making DraftSight an even more powerful choice for your design projects.

Stay ahead of the curve by upgrading to DraftSight 2025, and make the most of these new features to enhance your productivity and streamline your workflows.

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