Creating 2D drawings and BOM from 3D assemblies in ZW3D WuKong. Learn how to generate drawing views, build BOM tables, and use exploded views and balloon annotations.
Table of Contents
This guide explains how to create these deliverables from an assembly model in ZW3D WuKong. It covers assembly drawings, BOM tables, exploded views, and balloon annotations, so users can move from a 3D model to clear production-ready documentation.
Make sure the assembly model is complete before creating drawings, BOM tables, or exploded views. Component names and attributes should be available for BOM generation, and the assembly structure should be organized clearly enough to support drawing and exploded view creation.
Once the assembly model is ready, the next step is to create the 2D drawing views that will be used for documentation and downstream manufacturing.
To create 2D engineering drawings from the assembly:
The Bill of Materials, or BOM, is a key part of assembly documentation because it organizes component information in a structured table. In ZW3D WuKong, the BOM can be generated from the assembly model and then formatted in the drawing environment for presentation and production use. It can be used both for documentation in the 2D drawing environment and for component management in the 3D assembly environment.
In the 3D assembly environment, the BOM is more closely tied to model data, making it useful for displaying component attributes and exporting that information to a drawing sheet.
To generate a 3D BOM:
A typical BOM table includes fields such as index ID, name, number, class, designer, cost, supplier, material, quantity, manager, description, and keywords. Each row represents one component in the assembly, which makes the table a useful reference for both documentation and downstream production work.
In the 2D Drawing environment, the BOM table can be formatted and refined for final documentation. Users can adjust cell content, add or remove columns based on required attributes, and modify the table layout by changing column widths, text font, alignment, and border settings.
Once the table is finalized, it can be saved as a template for future use. This is useful when the same BOM structure or formatting needs to be applied across multiple projects, because it helps keep table layouts consistent and reduces repeated setup work.
To save the table as a template:
Exploded views are created in the assembly environment and can then be displayed in the drawing as a visual reference for assembly order. Balloons are added in the drawing to label components and link them to the BOM.
Together, they improve readability and help users understand the relationship between the assembly model and the final 2D documentation. When applied to a drawing sheet, exploded views and balloons enhance how the assembly is presented, making the 2D output clearer and easier to interpret.
Exploded assembly views visually communicate how components fit together. ZW3D WuKong supports creating exploded views from the assembly model, with the ability to:
Balloons and annotations label components in the drawing and link them to the Bill of Materials. They make it easier to identify parts, match drawing items to BOM rows, and keep exploded views readable.
To add balloons in ZW3D WuKong:
If the BOM changes, the balloon numbers can be updated to stay consistent with the table. This helps keep the drawing and BOM synchronized, especially in larger assemblies where manual checking would be time-consuming.
For complex assemblies, balloons are especially useful because they reduce the effort needed to trace each part back to the BOM. They also make it easier to present exploded views in a clear and structured way in a 2D sheet.
The assembly environment contains the model data, but the drawing environment is where that data is turned into deliverable documentation. This is typically where views are arranged, tables are standardized, and the final sheet is prepared for review or release.
The item numbering rule, component identity, and table order should remain consistent before balloons are linked to the BOM. If the numbering sequence changes later, the drawing may need to be updated to keep the visual callouts and the table aligned.
A 3D BOM is more useful during model review, structure checking, or early coordination because it stays close to the assembly data. A 2D BOM is generally more suitable for finalized documents, especially when the table needs to be reviewed, formatted, or archived as part of a drawing package.
After the assembly is modified, the BOM table should be refreshed or re-sorted first so the item list matches the latest component structure. Then the balloon annotations should be checked and, if needed, regenerated or renumbered so the callouts match the updated BOM item numbers. If a balloon is manually placed or its text has been edited, a manual review is needed to make sure it still matches the table.
Creating 2D drawings and BOM tables from a 3D assembly is a key step in turning design data into manufacturing-ready documentation. By generating drawing views and organizing component information in a structured BOM, engineers can clearly communicate product details to downstream teams.
Additional elements such as exploded views and balloon annotations further enhance the clarity of the documentation. They help visualize assembly relationships and connect drawing views with BOM data, making the final 2D output easier to understand and use.
With these tools, ZW3D WuKong provides a complete workflow for transforming 3D assembly models into clear, structured, and production-ready engineering documentation.
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