Draft analysis finds faces in the model that do not meet a specified minimum amount of draft, discovers undercut regions, and locates the potential parting line locations for selected geometries in a Part Studio.

  1. Click the Show analysis tools () in the bottom right corner of the graphics area. From the menu, select Draft analysis to open the dialog box and color legend. In the dialog box, indicate the Mold split direction by selecting a plane, face, or edge.

    Screenshot of the Draft analysis dialog box and color legend open in the graphics area

  2. Specify the minimum draft angle.
  3. Select entities to check.
  4. Optionally turn off the indication of red undercut faces using the Show undercut regions check box.

Notice the draft analysis color legend at the top of the interface.

  • Faces in blue indicate they meet the specified minimum angle for the draft.
  • Faces in yellow indicate they are too steep (less than the minimum specified draft).
  • Faces in red indicate undercut faces.

You can view the exact angle of individual drafts by moving the cursor over the model:

Example of viewing the exact angle of individual drafts by moving the cursor over the model

As with other visualization modes, draft analysis remains active until you select something else. While it is active, you can edit the part to correct the drafts and see the immediate result of your actions. You can also use section views to view places on the model that might otherwise be difficult to see.

Draft analysis works automatically in both directions. Onshape displays acceptable draft in different colors to indicate direction: light blue for side one (positive direction) and dark blue for side two (negative direction). The manipulator arrow points to side one and you can flip it using the directional arrow in the dialog, as shown above next to the Mold split direction field.

Draft analysis example, showing both directions

The image above shows the draft angle after the directional arrow was clicked to flip the direction of the analysis: the light blue shows the positive direction and the angle is shown as a positive angle. By contrast, the image preceding, the dark blue shows the negative direction and the angle is shown as a negative angle.