The other day I was working away on creating some drawing in SolidWorks and I notice that my top view was actually looking at the bottom of my part.   Forgetting that that was simply how first angle projection works as aposed to third angle projection I began seaching SolidWorks help files... Forums... etc.    Then, as my Einstieen moment faded away I came to the shocking realization that I had simply inadvertantly switched from third angle porjection to first angle projection.   This switch changes how SolidWorks projects views on a drawings. 

Lets take a quick look at the differance between first angle projection and third angle projection.

 As you can see from the image above;

in First angle projection the Top view is looking at the bottom of the part. 

With Third angle projection the Top View is looking at the Top of the part.  

I must admit, to me, I find first angle projection confusing, but that may simply be due to the fact that I am just used to third angle projection.  None the less, the question remains, how do we make changes to these settings in SolidWorks.

 First:  Open a SolidWorks Drawing  and right click anywhere on the sheet. and select "Properties"

 When the Properties dialog appears you will see the location you change the SolidWorks setting from First angle projection to Third Angle Projection.

At this point if you would like to keep this setting every time you work on a Drawing then I would suggest saving this Drawing as a template.

 I hope this little tip was a help.

 If you have any Questions feel free to contact me at any time.

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