Discipline works
One discipline that I have developed is that I always (in a drawing) prominently display the overall dimensions.
As I decide how the various views will be laid out, I start with the knowledge that the first thing a machinist (or CNC programmer) will do is figure out what raw material to start with, how to hold it. The questions are: where the datum surface(s) are, how good do they have to be i.e. flat, square, etc.
So laying out the drawing so that this information is, say, in the upper left hand view and the view below it, with those dimensions to the upper and left sides (as opposed to between two views), is good drafting practice. When filling out the title block, it’s a piece of cake to pull that information out.
This is a skill that isn’t easily handled by a software program (even one as good as SolidWorks).
For example: just because the overall part is 1 x 2 x 3, doesn’t mean that they can band saw a piece to those cut lines and go at it. Often they’ll start with a slightly larger piece, machine the datum surface(s), and then fit them up against the tooling surface(s) - the fixed jaw in a vice, for example - and then machine features and additional datum surface(s).
In CNC work, often the raw material is supplied as a pre-machined billet. It comes in to the proper overall shape, with the required surface specifications. In a case like that, a separate view on the drawing (or a separate sheet) would define the ‘make-from’ part.
I learned a long time ago that there is a difference between drafting, detailing, designing and engineering. The order doesn’t work both ways. An engineer may draft, but it’s unlikely that a drafter will engineer.
As an engineer, I’ve learned to wear all the hats, and know when I’m wearing what hat.
When I have my designer hat on, I don’t care about the starting material size, I’ll use every tool in the SolidWorks Crib to develop the design.
When I put on my detailing hat, I’ll look at how the part might be produced.
When wearing my drafting hat, I’ll concern myself with how the machinist or fabricator, or inspector, will use the drawing to do their job.
While SolidWorks is a great set of tools, they are just tools. It’s the knowledge, skill, experience of the professionals using those tools that is important.