CSWP Automating with Design Tables 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Excel function is commonly used inside a Design Table to conditionally assign a feature suppression state?
- VLOOKUP
- IF (Correct answer)
- SUMIF
- INDEX
Correct answer: IF
The IF function lets you set suppression to 'S' or 'U' based on a logical condition derived from other cell values.
Question 2: When a Design Table column header uses the syntax $PARTNUMBER@model, what does it control?
- The custom property 'PARTNUMBER' of that configuration (Correct answer)
- The file name saved to disk
- The BOM quantity field
- The drawing revision block
Correct answer: The custom property 'PARTNUMBER' of that configuration
$PARTNUMBER@ syntax drives the 'Part Number' custom property for each configuration row.
Question 3: A Design Table row that leaves a cell blank will cause SolidWorks to do what with that parameter?
- Delete the parameter from the model
- Use the value from the default configuration (Correct answer)
- Set the value to zero
- Suppress the associated feature
Correct answer: Use the value from the default configuration
Blank cells inherit the value from the model's default (first) configuration rather than overriding it.
Question 4: Which Design Table header syntax controls the depth of a specific sketch dimension named 'Depth' in a sketch called 'Base Sketch'?
- Depth@Base Sketch@model.SLDPRT
- D1@Base Sketch
- Depth@Base Sketch (Correct answer)
- D@Depth@model
Correct answer: Depth@Base Sketch
The correct format is DimensionName@SketchName, referencing the dimension by its name within the named sketch.
Question 5: What happens when you insert a Design Table into a model that already has manually created configurations?
- All existing configurations are deleted
- SolidWorks prompts to link, overwrite, or cancel (Correct answer)
- The Design Table is rejected automatically
- Existing configurations become read-only
Correct answer: SolidWorks prompts to link, overwrite, or cancel
SolidWorks presents a dialog asking whether to auto-populate the table with existing configs or start fresh.
Question 6: To suppress a hole feature named 'HoleWizard1' in a specific configuration using a Design Table, which cell value is correct?
- 0
- FALSE
- S (Correct answer)
- HIDE
Correct answer: S
The letter 'S' (Suppressed) is the Design Table token that suppresses a feature; 'U' unsuppresses it.
Question 7: A Design Table is set to 'Auto-create' mode. Which event triggers SolidWorks to add a new column automatically?
- Saving the Excel file
- Adding a new sketch dimension to the model (Correct answer)
- Switching to a different configuration
- Rebuilding the model with Ctrl+Q
Correct answer: Adding a new sketch dimension to the model
When Auto-create is on, SolidWorks detects new model parameters and prompts to add them as new columns on the next table edit.
CSWP Automating with Design Tables 2
Which Excel function is commonly used inside a Design Table to conditionally assign a feature suppression state?