Solidworks Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Solidworks facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which SolidWorks feature allows you to create a solid body by rotating a profile sketch around a centerline? → Revolve
2. Which surface feature in SolidWorks creates geometry by blending between two or more profiles located at different positions? → Loft Surface
3. In SolidWorks Sheet Metal, what does 'Bend Allowance' account for? → The extra material needed to form a bend based on the bend radius and material thickness
4. What does the 'Displacement' result plot show in SolidWorks Simulation? → The amount each node in the mesh moves from its original position under load
5. Which shortcut key opens the Smart Dimension tool in a SolidWorks sketch? → D
6. What does a 'Von Mises stress' result in SolidWorks Simulation represent? → A combined stress scalar used to predict yielding in ductile materials
7. Which SolidWorks drawing view automatically projects orthogonal views from an existing view? → Projected View
8. Which end condition creates a cut that passes completely through the entire part in SolidWorks? → Through All
9. A sketch entity shown in YELLOW in SolidWorks indicates that it is: → Selected
10. Which sketch relation makes two arcs or circles share the same center point? → Concentric
11. What does the 'Chamfer' feature add to a SolidWorks model? → A beveled angled cut along an edge
12. In a SolidWorks Design Table, what symbol is placed at the beginning of a column header to reference a dimension named 'Width@Sketch1'? → No symbol — the dimension name is entered as-is
13. In SolidWorks, which feature is used to create a tapered extrusion where the cross-section changes angle as it extends? → Extrude with Draft Angle
14. What feature would you use to imitate another feature's symmetrical reflection? → Mirror Entities
15. Which SolidWorks feature creates a helical curve used as a path for threads or springs? → Helix and Spiral
16. How many profiles does a loft feature require? → 2
17. Which sheet metal feature in SolidWorks adds a flange along a single straight edge of an existing sheet metal face? → Edge Flange
18. In SolidWorks Electrical Routing, what file type defines the properties (wire gauge, insulation color, bend radius) of a cable or harness segment? → Wire/Cable Library file (.xml)
19. Which SolidWorks Sheet Metal feature creates the initial thin-walled base from a sketch? → Base Flange/Tab
20. What is the purpose of the Draft Analysis tool in SolidWorks Mold Design? → To identify faces that lack sufficient draft for the pull direction
21. Which SolidWorks Sheet Metal feature creates a ventilation opening with formed louvers in a sheet metal face? → Louver
22. Which SolidWorks Routing sub-type is used for flexible hoses that can follow a curved, non-linear path between two connection points? → Flexible Tube Routing
23. In SolidWorks drawings, what does 'GD&T' stand for? → Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
24. In SolidWorks, what does 'Suppress' do to a feature in the FeatureManager? → Temporarily removes the feature from the model without deleting it
25. Which SolidWorks sketch tool creates an equidistant copy of a sketch entity? → Offset Entities
26. What is the purpose of meshing in SolidWorks Simulation? → Divides the geometry into small elements for finite element analysis calculations
27. Three conventional viewpoints of a drawing → Front, Top, Right
28. What does the 'Exploded View' feature do in a SolidWorks assembly? → Separates components visually along defined paths for documentation and clarity
29. Which SolidWorks Sheet Metal feature creates a folded flange along multiple connected edges simultaneously with mitered corners? → Miter Flange
30. What is the purpose of a 'Limit Angle' mate in SolidWorks? → Restricts the rotational range of a component between a minimum and maximum angle