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 surface feature in SolidWorks creates geometry by blending between two or more profiles located at different positions? → Loft Surface
2. 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
3. What does the 'Displacement' result plot show in SolidWorks Simulation? → The amount each node in the mesh moves from its original position under load
4. Which shortcut key opens the Smart Dimension tool in a SolidWorks sketch? → D
5. What does a 'Von Mises stress' result in SolidWorks Simulation represent? → A combined stress scalar used to predict yielding in ductile materials
6. Which SolidWorks drawing view automatically projects orthogonal views from an existing view? → Projected View
7. Which end condition creates a cut that passes completely through the entire part in SolidWorks? → Through All
8. Which sketch relation makes two arcs or circles share the same center point? → Concentric
9. What does the 'Chamfer' feature add to a SolidWorks model? → A beveled angled cut along an edge
10. In SolidWorks, which feature is used to create a tapered extrusion where the cross-section changes angle as it extends? → Extrude with Draft Angle
11. What feature would you use to imitate another feature's symmetrical reflection? → Mirror Entities
12. Which SolidWorks feature creates a helical curve used as a path for threads or springs? → Helix and Spiral
13. How many profiles does a loft feature require? → 2
14. Which sheet metal feature in SolidWorks adds a flange along a single straight edge of an existing sheet metal face? → Edge Flange
15. Which SolidWorks Sheet Metal feature creates the initial thin-walled base from a sketch? → Base Flange/Tab
16. Which SolidWorks Sheet Metal feature creates a ventilation opening with formed louvers in a sheet metal face? → Louver
17. In SolidWorks drawings, what does 'GD&T' stand for? → Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
18. In SolidWorks, what does 'Suppress' do to a feature in the FeatureManager? → Temporarily removes the feature from the model without deleting it
19. Which SolidWorks sketch tool creates an equidistant copy of a sketch entity? → Offset Entities
20. What is the purpose of meshing in SolidWorks Simulation? → Divides the geometry into small elements for finite element analysis calculations
21. Which operation converts a fully enclosed knitted surface body into a solid body in SolidWorks? → Close Volume (via Knit with option enabled)
22. Three conventional viewpoints of a drawing → Front, Top, Right
23. What does the 'Exploded View' feature do in a SolidWorks assembly? → Separates components visually along defined paths for documentation and clarity
24. Which SolidWorks Sheet Metal feature creates a folded flange along multiple connected edges simultaneously with mitered corners? → Miter Flange
25. What is the purpose of a 'Limit Angle' mate in SolidWorks? → Restricts the rotational range of a component between a minimum and maximum angle
26. Which SolidWorks surface tool is used to repair or close open gaps and holes within a surface body? → Fill Surface
27. What does a 'Section View' show in a SolidWorks drawing? → An interior cross-section of a part cut by a defined cutting plane
28. In SolidWorks Simulation, which study type is used to determine the natural frequencies of a part? → Frequency Study
29. In SolidWorks drawings, which setting controls whether dimensions from the model are displayed in first-angle or third-angle projection? → Document Properties – Detailing
30. Which SolidWorks feature removes material by rotating a closed sketch around an axis? → Revolve Cut