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. In a SolidWorks drawing, what happens when you right-click a view and select 'Lock View Focus'? → Annotations and sketches are added only to that view
3. Which surface feature in SolidWorks creates geometry by blending between two or more profiles located at different positions? → Loft Surface
4. 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
5. What does the 'Displacement' result plot show in SolidWorks Simulation? → The amount each node in the mesh moves from its original position under load
6. Which shortcut key opens the Smart Dimension tool in a SolidWorks sketch? → D
7. What does a 'Von Mises stress' result in SolidWorks Simulation represent? → A combined stress scalar used to predict yielding in ductile materials
8. Which SolidWorks drawing view automatically projects orthogonal views from an existing view? → Projected View
9. In a SolidWorks assembly, what is the function of a 'Belt/Chain' mate? → Links the rotation of two or more pulleys or sprockets so they rotate together
10. Which end condition creates a cut that passes completely through the entire part in SolidWorks? → Through All
11. A sketch entity shown in YELLOW in SolidWorks indicates that it is: → Selected
12. Which sketch relation makes two arcs or circles share the same center point? → Concentric
13. What does the 'Chamfer' feature add to a SolidWorks model? → A beveled angled cut along an edge
14. 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
15. When creating a broken-out section view in a SolidWorks drawing, what tool is used to define the boundary of the section? → Spline sketch
16. In SolidWorks, which feature is used to create a tapered extrusion where the cross-section changes angle as it extends? → Extrude with Draft Angle
17. What is the purpose of the 'Trim Surface' tool in SolidWorks? → Cuts one surface with another surface or sketch curve, removing the unwanted portion
18. What feature would you use to imitate another feature's symmetrical reflection? → Mirror Entities
19. Which SolidWorks feature creates a helical curve used as a path for threads or springs? → Helix and Spiral
20. How many profiles does a loft feature require? → 2
21. Which sheet metal feature in SolidWorks adds a flange along a single straight edge of an existing sheet metal face? → Edge Flange
22. In sheet metal, a 'Hem' feature folds the edge of a flange back on itself. Which hem type creates a completely flat doubled-over edge with zero gap? → Closed hem
23. Which mesh type in SolidWorks Simulation is most appropriate for thin-walled sheet metal parts? → Shell mesh
24. 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)
25. Which result probe in SolidWorks Simulation would you use to find the maximum displacement in the Z-direction only? → UZ displacement component probe
26. Which SolidWorks Sheet Metal feature creates the initial thin-walled base from a sketch? → Base Flange/Tab
27. What is the purpose of the Draft Analysis tool in SolidWorks Mold Design? → To identify faces that lack sufficient draft for the pull direction
28. Which view type in SolidWorks drawings shows internal features by projecting a cut through the entire part at a defined cutting plane? → Full section view
29. Which SolidWorks Sheet Metal feature creates a ventilation opening with formed louvers in a sheet metal face? → Louver
30. 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