Geometric relations (horizontal, vertical, coincident, tangent) in Solidworks - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the horizontal geometric relation do in SolidWorks sketches?

It aligns two points or lines so they lie on the same horizontal line, making them level with each other.

beginner

Define the vertical geometric relation in SolidWorks.

It aligns two points or lines so they lie on the same vertical line, making them straight up and down relative to each other.

beginner

What does the coincident relation do between a point and a line in SolidWorks?

It forces the point to lie exactly on the line or curve, so they share the same location.

intermediate

Explain the tangent relation in SolidWorks sketches.

It makes a line or curve touch another curve at exactly one point without crossing it, like a wheel touching the ground.

beginner

Why are geometric relations important in SolidWorks sketches?

They control how sketch elements behave and connect, ensuring the design is accurate and changes predictably.

Which geometric relation makes two points lie on the same horizontal line?

A Horizontal

B Vertical

C Coincident

D Tangent

The horizontal relation aligns points or lines on the same horizontal level.

What does the coincident relation do in a sketch?

A Aligns two points vertically

B Makes two lines parallel

C Forces a point to lie on a line or curve

D Makes two curves touch at one point

Coincident forces a point to be exactly on a line or curve.

Which relation ensures a line touches a curve at exactly one point without crossing?

A Tangent

B Horizontal

C Coincident

D Vertical

Tangent makes a line or curve touch another curve at one point.

If two points are aligned straight up and down, which relation is applied?

A Horizontal

B Vertical

C Coincident

D Tangent

Vertical aligns points or lines on the same vertical line.

Why use geometric relations in sketches?

A To add colors to sketches

B To export sketches as images

C To create 3D models automatically

D To control how sketch elements connect and behave

Geometric relations control sketch behavior and connections for accuracy.

Describe the difference between horizontal and vertical geometric relations in SolidWorks sketches.

Think about how you line up pictures on a wall either side by side or stacked.

Explain how the coincident and tangent relations affect sketch elements differently.

Imagine a dot sitting on a line versus a wheel just touching the ground.

Practice

1. Which geometric relation in SolidWorks keeps a line perfectly flat along the horizontal axis?

easy

A. Horizontal

B. Vertical

C. Coincident

D. Tangent

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the meaning of horizontal relation

   The horizontal relation forces a line to be aligned flat along the X-axis.

2. Step 2: Compare with other relations

   Vertical aligns lines upright, coincident joins points, tangent makes curves touch smoothly.

3. Final Answer:

   Horizontal -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Horizontal = Flat line [OK]

Hint: Horizontal means flat like the horizon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing horizontal with vertical
• Thinking coincident aligns lines
• Mixing tangent with horizontal

2. Which of the following is the correct way to apply a coincident relation between a point and a line in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Select the point and line, then click 'Vertical' relation

B. Select the line twice, then click 'Coincident' relation

C. Select the point, then the line, then click 'Coincident' relation

D. Select two points and click 'Tangent' relation

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to apply coincident relation

   In SolidWorks, to make a point coincident with a line, select the point first, then the line.

2. Step 2: Confirm the correct relation choice

   Click the 'Coincident' relation to join them at the same spot.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the point, then the line, then click 'Coincident' relation -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Point + line + coincident = joined [OK]

Hint: Select point first, then line for coincident [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Selecting the same line twice
• Using tangent relation for point and line
• Choosing vertical relation incorrectly

3. Given two circles in a SolidWorks sketch, if you apply a tangent relation between them, what will happen?

medium

A. The circles will touch at exactly one point

B. The circles will be forced to be concentric

C. The circles will overlap completely

D. The circles will become horizontal

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand tangent relation between curves

   Tangent relation makes two curves touch smoothly at exactly one point without crossing.

2. Step 2: Apply to two circles

   Two circles with tangent relation will touch at one point on their edges.

3. Final Answer:

   The circles will touch at exactly one point -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Tangent = touch at one point [OK]

Hint: Tangent means just touching, not overlapping [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking tangent means overlapping
• Confusing tangent with concentric
• Assuming tangent makes lines horizontal

4. You tried to apply a vertical relation to a line in SolidWorks, but the line did not become vertical. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The line is already vertical, so no change is visible

B. You selected two points instead of the line

C. You applied a coincident relation instead of vertical

D. The line is fixed and cannot change orientation

Solution

1. Step 1: Check if line orientation can change

   If a line is fixed (locked), applying vertical relation won't change its angle.

2. Step 2: Consider other options

   Selecting points or wrong relation would cause errors, but no change suggests fixed line.

3. Final Answer:

   The line is fixed and cannot change orientation -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Fixed line resists vertical change [OK]

Hint: Fixed lines ignore new orientation relations [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming relation always changes line
• Confusing selection of points vs line
• Mixing coincident with vertical relation

5. You have a sketch with a horizontal line and a circle. You want the circle to touch the line smoothly at exactly one point and keep the line horizontal. Which two relations should you apply?

hard

A. Vertical to the line, Coincident between circle and line

B. Horizontal to the line, Tangent between circle and line

C. Coincident to the line, Tangent between circle and line

D. Horizontal to the circle, Vertical to the line

Solution

1. Step 1: Keep the line flat

   Apply the horizontal relation to the line to keep it flat along the X-axis.

2. Step 2: Make circle touch line smoothly

   Apply tangent relation between the circle and the line so they touch at exactly one point smoothly.

3. Final Answer:

   Horizontal to the line, Tangent between circle and line -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Horizontal + Tangent = flat line touching circle [OK]

Hint: Use horizontal for line, tangent for smooth touch [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using vertical instead of horizontal for line
• Using coincident instead of tangent for touch
• Applying horizontal to circle incorrectly