Rectangle and polygon tools in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

The rectangle and polygon tools help you draw basic shapes quickly in your design. These tools make it easy to create rectangles and polygons without drawing each side manually.

When you need to create a rectangular base for a part.

When designing a polygonal flange or plate.

When you want to add a quick shape for a cut or extrusion.

When you need to sketch a regular polygon like a hexagon for bolt patterns.

When you want to create a shape that can be dimensioned precisely.

Steps

Step 1: Click

- Sketch tab > Rectangle dropdown

Rectangle tool options appear including Corner Rectangle, Center Rectangle, and 3 Point Rectangle

💡 Choose the rectangle type based on how you want to define the shape

Step 2: Select

- Corner Rectangle tool

Cursor changes to rectangle drawing mode

💡 This tool draws a rectangle by defining two opposite corners

Step 3: Click

- Graphics area

First corner of the rectangle is set

💡 Click on the point where you want one corner of the rectangle

Step 4: Move mouse and click

- Graphics area

Rectangle shape appears and is fixed by the second corner click

💡 You can drag to size the rectangle before clicking the second corner

Step 5: Click

- Sketch tab > Polygon tool

Polygon tool activates and prompts for center point

💡 Polygons are regular shapes with equal sides

Step 6: Click

- Graphics area

Center point of the polygon is set

💡 This is the center of your polygon

Step 7: Move mouse and click

- Graphics area

Polygon radius is set and shape appears

💡 Drag to size the polygon before clicking

Step 8: Type

- Polygon PropertyManager > Number of sides box

Polygon updates to the specified number of sides

💡 You can create triangles, pentagons, hexagons, etc.

Before vs After

Before

No shapes on the sketch plane

After

A rectangle or polygon shape appears on the sketch plane with edges visible and ready for dimensioning

Settings Reference

Number of sides

📍 Polygon PropertyManager

Sets how many sides the polygon will have

Default: 6

Rectangle type

📍 Sketch tab > Rectangle dropdown

Defines how the rectangle is drawn and positioned

Default: Corner Rectangle

Dimension input

📍 After drawing shape, use Smart Dimension tool

Allows precise sizing of rectangles and polygons

Default: No default

Common Mistakes

Trying to draw a polygon without setting the number of sides

The polygon defaults to 6 sides which may not be what you want

Always set the number of sides in the Polygon PropertyManager before finishing the shape

Using the wrong rectangle tool for the desired shape position

Corner Rectangle places the shape by corners, Center Rectangle by center point, which affects placement

Choose the rectangle tool that matches how you want to position your shape

Summary

Rectangle and polygon tools let you quickly create basic shapes in sketches.

You can choose different rectangle types and set polygon sides for precise shapes.

Remember to set dimensions after drawing to control size exactly.

Practice

1. Which tool in SolidWorks allows you to quickly create a four-sided shape by specifying two corner points?

easy

A. Circle tool

B. Corner Rectangle tool

C. Polygon tool

D. Center Rectangle tool

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand rectangle tools

   The Corner Rectangle tool creates a rectangle by defining two opposite corners.

2. Step 2: Compare with other tools

   The Center Rectangle tool starts from the center point, Polygon tool creates multi-sided shapes, Circle tool creates circles.

3. Final Answer:

   Corner Rectangle tool -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Two corner points define Corner Rectangle [OK]

Hint: Two points define Corner Rectangle, center point for Center Rectangle [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Center Rectangle with Corner Rectangle
• Thinking Polygon tool creates rectangles
• Selecting Circle tool for rectangles

2. Which of the following is the correct sequence to create a polygon in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Select Polygon tool, set number of sides, click center, drag to size

B. Select Polygon tool, drag to size, then set number of sides

C. Select Rectangle tool, set number of sides, click center

D. Select Polygon tool, click two corners, then set number of sides

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall polygon creation steps

   In SolidWorks, you first select the Polygon tool, then specify the number of sides before drawing.

2. Step 2: Understand drawing process

   After setting sides, you click the center point and drag outward to size the polygon.

3. Final Answer:

   Select Polygon tool, set number of sides, click center, drag to size -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Set sides before drawing polygon [OK]

Hint: Set polygon sides before drawing shape [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to set sides after drawing
• Using Rectangle tool for polygons
• Clicking corners instead of center for polygons

3. What will be the result if you use the Center Rectangle tool and drag from the center point to a corner point 50mm away horizontally and 30mm vertically?

medium

A. An error because vertical and horizontal distances differ

B. A rectangle 50mm wide and 30mm tall starting at the center point

C. A square with sides 50mm

D. A rectangle 100mm wide and 60mm tall centered at the start point

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Center Rectangle dimensions

   The Center Rectangle tool uses the center as midpoint, so dragging 50mm right and 30mm up means full width is 2*50=100mm and height is 2*30=60mm.

2. Step 2: Calculate final size

   Width = 100mm, Height = 60mm, rectangle centered at start point.

3. Final Answer:

   A rectangle 100mm wide and 60mm tall centered at the start point -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Center Rectangle doubles drag distances [OK]

Hint: Center Rectangle doubles drag distances for width and height [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming width and height equal drag distances
• Confusing rectangle center with corner
• Expecting error for unequal drag distances

4. You tried to create a polygon but the shape does not appear after clicking the center and dragging. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You did not set the number of sides before drawing

B. You used the Rectangle tool instead of Polygon tool

C. You clicked the corner instead of the center point

D. You dragged too far making the polygon too large

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify polygon drawing requirements

   Polygons require setting the number of sides before drawing; otherwise, no shape appears.

2. Step 2: Analyze other options

   Using Rectangle tool or clicking wrong points would create different shapes or errors, dragging far does not prevent drawing.

3. Final Answer:

   You did not set the number of sides before drawing -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Number of sides must be set first [OK]

Hint: Always set polygon sides before drawing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong tool for polygons
• Clicking corners instead of center
• Thinking drag distance causes no shape

5. You want to create a hexagon inscribed inside a circle of radius 40mm using the Polygon tool. Which steps will correctly produce this shape?

hard

A. Select Polygon tool, set sides to 8, click center, drag to 40mm radius

B. Select Polygon tool, set sides to 6, click center, drag to 80mm radius

C. Select Polygon tool, set sides to 6, click center, drag to 40mm radius

D. Select Rectangle tool, set sides to 6, click center, drag to 40mm radius

Solution

1. Step 1: Set polygon sides correctly

   A hexagon has 6 sides, so set sides to 6 in the Polygon tool.

2. Step 2: Draw polygon inscribed in circle

   Click the center point and drag to the circle radius (40mm) to inscribe the hexagon inside the circle.

3. Final Answer:

   Select Polygon tool, set sides to 6, click center, drag to 40mm radius -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Hexagon = 6 sides, drag to circle radius [OK]

Hint: Set sides to 6 and drag to circle radius for hexagon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Setting wrong number of sides
• Dragging to double radius
• Using Rectangle tool for polygons