Rectangle and polygon tools in Solidworks - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a product designer at a manufacturing company.

📋 Request: Your manager wants you to create precise 2D sketches of rectangles and polygons for a new product design using SolidWorks.

📊 Data: You have access to SolidWorks sketch environment with tools for drawing rectangles and polygons, and dimensions for the shapes needed.

🎯 Deliverable: A SolidWorks sketch file containing accurately dimensioned rectangles and polygons ready for 3D modeling.

Sample Data

Shape	Type	Width (mm)	Height (mm)	Number of Sides	Side Length (mm)
Base Plate	Rectangle	100	50
Mounting Hole	Polygon			6	10
Cover	Rectangle	120	80
Support Bracket	Polygon			5	15

1

Step 1: Open SolidWorks and create a new sketch on the Front Plane.

No formula needed; use menu: Insert > Sketch > Front Plane.

Expected Result

A new sketch environment opens on the Front Plane.

2

Step 2: Draw the Base Plate rectangle using the Rectangle tool.

Select Rectangle tool, click origin for first corner, drag and click for opposite corner. Set Width=100mm, Height=50mm using Smart Dimension tool.

Expected Result

A rectangle 100mm wide and 50mm tall is drawn starting at the origin.

3

Step 3: Draw the Cover rectangle using the Rectangle tool.

Select Rectangle tool, click a point offset from origin, drag and click for opposite corner. Set Width=120mm, Height=80mm using Smart Dimension tool.

Expected Result

A rectangle 120mm wide and 80mm tall is drawn at the specified location.

4

Step 4: Draw the Mounting Hole polygon using the Polygon tool.

Select Polygon tool, set number of sides to 6, click center point, drag to set radius so that side length equals 10mm.

Expected Result

A regular hexagon with side length 10mm is drawn at the chosen location.

5

Step 5: Draw the Support Bracket polygon using the Polygon tool.

Select Polygon tool, set number of sides to 5, click center point, drag to approximate size. Set Side Length=15mm using Smart Dimension tool.

Expected Result

A regular pentagon with side length 15mm is drawn at the chosen location.

6

Step 6: Use Smart Dimension tool to verify and adjust all dimensions for accuracy.

Click each edge or polygon side and set dimension to specified values from data.

Expected Result

All shapes have correct dimensions as per specifications.

7

Step 7: Save the sketch file with a descriptive name.

File > Save As > enter file name 'Product_Sketch_Rectangles_Polygons.sldprt'.

Expected Result

Sketch file saved and ready for 3D modeling.

Final Result

 ____________________________
|                            |
|  Base Plate 100x50 mm       |
|                            |
|   _______                  |
|  /       \  Hexagon 10mm   |
|  \_______/                 |
|                            |
|  _________                 |
| |         |  Cover 120x80  |
| |_________|                |
|                            |
|   _____                    |
|  /     \  Pentagon 15mm    |
|  \_____/                   |
|____________________________|

✓Rectangles and polygons are accurately drawn with correct dimensions.

✓Sketch is ready for further 3D modeling steps.

✓Using SolidWorks rectangle and polygon tools simplifies precise shape creation.

Bonus Challenge

Create an additional sketch with a rectangle and a polygon where the polygon is inscribed inside the rectangle.

Show Hint

Use the Polygon tool to draw the polygon centered inside the rectangle and use constraints to align centers.

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