Rectangle and polygon tools in Solidworks - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the primary use of the Rectangle tool in SolidWorks?

The Rectangle tool is used to quickly create rectangular shapes by defining two opposite corners, making it easy to sketch basic rectangular profiles.

beginner

How does the Polygon tool in SolidWorks work?

The Polygon tool creates multi-sided shapes by specifying the number of sides and the center point, allowing for precise control over polygons like triangles, pentagons, hexagons, etc.

intermediate

What is the difference between a Center Rectangle and a Corner Rectangle in SolidWorks?

A Center Rectangle is drawn from the center point outward, while a Corner Rectangle is drawn by defining two opposite corners. This affects how the rectangle is positioned and sized.

beginner

How can you specify the number of sides for a polygon in SolidWorks?

When using the Polygon tool, you can enter the desired number of sides in the property manager before placing the polygon on the sketch.

intermediate

Why is it important to fully define rectangles and polygons in SolidWorks sketches?

Fully defining shapes ensures they have fixed size and position, preventing accidental changes and making the design more stable and predictable.

Which tool would you use to create a six-sided shape in SolidWorks?

A Polygon tool

B Circle tool

C Rectangle tool

D Spline tool

The Polygon tool allows you to create shapes with any number of sides, including six-sided hexagons.

What is the main difference between a Center Rectangle and a Corner Rectangle?

A Center Rectangle is used for circles; Corner Rectangle is used for polygons

B Center Rectangle has rounded corners; Corner Rectangle has sharp corners

C Center Rectangle is 3D; Corner Rectangle is 2D

D Center Rectangle starts from the center point; Corner Rectangle starts from a corner

Center Rectangle is drawn from the center outward, while Corner Rectangle is drawn by defining two opposite corners.

How do you specify the number of sides for a polygon in SolidWorks?

A Enter the number in the property manager before placing the polygon

B Draw the polygon freehand and count sides

C Use the Circle tool and convert it

D Change the number after drawing using the dimension tool

The number of sides is set in the property manager before placing the polygon shape.

Why should sketches be fully defined in SolidWorks?

A To allow free movement of shapes

B To make the sketch colorful

C To prevent accidental changes and keep the design stable

D To reduce file size

Fully defined sketches have fixed size and position, which prevents accidental changes.

Which of these is NOT a valid way to create a rectangle in SolidWorks?

A Using the Corner Rectangle tool

B Using the Circle tool

C Using the Polygon tool with 4 sides

D Using the Center Rectangle tool

The Circle tool creates circles, not rectangles.

Explain how to create and fully define a rectangle using SolidWorks tools.

Think about how you start the rectangle and how you lock its size and place.

Describe the steps to create a polygon with a specific number of sides in SolidWorks.

Focus on setting the number of sides before drawing.

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