Display states in Solidworks - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a Display State in SolidWorks?

A Display State is a way to control the visibility, color, and appearance of components in an assembly or parts without changing the actual model or configuration.

intermediate

How do Display States differ from Configurations?

Display States change how parts look (color, visibility) but keep the geometry the same. Configurations change the actual geometry or features of the model.

beginner

Can you have multiple Display States in one SolidWorks file?

Yes, you can create multiple Display States to show different visual setups of the same model without changing the geometry or configurations.

beginner

What properties can you control with Display States?

You can control component visibility, color, texture, and transparency using Display States.

intermediate

Why use Display States instead of making multiple files?

Display States let you quickly switch how a model looks without duplicating files or changing the actual design, saving time and reducing errors.

What does a Display State control in SolidWorks?

A File size and performance

B Geometry and features of parts

C Material properties only

D Visibility and appearance of components

Display States control how parts look, including visibility and color, but do not change geometry.

Can Display States change the shape of a part?

A No, they only change appearance

B Only in assemblies

C Only if combined with configurations

D Yes, always

Display States only affect appearance, not the shape or features of parts.

Which of these can you NOT control with Display States?

A Component color

B Component dimensions

C Component transparency

D Component visibility

Dimensions are controlled by configurations or features, not Display States.

How many Display States can you have in one SolidWorks file?

A Only one

B Two

C Multiple

D Unlimited but only three visible at a time

You can create multiple Display States to show different visual setups.

Why might you use Display States instead of creating multiple files?

A To save disk space and avoid duplication

B To change the part geometry

C To export different file formats

D To speed up rendering only

Display States let you switch appearances without duplicating files, saving space and time.

Explain what a Display State is and how it helps when working with SolidWorks models.

Think about how you might want to see the same model in different colors or with some parts hidden.

Describe the difference between Display States and Configurations in SolidWorks.

One changes how things look, the other changes what things are.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Display States in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To permanently change the geometry of a model

B. To save different visual appearances of a model without changing its shape

C. To create new parts from an assembly

D. To export the model to different file formats

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what Display States do

   Display States allow saving different looks of the same model, such as colors or visibility, without altering the model's shape.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from geometry changes

   Changing geometry permanently modifies the model, which Display States do not do.

3. Final Answer:

   To save different visual appearances of a model without changing its shape -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Display States = Visual appearance only [OK]

Hint: Remember: Display States change looks, not shape [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Display States with geometry editing
• Thinking Display States create new parts
• Assuming Display States export files

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a new Display State in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Go to File > Save As and choose Display State

B. Click on the Features tab and select 'New Display State'

C. Use the Move tool to create a Display State

D. Right-click on the Display States tab and select 'Add Display State'

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate Display States tab

   In SolidWorks, Display States are managed in the ConfigurationManager under the Display States tab.

2. Step 2: Create new Display State

   Right-clicking on the Display States tab gives the option 'Add Display State' to create a new one.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click on the Display States tab and select 'Add Display State' -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Create Display State = Right-click Display States tab [OK]

Hint: Right-click Display States tab to add new state [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to create Display State from File menu
• Using Move tool which edits geometry
• Looking under Features tab incorrectly

3. Given a model with two Display States: State1 shows all parts visible, and State2 hides the front cover. What will happen when you switch from State1 to State2?

medium

A. The front cover becomes invisible while other parts remain visible

B. The entire model becomes invisible

C. The model shape changes to remove the front cover permanently

D. The colors of all parts change but visibility stays the same

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Display State visibility control

   Display States can control visibility of parts without changing geometry.

2. Step 2: Analyze effect of switching states

   Switching to State2 hides the front cover but keeps other parts visible as per the saved state.

3. Final Answer:

   The front cover becomes invisible while other parts remain visible -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Switch Display State = Change visibility only [OK]

Hint: Switching Display State changes visibility, not shape [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking the model shape changes permanently
• Assuming entire model hides
• Confusing color changes with visibility

4. You created a Display State but when switching to it, the model looks the same as the default state. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You forgot to save changes to visibility or appearance in the new Display State

B. The model geometry was deleted accidentally

C. Display States only work in assemblies, not parts

D. You need to restart SolidWorks to apply Display States

Solution

1. Step 1: Check if changes were saved in Display State

   Display States save visual changes like visibility or color. If no changes were saved, switching states shows no difference.

2. Step 2: Eliminate other causes

   Geometry deletion affects shape, not Display States. Display States work in parts and assemblies. Restart is not required.

3. Final Answer:

   You forgot to save changes to visibility or appearance in the new Display State -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   No saved changes = No visible difference [OK]

Hint: Always save visibility/appearance changes in Display State [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming geometry deletion affects Display States
• Thinking Display States need restart
• Believing Display States only work in assemblies

5. You want to compare two color schemes for a product without changing the model shape or creating multiple files. How can Display States help you achieve this?

hard

A. Apply colors directly to the model and save multiple versions manually

B. Create two separate files with different colors and switch between them

C. Create two Display States, each with a different color scheme applied to the model

D. Use configurations to change the model shape and color simultaneously

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Display States for color variations

   Display States allow saving different appearances like colors without changing geometry or creating new files.

2. Step 2: Apply different colors in separate Display States

   Create two Display States, each with a unique color scheme, and switch between them to compare easily.

3. Final Answer:

   Create two Display States, each with a different color scheme applied to the model -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Display States = Multiple looks, one file [OK]

Hint: Use Display States to save color options without new files [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Creating multiple files instead of using Display States
• Confusing configurations with Display States
• Manually saving versions instead of using states