What is the role of a "Reference Geometry" feature?

The role of a "Reference Geometry" feature primarily revolves around generating auxiliary entities that aid in the sketching and defining of other features within a model. Reference geometry includes elements such as points, lines, planes, and coordinate systems that do not affect the physical appearance or mass properties of the final model, but serve as crucial guides or constraints during the modeling process.

When you're creating a part in SolidWorks, reference geometry can assist in establishing relationships between sketches, facilitating dimensioning, and controlling the orientation of features. For example, when defining extrusions or cuts, reference planes or axes can help position these features accurately in 3D space. This functionality is especially useful for complex models where precise alignment and positioning are essential.

While annotations for drawings serve a different purpose by providing information for manufacturing or assembly, optimizing a model for performance focuses on factors like file size and rendering speed, and exporting geometry to other CAD programs pertains to interoperability, none of these directly align with the primary utility of reference geometry in the design process.