To find the definition status of each part in the assembly, we can look at the assembly design tree. At the beginning of each part's listing, SOLIDWORKS indicates what the statuses of the different parts are with symbols such as (f), (-), and (+). The meaning of each symbol is as follows: 

• (f): Fixed 
• (-): Under defined 
• No symbol: Fully defined 
• (+): Over defined

The following image shows each of the symbols in the design tree:

Finding out the status of each part will help us when we need to define our assemblies. With this, we can decide which part needs more mates, or which mate we should reconsider. However, in the context of assemblies, which definition status is better? We will discuss that question next.