Sketcher Basics 1

Sketcher workbench

The Sketcher workbench enables us to create and edit 2D geometry. You can set constraints between geometrical elements.

1 Entering Sketcher Workbench

Creating a sketch: To create a sketch,

Select Start -> Mechanical Design -> Sketcher from the menu bar.

Select the Sketcher icon and click the preferred reference plane either in the geometry area or in the specification tree, or select a planar surface. This creates a "Simple" sketch (sketch, for which we do not specify the origin and orientation of the absolute axis,).

To edit a sketch: Double-click the sketch or an element of the sketch geometry. You can select it in the geometry area or in the specification tree. 3D, right-click the sketch in the specification tree, Move to[sketch name] object in the contextual menu, select Edit.

2 Creating a Positioned Sketch

 In positioned sketch, we can decide the reference plane, and the origin and orientation of the absolute axis. Creating a positioned sketch enables you to define (and later change) explicitly the position of the sketch absolute axis.

Advantages of Positioned Sketch:

                    You can use the absolute axis directions like external references for the sketched profile geometry.Creating a positioned sketch ensures associativity with the 3D geometry. Click the down arrow next to the Sketcher icon, and select the Sketch with Absolute Axis Definition icon. The Sketch Positioning dialog box appears. In the

3 Using Tools For Sketching

This task shows how tools in sketcher workbench can assist you when sketching elements.

Snap to Point If activated, As you are sketching the points are snapped to the intersection points of the grid.

Construction/Standard Elements: You can create two types of elements: standard elements andconstruction elements. Note that creating standard or construction elements is based upon the same methodology. If standard elements represent the most commonly created elements, on some occasions, you will have to create geometry just to assist your design. Construction elements aim at helping you in sketching the required profile. Click the Construction/Standard Element option command from the Sketch tools toolbar so that the elements you are now going to create be either standard or construction element. As construction elements are not taken into account when creating features, note that they do not appear outside the Sketcher.

Geometrical Constraints: When Active, the Geometrical Constraint option command creates Geometrical Constraint when sketching elements.

Dimensional Constraints: When Active, the Dimensional Constraint option command allows forcing a dimensional constrain on one or more profile type elements, When you use the value fields in the Sketch tools toolbar for creating profile.