Learn how to create a boundary sketch to define the edges of an element.
You create some building components, such as floors, roofs, and ceilings, by drawing a sketch of the boundary. Usually, you must draw the sketch as a closed loop without any gaps or overlapping lines. The sketch can also be constrained to other elements, such as a wall. If the wall moves, then the element created from the sketch adjusts accordingly. Sketching is also used to define other types of geometry, such as extrusions and opening.
| Term/Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Sketch Mode | An environment that allows you to sketch elements whose size or shape cannot be determined automatically, for example, a roof or a floor. When you enter sketch mode, the ribbon displays the tools needed for the type of sketch you are creating or editing, and other elements display in halftone. |
| Closed-loop Sketch | A sketch for a building object, such as a floor or ceiling, must be a closed loop. The sketch lines cannot overlap and there cannot be any gaps in the sketch. |
| Draw Panel | Tools display on the ribbon to allow you to draw sketch lines, such as Line and Rectangle. |
| Pick Tools (Walls, Lines, Edges) | While sketching, select existing walls, lines, or edges. When you use Pick Lines, you can use a Lock option (for some elements) on the Options Bar to lock the sketch line to the picked element. |
| Chain Option | Select Chain on the Options Bar to connect line segments when you are sketching, so that the last point on the previous line is used as the first point on the next line. |
| Edit Boundary | To edit a sketch, click to select the element, and on the contextual tab, click Edit Boundary. You enter sketch mode with the tools you need to modify the shape of the sketch. |