Consists of a sketch plane (where the sketch is located) and sketch commands. You create edit, constrain, and dimension sketches only when the sketch environment is active. To activate the sketch environment, on the ribbon, click the Sketch tab.
Show Me about the difference between sketched and placed features
With the sketch command selected, you can specify a planar face , work plane , or sketch curve as the sketch plane. Selecting curves from a previously created sketch reopens that sketch so that you can add, modify, or delete geometry. Selecting a face redisplays the feature sketch for editing.
You close the sketch environment when:
- In a part file, on the 3D Model tab, you select a sketched feature command (Extrude, Revolve, Sweep, Loft, or Coil). The feature you create uses the sketch as a profile or path .
- In an assembly file, on the Assemble tab, click the Create command.
- Activate a component, or the top-level assembly.
- In a drawing file, on the Drawing panel, you select a drawing command.
Finish Sketch command
In the browser, a sketch icon displays each time you finish a sketch. A sketch that is consumed by a feature is listed in the browser under the feature icon.
Finishing the first sketch in a new part file takes you automatically to the Home (isometric) view. This view is helpful for extruded and/or revolved features using Direct Manipulation operations.
Empty sketch icons in browser
If you click Sketch, select a part face, and then click the command again, the sketch closes. A sketch icon displays in the browser , although you created no geometry.
When you create a sketch in an assembly, the sketch icon is nested under the Origin folder of the top-level assembly in the browser. A sketch icon for a sketch created in a part included in an assembly is nested under the part icon.
A sketch is associated with a face or plane, even if you created no geometry. The bounding edges of a part face you use as a sketch plane represent the boundaries of a sketch. A work plane has no boundaries, and represents an infinite sketch plane, though it is associated with the geometry used to create it.
You can select the sketch icon, and edit the sketch with new geometry, constraints, and dimensions.
Methods to make a sketch
- Start a new part file. By default, a sketch is created and active.
- Click a planar face or work plane of another part in an assembly.
- Drag off a planar face or work plane of another part in an assembly.
- Start a new assembly file. Expand the Origin folder and make an origin work plane visible, and then select it as the sketch plane.
- In an assembly, click a planar face or work plane.