Sketching Elements

You can either draw sketch lines or use a Pick (Walls, Lines, Edges) option when sketching. Drawing allows you to create the element by clicking and moving the cursor; Pick options allow you to select existing walls, lines, or edges. As you sketch, you can use listening dimensions. For more information, see Listening Dimensions.

When you add elements whose size or shape cannot be determined automatically, such as a roof, extrusion, or opening, you enter sketch mode. In sketch mode, only the tools available for that sketch are available for use; the tools vary depending on the type of element you are sketching. There are also elements (such as walls) that are sketched but do not require the use of sketch mode.

Common Options for Sketches

Use this option	to
Draw options (for example, (Line) or (Rectangle))	draw sketches.
Pick options (for example, (Pick Lines))	select existing walls, lines, or edges. When you use Pick Lines, there is a Lock option (for some elements) on the Options Bar that locks the picked line to the edge. Tip: You can use `Tab` to toggle to available chains.
Pick Faces	add walls by selecting the face of a mass element or generic component. This option is only available when you are sketching walls or curtain walls.
Chain	connect (chain) line segments when you are sketching so that the last point on the previous line becomes the first point on the next line. You cannot chain closed loops (circles, polygons) or fillets.
Offset	offset the placement of a sketch line by the value you specify. When you use offset with the Pick Lines option, the element or sketch line is offset from a line specific to an element (for example, the location line in a wall). The new element has the same shape and length as the picked line. If you use offset when you draw a sketch, the element or sketch is offset from the cursor location. You can create an element of any length or shape when drawing a sketch with an offset. You can also specify the offset location line for walls by selecting an option from the Location Line drop-down. Note: If you draw with the chain option turned on, the newly created lines are also chained. Therefore, you can create a shape similar to an existing shape by tracing it with an offset.
Radius	preset a value for the radius. This option is available for walls or lines when you draw a rectangle, circle, arc, or polygon. Use a radius to: specify a fixed radius for a circle, a circle in which a polygon is inscribed (or around which it is circumscribed), an arc from center and endpoint, or a tangent arc. The preset radius puts constraints on the element or sketch so that fewer clicks are required to complete it. With a preset radius, you can create a circle with one click or a fillet with 2 clicks. specify a rounding of corners (the radius of the fillet) when joining lines (with or without the chain option), when you draw a rectangle, or when you fillet using the Fillet Arc sketch option.

Using Constraints When Sketching

You can use constraints while you are sketching by pressing Shift as you draw. Shift constraints works as follows:

Constrains straight lines and radii of polygons to horizontal or vertical lines.
Limits the chords of 3-point arcs, the radii of arcs from center and end points, and the axis of ellipses to multiples of 45 degrees.
Limits 2-point and 3-point arcs to 90, 180, or 270 degrees.