Creating a Sketch

To create a sketch:

1. If you want to base a sketch on an item, select the item in the graphical window.
   Note: If you base a sketch on an item, constraints are not automatically applied when in Sketch mode.
2. Click Wireframe tab > Sketch Constraints panel > Create to open Sketch mode.
   • If you have not selected an item, a blank sketch is created on the active workplane and the view rotates to align with the principal plane. When you sketch an item, some constraints are automatically applied.
   • If you have selected an item, the item is added to the new sketch and the view zooms into the item, rotates, and aligns with the principal plane. Constraints are not applied.
   • If non-sketch items, which lie on the same plane, are selected, the items are added to the new sketch but cannot be modified.
3. Sketch an object using the Line and Arc object buttons on the Wireframe tab > Create panel.

   Sketch mode links items using a group workplane, which can be repositioned and used to apply dimension constraints.

4. Apply constraints using the buttons on the Wireframe tab > Sketch Constraints panel:

   	Tangent — forces two curves to maintain a point of tangency.
   	Perpendicular — forces two lines to remain at a 90 angle to each other.
   	Parallel — forces two lines to remain side by side, but never meet.
   	Coincident — forces two points to coincide.
   	Concentric — forces arcs to have the same centre point.
   	Collinear — forces two lines to lie on the same vector.
   	Horizontal — forces a line to remain horizontal with respect to the X axis of the group workplane.
   	Vertical — forces a line to remain vertical with respect to the Y axis of the group workplane.
   	Equal — forces two lines to maintain equal lengths, or two arcs to have the same radius. Note: The new length or radius applied to the two items depends on the existing sketch geometry and constraints. If neither item has a dimension constraint applied, PowerShape applies a value that minimizes the changes to the existing sketch geometry.
   	Fix — fixes a line or point in a specific location relative to the world workplane.
   	Labels — toggles to display or hide constraint labels.
   	Dimension — displays, and allows editing of, dimensional properties of lines and arcs. Dimension constraints must be defined between key points, for example between a centre point and workplane. Note: Dimensions can be defined using Parameters. If a parameter value is changed, the line or arc, and any dependent items, are updated automatically.
   	Add — not yet implemented.
   	Modify Origin — enables the origin of the workplane to be repositioned.

   Note: Click Home tab > Delete panel > Undo to undo individual sketch operations. Click Redo to reinstate the operations.
5. Click to save your changes and exit Sketch mode; click to exit Sketch mode without saving your changes.