Learn how to draw a boundary to define the edges of an element.
You create some building elements, such as floors, roofs, and ceilings, by drawing the boundary (also referred to as creating a sketch). Usually, you must draw the boundary 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 openings.
| 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, that is drawn with continuous, connected lines. The sketch lines cannot overlap and there cannot be any gaps in the sketch. |
| Draw Panel | Area on the ribbon where tools display 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 | Selection on the Options Bar to connect line segments when you are sketching. When Chain is selected, the last point on the previous line is automatically the first point for the next line. |
| Edit Boundary | Tool used to enter sketch mode to modify the shape of the sketch for an element. To edit a sketch, click to select the element, and on the contextual tab, click Edit Boundary. |
This video demonstrates how to create a boundary sketch to define the edges of an element, such as a floor or roof.
When you select a tool that requires you to sketch a boundary, such as the Floor tool, sketch mode is automatically enabled. In sketch mode, the other elements in the drawing area display in halftone, and the Draw panel displays in the ribbon. Use the tools on the Draw panel to create a closed-loop sketch of the object's boundaries.
After you complete the closed-loop sketch, you must click Finish to create the element. To make changes to the boundary sketch of an existing element, select the element and double-click, or click Edit Boundary on the contextual tab. Make changes to the sketch using the draw tools, or use the modify tools to edit the existing sketch lines.
Sketching is used to define many objects such as sweeps, openings, and filled regions.