Sketch a simulation model

The Sketch commands, in the Simplify environment of the Simulation workspace, are the same commands that you find in the Design workspace. In the Simulation workspace you create or modify a simulation model. In the Design workspace you create or modify the production model.

To access the Simplify environment:

simulation workspace - simplify tabs

  1. Click simplify icon (Simulation workspace > Setup tab > Simplify panel > Simplify).

To activate the Sketch tab in the Simplify environment:

simulation workspace - simplify tabs

  1. Click remove features icon (Simulation workspace > Simplify tab > Create panel > Create Sketch).
  2. Select a construction plane. The Sketch tab appears next to the Simplify Solid and Simplify Surface tabs on the toolbar.

You can now make simple modifications to the current design or replace geometry to prepare your design for simulation.

See the Sketch section of the help for information about these commands, and how to use them.

Use the links in the table to find out more about the tools.

Sketch tools

Sketch tool Used....
create sketch icon Create Sketch to start a sketch either on a blank document, or on the face of an existing 3D geometry. Click this to access the Sketch Tools.
line icon Line (L) to create a series of lines. While using the Line tool, you can transition to the Tangent Arc tool by holding down the mouse button, and back to the Line tool, by releasing the mouse button.
Rectangle as a skeleton for building more refined sketches.

2-Point Rectangle

Creates a rectangle defined by two clicks in opposite corners of the rectangle. The sides of this rectangle are horizontal and vertical.

3-Point Rectangle

Creates rectangles that are at an angle. The first two points define the edge of the rectangle. The third point defines the width. All of the constraints added to this rectangle are parallel instead of vertical and horizontal, since this rectangle can be drawn at any angle.

Center Rectangle

Draws a rectangle, with horizontal and vertical sides, based on a center point and a corner. This rectangle includes diagonal construction lines, to ensure that it is centered on the point used to create it.
Circle to create curved elements, and to aid in the creation of other entities that are drawn in a circular direction.

Center Diameter Circle (C)

Defines the circle location based on its center point. The first click places the center point and the second sets the diameter.

2-Point Circle

Creates a circle defined by two points that you position, and which set the diameter.

3-Point Circle

Positions the circle at three key points in a sketch. The first two points force the circle to pass through those points, and the third sets the diameter.

Tangent Circle

Creates a circle tangent to two lines that you select. As you move the cursor to change the diameter of the circle, the circle stays tangent to the lines even if it's not touching them. Click to place the third point for the circle.

3-Tangent Circle

Creates a circle defined by three lines that you select.
Arc to create detailed sketches of profiles that include curvature between two points or entities and general curved geometry.

3-Point Arc

Connects two points with a curve. Place the two endpoints, move the mouse to change the radius of the arc and preview it, and click a third time to place the arc.

Center Point Arc

Used to create concentric features using a common center point, for example, a cutout. Click to set the center point, click a second time to define the radius and the start of the arc, and click a third time to complete the arc. Repeat using the same center point, but a different radius, to create concentric arcs.

Tangent Arc

Connects two sketch entities with a curve that is tangent to the first entity selected. The tangent arc command automatically adds a tangent constraint to the first point, but also adds one to the second point, if the two points are spaced appropriately.
Polygon to build sketches of multi-faceted geometry.

Circumscribed Polygon

Uses the center point you select, the number of sides you specify, and the radius and orientation you define, to create a polygon. The radius defines the length from the center of the polygon to an edge.

Inscribed Polygon

Uses the center point you select, the number of sides you specify, and the radius and orientation you define, to create a polygon. The radius defines the length from the center of the polygon to a corner.

Edge Polygon

Creates a polygon based on the edge length and orientation you define, and the number of sides you specify.
ellipse icon Ellipse to aid in the creation of non-circular, curved entities.
Slot to create linear slots in 3D geometry.

Center to Center Slot

Creates a slot based on the center point of each arc, the distance between the two arc centers, and the arc radius or slot width.

Overall Slot

Uses the orientation, length, and width you provide to create a linear slot.

Center Point Slot

Creates a slot based on the center point of the slot, the center point of the arcs, and the arc radius or slot width.
fit point spline icon Fit Point Spline to create a free form curve that passes through a series of points.
conic curve icon Conic Curve to create a curve that is defined by two end points and a rho value. Rho determines if the curve is elliptical, parabolic, or hyperbolic.
point icon Point to position hole features, construction planes, axes, and to create sketch entities.
text icon Text to insert text into the active sketch.
fillet icon Fillet to round corners and edges.
trim icon Trim (T) to remove unwanted curved and linear line segments. If a sketch has elements that need to be extended, it is best to create the extensions first and trim away the unwanted segments after.

Note: Trimming sketch entities is not critical to create 3D features. They can be created from any closed-loop profile; however trimming all the extra lines will make the sketch more robust as well as more clearly defined.
extend icon Extend to extend sketch elements, both curved and linear, so that they connect with other lines without having to re-sketch entire sections.
break icon Break to break curve entities into two or more sections.
sketch scale icon Sketch Scale to enlarge or reduce a selected sketch geometry based on a specified scale factor.
offset icon Offset (O) to create new sketch geometry from existing sketches or edges.
mirror icon Mirror to copy and flip sketch entities across a line of symmetry, with a relationship between the mirror and the original entity. To mirror bodies, use the Mirror command in the Create panel.
circular pattern icon Circular Pattern to create a specified number of copies of sketch entities around a center point.
rectangular pattern icon Rectangular Pattern to create copies of sketch entities with a specified spacing and number of instances.
Project/Include to create sketch geometry from selected objects.

Project (P)

Creates copies of existing model geometry and sketch entities in the active sketch.

Intersect

Creates sketch curves from the intersection of the selected objects and the plane of the active sketch.

Include 3D Geometry

Projects faces, edges, and points into the active sketch, as 3D sketch geometry.

Project to Surface

Creates a 3D sketch by projecting 2D sketch objects to BRep faces.

Intersection Curve

Intersects 2D sketch geometry with faces or other 2D sketch geometry, to create a 3D sketch.
sketch dimension icon Sketch Dimension (D) to control the size and position of sketch curves.