Using previous sketch to define/constrain another..

steve_maietta

Can I specify a sketch (earlier up in the tree) for use in defining or constraining another sketch?  For example "sketch 1", make an hexagon with a circle in the middle, extrude it (a simple hex nut solid) and then create another "sketch 2" that references the circle (bore)?

can't seem to find this..

thanks!

~Steve

jakeramsley

The constraint buttons are the last couple icons of the sketch tool bar.  If you select 2+ sketch entities and then select a constraint, you will apply it to those entities.

For example, if I have a circle on sketch 1 located on the Top plane and want to constrain a center-point rectangle to it that is 4in off of it:

1. Sketch my center point rectangle on the offset plane.


2. I want my rectangle to be centered on the projected edge of the circle.  I select the center of the rectangle and the edge of the circle to select both.  I click the coincident constraint to make the point defining the center of the rectangle on the circle.


3. I want the bottom edge of my rectangle to be tangent to the circle.  I select the bottom edge of the rectangle and the circle and choose tangent.


4. I want the left edge of my rectangle to be tangent to the circle.  Like step 3, I select the left edge of the rectangle and the edge of the circle and choose tangent.


5. The last thing I am going to do is set a distance between the top edge of the rectangle and the top of the circle.  I select the dimension tool and with it active I select the top edge of the rectangle and the edge of the circle.  This give me the ability to drop the dimension where I want it lie.  From here I edit it to 1.25"


In this case, my rectangle is fully defined relative to the circle.  It looks a bit funky in this isometric view, but viewing the top plane you can see where the constraints are applied.

jakeramsley

steve_maietta said:

Got it working..   Now, is there a way to copy sketch geometry and "paste" it into another sketch?  

Currently we do not.  If the two sketches are parallel, you can use/project the entities you want and then remove the constraints on them.

_Ðave_

steve_maietta I do this all the time, Just make the sketch visible and simply constrain the geometry from one sketch to the geometry on the other. 

jakeramsley

Yes, you can use external geometry including other sketches to constrain sketches.  The constraints and dimensions will have to be manually applied though.

steve_maietta

Hmmm..  I tried highlighting the Sketch 1 and using it but it wouldn't actually constrain..  Is there some buttons to specify a constraint?

jakeramsley

The constraint buttons are the last couple icons of the sketch tool bar.  If you select 2+ sketch entities and then select a constraint, you will apply it to those entities.

For example, if I have a circle on sketch 1 located on the Top plane and want to constrain a center-point rectangle to it that is 4in off of it:

1. Sketch my center point rectangle on the offset plane.


2. I want my rectangle to be centered on the projected edge of the circle.  I select the center of the rectangle and the edge of the circle to select both.  I click the coincident constraint to make the point defining the center of the rectangle on the circle.


3. I want the bottom edge of my rectangle to be tangent to the circle.  I select the bottom edge of the rectangle and the circle and choose tangent.


4. I want the left edge of my rectangle to be tangent to the circle.  Like step 3, I select the left edge of the rectangle and the edge of the circle and choose tangent.


5. The last thing I am going to do is set a distance between the top edge of the rectangle and the top of the circle.  I select the dimension tool and with it active I select the top edge of the rectangle and the edge of the circle.  This give me the ability to drop the dimension where I want it lie.  From here I edit it to 1.25"


In this case, my rectangle is fully defined relative to the circle.  It looks a bit funky in this isometric view, but viewing the top plane you can see where the constraints are applied.

steve_maietta

Thanks, I saw the constraint buttons but didn't know how to use them..  This clears it up!

steve_maietta

Got it working..   Now, is there a way to copy sketch geometry and "paste" it into another sketch?  

jakeramsley

steve_maietta said:

Got it working..   Now, is there a way to copy sketch geometry and "paste" it into another sketch?  

Currently we do not.  If the two sketches are parallel, you can use/project the entities you want and then remove the constraints on them.

steve_maietta

Gents, the tool for this is the "Use" tool in the sketching menu.  Perfect solution answers all my questions.