DC02: Starting a SKETCH

Before starting the design of a part, develop a plan for how you are planning to make the features using tools such as EXTRUDE, REVOLVE, SWEEP, or LOFT (how to use these features will discussed later).

With your DOCUMENT open and the Part Studio 1 tab selected you are ready to start creating parts.

Multiple parts can be created in one Part Studio
- Whenever possible create all of your parts in the same Part Studio.
- You can use the same sketch for many parts if they are in the same Part Studio.

STARTING A SKETCH

Click the sketch button in the upper right hand corner

Different icons for sketch button may be shown depending on your browser window size. Either on works the same.

SKETCHES CAN BE CREATED ON PLANES OR FLAT SURFACES

One of the most important steps in creating a sketch is to determine what plane or surface to select.

Your decision on where you are at the beginning can make other sketches or assemblies easier later.
If you are looking from the the sky looking down at the part , select the TOP Plane.
If you are standing on the ground looking at the part, select the FRONT or Right Plane

The browser window will change as shown.

The SKETCH Toolbar is shown at the top of the window
The FEATURE LIST is shown at the left
The SKETCH Dialog box is shown in the upper left of the sketch window
- Select Plane is highlighted in blue meaning you need to pick a plane to create your Sketch.

STARTING A SKETCH ON A PLANE

With Select Plane highlighted in blue, click either:

The blue square that represents the plane. The outline of the plane will change to yellow when you mouse is over the plane.

The plane's name in the FEATURE LIST

STARTING A SKETCH ON A SURFACE

To create a sketch on a surface of an existing feature of a part, open the document that contains the part, click the sketch icon and the sketch window will appear as shown.

Place your mouse over the surface where you want to create a sketch and it will highlight in yellow.

Click on that surface to select it.

VIEW NORMAL TO SKETCH PLANE

It is recommended to simplify sketching you look straight at the sketch in 2D instead of 3D. This is called View Normal to Sketch Plane

Below are views of windows with and without a part shown.

Right click anywhere on the widow
- Recommended that you click somewhere not on the part or plane.
Select View Normal to Sketch Plane

Browser Window after selecting View Normal to Sketch Plane

Try to sketch with the plane name is in the upper right hand corner with the letter reading the the proper direction.
- If the letters are backwards you are looking at the opposite side of the plane (Bottom, Left, Back)

ACTIVITY

Create a new sketch in the document "MyFirstPart"
Select the Front Plane to draw your sketch
View normal to sketch plane as describe above.

Evaluate Your Knowledge

Can you create a new SKETCH?
Do you know how to select the correct PLANE or SURFACE for your for your SKETCH?
What is the purpose of View Normal to Sketch Plane? Do you understand how to use this function?

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