Part-Editor - Constraints Menu and Toolbar
In the Part-Editor, use the commands in the:
• | to add sketch-elements. The toolbar is to the left of the graphic-area. |
• | : to add Constraints to, or between Geometry. The toolbar is to the right of the graphic-area. |
Note: Geometry includes the sketch-element, and its start-Point, end-Point, and centre-Point.
IMPORTANT: MD14.2.120+
To delete a Constraint: To delete a Constraint you must show the Constraint in the Selection-Window.
1. | SHIFT+CLICK a sketch-element - or - its start-Point, end-Point or centre-Point, if the Constraint is between any of those Points. |
The sketch-element and its Constraints show in the Selection-Window.
2. | Right-click the Constraint |
In the contextual-menu:
To see ONLY Geometry in the Selection-Window:
• | Click a sketch-element, or its start-Point, end-Point, or centre-Point |
Part-Editor: Constraints menu

Part-Editor: Constraints Toolbar
In the Part-Editor, the is to the RIGHT of the graphic-area.

MERGE-POINTS : Deletes a Point. You cannot remove a 'Merged Point'.
• | Use Merge-Points to join sketch-elements end-to-end, and remove one of the Points. |
• | Use Merge-Points to make a . |
COINCIDENT CONSTRAINT : Does not delete a Point. You can delete a Coincident-Constraint later and move the Points apart again.
• | Use a Coincident-Constraint to move together two Points, or a Point to a Line, or a Point to an Arc or Circle. |
• | Use Coincident-Constraints for 'construction' geometry. |
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You cannot over-constrain a sketch-element in the Part-Editor (SolidWorks allows you to over-constrain, but you are given a warning).
For example:
A Point has 2 degrees-of-freedom (DOF). It you add a 'coincident constraint' between a Point and a Line, you remove 1 DOF, and 1 DOF remains. The Point can slide along the Line.
You cannot then add a new constraint between the same Point and a Point at one end of the Line. A constraint between a Point and a Point would remove 2 DOF, but only 1 DOF that remains.
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1. | SHIFT+CLICK a sketch-element in the graphic-area |
The sketch-element and constraints added to it, show in the Selection-Window.
2. | Right-click the constraint in the Selection-Window |
3. | Click Delete in the contextual-menu |
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