Constraints

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Constraints

Part-Editor - Geometry menu and Constraint toolbar

Use the commands in the Geometry menu or Constraints toolbar to add Constraints:

oto a sketch-element

obetween two sketch-elements

obetween a sketch-element and the X-axis or Y-axis


See also: How to Delete a Constraint

See also: Why cannot I add another Constraint?


See also: Geometry toolbar


Geometry menu

The Geometry menu includes the commands to add Constraints to or between sketch-elements.

MD-17-Menu-Geometry-Constraints


Constraints toolbar

The Constraints toolbar is to the right of the graphics-area.

Constraints toolbar

Constraints toolbar


How to Delete a Constraint

You cannot see Constraints in the graphics-area.

To DELETE a Constraint:

1.SHIFT + Click a sketch-element or a Point* that has a constraint you want to delete.

All of the Constraints that apply to the sketch-element or Point* are now in the Selection-Window

In the Selection-Window:

2.Right-click the Constraint you want to delete

3.Click Delete element in the shortcut menu


* Point, start-Point, end-Point, or center-Point

About Merge-Points and Coincident Constraint between Points

Add MERGE-POINTS moves two Points* together, and deletes one of the Points.

Add Coincident Constraint is between two Points*. The command does not delete one of the Points*.

You can delete a Coincident constraint- see How to delete a constraint.

Usually, add a Coincident constraint for construction geometry.


* Points, start-Points, end-Points, center-Points.

Why cannot I add a Constraint to a sketch-element?

You cannot OVER-constrain a sketch-element.

For example, a Point* has only two degrees-of-freedom.

If you:

1.Add a Coincident constraint between a Point* and a Line

You cannot:

2.Also add a Coincident constraint between the same Point* and the start-Point or end-Point of the same Line.

Why?

You cannot remove three degrees-of-freedom from a Point.

You remove one degree-of-freedom from the Point. when you do '1'.

You attempt to remove two more degrees-of-freedom from the Point in '2'.

What do I need to do?

1.Delete the Coincident constraint between the Point* and the Line - see How to Delete Constraint  

2.Add the Coincident constraint between the Point* and the start-Point or end-Point of the Line.