Step 3.2: Add Lines & Arcs as Sketch-Loop
Contents
Objective of this Step:
Learn:
| • | How to add Lines and Arc sketch-elements to give a sketch-loop. |
| • | The important differences between Merged-Points and Coincident Points |
About Sketch-Loops
A sketch-loop is a set of sketch-elements that are joined end-to-end, without a break. The shape of the sketch-loop is entirely up to the designer, of course.
The end-Point of each sketch-element must be merged to an adjacent end-Point.
When the end-Points of sketch-elements are merged in to a sketch-loop, we can do Solids menu > Add Profile
This command adds an Extrusion to the sketch-loop, to give a Solid in the graphic-area.
Difference Between Merged-points and Coincident-Points.
There are two different commands in the Part-Editor:
| A) | Add Geometry toolbar > Merge-Points |
| • | The command moves two Points to one position, and the command deletes one Point |
| • | Merge-Points is not an element. |
| • | You cannot delete the Merge-Points to recover one of the Points. You can undo with CTRL+Z, however. |
| B) | Add Constraints toolbar > Coincident Constraint |
| • | The command moves two Points to one position* but the command does not delete one Point. |
| • | Coincident-Constraint is an element, |
| • | If necessary, you can delete the Coincident-constraint. |
* A Coincident-Constraint can also move a Point to be coincident with a Circle, Arc and Line.
TOP TIP : Add Geometry toolbar > Merge-Points for a sketch-loop and sketch-loop. Add Constraints toolbar > Coincident Constraint for construction geometry. |
Video
Video: Hover Technique and Merge-Points command. |
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Merge-Points and Coincident Points
 Add Coincident Constraint between Points |
To Add Coincident Constraint
With Add Coincident active:
Note: the Point |
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 Click the sketch-element to identify constraints |
To Delete Coincident Constraint
This removes all elements from the Selection-Window.
The constraints that apply to the Point show in the Selection-Window. In the Selection-Window:
Note: If you 'Click the sketch-element', the Constraints also show in the Selection-Window. |
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Add Lines and Arcs to add the shape a Sketch-Loop
To make a sketch-loop, the end-Points of each adjacent sketch-elements must be Merged-Points If necessary, start the Part-Editor to add sketch-elements.
Use View Align if you prefer the X-axis of the new Part to be horizontal in the Part-Editor. |
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Step 2 is complete |
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To add an Arc, you must Drag two times. See Add Arc video. Drag 1: Add Start-Point and End-Point of the Arc
Drag 2: Locate the radius of the Arc
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Do 'Add Line' and 'Add Arc' commands again, two times more.
If you miss a Point as you add the sketch-elements, CTRL+Z or use Geometry toolbar > Merge-Points to merge two Points into one Point. The sketch is similar to the image to the left. |
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