Sketching

Sketching Environment

Understanding the sketching environment in SolidWorks

The sketching environment in SolidWorks is the platform where you generate 2D profiles that serve as the foundation for your 3D models. The software offers a platform where users may create and modify different sketch elements to establish the form and structure of their design. For better understanding it is crucial to follow along the guide provided.

Step 1: Launch SolidWorks software

Step 2: You will be greeted by a splash screen. To start a new sketch, click on ‘Part’.

Step 3: Choose a plane for your sketch, for now let’s choose the top plane located at the FeatureManager design tree

Step 4: Select the sketch tab from the CommandManager toolbar tab and then select sketch from the CommandManager to create a new sketch or edit the existing sketch.

Step 5: If you done all the steps correctly, your interface will be the same as the figure shown below.

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Introduction to sketch entities

Sketch entities serve as the core components of a sketch. These are the geometric shapes and components that you generate and modify within the drawing environment. Commonly utilized sketch entities in SolidWorks encompass. 

The sketch entities serve as the basis of your design and may be merged and adjusted to generate more intricate forms and features.

Using sketch tools to create and modify sketches

  1. Line Tool: Allows you to draw straight lines by specifying endpoints or lengths and angles. 
  2. Circle Tool: Lets you create circles by defining the center and radius or diameter.
  3. Rectangle Tool: Enables the creation of rectangles by specifying the corner points or dimensions.
  4. Arc Tool: Helps draw arcs by specifying the center, start point, and end point or by using other reference entities. There are 3 types of arcs; CenterPoint arc, three-point arc and tangent arc.

Applying Constrains/Relations and Dimensions

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Applying geometric constraints/relations to control the sketch geometry

Geometric constraints are regulations that may be implemented to sketch things in order to govern their interactions and behaviors.

These limitations guarantee that the drawing retains its intended form and functionality, even when altered.

SolidWorks offers a range of geometric limitations that may be applied to sketch elements. 

By implementing these geometric restrictions, you establish the connections and characteristics of the sketch elements. The restrictions guarantee the stability and predictable behaviour of the drawing when alterations or adjustments are made.

To apply a constraint, simply select the entities that you want to constrain and then choose the type of constraint at the property manager under ‘add relation’. Meanwhile, to delete a constrain, simply click on the constrain you want to remove and then hit the ‘delete’ key. 

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Adding dimensions to define the size and position of sketch entities

Dimensions enable the specification of the size, position, and other numerical attributes of sketch elements. Their role involves establishing the exact measures and placements inside the drawing, guaranteeing precision and uniformity.

The Dimension tool in SolidWorks allows users to include measurements into drawing elements. Upon selecting a sketch entity, the Dimension tool has many possibilities to set diverse sorts of dimensions 

To incorporate an additional dimension, you must first choose the Smart Dimension tool and then click on the entities that you want to add the dimension. SolidWorks presents the dimension value, which may be altered if necessary.

Quick tips when dimensioning your sketch, you can use the ‘fully define sketch’ function to add dimension to your sketch.


Sketch Modification

SolidWorks offers a variety of editing tools that enable you to change and enhance your sketches as required. These tools facilitate the modification of existing sketch entities by allowing you to trim or expand them, add fillets or chamfers, and perform other operations. Below are many frequently utilized sketches editing tools:

Trim and extend: The Trim tool enables the elimination of undesired segments of sketch elements. It may be utilized to precisely shape and form lines, arcs, or other drawing things by trimming them. On the other hand, the Extend tool helps you extend sketch entities to intersect with other entities. It allows you to lengthen lines or arcs to meet other objects within the sketch.

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Trim tool

Step 1: Activate the Trim tool. It can be found in the Sketch toolbar or the Command Manager under the Modify section.

Step 2: Select the sketch entities you want to trim while still holding the left mouse button

Step 3: Move the cursor over the portion of the selected entities that you want to remove.

Step 4: The highlighted portion of the entities will be removed. 

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Extend tool

Step 1: Activate the Extend tool. It can be found in the Sketch toolbar or the Command Manager under the Modify section.

Step 2: Select the sketch entity you want to extend.

Step 3: Move the cursor towards the entity you want to extend towards, such as a line or an arc.

Step 4: Click on the entity you want to extend towards. The selected entity will be extended to intersect with the clicked entity. 

Fillet and chamfer: The Fillet tool creates round corners between two sketch entities. You can specify a radius for the fillet to control the amount of rounding. Meanwhile, The Chamfer tool adds beveled edges between two sketch entities. You can specify the distance and angle for the chamfer to achieve the desired effect.

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Fillet tool

Step 1: Activate the Fillet tool. It can be found in the Sketch toolbar or the Command Manager under the Modify section.

Step 2: Select the corners where you want to add fillets.

Step 3: Specify the fillet radius by entering the desired value in the Fillet
PropertyManager or by clicking on the sketch entities to dynamically adjust the radius.

Step 4: Click OK or press Enter to apply the fillet to the selected entities. 

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chamfer tool

 Step 1: Activate the Chamfer tool. It can be found in the Sketch toolbar or the Command Manager under the Modify section.
Step 2: Select the corners where you want to add chamfers.
Step 3: Specify the chamfer distance and angle by entering the desired values in the Chamfer PropertyManager or by clicking on the sketch entities to dynamically adjust the distance and angle.
Step 4: Click OK or press Enter to apply the chamfer to the selected entities. 

Offset Entities: The Offset Entities tool enables the creation of parallel duplicates of pre-existing sketch entities. This tool is beneficial when you require the creation of supplementary sketch entities that are positioned at a distance from the current ones.

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offset entities tool

Step 1: Activate the Offset Entities tool. It can be found in the Sketch toolbar or the Command Manager under the Modify section.

Step 2: Select the sketch entities you want to offset. You can select multiple entities by holding down the Ctrl key.

Step 3: Enter the desired offset distance in the Offset PropertyManager. You can also click on the sketch entities or drag the blue arrow to dynamically adjust the offset distance.

Step 4: Choose the side of the original entities from which the offset entities will be created. You can select Inside, Outside, or Bi-directional offset options.

Step 5: Specify any additional options or settings in the Offset PropertyManager, such as creating construction geometry or merging the offset entities with the original entities.

Step 6: Click OK or press Enter to create the offset entities. 

Mirror: The Mirror tool enables you to create mirrored copies of sketch entities. It helps to quickly create symmetric sketches by reflecting entities across a selected line or plane.

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Mirror tool

Step 1: Activate the Mirror tool. It can be found in the Sketch toolbar or the Command Manager under the Modify section.

Step 2: Select the sketch entities you want to mirror. You can select multiple entities by holding down the Ctrl key.

Step 3: Specify the mirror line or plane by selecting a line or a plane in the graphics area. The selected entities will be mirrored across this line or plane
.
Step 4: Optionally, you can choose to trim the original entities after mirroring by checking the "Trim Original" option in the Mirror PropertyManager.

Step 5: Click OK or press Enter to create the mirrored entities. 

Linear and circular patterns: The Linear Pattern functionality enables the creation of many duplicates of a sketch item or feature along a straight route. The Circular Pattern feature enables the creation of many duplicates of a sketch item or feature, grouped in a circular pattern around a central point.

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Linear pattern

Step 1: Select the sketch entity or feature you want to pattern.

Step 2: Define the direction and distance of the linear path along which the copies will be created.

Step 3: Specify the number of instances or the spacing between instances.

Step 4: Optionally, you can specify an angle to rotate the patterned entities.

Step 5: SolidWorks will create the specified number of instances of the selected entity or feature along the defined path. 

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Circular pattern

Step 1: Select the sketch entity or feature you want to pattern.

Step 2: Specify the center point around which the copies will be arranged.

Step 3: Define the number of instances or the angle between each instance.

Step 4: Optionally, you can specify an offset angle or rotation angle to rotate the patterned entities.

Step 5: SolidWorks will create the specified number of instances of the selected entity or feature arranged in a circular pattern around the defined center point. 

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