Sketcher ToggleDrivingConstraint

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Sketcher ToggleDrivingConstraint

Menu location
Sketch → Sketcher constraints → Toggle driving/reference constraint
Workbenches
Sketcher
Default shortcut
K X
Introduced in version
0.16
See also
Sketcher Toggle Construction

Description

The Sketcher ToggleDrivingConstraint tool turns dimensional constraints (Lock, Horizontal/Vertical distance, Length, Radius and Angle) into reference mode, and back. The icons in the toolbar turn blue, and rather than dimensional constraints, reference dimensions are created. Reference dimensions do not constrain the sketch. It can be useful to create reference dimensions in a sketch as a way to check on measurements; when given a name, they can also be used to drive constraints in another sketch through expressions.


The Sketcher Constraint toolbar with the dimensional constraints in reference dimension mode (blue).


A horizontal distance constraint (50 mm), a vertical constraint (30 mm) and an angle constraint (75°) were set to define the profile; a reference dimension was added on the slanted line segment to know its length (31.0583 mm).

Usage

Toggle tool mode

  1. There are several ways to invoke the command:
    • Press the Toggle driving/reference constraint button.
    • Select the Sketch → Sketcher constraints → Toggle driving/reference constraint option from the menu.
    • Use the keyboard shortcut: K then X.
  2. The tool mode changes.
    • Red dimensional constraints icons in the Sketcher Constraints toolbar denote the Driving mode. Following newly created constraints are created in Driving condition and also colored red.
    • Blue dimensional constraints icons in the Sketcher Constraints toolbar denote the Reference mode. Following newly created constraints are created in Reference condition and also colored blue.

Toggle constraint condition

  1. Select one or more dimensional constraints.
  2. Invoke the tool as described above, or with one of the following additional options:
    • introduced in version 0.22: Right-click in the 3D view and select the Toggle driving/reference constraint option from the context menu.
    • Right-click in the Constraints section of the Task panel and select the Toggle to/from reference option from the context menu.
  3. Selected driving constraints change to reference constraints and turn blue while selected reference constraints become driving and return to red.
    This does not change the tool mode.