Sketcher requirement for a sketch
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| Sketch |
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| Beginner |
| Time to complete |
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| Example files |
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Minimum requirement for a sketch[edit | edit source]
The creation of a body in the workspace PartDesign is already possible and only with the help of a closed curve (profile). The complete determination of all their dimensions and properties (fully constrained) is not yet required.
That a closed curve is present, is not self-evident and not recognizable. When connecting a circular arc to a straight line, e.g. The two endpoints are created only one above the other. You must use the coincident constraint to make a single point that actually connects the line and the arc.
A simple sketch.
Left: Curve only in four places (red, automatic constraints when drawing with Polyline) closed.
Middle: Warning - ... broken face (broken curve).
Right: Curve closed at remaining four places (green)
However, consistent parametric working means that the sketch is completely determined.
Defining a sketch completely[edit | edit source]
Even a relatively simple sketch may contain dozens of indeterminacies (indicated in the combo view as a "degrees of freedom" number). To eliminate them together at the end is a relatively confusing task.
A simple sketch; completely determined by 25 constraints, of which only 5 are dimension constraints.
This work is clearer and simpler if one immediately eliminates the "freedoms" of each added geometric element, i. this dimensions (that is, values for dimensions and placements). The provisional completeness is reached if all lines are displayed in green.
If one waits until the end of the drawing to determine, one finds remaining "freedoms" by touching the points and lines with the mouse pointer and determining where they are not yet fixed. When complete, the entire drawing is displayed in green.
If you accidentally over-constrain the sketch, a warning appears in the combo-view asking you to undo the corresponding actions (constraints).
- General: New Sketch, Edit Sketch, Attach Sketch, Reorient Sketch, Validate Sketch, Merge Sketches, Mirror Sketch, Leave Sketch, Align View to Sketch, Toggle Section View, Stop Operation, Grid, Snap, Rendering Order
- Geometries: Point, Polyline, Line, Arc From Center, Arc From 3 Points, Elliptical Arc, Hyperbolic Arc, Parabolic Arc, Circle From Center, Circle From 3 Points, Ellipse From Center, Ellipse From 3 Points, Rectangle, Centered Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Triangle, Square, Pentagon, Hexagon, Heptagon, Octagon, Polygon, Slot, Arc Slot, B-Spline, Periodic B-Spline, B-Spline From Knots, Periodic B-Spline From Knots, Toggle Construction Geometry
- Constraints:
- Dimensional Constraints: Dimension, Horizontal Dimension, Vertical Dimension, Distance Dimension, Radius/Diameter Dimension, Radius Dimension, Diameter Dimension, Angle Dimension, Lock Position
- Geometric Constraints: Coincident Constraint (Unified), Coincident Constraint, Point-On-Object Constraint, Horizontal/Vertical Constraint, Horizontal Constraint, Vertical Constraint, Parallel Constraint, Perpendicular Constraint, Tangent/Collinear Constraint, Equal Constraint, Symmetric Constraint, Block Constraint, Refraction Constraint
- Constraint Tools: Toggle Driving/Reference Constraints, Toggle Constraints
- Sketcher Tools: Fillet, Chamfer, Trim Edge, Split Edge, Extend Edge, External Projection, External Intersection, Carbon Copy, Select Origin, Select Horizontal Axis, Select Vertical Axis, Move/Array Transform, Rotate/Polar Transform, Scale, Offset, Mirror, Remove Axes Alignment, Delete All Geometry, Delete All Constraints, Copy Elements, Cut Elements, Paste Elements
- B-Spline Tools: Geometry to B-Spline, Increase B-Spline Degree, Decrease B-Spline Degree, Increase Knot Multiplicity, Decrease Knot Multiplicity, Insert Knot, Join Curves
- Visual Helpers: Select Under-Constrained Elements, Select Associated Constraints, Select Associated Geometry, Select Redundant Constraints, Select Conflicting Constraints, Toggle Circular Helper for Arcs, Toggle B-Spline Degree, Toggle B-Spline Control Polygon, Toggle B-Spline Curvature Comb, Toggle B-Spline Knot Multiplicity, Toggle B-Spline Control Point Weight, Toggle Internal Geometry, Switch Virtual Space
- Additional: Sketcher Dialog, Preferences, Sketcher scripting
- Getting started
- Installation: Download, Windows, Linux, Mac, Additional components, Docker, AppImage, Ubuntu Snap
- Basics: About FreeCAD, Interface, Mouse navigation, Selection methods, Object name, Preferences, Workbenches, Document structure, Properties, Help FreeCAD, Donate
- Help: Tutorials, Video tutorials
- Workbenches: Std Base, Assembly, BIM, CAM, Draft, FEM, Inspection, Material, Mesh, OpenSCAD, Part, PartDesign, Points, Reverse Engineering, Robot, Sketcher, Spreadsheet, Surface, TechDraw, Test Framework
- Hubs: User hub, Power users hub, Developer hub

