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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 4.

0 Sketcher Help Topic Collection

Parametric Technology Corporation

Copyright 2008 Parametric Technology Corporation. All Rights Reserved. User and training guides and related documentation from Parametric Technology Corporation and its subsidiary companies (collectively PTC) is subject to the copyright laws of the United States and other countries and is provided under a license agreement that restricts copying, disclosure, and use of such documentation. PTC hereby grants to the licensed software user the right to make copies in printed form of this documentation if provided on software media, but only for internal/personal use and in accordance with the license agreement under which the applicable software is licensed. Any copy made shall include the PTC copyright notice and any other proprietary notice provided by PTC. Training materials may not be copied without the express written consent of PTC. This documentation may not be disclosed, transferred, modified, or reduced to any form, including electronic media, or transmitted or made publicly available by any means without the prior written consent of PTC and no authorization is granted to make copies for such purposes. Information described herein is furnished for general information only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a warranty or commitment by PTC. PTC assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this document. The software described in this document is provided under written license agreement, contains valuable trade secrets and proprietary information, and is protected by the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. It may not be copied or distributed in any form or medium, disclosed to third parties, or used in any manner not provided for in the software licenses agreement except with written prior approval from PTC. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF SOFTWARE OR ITS DOCUMENTATION CAN RESULT IN CIVIL DAMAGES AND CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. For Important Copyright, Trademark, Patent, and Licensing Information: For Windchill products, select About Windchill at the bottom of the product page. For InterComm products, on the Help main page, click the link for Copyright 2007. For other products, select Help > About on the main menu for the product. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS LEGEND This document and the software described herein are Commercial Computer Documentation and Software, pursuant to FAR 12.212(a)-(b) (OCT95) or DFARS 227.7202-1(a) and 227.7202-3(a) (JUN95), and are provided to the US Government under a limited commercial license only. For procurements predating the above clauses, use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to the restrictions set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software Clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 (OCT88) or Commercial Computer Software-Restricted Rights at FAR 52.227-19(c)(1)-(2) (JUN87), as applicable. 01012008 Parametric Technology Corporation, 140 Kendrick Street, Needham, MA 02494 USA

Table of Contents
Sketcher ....................................................................................................... 1 Using Sketcher with Intent Manager ............................................................... 2 About Sketcher Mode with the Intent Manager .............................................. 2 To Disable Intent Manager....................................................................... 2 Terminology in Sketcher.......................................................................... 2 Using Shortcuts with the Right Mouse Button ............................................. 3 Using the Toolbar Icons........................................................................... 4 Saving a Section .................................................................................... 5 Exiting Sketcher Mode ............................................................................ 5 Functionality Map ...................................................................................... 5 Sketch Menu ....................................................................................... 5 Dimension Menu.................................................................................. 6 Constrain Menu ................................................................................... 7 Modify Menu ....................................................................................... 7 Lock Menu .......................................................................................... 7 Delete Menu ....................................................................................... 7 Geom Tools Menu ................................................................................ 8 Sec Tools Menu ................................................................................... 8 Relation Menu ..................................................................................... 9 To Create a Section in 2-D Sketcher ...........................................................10 To Access the Right Mouse Button Shortcut Menu .........................................10 Configuring for Sketcher ..............................................................................11 About Sketcher Configuration Options.........................................................11 To Set Sketcher Configuration Options ........................................................11 grid_snap................................................................................................12 section_color ...........................................................................................12 show_selected_item_id .............................................................................12 sket_import_geometry_line_style...............................................................12 sketcher_auto_create_refs ........................................................................12

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Table of Contents

sketcher_blended_background ...................................................................13 sketcher_collinear_constr ..........................................................................13 sketcher_dec_places ................................................................................13 sketcher_default_font_kerning...................................................................13 sketcher_dim_of_revolve_axis ...................................................................13 sketcher_dimension_autolock ....................................................................13 sketcher_disp_constraints .........................................................................14 sketcher_disp_dimensions.........................................................................14 sketcher_disp_grid ...................................................................................14 sketcher_disp_vertices .............................................................................14 sketcher_disp_weak_dimensions................................................................14 sketcher_equal_length_constr ...................................................................14 sketcher_equal_radii_constr ......................................................................15 sketcher_grid_angle .................................................................................15 sketcher_grid_method ..............................................................................15 sketcher_import_exact_geom ....................................................................15 sketcher_intent_manager..........................................................................15 sketcher_lineup_hor_constr.......................................................................15 sketcher_lineup_ver_constr .......................................................................15 sketcher_lock_modified_dims ....................................................................16 sketcher_midpoint_constr .........................................................................16 sketcher_palette_path ..............................................................................16 sketcher_parallel_constr ...........................................................................16 sketcher_perpendicular_constr ..................................................................16 sketcher_point_on_entity_constr................................................................16 sketcher_refit_after_dim_modify................................................................16 sketcher_rel_accuracy ..............................................................................17 sketcher_same_point_constr .....................................................................17 sketcher_save_preview_image...................................................................17 sketcher_set_grid_x_spacing .....................................................................17 sketcher_set_grid_y_spacing .....................................................................17 iv

Table of Contents

sketcher_starts_in_2d ..............................................................................17 sketcher_symmetric_constr .......................................................................17 sketcher_tangent_constr...........................................................................18 sketcher_undo_reorient_view ....................................................................18 sketcher_undo_stack_limit ........................................................................18 Setting Sketcher Environment ......................................................................18 About Sketcher Preferences.......................................................................18 To Set Constraint Preferences ....................................................................18 To Set Miscellaneous Preferences ...............................................................19 To Set Sketcher Parameters ......................................................................20 Working with the Sketcher Grid..................................................................20 Modifying the Grid Spacing .....................................................................21 To Set Sketcher Color ...............................................................................22 To Set the Line Style and Color of Sketcher Geometry...................................22 To Change Sketcher Accuracy ....................................................................22 To Change Sketcher Accuracy (OFF) ...........................................................23 To Change the Anchor Point (OFF)..............................................................23 References.................................................................................................23 About References .....................................................................................23 To Create References................................................................................24 To Create References with the X sec Option .................................................25 To Create References for a Section .............................................................25 About Replacing a Reference .....................................................................25 To Replace a Reference.............................................................................26 About Using Intent Object or Composite Curve as Sketcher Reference.............27 Creating Sketcher Geometry ........................................................................27 About Creating Geometry in Sketcher .........................................................27 To Create a Line ......................................................................................28 To Create a Centerline ..............................................................................28 To Create a Line Tangent to Two Entities.....................................................29 To Create a Centerline Tangent to Two Entities ............................................29 v

Table of Contents

To Create a Rectangle...............................................................................29 To Create a Circle ....................................................................................29 To Create a Circle Tangent to Three Entities ................................................30 To Create a Circle Through Three Points ......................................................30 To Create an Ellipse..................................................................................30 Rules for Creating an Ellipse ......................................................................31 To Create a Conic.....................................................................................31 To Create an Arc ......................................................................................31 Example: Creating an Arc using a Target.....................................................32 To Create a Fillet Arc ................................................................................33 Sketching a Fillet Arc ................................................................................33 Example: Fillet Arcs..................................................................................33 To Create an Arc Tangent to Three Entities ..................................................34 To Create an Elliptical Fillet .......................................................................34 To Create a Spline....................................................................................34 Using a Coordinate System........................................................................34 To Create a Coordinate System ..................................................................35 To Interpret a Coordinate System as Cartesian or Polar.................................35 Creating an Axis Point...............................................................................35 To Create an Axis Point .............................................................................35 To Create Text in Sketcher ........................................................................35 About Undo and Redo Operations for Sketcher .............................................37 Creating Geometry from Model Edges .........................................................38 About the Use Edge Option .....................................................................38 To Create Geometry with the Use Edge Option ..........................................38 Example: Creating Geometry with the Use Edge Option ..............................39 To Create Reference Entities by Intersection .............................................39 To Create a Single Trimmed Edge (OFF) ...................................................39 Tip: Determining the End of a Trimmed Spline ..........................................40 Creating Geometry with the Offset Edge Option ...........................................40 About the Offset Edge Option ..................................................................40 vi

Table of Contents

To Create Geometry with the Offset Edge Option .......................................41 Using Offset Edge, Select Chain Options ...................................................41 Manipulating Sketcher Geometry ..................................................................42 About Dividing and Trimming Entities .........................................................42 To Trim and Extend Entities.......................................................................42 To Trim Entities to Each Other ...................................................................42 To Trim Entities by an Incremental Length (OFF)..........................................42 To Trim Entities to a Bounding Entity (OFF) .................................................42 To Trim Entities to a Specific Length (OFF) ..................................................43 To Intersect Entities (OFF) ........................................................................43 To Use the Delete Segment Command ........................................................43 To Divide Entities .....................................................................................44 Mirroring Geometry ..................................................................................44 To Mirror Geometry ..................................................................................44 About Cut, Copy, and Paste Operations .......................................................44 To Cut and Paste Geometry .......................................................................45 To Copy and Paste Geometry.....................................................................46 Sketcher Selection Filter ..............................................................................47 About the Sketcher Selection Filter .............................................................47 To Use the Sketcher Selection Filter............................................................47 Example: Using the Sketcher Selection Filter ...............................................48 Working with Sections .................................................................................51 About Importing Files into Sketcher ............................................................51 To Retrieve an Existing Section or Drawing ..................................................52 To Import Files Into Sketcher ....................................................................52 About the Sketcher Palette ........................................................................53 To Add a Tab to the Sketcher Palette ..........................................................54 To Add a Section to the Sketcher Palette Tab ...............................................55 To Import a Shape from the Sketcher Palette...............................................55 To Dimension a Section.............................................................................56 Tip: Dimensioning a Section to Part Edges...................................................56 vii

Table of Contents

To Exit Sketcher with an Incomplete Section................................................57 Dimensioning Sketcher Geometry .................................................................57 Dimensioning Basics .................................................................................57 Deleting Weak Dimensions .....................................................................57 To Create Dimensions (basic) ....................................................................57 To Strengthen Weak Dimensions ................................................................58 To Control the Display of Dimensions ..........................................................58 Replacing a Dimension..............................................................................58 To Replace a Dimension ............................................................................58 To Add Relations to a Section ....................................................................58 To Modify Dimension Values ......................................................................59 Entering Negative Dimensions ...................................................................59 To Modify the Number of Decimal Places in Dimensions .................................59 To Lock or Unlock Section Dimensions ........................................................60 Automatically Locking User-defined Dimensions ...........................................60 To Use the Drag Dim Val Option (OFF) ........................................................61 Creating Major Dimension Types ................................................................61 To Create Linear Dimensions...................................................................61 To Create Diameter Dimensions ..............................................................62 Example: Creating Diameter Dimensions ..................................................62 To Create Radial Dimensions...................................................................63 To Create Angular Dimensions ................................................................64 To Create an Angle Dimension for an Arc ..................................................64 Example: Creating Angular Arc Dimensions...............................................64 To Create an Angle Dimension between Lines............................................65 Example: Creating an Angle Dimension Between Lines ...............................65 Dimensioning a Spline ..............................................................................65 About Dimensioning a Spline...................................................................65 To Create Spline Linear Dimensions .........................................................66 To Create Spline Tangency Dimensions ....................................................66 To Create a Radius-of-Curvature Dimension..............................................66 viii

Table of Contents

To Dimension Spline Interpolation Points ..................................................67 Dimensioning a Conic ...............................................................................67 About Conic Dimensions .........................................................................67 To Dimension a Conic by Its Endpoints (OFF) ............................................67 Tips: Creating a Conic Tangency Dimension ..............................................67 To Create a Conic Tangency Dimension ....................................................68 Example: The rho Dimension of a Conic....................................................68 To Dimension a Conic Using rho ..............................................................68 The Three Point Dimension .....................................................................69 To Dimension a Conic Defined by Three Points ..........................................69 Creating Other Dimension Types ................................................................69 About a Perimeter Dimension ..................................................................69 Example: Perimeter Dimension ...............................................................70 To Create a Perimeter Dimension ............................................................70 To Create a Perimeter Dimension (OFF)....................................................70 To Create Reference Dimensions .............................................................71 To Create Reference Dimensions (OFF) ....................................................71 Creating Ordinate Dimensions .................................................................71 To Create Ordinate Dimensions ...............................................................71 Example: Creating Ordinate Dimensions ...................................................72 To Dimension an Elliptic Fillet or Ellipse ....................................................72 About Known Dimensions .......................................................................73 To Create Known Dimension ...................................................................73 To Create Known Dimension (OFF) ..........................................................73 To Use Known Dimensions (OFF) .............................................................73 Moving or Replacing Entities .........................................................................74 To Move Entities ......................................................................................74 To Translate, Rotate, or Scale a Section ......................................................74 To Replace an Entity.................................................................................74 To Move Dimensions (OFF) ........................................................................75 To Drag a Single Entity (OFF) ....................................................................76 ix

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To Drag Multiple Entities (OFF) ..................................................................76 To Use the Drag Entity Option (OFF)...........................................................76 To Use the Drag Vertex Option (OFF)..........................................................76 Constraining Geometry ................................................................................77 About Using Sketcher Constraints...............................................................77 Constraints for the Entities Created with Use Edge or Offset Edge ................77 Graphic Display of Constraints ...................................................................77 To Control the Display of Constraints ..........................................................78 Supported Constraints ..............................................................................78 To Create Constraints ...............................................................................79 To Delete a Constraint ..............................................................................79 To Strengthen Constraints.........................................................................80 To Obtain Information about a Constraint....................................................80 To Make Circular or Elliptic Entities of Equal Radius.......................................80 To Control the Display of Constraints (OFF) .................................................81 Modifying a Section .....................................................................................81 To Delete Entities.....................................................................................81 To Create Construction Entities ..................................................................81 To Resolve a Conflict ................................................................................81 Sketcher Hints .........................................................................................82 Modifying Sketcher Text............................................................................82 To Modify Sketcher Text .........................................................................82 To Modify the Height and Orientation of Text ............................................83 Modifying a Spline ....................................................................................83 About Modifying a Spline ........................................................................83 About the Spline Modification User Interface .............................................83 Dashboard Slide-up Panel ....................................................................83 Dashboard Dialog Bar .........................................................................84 Shortcut Menu ...................................................................................84 To Set the Curvature Display for a Spline .................................................84 To Move Interpolation points...................................................................85 x

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To Add Points or Vertices........................................................................85 To Add an Endpoint ...............................................................................85 To Delete Points or Vertices ....................................................................85 To Use the Control Polygon Option...........................................................85 To Add a Point to a Control Polygon .........................................................86 To Delete a Point From a Control Polygon .................................................86 To Move a Spline Along With the Control Polygon ......................................86 To Sparse a Spline.................................................................................86 To Smooth a Spline ...............................................................................86 To Modify the Coordinates of Spline Points................................................87 To Save Spline Coordinates to a File ........................................................87 To Read in Spline Coordinates From a File ................................................87 Tip: Reading in Spline Coordinates...........................................................88 To Obtain Information about Spline Coordinates ........................................88 To Manipulate a Spline by Its Coordinates (OFF)........................................88 To Specify New Values for Spline Coordinates (OFF)...................................89 To Modify the Number of Spline Points (OFF) ............................................89 To Move a Point on a Spline Based on a Local Coordinate System ................89 To Associate a Spline to a Coordinate System ...........................................90 To Move a Range of Points on a Spline .....................................................90 To Move a Spline Along With the Control Polygon (OFF)..............................90 Section Geometry Information ......................................................................91 To Obtain Information About Section Geometry............................................91 Using a Coordinate System to Obtain Section Information (OFF) ....................92 Creating a Feature Section ...........................................................................92 About Using Sketcher to Create a Feature Section ........................................92 To Create a Feature Section (basic) ............................................................93 To Enter Sketcher Environment (basic) .......................................................93 To Specify and Orient the Sketching Plane...................................................94 Tip: Orienting the Sketching Plane..............................................................94 About the Default Orientation Reference .....................................................94 xi

Table of Contents

About Modifying the Sketch Setup ..............................................................95 To Modify the Sketch Setup .......................................................................96 To Modify the Sketch Setup Using the Menu Manager....................................97 Sketcher Diagnostic Tools ............................................................................97 About Sketcher Diagnostic Tools ................................................................97 To Detect Entities that Form Closed Loops ...................................................98 To Detect Open Ends of Entities .................................................................98 To Detect Overlapping Geometry................................................................99 To Analyze Requirements of the Current Feature ..........................................99 Index ......................................................................................................... 101

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Sketcher Sketcher Overview


The Sketcher Help describes how to sketch section geometry, configure a sketch, create references to dimension and constrain the sketch geometry, and other operations that you can perform with a sketch. Further, you can use the sketch section to create features. Tasks for Sketcher

Setting Up and Configuring Sketcher Setting Sketcher Preference Creating References Setting Sketcher Configuration Options

Using Dimensions and Constraints Dimensioning Basics Using Sketcher Constraints

Getting Productive Working with Sections Creating Geometry in Sketcher Importing Files into Sketcher Using Sketcher Diagnostic Tools Using the Sketcher Palette

Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

Using Sketcher with Intent Manager


About Sketcher Mode with the Intent Manager
The Intent Manager enables you to dynamically dimension and constrain geometry as you sketch. Before you enable Intent Manager for an existing section, make sure the section is successfully regenerated. Any extra dimensions found by Sketcher will be converted into reference dimensions. To set Sketcher to use Intent Manager by default, set the configuration option sketcher_intent_manager to yes.

To Disable Intent Manager


You can disable Intent Manager by clicking Sketch > Intent Manager. Note: Topics that have the term "OFF" in their titles, exclusively discuss the Intent Manager OFF behaviour for that functionality.

Terminology in Sketcher
The following glossary lists terminology used in Sketcher. Term Entity Definition Any element of the section geometry (such as line, arc, circle, spline, conic, point, or coordinate system). You create entities when you sketch, divide, or intersect the section geometry, or when you reference geometry outside the section. Reference entity An entity of the section that is created in 3-D Sketcher when you reference geometry outside the section. The referenced geometry (for example, part edge) is "known" to Sketcher. For example, creating a dimension to a part edge creates a reference entity in the section which is the projection of that part edge onto the sketching plane. Dimension A measurement of an entity or a relationship among entities.

Sketcher

Constraint

A condition defining the geometry of the entity or a relationship among entities. A constraint symbol appears next to the entity to which the constraint is applied. For example, you can constrain two lines to be parallel. A parallel constraint symbol appears to indicate this.

Parameter Relation

An auxiliary numerical value in Sketcher. An equation relating dimensions and/or parameters. For example, a relation can be used to set the length of one line to be half the length of some other line.

Weak dimension or constraint

A dimension or constraint is called "weak" if Sketcher can remove it when appropriate without any confirmation from the user. Dimensions created by Sketcher are weak. When you add a dimension, Sketcher can remove an extra weak dimension or constraint without any confirmation. Weak dimensions and constraints appear in gray.

Strong dimension or constraint

A dimension or constraint is called "strong" if Sketcher cannot delete it automatically. Dimensions and constraints created by the user are always strong. If several strong dimensions or constraints are in conflict, Sketcher asks you to remove one. Strong dimensions and constraints appear in yellow.

Conflict

Contradicting or redundant conditions of two or more strong dimensions or constraints. When this occurs, the conflict must be resolved immediately by removing an undesired constraint or dimension.

Using Shortcuts with the Right Mouse Button


You can access the most frequently used drafting operations by pressing the right mouse button. Additionally the right mouse button shortcut menu is context sensitive.

Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

The right mouse button shortcut menu is divided into three areas. The top of the menu contains editing, manipulation and selection commands. The middle portion of the menu contains creation commands and the bottom portion of the menu always contains the Undo command. Note: You cannot access this menu when you are in rubberband mode.

Using the Toolbar Icons


After you enter Sketcher, the toolbar displays the icons for the following options: o o Select Create Line Create Centerline o o Create Rectangle Create Circle, Concentric Circle, Ellipse Create Concentric Circle Create Ellipse o Create Arc Create Concentric Arc Create Center/Endpoints Arc Create Conic Arc o Create Circular Fillet Create Elliptical Fillet o o Create Spline Create Points Create Coordinate System o Create entity from edge Offset Edge o o o o o o Dimension Modify Constrain Create Text Trim/Divide Entity Mirror Rotate 4

Sketcher

Copy o Continue/Quit Section

Saving a Section
To save the section before exiting Sketcher, click File > Save or click the Save icon on the toolbar. The system creates a file with extension ".sec".

Exiting Sketcher Mode


To exit Sketcher after you are finished creating a section, click Sketch > Done. To exit Sketcher and discard any sketched geometry, click Sketch > Quit.

Functionality Map
Sketch Menu Point- Sketch > Point Line Geometry 2 Points-Sketch > Line 2 Tangent-Sketch > Line, snap, modify Centerline 2 Points-Sketch > Centerline 2 Tangent-Sketch > Centerline, snap, modify Rectangle-Sketch > Rectangle Arc Tangent End-Sketch > Arc, snap, modify Concentric-Sketch > Arc > Concentric 3 Tangent-Sketch > Arc, snap, modify Fillet-Sketch > Fillet > Circular Center\Ends-Sketch > Arc > Center and Ends 3 Point-Sketch > Arc Circle Geometry Center/Point-Sketch > Circle Concentric-Sketch > Circle > Concentric 3 Tangent-Sketch > Circle, snap, modify

Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

Fillet-Sketch > Circle, snap, modify 3 Point-Sketch > Circle, drag Construction Center/Point-Sketch > Circle, Edit > Toggle Construction (Select items first) Concentric-Sketch > Circle > Concentric, Edit > Toggle Construction (Select items first) 3 Tangent-Sketch > Circle, snap, modify, Edit > Toggle Construction (Select items first) Fillet-Sketch > Circle, snap, modify, Edit > Toggle Construction (Select items first) 3 Point-Sketch > Circle, drag, Edit > Toggle Construction (Select items first) Adv Geometry Conic-Sketch > Arc > Conic Coord Sys-Sketch > Coordinate System Elliptic Fillet-Sketch > Fillet > Elliptical Ellipse-Sketch > Circle > Ellipse Spline Sketch Points-Sketch > Spline None-Sketch > Spline, don't snap Start-Sketch > Spline, snap End-Sketch > Spline, snap Both-Sketch > Spline, snap Control Poly-Sketch > Spline, modify Approx Chain select entities-Edit > Convert to > Spline Text-Sketch > Text Axis Point-Sketch > Feature Tools > Axis Point Blend Vertex-Sketch > Feature Tools > Blend Vertex (Select item first) Dimension Menu Strengthen-Edit > Convert to > Strong (Select items first) Normal-Sketch > Dimension > Normal Perimeter-Edit > Convert to > Perimeter (Select items first) Baseline-Sketch > Dimension > Baseline Replace-Edit > Replace

Sketcher

Constrain Menu Create Same Points-Sketch > Constrain Horizontal-Sketch > Constrain Vertical-Sketch > Constrain Point on Entity-Sketch > Constrain Tangent-Sketch > Constrain Perpendicular-Sketch > Constrain Parallel-Sketch > Constrain Equal Radii-Sketch > Constrain Equal Lengths-Sketch > Constrain Symmetric-Sketch > Constrain Line Up Horizontal-Sketch > Constrain Line Up Vertical-Sketch > Constrain Collinear-Sketch > Constrain Alignment-Sketch > Constrain Explain-Sketch > Constrain Strengthen-Edit > Convert to > Strong (Select items first) Modify Menu Mod Entity-Edit > Modify Drag Dim Val-Edit > Modify, select dim, click Regenerate Set Anchor-Edit > Toggle Lock (Select items first) Scale-Edit > Modify, select dim(s), click Lock Scale Lock Menu Lock>Unlock-Edit > Toggle Lock (Select items first) Lock All Dims-Edit > Toggle Lock (Select items first) Delete Menu Delete Item-Edit > Delete (Select items first) Delete Many-Edit > Delete (Select items first) Delete All-Edit > Delete (Select items first)

Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

Geom Tools Menu Intersect-Edit > Trim > Divide Trim-Edit > Trim > Corner Bound-Edit > Trim > Delete Segment Corner-Edit > Trim > Corner Divide-Edit > Trim > Divide Use Edge Sel Edge-Sketch > Edge > Use Sel Loop-Sketch > Edge > Use Sel Chain-Sketch > Edge > Use Offset Edge Sel Edge-Sketch > Edge > Offset Sel Loop-Sketch > Edge > Offset Sel Chain-Sketch > Edge > Offset Tapered-Edit > Convert to > Tapered (Select items first) Mirror-Edit > Mirror (Select items first) Replace-Edit > Replace Rotate-Edit > Scale and Rotate (Select items first) Sec Tools Menu Copy Layout-File > Import > Layout, retrieve layout Copy Draw-File > Import> Append to Model..., retrieve Drawing Place Section-Sketch > Data from File..., retrieve Sketch Sec Environ Disp Verts-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Display, Vertices Disp Constr-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Display, Constraints Disp Dim-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Display, Dimensions Grid Grid-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Display, Grid Type-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Parameters, Cartesian or Polar Origin-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Parameters Params-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Parameters Num Digits-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Parameters Accuracy-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Parameters 8

Sketcher

Declaration-Sketch > Feature Tools > Declaration Sec Info Entity-Analysis > Entity Intersect Pt-Analysis > Intersection Point Tangent Pt-Analysis > Tangency Point References-Sketch > References Angle-Analysis > Angle Distance-Analysis > Distance CrvtureDisp-Analysis > Curvature Grid Info-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Parameters Start Point-Sketch > Feature Tools > Start Point Toggle-Sketch > Feature Tools > Toggle Section Relation Menu Add- Tools > Options > Relations Edit Rel- Tools > Options > Relations Show Rel- Tools > Options > Relations Evaluate- Tools > Options > Relations Sort Rel- Tools > Options > Relations Show Dim- Tools > Options > Relations Switch Dim- Tools > Options > Relations Add Param- Tools > Options > Relations Del Param- Tools > Options > Relations Session ID- Tools > Options > Relations User Prog- Tools > Options > Relations Where Used- Tools > Options > Relations Undo-Edit > Undo Redo-Edit > Redo Sketch View-View > Sketch View Done-Sketch > Done Quit-Sketch > Quit Use 2D Sketcher-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Display, Use 2D Sketcher Snap to Grid-Sketch > Options > Sketcher Preferences, Display, Snap to Grid [for swept blend feature with selected sections] 9

Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

Sel-Curve>Edge

To Create a Section in 2-D Sketcher


1. Sketch the section geometry. The system adds dimensions and constraints automatically as you create the section. 2. Redefine the dimensioning scheme, as needed. You can modify the dimensioning scheme created by Sketcher by adding your own dimensions and constraints. You cannot explicitly delete any system dimensions. As you add dimensions and constraints, the system automatically deletes system (weak) dimensions and constraints that are no longer necessary. If you want to keep the system dimensions and constraints, strengthen them before exiting Sketcher. 3. Add section relations, if desired. 4. Add relations to control the behavior of your section. 5. Save the section before exiting.

To Access the Right Mouse Button Shortcut Menu


The right mouse button shortcut menu is context sensitive. Sketcher dynamically assembles the shortcut menu taking the following factors into consideration: What command is currently invoked What kind of entity is selected What is currently pre-highlighted

The top portion of the menu contains editing, manipulation and selection commands. Some of the commands that the top portion may include are: Accept Delete Enable/Disable Modify Next Pick Previous Query Sel Strong Unlock

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Sketcher

Unselect last

The middle portion of the menu contains creation commands. Generally the following commands are available: Line Rectangle Circle 3 Point/Tangent Arc Centerline Fillet Dimension

The menu, in its lower portion, lists only the following command: Undo-Undo the most recent operation.

Note: You cannot access the shortcut menu when you are in rubberband mode.

Configuring for Sketcher


About Sketcher Configuration Options
You can preset environment options and other global settings by entering the settings you want in a configuration file. To set configuration file options click Tools > Options. This help module contains a list of configuration options, in alphabetical order, showing for each option or group of related options: Configuration option name. Associated variables or values. The default values for the options are shown in italics. Brief description.

To Set Sketcher Configuration Options


1. Click Tools > Options. The Options dialog box opens. 2. Click the Show only options loaded from file check box to see currently loaded configuration options or clear this check box to see all configuration options. 3. Select the configuration option from the list or type the configuration option name in the Option box. 4. In the Value box type or select a value. Note: The default value is followed by an asterisk (*). 11

Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

5. Click Add/Change. The configuration option and its value appear in the list. A green status icon confirms the change. 6. When you finish configuring, click Apply or OK.

grid_snap
yes, no yes-Pick points snap to a grid no-Turns the grid snap off so that any location can be picked.

section_color
default, drawing_color
Specifies the color of sketched sections. default-Color is cyan. drawing_color-Color is white. After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER.

show_selected_item_id
yes, no yes-Displays the entity ID in the help text. no-Does not display the entity ID in the help text. Once set, this option takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER.

sket_import_geometry_line_style
yes, no yes-Line style and color of the imported geometry entity are retained when you preview the geometry entity in the sketcher palette or import the geometry into an active section. no-Line style and color setting of the current sketcher session is used when you preview the geometry entity in the sketcher palette or import the geometry into an active section.

sketcher_auto_create_refs
0, 1, 2 0-Does not create the dimensioning references automatically. 1-Automatically adds orientation references as dimensioning references.

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Sketcher

2-Automatically creates two dimensioning references.

sketcher_blended_background
yes, no
yes-Use blended background in 3D Sketcher. The option has no effect if blended background is turned off generally. After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER.

sketcher_collinear_constr
yes, no
yes-Collinear constraints are used by the Intent Manager. no-Collinear constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

sketcher_dec_places
value (default=2) Sets the default number of decimal places displayed for dimensions in Sketcher. The extrusion depth or any other dimension you enter to create 3D geometry is controlled by the default_dec_places option. After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER and affects the subsequent settings of decimal places displayed for dimensions in Sketcher.

sketcher_default_font_kerning
yes, no yes-Enables font kerning for the text string. This controls the space between certain pairs of characters, improving the appearance of the text string. Kerning is a characteristic of the particular font. no-Font kerning for the text string is not considered.

sketcher_dim_of_revolve_axis
yes, no yes-Sketcher solver will automatically create diameter dimensions for dimensions created by Intent Manager to Axis of Revolution. no-Sketcher solver will not create diameter dimensions for dimensions created by Intent Manager to Axis of Revolution.

sketcher_dimension_autolock
yes, no

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Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

yes-User-defined dimensions are locked when created. no-User-defined dimensions are not locked when created.

sketcher_disp_constraints
yes, no
Shows the constraints when sketching in Sketcher Mode; for example, H for horizontal, V for vertical, and so on. After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER.

sketcher_disp_dimensions
yes, no
This configuration option when set to no, suppresses all dimensions displayed in a sketcher session. After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER.

sketcher_disp_grid
yes, no yes-Display the sketcher grid. After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER and affects the subsequent display.

sketcher_disp_vertices
yes, no
Places yellow points on vertices in sketcher. After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER.

sketcher_disp_weak_dimensions
yes, no
yes-weak dimensions are displayed. no-weak dimensions are not displayed.

sketcher_equal_length_constr
yes, no
yes-Equal length constraints are used by the Intent Manager.

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Sketcher

no-Equal length constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

sketcher_equal_radii_constr
yes, no
yes-Equal radii constraints are used by the Intent Manager. no-Equal radii constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

sketcher_grid_angle
<value> Enter a grid angle value to overide the default grid angle value.

sketcher_grid_method
number Enter an x grid spacing value to override the default x grid spacing value.

sketcher_import_exact_geom
yes,no
Improves the performance while importing geometry.

sketcher_intent_manager
yes, no
yes-The Intent Manager the default no-The old sketcher is the default. After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER, the next time you access Sketcher.

sketcher_lineup_hor_constr
yes, no
yes-Line up horizontal constraints are used by the Intent Manager. no-Line up horizontal constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

sketcher_lineup_ver_constr
yes, no
yes-Line up vertical constraints are used by the Intent Manager. no-Line up vertical constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

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Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

sketcher_lock_modified_dims
yes, no yes-Modified dimensions are locked. no-Modified dimensions are not locked.

sketcher_midpoint_constr
yes, no yes-Midpoint constraints are used by the Intent Manager. no-Midpoint constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

sketcher_palette_path
<path> Specifies the path for the sketcher shape directory that contains the subdirectories that define the tabs and shapes that you define for the sketcher palette. You can also specify a PDM location as the sketcher shape directory. Ensure that you are in the PDM environment and have adequate access rights to the PDM location.

sketcher_parallel_constr
yes, no
yes-Parallel constraints are used by the Intent Manager. no-Parallel constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

sketcher_perpendicular_constr
yes, no
yes-Perpendicular constraints are used by the Intent Manager. no-Perpendicular constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

sketcher_point_on_entity_constr
yes, no
yes-Point on entity constraints are used by the Intent Manager. no-Point on entity constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

sketcher_refit_after_dim_modify
yes, no
Controls the behavior of altering the view after a modification has been made to refit the entire sketch on screen.

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Sketcher

sketcher_rel_accuracy
<value> Enter a sketcher relative accuracy.

sketcher_same_point_constr
yes, no
yes-Same point constraints are used by the Intent Manager. no-Same point constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

sketcher_save_preview_image
yes, no Controls whether selection files should be saved with embedded image information used to preview sections in the File and Open dialog boxes.

sketcher_set_grid_x_spacing
number Enter a x grid spacing value to override the default x grid spacing value.

sketcher_set_grid_y_spacing
number Enter a y grid spacing value to override the default y grid spacing value.

sketcher_starts_in_2d
yes, no
Defines initial model orientation in Sketcher mode. yes-2D orientation, looking directly at section (sketching) plane. no-Orientation unchanged. Sketch directly on the 3D part. After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER and affects the subsequent orientation of models in Sketcher.

sketcher_symmetric_constr
yes, no
yes-Symmetric constraints are used by the Intent Manager. no-Symmetric constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

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Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

sketcher_tangent_constr
yes, no
yes-Tangent constraints are used by the Intent Manager. no-Tangent constraints are not used by the Intent Manager.

sketcher_undo_reorient_view
yes, no yes-You can undo a view orientation operation in Sketcher. no-You cannot undo a view orientation operation in Sketcher.

sketcher_undo_stack_limit
Sketcher saves a copy of each function performed. The number of possible saved functions depends on the number specified in the option. The undo menu can be used to remove the stored functions. After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER.

Setting Sketcher Environment


About Sketcher Preferences
You can customize the Sketcher environment by clicking Sketch > Options. The Sketcher Preferences dialog box that appears allows you to do the following: Show/hide the screen grid, vertices, constraints, dimensions, and weak dimensions. Set Sketcher constraint preferences. Change the grid parameters. Change Sketcher accuracy and the number of decimal places in dimensions.

To Set Constraint Preferences


1. In Sketcher mode, click Sketch > Options . Pro/ENGINEER displays the Sketcher Preferences dialog box. 2. Click the Constraints tab. 3. The Constraints tabbed page lists the following constraints. You can control the constraints that Sketcher assumes by placing or removing a check mark: o o o Line Up Horizontal Line Up Vertical Parallel

18

Sketcher o o o o o o o 4. Click

Perpendicular Equal Length Equal Radii Collinear Symmetric Midpoint Tangent to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

Note: To reset default constraints, click the Default button. To ignore the changes and close the dialog box click .

To Set Miscellaneous Preferences


1. In Sketcher mode, click Sketch > Options. Pro/ENGINEER displays the Sketcher Preferences dialog box. 2. Click the Miscellaneous tabbed page. This page lists the following options: Grid-Display of the screen grid. Vertices-Display of vertices. You can control the display of vertices by setting the sketcher_disp_vertices configuration option. Constraints-Display of constraints. You can control the display of constraints by setting the sketcher_disp_constraints configuration option. Dimensions-Display of all section dimensions. Weak Dimensions-Display of weak dimensions. Entity ID on Help Text-Display of the entity ID in the help text. This help text along with the entity ID is displayed in the Selected Items dialog box. You can control the display of the entity ID in the help text by setting the show_selected_item_id configuration option. Snap To Grid-Engage or disengage the snap to grid option. Lock Modified Dimensions-Lock modified dimensions. Lock User Defined Dimensions-Lock user defined dimensions. You can automatically lock the automatic user-defined dimensions by setting the sketcher_dimension_autolock configuration option. Start in Sketch View-Orient model so that the sketching plane is parallel to the screen. Import Line Style and Color-Preserve the line style and color of the source sketcher geometry when you perform any of the following operations: 19

Sketcher - Help Topic Collection o o o

Cut, copy, and paste Import a shape from the sketcher palette Import a section file button to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

3. Click the

Note: To reset default display preferences, click the Default. To ignore the changes and close the dialog box click .

To Set Sketcher Parameters


1. In Sketcher mode, click Sketch > Options. The Sketcher Preferences dialog box opens. 2. Click the Parameters tab. 3. The Parameters tabbed page lists the following options: o o Grid-You can modify the grid Origin, Angle and Type. Grid Spacing-You can change the spacing of both the Cartesian and Polar grids. Select Automatic or Manual from the drop-down list box to achieve the following: Automatic-Grid scales adjust depending on the zoom factor. Manual-x and y remain constant at the specified values. o Accuracy-You can modify the number of decimal places that the system displays for dimensions. In addition you can change the relative accuracy for Sketcher solving. button to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

4. Click the

Note: To reset default parameters, click the Default button. To ignore the changes and close the dialog box click .

Working with the Sketcher Grid


Sketcher mode supports both Cartesian and polar grids. When you first enter Sketcher mode, the system displays a Cartesian grid. Before beginning the sketch, the grid can be one of two sizes: For the first feature section of a part and for auxiliary sketches such as blind holes, the grid has a spacing equal to one model unit. For example, sketching a box 4x6 grid spaces creates a box measuring 4x6 units.

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Sketcher

Additional section sketches for a model use a grid for reference only. You can modify this grid spacing, but the first grid displayed is scaled for the current part size and does not have a value of one unit between grid lines.

You can set the grid intersection at the following locations: Sketched entity endpoint and center of arc/circle Sketched point and coordinate system Datum point and coordinate system Edge or curve vertex

To do so, open the Sketcher Preferences dialog box and click the Parameters tab. Click the mouse pointer button and then appropriate geometry to locate the origin.

Modifying the Grid Spacing


You can use the Manual or Automatic options located in the drop-down list in the Sketcher Preferences dialog box to control grid spacing. Automatic adjusts grid spacing depending on the zoom factor. Use Manual to modify the grid spacing and angle. Use this option when you first start a sketch (before any geometry has been created) to control the approximate size of the section. To modify the grid spacing or angle, open the Sketcher Preferences dialog box and click the Parameters tab. Next, select Manual from the drop-down list. The options available depend on the grid type. For a Cartesian grid, the available options are as follows: X&Y Spacing-Set the spacing in both the x- and y- directions to the same value. X Spacing-Set the x-direction spacing only. Y Spacing-Set the y-direction spacing only. Angle-Set the angle of the grid lines relative to the x-axis.

For a polar grid, the options are as follows: Ang Spacing-Set the angular spacing between radial lines. The specified value must divide evenly into 360. Num Lines-Set the number of radial lines. The angular spacing is 360 divided by the number of lines. Rad Spacing-Modify the spacing of the circular grid. Angle-Modify the angle between the horizontal and the 0 degree radial line. to control the display of sketcher grids.

Note: Click

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Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

To Set Sketcher Color


The default color for section geometry is cyan. You can change this color by using the configuration file option section_color. You can also change the color by selecting View > Display Settings > System Colors. The new color applies to both new and modified geometry.

To Set the Line Style and Color of Sketcher Geometry


You can set the line style and color of the sketcher geometry. The line style and color of the sketch geometry is preserved when you quit the sketcher mode or reenter the sketcher mode. 1. Click Sketch > Line Style > Set Line Style. The Line Style dialog box opens. 2. Use the following options to modify the line style: Style-Select a name for the line style by selecting a style from a list of existing line style names. Existing Line-Select an existing line using Select Line. The line style of the selected line is used to set the line style. Line Font-Set a line font by selecting a font from the list of available line fonts. Color-Set the color by selecting a color from the Color dialog box.

3. Click Apply to apply the line style or Cancel to close the dialog box without making changes. If you click Reset, the line style resets to the original values. Alternatively, to set the line style and color for an individual sketcher geometry, select the required sketcher geometry and click Properties on the shortcut menu. In the Line Style dialog box that opens, set the required options. Note: Sketcher geometry created before setting the line style and color retains its line style and color. Only newly created sketcher geometry acquires the set line style and color. You can clear the line style and color setting. Click Sketch > Line Style > Clear Line Style. When you clear the line style and color, the newly created sketch geometry appears with the default line style and color. You can also set the color of the sketcher entities by clicking View > Display Settings > System Colors. In the System Colors dialog box that opens, click the Sketcher tab and specify the required colors for the sketcher entities.

To Change Sketcher Accuracy


Modifying the Sketcher accuracy helps solve certain section regeneration problems. For example, if a problem occurs because the length of a segment is less than Sketcher accuracy, you can increase the accuracy by entering a smaller number. 1. Click Sketch > Options. The Sketcher Preferences dialog box appears. 2. Click Parameters.

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Sketcher

3. In the Relative box, enter a value between 1.0E-9 (0.000000001) and 1.0.

To Change Sketcher Accuracy (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Sec Environ on the SEC TOOLS menu. The SEC ENVIRON menu appears. 3. Click Accuracy. 4. At the prompt for the new accuracy, enter a value between 1.0E-9 (0.000000001) and 1.0. 5. If the section still fails to regenerate successfully, try increasing the accuracy again (entering a smaller number), or evaluate the section for other problems. Pro/ENGINEER remembers the relative accuracy of each section when you redefine a feature that contains the section.

To Change the Anchor Point (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click SKETCHER > Modify. The MOD SKETCH menu appears. 3. Select Set Anchor from the MOD SKETCH menu. This option is available only when no three-dimensional geometry exists for locating the section. 4. Select the point that you want to use as the anchor for the sketch.

References
About References
To dimension and constrain geometry, Pro/ENGINEER requires you to create references. References can be created through the References dialog box. To open the References dialog box, click Sketch > References. Pro/ENGINEER prompts you to create references in the following situations: When you create a new feature, the References dialog box opens. Pro/ENGINEER prompts you to select a perpendicular surface, edge, intent edge vertex, datum reference or composite curve relative to which the section will be dimensioned and constrained. When you redefine a feature that has missing references. When you do not have enough references to place a section.

Note: When you create a new feature, the Pro/ENGINEER automatically selects default Sketcher references. You can change these references or create new ones in the References dialog box.

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Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

When working with a section, if the sketch reference becomes invalid or is removed, you can update or remove the failed or missing reference. Additionally, you can replace the failed or missing reference with an alternative reference. You can delete, update, or replace a failed reference, even if the reference belongs to an external model. You can use the Undo or Redo commands when resolving failed or missing reference. When you delete, update, or replace a reference using the References dialog box, the sketch is not updated automatically and you can choose to update the sketch. Note: The sketch is updated automatically if you replace a reference using the Edit > Replace command. The Solve option in the Reference dialog box is available only if there are no failed or missing references.

To Create References
1. Click Sketch > References. Pro/ENGINEER displays the References dialog box. 2. Select from the following options: o Select-Use this tool to create references for dimensioning and constraining. Click on model geometry to create a reference. Pro/ENGINEER displays each new reference in the References list. X Sec-Use this tool to create references at the intersection of a sketching plane and a surface or an intent surface. To create a reference, click at the intersection of a sketching plane and a surface. Pro/ENGINEER displays each new reference in the References list. Delete-Use this option to delete references. Select the reference you wish to delete from the references list. Click Delete. Pro/ENGINEER deletes the selected reference. Chain-Use this list filter to select all edge references in the References dialog box. Solve-Use this option to solve the sketch. This option is available only if there are no missing or failed references.

o o Note: o o

To delete all edge references, click Chain and click Delete. When selecting from the reference list you can highlight multiple references by holding down the CTRL key as you select.

3. Click Close. Pro/ENGINEER accepts the references and closes the dialog box. Note: You can sketch without creating sufficient references as long as you create the required references later.

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Sketcher

To Create References with the X sec Option


You can use the X sec option to create reference entities by intersecting the sketching plane with surfaces. All other reference entities in Sketcher are created by projecting the referenced geometry onto the sketching plane. In contrast, the X sec option projects the referenced geometry onto the sketching plane to create true intersections. This command is especially useful for variable section sweeps. 1. Click Sketch > References. The References dialog box opens. 2. Click the X sec button. 3. Select a surface or an intent surface. Sketcher creates a reference entity at the intersection of the sketching plane with the surface. 4. Click Close. Pro/ENGINEER closes the dialog box.

To Create References for a Section


1. Click Sketch > References. The References dialog box appears. 2. Select a perpendicular surface, an edge, vertex, intent edge, datum reference or composite curve relative to which the section will be dimensioned or constrained. 3. The system shows reference entities as orange phantom lines.

About Replacing a Reference


You can replace a failed or missing reference of an active sketch with an alternative reference. You can select the new reference in the graphics window or on the Model Tree. In the assembly mode, you can select the new reference from a different model of the assembly. Additionally, you can replace sketch references that belong to external models. When you replace a reference, Pro/ENGINEER will try to recreate all the dimensions and constraints associated with the replaced reference using the new reference, while retaining the original dimension and constraint IDs. The geometric entity that defines the original reference and the one that defines the new reference need not be of the same type. Depending upon the type of geometric entity that defines the original and the new reference, you may come across the following situations: If the geometric entities that define the original and the new reference are not of the same type, but are interchangeable for the purpose of defining some of the dimensions and constraints associated with the original replaced reference, Pro/ENGINEER will try to recreate these dimensions and constraints and retain their IDs. The following are some examples of such interchangeable references: o Linear edge, linear curve, datum plane, datum axis, planar surface for distance and angle dimensions, and for parallel and perpendicular constraints Any geometry entity for point on constraint

25

Sketcher - Help Topic Collection o o o

Edge, curve, plane, axis, surface silhouette for tangency constraint Edge, curve, surface silhouette for use edge constraint, and so on

If the geometric entities that define the original and the new reference are not of the same type and are not interchangeable for the purpose of defining any of the dimensions or constraints associated with the original replaced reference, none of the original dimensions and constraints are recreated with the new reference. However, new dimensions and constraints are created to position the sketch. This is similar to deleting a reference and adding a new reference in place of the deleted reference. If the geometric entities that define the original and the new reference are of the same type, or are of different types but interchangeable, then the original dimensions and constraints with the new reference may not be created. For example, in cases where the original reference is a vertical datum plane used for defining a horizontal distance dimension and the new reference is a horizontal datum plane.

To Replace a Reference
1. Click Sketch > References. The References dialog box opens. 2. Select a reference that you want to replace from the references list on the References dialog box. 3. Click Replace on the References dialog box. You are prompted to select a new reference that will replace the one you had selected earlier. 4. Select a new reference. You can select this new reference in the graphics window or from the model tree. Additionally, you can select an existing reference from the list of references in the References dialog box. After you select the new reference, the original selected reference is replaced with this new reference. Dimensions and constraints associated with the new reference are automatically updated. If all dimensions and constraints associated with the original reference are automatically recreated with the new reference, there is no change to the reference status. However, if some dimensions or constraints are not recreated, the reference status appears as Un-solved sketch. If there are no missing or failed references, the Solve option is made available on the References dialog box. 5. Select Solve on the References dialog box to solve the sketch. The Reference status is automatically updated to Fully Placed, Partially Placed, or Not Placed. If Solve is not selected and OK is pressed, the sketch is automatically solved and the References dialog is closed.

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Sketcher

6. Click Close. Pro/ENGINEER accepts the references and closes the dialog box. Note: You can sketch without creating sufficient references as long as you create the required references later.

About Using Intent Object or Composite Curve as Sketcher Reference


You can use an intent edge, datum references or composite curve as a Sketcher reference. When you select an intent object or a composite curve as a Sketcher reference, you can reference only the intent object or the composite curve itself. Intent chain and composite curve reference support: Point On constraint Tangency constraint Use Edge command Offset Edge command

If you change the reference intent chain such that it results in multiple pieces, then the sketch will fail. You can select the silhouette of an intent surface as a reference for Point On and Tangent constraint, and for the Use Edge and Offset Edge commands.

Creating Sketcher Geometry


About Creating Geometry in Sketcher
To start sketching, select an option on the Sketcher toolbar or the Sketch menu. Create entities by clicking points inside the Sketcher window. As you move the pointer, Sketcher determines applicable constraints and displays them; Pro/ENGINEER displays the active constraint in red. As you create geometry, it snaps to satisfy these constraints (for example, horizontal or vertical line constraint). The constraint symbols that represent the constraints that are satisfied appear along the geometry you create. All the active constraint symbols that appear are retained after you finalize the geometry. After the entities are sketched, you can apply additional constraints by clicking Constrain on the Sketch menu. You use the mouse in Sketcher in different ways: Use the left mouse button to pick points on the screen and the middle mouse button to abort the current action. Press SHIFT and click the left mouse button to switch between circle and ellipse creation. You can use the same mouse operation to switch between circular fillet and elliptical fillet creation.

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Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

While you are sketching, you can disable the current constraint (shown in red) by pressing the right mouse button and lock the constraint by pressing SHIFT and the right mouse button. Press CONTROL and click the left mouse button to gather selected items. You can click the right mouse button menu for a shortcut menu with frequently used sketching commands (while you are not in the rubberband mode).

The system automatically dimensions the sketch entities by adding only those dimensions that are necessary to solve the section. The system dimensions are called "weak" dimensions (they appear in gray), because the system can remove or change them without your input. Use the Dimension option on the Sketch menu to add "strong" dimensions (they appear in yellow). Note: The dimensions are not displayed while an entity sketching tool is active.

To Create a Line
1. Click Sketch > Line. Note: You can also access the line command by clicking the Line button in the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Line from the shortcut menu. 2. Click at the location at which you want to start the line. A "rubberband" line appears attached to the cursor. 3. Click at the location at which you want the line to end. Pro/ENGINEER creates a line between the two points and starts another rubberband line. 4. Repeat Step 3 to create additional lines. 5. Click the middle mouse button to end line creation. The rubberband line disappears.

To Create a Centerline
Centerlines are used to define the axis of revolution of a revolved feature, to define a line of symmetry within a section or to create construction lines. Centerlines have infinite length and are not used to create feature geometry. 1. Click Sketch > Line> Centerline. Note: You can also use the Centerline command by clicking the Centerline icon in the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Centerline from the shortcut menu. 2. Click to select a location at which to intersect the centerline. A centerline appears attached to the cursor. 3. Click a second location at which to intersect the centerline. Pro/ENGINEER creates a Centerline between the two points.

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Sketcher

To Create a Line Tangent to Two Entities


1. Click and then click Line > Line Tangent. located in the Line creation fly-out or Sketch >

2. Select a start location on an arc, circle. Use middle mouse button to end the command. Note: Line is previewed after two points are defined. 3. Select an end location on an arc, circle. Use middle mouse button to end the command.

To Create a Centerline Tangent to Two Entities


1. Click and then click > Centerline Tangent. located in the Line creation fly-out or Sketch > Line

2. Select a start location on an arc, circle. Use middle mouse button to end the command. 3. Select an end location on an arc, circle. Use middle mouse button to end the command.

To Create a Rectangle
1. Click Sketch > Rectangle. Note: You can also access the Rectangle command by selecting Rectangle from the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Rectangle from the shortcut menu. 2. Place one vertex with the left mouse button and drag the rectangle to the desired size. 3. To place the other vertex, click the left mouse button. The four lines of the rectangle are independent. You can handle them (trim, align, and so forth) individually.

To Create a Circle
1. Click Sketch > Circle. The default circle type is Center/Point. Note: You can also use the Circle command by selecting Circle from the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select circle from the shortcut menu. 2. Click on the arrow to the right of the Circle button to select the creation method. o Center/Point-Create a circle by picking the center point and a point that lies on the circle.

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Sketcher - Help Topic Collection o

Concentric-Create a concentric circle. Select a reference circle or an arc to define the center point. As you move the cursor, the circle rubberbands until you press the left mouse to finish. The selected referenced circle can be a sketched entity or a model edge. If the selected circle reference is a model entity that is "unknown" to Sketcher, it automatically becomes a reference entity.

To Create a Circle Tangent to Three Entities


1. Click and then click Circle > 3 Tangent. located in the Circle creation fly-out or Sketch >

2. Select a start location on an arc, circle, or line. Use middle mouse button to end the command. 3. Select an end location on an arc, circle, or line. Use middle mouse button to end the command. Note: Circle is previewed after two points are defined. 4. Select a third location on an arc, circle, or line. Use middle mouse button to end the command.

To Create a Circle Through Three Points


1. Click and then click Circle > 3 Point. located in the Circle creation fly-out or Sketch >

2. Select a start location on an arc. Use middle mouse button to end the command. 3. Select the first point on the circle. 4. Select the second point on the circle. Note: Circle is previewed after two points are defined. 5. Select the third point on the circle.

To Create an Ellipse
1. Click Sketch > Circle > Ellipse. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Ellipse button in the Sketcher toolbar. 2. Click the center of the ellipse. 3. Drag the ellipse to the desired shape and click the left mouse button to finish. 4. Once the center and the corner of the defining rectangle of the ellipse are selected, the sketch is created and two dimensions, Rx and Ry are placed in the sketch. The dimensions Rx and Ry define the length of the X and Y axis of the ellipse. The following figure is an example of an ellipse.

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Sketcher

Rules for Creating an Ellipse


An ellipse has the following properties: The center point of an ellipse behaves the same as the center of a circle, and can be referred to by dimensions and constraints. The axes of an ellipse are parallel to the horizontal and vertical axes of the sketch. An ellipse cannot be slanted. Ellipse is defined by two radii: x-radius and y-radius. The length of the horizontal axis from the center of the ellipse to the ellipse itself is called the x-radius in Sketcher. The vertical half-axis is called the y-Radius. These radii can be dimensioned and can be referred to by Equal Radius constraints. The center of the ellipse and the ellipse itself will snap to constraints while the ellipse is being sketched. Some of the constraints that can be applied to an ellipse are Tangency, Point on Entity, and Equal Radii.

To Create a Conic
1. Click Sketch > Arc > Conic. 2. Pick the first endpoint for the conic using the left mouse button. 3. Pick the second endpoint for the conic using the left mouse button. 4. Pick the location for the shoulder using the left mouse button. The conic rubberbands as you move the cursor.

To Create an Arc
1. Click Sketch > Arc.

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Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

Note: You can also use this command by clicking Arc in the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select either 3-Point or Tangent arc from the shortcut menu. 2. Select one of the following creation methods from the ARC menu: o 3 Point/Tangent End- Create a 3-point arc by picking its endpoints and an additional point on the arc. To create a tangent arc, pick an endpoint of an existing entity to determine tangency, then pick a location for the other endpoint of the arc. Concentric-Create a concentric arc. Select an arc to use its center, rubberband to the desired radius, and sketch the arc. Center/Ends-Create an arc by picking the center point of the arc and the endpoints of the arc.

o o

Example: Creating an Arc using a Target


When you create a 3 Point/Tangent End Arc on an existing endpoint, Sketcher displays a target symbol attached to the endpoint. To create a 3 point arc, drag the cursor out of a quadrant perpendicular to the end of the entity. To create a tangent end arc, drag the cursor out of a quadrant tangent to the end of the entity.

1. Endpoint 2. Existing Geometry 3. Quadrants for 3 Point Arc creation 4. Quadrants for tangent end are creation

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Sketcher

To Create a Fillet Arc


The Fillet option creates a rounded intersection between any two entities. The size and location of the fillet depends on the pick locations. 1. Click Sketch > Fillet > Circular. Note:You can also use this command by clicking the Arc button in the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Fillet from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the first line using the left mouse button. 3. Click the second line using the left mouse button. Pro/ENGINEER creates a fillet from the selected point that is closest to the intersection point of the two lines and trims the lines to the intersection point.

Sketching a Fillet Arc


The Fillet option creates a rounded intersection between any two entities. The size and location of the fillet depends on the pick locations. You cannot create a fillet between the following entities: Parallel lines A centerline and another entity

When a fillet is inserted between two entities, the system automatically divides two entities at the fillet tangency points. If you add the fillet between two non-parallel lines, the lines are automatically trimmed to the fillet. If you add the fillet between any other entities, you must delete leftover segments manually.

Example: Fillet Arcs


Fillets Between Different Entities

1. Fillets between lines, splines and circles 2. Division points 3. Resulting geometry after deleting entities between division points

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Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

To Create an Arc Tangent to Three Entities


1. Click and then click > 3 Tangent. located in the Arc creation fly-out or Sketch > Arc

2. Select a start location on an arc, circle, or line. Use middle mouse button to end the command. 3. Select an end location on an arc, circle, or line. Use middle mouse button to end the command. Note: Arc is previewed after two points are defined. 4. Select a third location on an arc, circle, or line. Use middle mouse button to end the command.

To Create an Elliptical Fillet


The axes of the elliptical fillet are horizontal and vertical. The elliptical fillet is tangent at its endpoints to the entities selected for its creation. For this operation, you can select the same entities as for Arc, Fillet. 1. Click Sketch > Fillet > Elliptical. Note: You can also access the elliptical fillet command by clicking the Elliptical Fillet button in the Sketcher toolbar. 2. Click the entities between which you want to create an elliptical fillet.

To Create a Spline
Splines are curves that pass smoothly through any number of intermediate points. 1. Click or Sketch > Spline.

2. Click in the Sketcher window to add points to the spline. A "rubberband" spline appears attached to the cursor. 3. Repeat Step 2 to add additional spline points. Click the middle mouse button to end spline creation.

Using a Coordinate System


You can add a coordinate system to a section to be used with the following: Spline-You can dimension a spline to a coordinate system. This allows you to modify the spline points by specifying the x-, y-, and z-axis coordinates with respect to the coordinate system. Reference-You can add coordinate systems to any section to aid dimensioning. Blend feature section-You can use the coordinate system to establish the relative origin for each of the sections used for blends.

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To Create a Coordinate System


1. Click Sketch > Coord Sys. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Coordinate System button in the Sketcher toolbar. 2. Click a location to locate the coordinate system.

To Interpret a Coordinate System as Cartesian or Polar


You can choose between two types of draft grids: Cartesian and Polar. The system creates a Cartesian grid by locating points on a plane, measuring their distance from either of two intersecting straight-line axes along a line parallel to the other axis. It creates a Polar grid by locating points in a plane, measuring their distance from a fixed point on a line and the angle this line makes with a fixed line. To change from one type to another, click Sketch > Options. When using a two-dimensional draft grid in a drawing, keep in mind the following: The grid snap falls on the grid lines when grid snap is on (set in the Environment dialog box). The grid origin and angle affect the coordinate values specified for geometry points. The x-axis is always along one direction of the grid, while the y-axis is along the other. The grid origin affects the coordinate values appearing in the message area when sketching.

Creating an Axis Point


Use the Axis Point option from the Sketch menu to create an axis that is normal to the sketching plane. The depth of the axis is determined by the geometry of the feature and is similar to an axis of a cylindrical hole. You can use the axis created with the Axis Point option for referencing and dimensioning both in Sketcher and throughout Pro/ENGINEER. The axis point behaves as an axis created with Datum > Axis in Part mode. You can include the Sketcher axis in a punch UDF and slot.

To Create an Axis Point


1. Click Sketch > Axis Point. 2. Click a point. 3. The system creates an axis through the point.

To Create Text in Sketcher


1. Click Sketch > Text and select a start point on the sketching plane to set text height and orientation.

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2. Click an end point. Sketcher creates a construction line between the start point and the end point. The length of the construction line determines the height of the text, while the angle of the line determines the text orientation. The Text dialog box opens. A green arrowhead appears at the start point of the text indicating the direction of the text. Note: By default the dimension associated with the length of the construction line that defines the height of the text, is a strong dimension. 3. Under Text line, select Enter text manually or Use parameter. Note: Use parameter is available only in the 3D mode. Enter text manually-Type a single line of up to 79 characters of text. If required, click Text Symbol to insert special text symbols. The Text Symbol dialog box opens. Select the symbol that you want to insert. The symbol appears in the Text line box and in the graphics area. Click Close to close the Text Symbol dialog box. Use Parameter-Allows you to select a parameter that you have defined. The value of the parameter is displayed on the screen. a. Click Use Parameter. The Select Parameter dialog box opens.

b. Under Look In, select Part, Feature, Annotation Element, Surface, or Edge to determine the object type. The name of the object type you select, appears in the Look In box. c. Select a parameter from the Parameters Table and click OK. The name of the selected parameter appears in the Text line box and cannot be modified. The value of the parameter is displayed on the screen. 4. Specify the following under Font in the Text dialog box. o Font-Select a type face from a list of PTC-supplied fonts and TrueType fonts. Note: To make Open Type and True Type fonts available on UNIX, ensure that the filename extension for the font is in lowercase. Position-Select a combination of horizontal and vertical positions to place the start point of the text string. Horizontal-Select the horizontal position from Left, Center, or Right. Left is the default. Vertical-Select the vertical position to place the dimension and the start point on the construction line that defines the height and orientation of the text string. Select from Bottom, Middle, or Top. Bottom is the default. You can use any combination of the horizontal and vertical positions to snap the start point of the text on to the construction line that defines the height and orientation of the text. o Aspect ratio-Use the slide bar to increase or decrease the aspect ratio of your text.

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Slant angle-Use the slide bar to increase or decrease the slant angle of your text.

5. Click Place along curve to place the text along a curve and select the curve on which you want to place the text. Select a combination of horizontal and vertical positions to place the start point of the text string along the selected curve. The horizontal position defines the start point on the curve. Note: When specifying the horizontal position for the start point of the text string, you can select the Center only if the selected curve is a linear curve. 6. If required, click Flip to change the direction in which you want the text to flow. Note: When you click Flip, the construction line and the text string are placed at the other end of the opposite side of the selected curve. This placement is based on the start point of the text. 7. Click Kerning to enable font kerning for the text string. This controls the space between certain pairs of characters, improving the appearance of the text string. Kerning is a characteristic of the particular font. Alternatively, set the sketcher_default_font_kerning configuration option to automatically enable kerning for all the new text strings that you create. 8. Click OK to create the text. If you have selected Enter text manually, then the text is created on the sketching plane and if you have selected Use parameter, then the value of the parameter is displayed in the current sketcher window. Note: If you select a parameter that does not have a value, then the graphics area displays *** (three asterisks) as the value of the parameter.

About Undo and Redo Operations for Sketcher


You can undo or redo a sketcher operation. When you undo an operation, Sketcher returns you to the state prior to the current operation. Similarly, you can redo an operation on which you have just performed an undo operation. The undo and redo operations work only for the creation, deletion, and modification actions on sketch entities. Note: If you set the value of the sketcher_undo_reorient_view configuration option to yes, all the view reorientation operations between a pair of consecutive creation, deletion, or modification actions, are combined into a single viewing operation that defines a separate undo or redo operation. View reorientation operations are combined only for those view reorientation operations that are performed with the value of the sketcher_undo_reorient_view configuration option set to yes. Within Sketcher, the sketcher_undo_stack_limit configuration option controls the number of times you can undo or redo operations. The default is 200 and the maximum is 500.

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Creating Geometry from Model Edges About the Use Edge Option
The Use Edge option in the Sketch menu creates Sketcher geometry by projecting selected model edges onto the sketching plane. The system aligns endpoints of the entity to the endpoints of the edge. The entity created with Use Edge has the "~" constraint symbol. After you create geometry with the Use Edge option, you can use Trim, Divide, and Fillet on it. In Sketcher mode, the Use Edge option allows you to pick an existing part axis to create a centerline that is automatically aligned to the axis. The Use Edge option is especially useful for duplicating splines in non-parallel planes. Note the following restrictions: A circle is broken into two arcs. You must select each segment separately. You cannot select a composite datum curve for Use Edge. Instead, use Query Sel to select the underlying segments. A spline silhouette edge is not selectable for the Use Edge operation.

For the Use Edge option, you can orient the model any way that is convenient.

To Create Geometry with the Use Edge Option


1. Click Sketch > Edge > Use. Pro/ENGINEER opens the Edge Type dialog box. Note: You can also access the Use Edge command by clicking the Use Edge button in the Sketcher toolbar. 2. Select an edge type by clicking the radio button next to the option. Choose: o o Single-To create sketched entities offset from a single edge. Chain-To create sketched entities from a chain of edges or entities. If you select curves, they must both belong to the same datum curve. If you select edges, they must belong to the same surface or face. You can pick two edges on a parts geometry or two one-sided edges of a quilt. Additionally, if you pick two entities that belong to an IGES wireframe or a datum curve in a uniquely defined plane, the Sketcher tries to choose a chain that connects the entities and lies in that plane. o Loop-To create sketched entities from a loop of edges or entities.

3. Click the Close button in the Edge Type dialog box. Pro/ENGINEER closes the dialog box and applies the changes.

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Example: Creating Geometry with the Use Edge Option

1. The completed section 2. The completed feature

To Create Reference Entities by Intersection


You can create reference entities from the intersection of a surface with the sketching plane. For example, when the sketching plane intersects a cylinder lengthwise, you can use the curves created from this intersection as model references. 1. Click Sketch > References. The References dialog box opens. 2. Click X sec. 3. Click a part surface that intersects the sketching plane. 4. The system creates a reference entity and shows entities as orange phantom lines.

To Create a Single Trimmed Edge (OFF)


To use a portion of the edge to create an offset entity, you must create a trimmed offset edge from a single edge. 1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click SKETCHER > Point and place points on the edge at the locations to which you will trim before you create entities offset from the edge. 39

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3. Click Geom Tools on the SKETCHER menu. The GEOM TOOLS menu appears. 4. Click Offset Edge. The OFFSET SEL menu appears. 5. Select Sel Edge, Sel Loop, or Sel Chain. The OFFSET TYPE menu appears. 6. From the OFFSET TYPE menu select Trimmed. This option requires that you have first placed points on the edge at the locations to which you will trim the edge. 7. Click Done/Return. 8. Pro/ENGINEER prompts you to select a point to trim the edge. Click one of the points. 9. Enter the offset value in the indicated direction. 10. Select the second point. If you select Tapered, enter the offset value for the second endpoint.

Tip: Determining the End of a Trimmed Spline


Sketcher can determine the end of a trimmed Use Edge spline by using the end tangency angle as a dimension. Sketcher looks for lines and centerlines that are tangent to the trimmed ends of the spline created by the Use Edge option. If the angle of the line can be determined without determining where the point is, Sketcher determines the point location by finding where the tangent to the spline has the specified angle.

Creating Geometry with the Offset Edge Option About the Offset Edge Option
The Offset Edge option in the Sketch menu creates Sketcher geometry by offsetting. You can create offset entities from edges that are lines, arcs, or splines. When you create an offset entity, each point of the original lines, arcs, or splines is first projected onto the sketching plane. Each point is then offset normal to the projected entities by the specified distance. For example, creating an offset arc results in a concentric arc of a different diameter, rather than in a translated copy of the same arc. Offset entities can be created from a single entire edge (untrimmed), a portion of a single edge (trimmed), a chain of edges or entities, or a loop of edges or entities. Consider the following information about the Offset Edge command: A circle is broken into two arcs. You must select each segment separately. You cannot offset edges that have tangency that meets in a sharpened point.

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When you select tangent edges to offset, select them all at the same time using the Chain option. Otherwise, the section will fail regeneration because the individual offsets of the tangent entities will not be connected. When you delete an offset edge, Pro/ENGINEER retains the corresponding reference entities. If you do not use these references in the section, the system deletes them when you exit Sketcher.

To Create Geometry with the Offset Edge Option


To use the whole edge to create an offset entity, you must create an untrimmed offset edge from a single edge. 1. Click Sketch > Edge > Offset. Pro/ENGINEER opens the Edge Type dialog box. Note: You can also access the Offset Edge command by clicking the Offset Edge button in the Sketcher toolbar. 2. Select an edge type by clicking the radio button next to the option. Choose: o o Single-to create sketched entities offset from a single edge. Chain-To create sketched entities offset from a chain of edges or entities. If you select curves, they must both belong to the same datum curve. If you select edges, they must belong to the same surface or face. You can pick two edges on a parts geometry or two one-sided edges of a quilt. Additionally, if you pick two entities that belong to an IGES wireframe or a datum curve in a uniquely defined plane, the Sketcher tries to choose a chain that connects the entities and lies in that plane. o Loop-to create sketched entities offset from a loop of edges or entities.

3. Click the Close button in the Edge Type dialog box. Pro/ENGINEER closes the dialog box and applies the changes.

Using Offset Edge, Select Chain Options


When you offset a chain of entities by a large distance, the system creates offset geometry according to the following guidelines: If the offset is inward along an arc and the offset value exceeds the radius of the arc, the system removes the arc from the offset chain. Similarly, the system might remove other entities because of excessive offset value. If you lower the offset value later, the entities reappear. If the offset value is more than the local minimum radius of curvature for entities that compose the offset chain, the system creates an offset chain that might have a different number of entities. For example, offsetting a spline by a large value causes the resulting spline to be broken into several pieces. If the offset value is changed, the system can "piece" together the broken spline so it becomes a single entity again.

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Manipulating Sketcher Geometry


About Dividing and Trimming Entities
You can divide and trim entities by using Trim in the Edit menu or by holding down the CONTROL key and dragging the endpoint of the entity to the desired location.

To Trim and Extend Entities


1. Bring the pointer over the entity that you want to trim. The entity is highlighted. 2. Holding down the CONTROL key, drag the endpoint of the entity that you want to trim. The entity is trimmed or extended in the direction in which you drag it. At every intersection, the constraint that it created is displayed.

To Trim Entities to Each Other


1. Click Edit > Trim > Corner. Pro/ENGINEER prompts you select two entities to trim. Note: You can also access the Trim command by clicking Trim on the Sketcher toolbar. 2. Click any two entities (they do not have to intersect) on the portion of the entity that you want to keep. Pro/ENGINEER trims the two entities together.

To Trim Entities by an Incremental Length (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Geom Tools on the SKETCHER menu. The GEOM TOOLS menu appears. 3. Click Trim. The DRAFT TRIM menu appears. 4. Click Increm and type the incremental length by which you want to modify the entity. A positive value lengthens the entity, while a negative value shortens it. 5. Select the entity that you want to trim. The entity is trimmed according to the incremental length that you have specified.

To Trim Entities to a Bounding Entity (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Geom Tools from the SKETCHER menu. The GEOM TOOLS menu appears. 3. Click Trim. The DRAFT TRIM menu appears. 4. Click Bound and select a bounding entity. Note: Consider the following when using Bound:

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You can use a centerline, datum plane, datum axis, or tangent edges as bounding entities. You cannot use a feature axis or cosmetic feature entities as bounding entities.

5. Select the entity that you want to trim. Pro/ENGINEER shortens or extends this entity up to the point where it intersects the bounding entity or its extension. If the trimmed entity is to be shortened, select the part of the entity that you want to keep. To extend two entities so that they intersect, first select one of them as the bounding entity and trim the other; then reverse the process.

To Trim Entities to a Specific Length (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Geom Tools on the SKETCHER menu. The GEOM TOOLS menu appears. 3. Click Trim. The DRAFT TRIM menu appears. 4. Click Length and type the required length for the entity that you want to modify. 5. Select the entity that you want to trim. The entity is trimmed according to the length that you have specified.

To Intersect Entities (OFF)


The Intersect option determines the intersection point of two entities that cross, and divides both of them at the point of intersection. Note: Centerlines, edges, axes, and planes can be used for intersections; however, they cannot be split. 1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Geom Tools on the SKETCHER menu. The GEOM TOOLS menu appears. 3. Click Intersect. 4. Click on the first entity near the intersection point. 5. Click on the second entity near the intersection point. 6. Pro/ENGINEER splits the entities at their point of intersection.

To Use the Delete Segment Command


1. Click Edit > Trim >Delete Segment. Note: You can also access this command by clicking the Delete Segment button in the Sketcher toolbar. 2. Click on the segment that you want to delete. The segment is deleted.

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To Divide Entities
You can divide a section entity into two or more new entities. If the entity is dimensioned, delete the dimension before using the Divide command. 1. Click Edit > Trim > Divide. Note: You can also access the Divide command by clicking the Divide button in the Sketcher toolbar. 2. Click the entity at the locations where you want to divide. The divide points appear as yellow points on the entity. Pro/ENGINEER divides the entity at the specified locations. Note: To create a divide at an intersection, click near the intersection and Pro/ENGINEER automatically snaps to the intersection and creates the divide.

Mirroring Geometry
Use the Mirror command on the Edit menu to mirror Sketcher geometry about a sketched centerline. For example, you can create half of the section and then mirror it. Pro/ENGINEER uses the dimensions of one side to solve the other. This reduces the number of dimensions necessary to solve the section. When you mirror geometry, Sketcher mirrors constraints too. When an entity has its end point on the top of a mirroring centerline, the entitys end point has point on constraint with respect to the mirroring centerline. If you mirror such an entity, end point of the original entity that is on the mirroring centerline, and the end point of the mirrored entity will behave as if they have same point constraint. Note: You can mirror only geometric entities. You cannot mirror dimensions, text entities, centerlines, and reference entities.

To Mirror Geometry
1. Make sure the sketch contains a centerline. 2. Select an entity or multiple entities to mirror. 3. Click Edit > Mirror. Note: You can also access the Mirror command by clicking the Mirror button in the Sketcher toolbar. 4. Click a centerline. The system mirrors all selected geometry about the selected centerline.

About Cut, Copy, and Paste Operations


You can use the cut and copy operations to remove or duplicate, respectively, a portion of a section or the complete section. You can cut or copy regular sketch geometry, construction geometry, centerlines, and strong dimensions and 44

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constraints associated with the selected geometry entities. The sketch entities that you cut or copy are placed on the clipboard. You can use the paste operation to place the cut or copied entities at a required location within an active section. When you perform the paste operation, the sketch geometry on the clipboard is not removed, allowing you to use the copied or cut sketch geometry multiple times. You can also use the cut, copy, and paste operations to move the contents of a section across multiple sections. Additionally, you can translate, rotate, or scale the sketch geometry entities that you paste. Note: When you copy or cut sketch geometry, the sketch geometry along with its line style and color is placed on the clipboard. Set the value of the sket_import_geometry_line_style configuration option to yes if you want to retain the line style and color of the copied or cut sketch geometry. You can undo or redo a cut or paste operation only in the current sketcher session.

To Cut and Paste Geometry


1. Select the sketcher geometry entity or entities that you want to cut or delete from the active section. 2. Click Edit > Cut or press CTRL+X to cut the selected sketcher geometry entity or entities. Alternatively, click Cut on the shortcut menu or click bar. on the tool

The selected entities do not appear in the active section. All dimensions and constraints not selected but associated with the entities that you select to cut, are deleted. These entities are copied to the clipboard. 3. Click Edit > Paste or press CTRL+V to paste the cut entities into the active section. Alternatively, click on the tool bar.

The pointer changes to include a plus sign (+) indicating that you must select a location to place the cut entities. 4. Place the cut entities into the active section in one of the following ways: By retaining the default size of the entities a. Click anywhere in the graphics window to select a location to place the pasted entities. The entities with default size are placed at the selected location with the center of the entities coinciding with the selected location. The entities are of the same size if they are pasted within the same Sketcher session. The pasted entities remain selected. The Scale and Rotate dialog box opens. Additionally, the Scale, Rotate, and Move handles appear on the pasted entities. The Move handle coincides with the selected location. b. Scale, rotate, or move the entities as required.

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By resizing the entities a. Click and hold the left mouse button to specify the location of the pasted entities. The pasted entities appear in a very small size at the location you select. b. c. Drag the handle until the required size is achieved. Release the left mouse button to confirm the size of the entities.

d. You can further scale and rotate the pasted entities by specifying respective values in the Scale and Rotate dialog box. e. Scale, rotate, or move the pasted entities as required.

Note: By default, the pasted entities do not snap to the existing geometry or references when you place them in the active sketch. To enable snapping, move the Move handle on to the pasted entities. To move the Move handle, right-click on the Move handle and drag it to the required location on to the pasted entities. 5. Middle-click to accept the position, orientation, and the size of the pasted entities. The imported dimensions and constraints are created as strong dimensions and constraints. The Sketcher solver appears and additional dimensions and constraints are created.

To Copy and Paste Geometry


1. Select the sketcher geometry entity or entities that you want to copy. 2. Click Edit > Copy or press CTRL+C to copy the selected sketch geometry entity or entities. Alternatively, click Copy on the shortcut menu or click bar. on the tool

The strong dimensions and the constraints associated with the selected entities are also copied along with the sketch geometry entities. The selected entities are copied to the clipboard. 3. Click Edit > Paste or press CTRL+V to paste the copied entities into the active section. Alternatively, click on the tool bar.

The pointer changes to include a plus sign (+) indicating that you must select a location to place the copied entities. 4. Place the copied entities into the active section in one of the following ways: By retaining the default size of the entities a. Click anywhere in the graphics window to select a location to place the copied entities. The entities with default size are placed at the selected location with the center of the entities coinciding with the selected location. The entities are of the same size if they are pasted within the same Sketcher session. The pasted entities remain selected.

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The Scale and Rotate dialog box opens. Additionally, the Scale, Rotate, and Move handles appear on the pasted entities. The Move handle coincides with the selected location. b. Scale, rotate, or move the entities as required. By resizing the entities a. Click and hold the left mouse button to specify the location of the pasted entities. The pasted entities appear in a very small size at the location you select. b. c. Drag the handle until the required size is achieved. Release the left mouse button to confirm the size of the entities.

d. You can further scale and rotate the pasted entities by specifying respective values in the Scale and Rotate dialog box. e. Scale, rotate, or move the pasted entities as required.

Note: By default, the pasted entities do not snap to the existing geometry or references when you place them in the active sketch. To enable snapping, move the Move handle on to the pasted entities. To move the Move handle, right-click on the Move handle and drag it to the required location on to the pasted entities. 5. Middle-click to accept the position, orientation, and the size of the pasted entities. The imported dimensions and constraints are created as strong dimensions and constraints. The Sketcher solver appears and additional dimensions and constraints are created.

Sketcher Selection Filter


About the Sketcher Selection Filter
Selection filters enable you to filter the type of entities that you want to select. The sketcher selection filter, located on the status bar of the Sketcher window, enables you to select only the geometry, dimensions, or constraints of the sketch. When you select a filter, objects of only that filter type are selected or highlighted. You can select all objects of that filter type at the same time by enclosing your sketch in a selection box or select entities of that filter type by clicking on them one by one. For example, if you select Geometry, only those sketcher geometric entities (lines, arcs, circles, etc) that exist in the current sketching environment are selected or highlighted and the other entities are not available for selection. By default, the sketcher selection filter is set to All.

To Use the Sketcher Selection Filter


1. Create a new sketch or open an existing one.

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2. To select specific object types, select the required filter from the selection filter on the status bar. By default, the selection filter is set to All. All-All the sketcher objects including dimensions, references, constraints and geometric entities are selected. Geometry-Only those sketcher geometric entities that exist in the current sketching environment are selected. Dimension-Weak or strong dimensions or reference dimensions are selected. Constraint-Constraints existing in the current sketching environment are selected.

3. For multiple selection, draw a selection box to specify the area on the sketch that is to be filtered for specific object types or click on the objects to select them individually. Only those entities that are available for selection are highlighted when you pass the mouse pointer over them. Objects of the selected filter type are highlighted in red. Note: The options available under the selection filter change with the operation that you perform on the sketch. For example, if you modify your sketch by clicking Edit > Modify, the selection filter has only three options: All, Geometry and Dimension. Constraint is not available as you cannot modify the constraints that have been set on the sketch.

Example: Using the Sketcher Selection Filter


The following figure has been used to show the results of using the different types of filters. The figure illustrates a sketch before using a selection filter.

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The following figure illustrates how you draw a selection box to enclose an area of the sketch.

The following figure illustrates the results of using the All filter. The objects that are selected are highlighted in red.

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The following figure illustrates the results of using the Geometry filter. The objects that are selected are highlighted in red.

The following figure illustrates the results of using the Dimension filter. The objects that are selected are highlighted in red.

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The following figure illustrates the results of using the Constraint filter. The objects that are selected are highlighted in red.

Working with Sections


About Importing Files into Sketcher
You can use Sketch > Data from File to retrieve a section from disk or from memory and place it on the current sketch as an independent copy of the original section. The target section can be empty or can contain existing entities (and dimensions). Placing a section does not alter other sketched geometry. In a parallel blend, the retrieved section is added to the current subsection. This method copies the entities and relations (if any) of the original section without reference to the original context in which they were created. Thus, the accuracy, grid parameters, and units of measure are those of the current model. The placed section behaves as a regular sketched section. After you place the section, it is no longer associated with the source section. You can easily replace the retrieved section with another one. For parallel blends, you can place the retrieved section into different subsections with variations in rotation angle and size.

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To Retrieve an Existing Section or Drawing


1. Click Sketch > Data from File. The Open dialog box opens. 2. Select the file type to append in the Type box. You can append Pro/ENGINEER drawing, IGES, and sketch files. 3. Select the file to append and click OK. If you select a drawing file to import, the drawing opens in a separate window. Select a drawing view to import. The pointer changes to include a plus sign (+) indicating that you must select a location to place the imported section or drawing. 4. Select a location to place the imported geometric entities. The imported geometry appears in a bounding box within the Sketcher window. The Scale and Rotate dialog box opens. Additionally, the Scale, Rotate, and Move handles appear on the imported entities. The Move handle coincides with the selected location. 5. Enter a scale value and a rotation value. You can also: o o o 6. Click Drag the scale handle, Drag the rotate handle, Drag the translate handle, , to modify the scale of the section. , to rotate the section. , to move the section or center the selection.

. The selected geometry entities are imported into the active sketch.

To Import Files Into Sketcher


You can copy an imported drawing into either an empty section in Sketcher mode or an empty section for the first feature in the model. 1. Click Sketch > Data from file > File System. The Open dialog box opens. 2. Select the required file from the list of available files and click Open. The pointer changes to include a plus sign (+) indicating that you must select a location to place the imported drawing. 3. Place the imported drawing into the active section in one of the following ways: By retaining the default size of the entities a. Click anywhere in the graphics window to select a location to place the imported entities. The entities with a default size are placed at the selected location with the center of the entities coinciding with the selected location. The imported entities remain selected.

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The Scale and Rotate dialog box opens. Additionally, the Scale, Rotate, and Move handles appear on the imported entities. The Move handle coincides with the selected location. b. Scale, rotate, or move the imported entities as required. By resizing the entities a. Click and hold the left mouse button to specify the location of the imported entities. The imported entities appear in a very small size at the location you select. b. c. Drag the handle until the required size is achieved. Release the left mouse button to confirm the size of the entities.

d. You can further scale and rotate the imported entities by specifying respective values in the Scale and Rotate dialog box. e. Scale, rotate, or move the imported entities as required.

4. Middle-click to accept the position, orientation, and the size of the imported entities. The imported dimensions and constraints are created as strong dimensions and constraints. The Sketcher solver appears and additional dimensions and constraints are created.

About the Sketcher Palette


Sketcher provides you with a customizable library of predefined shapes that you can readily import into an active sketch. These shapes are presented in a palette. You can resize, translate, and rotate the shape when using it in an active sketch. Using a shape from the palette is similar to importing the corresponding section in an active section. Each shape in the palette appears as a thumbnail with the name of the defining section file. These thumbnails appear with the default line style and color for the sketcher geometry. User-defined line style and the color are ignored when generating the thumbnails. You can use an existing section created in standalone Sketcher mode or a section created in Part or Assembly mode, to represent the user-defined shape. The sketcher palette has tabs representing categories of sections. Each tab has a unique name and contains at least one section of a certain category. There are four predefined tabs with predefined shapes: Polygon-contains regular polygons Stars-contains regular star shapes Profiles-contains common profiles Shapes-contains miscellaneous common shapes

You can add any number of tabs to the sketcher palette and place any number of shapes within each such defined tab. You can also add or remove shapes from the predefined tabs.

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The shape available in the sketcher palette is defined by section file present in the sketcher shape directory. Use the sketcher_palette_path configuration option to specify the path to the sketcher shape directory. If you are working in a PDM environment, you can use a PDM location as the path to specify the sketcher shape directory. Note: You must have adequate access rights to the PDM location to access the tabs and shapes. The label of the tab in the sketcher palette corresponds to the tab subdirectory that you define within the sketcher shape directory. Note: If you do not set the sketcher_palette_path configuration option, the current working directory is set as the sketcher shape directory, and only one userdefined tab appears in the sketcher palette. The label for this tab corresponds to the name of the working directory. The section files (files with .sec extension) within the working directory appear as the available shapes in the sketcher palette. If you change the contents of the sketcher shape directory, for example, add or remove a tab subdirectory or shape, then you must reload the sketcher palette to see these changes. To reload the sketcher palette, close and reopen the sketcher palette. The sketcher palette also has a preview pane. When you select a shape thumbnail in the sketcher palette, all the entities that will be imported into an active section appear in the preview pane. These entities can be sketcher geometry, construction geometry, internal strong dimensions, and constraints. Note: Depending upon the value of the sket_import_geometry_line_style configuration option, the line style and color of the selected sketcher shape is preserved when the shape is displayed in the preview pane or imported into the current sketch. When you use a shape from the sketcher palette in the current sketch, the following entities of the section that defines the shape are imported: Geometry of the section Construction geometry of the section Strong constraints internal to the section (other than the vertical and horizontal constraints) Strong dimensions internal to the section Section relations Line style and color of the section geometry

Note: The locked state of the dimensions of the shape is retained when the shape is imported into an active section.

To Add a Tab to the Sketcher Palette


Create a subdirectory within the sketcher shape directory. The subdirectory name appears as a tab label in the sketcher palette. 54

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Note: The subdirectory name appears as a tab label in the sketcher palette only if the subdirectory contains at least one section file, that is, a file with a .sec extension.

To Add a Section to the Sketcher Palette Tab


1. Create a new section or retrieve an existing section. 2. Save the section to the subdirectory corresponding to the sketcher palette tab within the sketcher shape directory. The file name of the section appears as the name of the shape along with the thumbnail of the shape within the sketcher palette tab.

To Import a Shape from the Sketcher Palette


1. In the Sketcher mode, click Sketch > Data from File > Palette. The Sketcher Palette dialog box opens. Note: Alternatively, click on the Sketcher toolbar.

2. Select the required tab on the sketcher palette. The thumbnail and the label corresponding to the shapes available within the selected tab appear. 3. Click the thumbnail or the label corresponding to the required shape. The section corresponding to the selected shape appears in the preview pane. 4. Double-click the same thumbnail or the label again to import the selected shape into the active section. The pointer changes to include a plus sign (+) indicating that you must select a location to place the selected shape. 5. Place the selected shape into the active section in one of the following ways: By retaining the default size of the selected shape a. Click anywhere in the graphics window to select a location to place the shape. The shape with its default size, that is, one-fourth the graphics window, is placed at the selected location with the center of the shape coinciding with the selected location. The entities that define the shape remain selected. The Scale and Rotate dialog box opens. Additionally, the Scale, Rotate, and Move handles appear on the imported shape. The Move handle coincides with the selected location. b. Scale, rotate, or move the shape as required. By resizing the selected shape a. Click and hold the left mouse button to specify the location of the shape. The imported shape appears in a very small size at the location you select. b. Drag the handle until the required size of the shape is achieved.

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c. Release the left mouse button to confirm the size of the shape. d. You can further scale and rotate the shape by specifying respective values in the Scale and Rotate dialog box. e. Scale, rotate, or move the shape as required. Note: By default, the imported shape does not snap when you place it. To enable snapping, move the Move handle on to the imported shape. To move the Move handle, right-click it and drag it to the required location on the imported shape. 6. Middle-click to accept the position, orientation, and the size of the imported shape. The imported dimensions and constraints are created as strong dimensions and constraints. The Sketcher solver appears and additional dimensions and constraints are created.

To Dimension a Section
Sections sketched on a part must be dimensioned for size and relative placement on the part. For dimensioning, the sketching plane does not have to be parallel to the screen-the part can be in any orientation. In fact, sometimes dimensioning the section with the model in a 3-D view helps avoid invalid dimensioning. When sketching on a part, you can create two dimension types by Sketch >Dimension. Normal-Create a dimension that references sketched entities only, or between a sketched entity and part geometry. These dimensions are used to solve the section and eventually become regular part dimensions. Baseline-Establish a baseline for ordinate dimensioning. Reference-Appear on a sketch for information only. Therefore, they are readonly and cannot be used to modify the model; however, they are automatically updated during regeneration if changes are made to the model.

Tip: Dimensioning a Section to Part Edges


When dimensioning to a part edge, you must consider what type of entity the part edge is. Splines and arcs may appear in the sketching plane as straight lines to which you can dimension. But, if the plane that was used as the sketching plane is modified (for example, if the angle of a datum plane changed), the spline or arc no longer appears as a straight line. Thus, the dimensioning scheme becomes invalid, Pro/ENGINEER will not be able to place the feature, and the feature creation or regeneration will fail. One way to avoid this situation is to not dimension to splines or arcs that project onto the sketching plane as straight lines. However, if the situation does occur, modify the dimensioning scheme to dimension section geometry to linear geometry. You can orient the part in an iso-type view to help you select proper geometry on the part.

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To Exit Sketcher with an Incomplete Section


You can exit Sketcher with unfinished sections by selecting Done from the Sketch menu. This creates an incomplete section, which you can finish later. A feature that has an incomplete section becomes an incomplete feature. 1. When you want to exit Sketcher with an unfinished section, click Done from the Sketch menu. 2. Pro/ENGINEER informs you that the section is unresolved and asks you for confirmation to exit.

Dimensioning Sketcher Geometry


Dimensioning Basics
Sketcher makes sure that the section is adequately constrained and dimensioned at any stage of the section creation. As you sketch a section, the system automatically dimensions the geometry. These dimensions are called "weak" dimensions, because the system creates and removes them without warning. Weak dimensions appear in gray. You can also add your own dimensions to create the desired dimensioning scheme. User dimensions are considered "strong" dimensions by the system. As you add strong dimensions, the system automatically removes unnecessary weak dimensions and constraints. It is good practice to strengthen weak dimensions that you intend to keep in a section before you exit Sketcher. This ensures that the system does not delete these dimensions without your input. If adding a dimension leads to a conflict or redundancy in the dimensioning scheme and constraints, Sketcher issues a warning and lets you resolve the conflict.

Deleting Weak Dimensions


Weak dimensions cannot be deleted. They are automatically removed when you create strong dimensions that make the weak dimensions unnecessary.

To Create Dimensions (basic)


Use the Dimension command in the Sketch menu to add "strong" dimensions. 1. Select the entity that you want to dimension. 2. Place the dimension at the desired position using the middle mouse button. The Dimension command works in "continue" mode: you continue creating dimensions of one type until you select another option. Note: You can also access the Dimension command by clicking the Dimension button in the Sketcher toolbar.

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To Strengthen Weak Dimensions


You can selectively turn weak dimensions into strong dimensions by using the Strong command in the Convert To menu. 1. Click a dimension to strengthen. 2. Click Edit > Convert to > Strong. The dimension changes from gray to yellow. Notes: Throughout Pro/ENGINEER, whenever you modify a value of a weak dimension or use it in a relation, that dimension becomes strong. When you strengthen a dimension, the system rounds its value.

To Control the Display of Dimensions


You can turn the display of dimensions on or off in any of the following ways: Click Sketch > Options. The Sketcher Preferences dialog box appears. Add or remove a check mark in front of the Dimensions and Weak Dimensions options to turn display on or off. To disable the default dimensions display, set the configuration option "sketcher_disp_dimensions" to "no." Click the Dimension icon in the toolbar.

Replacing a Dimension
You can replace an existing Sketcher dimension with an equivalent one so that the new dimension retains the symbolic dimension (sd#) of the original. Replacing a dimension is useful when you want to preserve additional data associated with the original dimension (for example, geometric tolerance symbol or extra text added in Drawing mode).

To Replace a Dimension
1. Click Edit > Replace. 2. Click a dimension to replace. The selected dimension is deleted. 3. Create a new equivalent dimension.

To Add Relations to a Section


You can add relations to sections while you are in Sketcher mode. Relations in Sketcher mode follow the same rules as in Part mode, except the parameters must belong to a model and cannot be created in Sketcher mode. The relations apply to the section, but you can modify and use them in part or assembly relations.

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You can also enter a section relation when you modify the driven dimension. Enter the relation (for example, sd4=sd2+sd3/2) when you are modifying dimension values. Pro/ENGINEER displays the new relation and prompts you to accept it. When you add the relation, use dimension symbols as follows: sd# for normal Sketcher dimensions, rsd# for reference Sketcher dimensions, and kd# for known dimensions. Note: Only Sketcher, reference, and known dimensions are allowed in relations created within Sketcher mode.

To Modify Dimension Values


Use the Modify Dimensions dialog box to change dimension values of entities. 1. Click the Select button in the Sketcher toolbar. 2. Select the dimensions or entities that you wish to modify. 3. Click Edit > Modify. The Modify Dimensions dialog box opens. Each of the entities and the dimension values you selected appear in the Dimensions list. Note: You can also access the Modify Dimensions dialog box by clicking the Modify button in the Sketcher toolbar. 4. In the Dimensions list, click the value of the dimension you want and enter a new value Note: You can also click and drag the rotation wheel next to the dimension you want to modify. To increase the dimension value, drag the rotation wheel to the right. To decrease the dimension value, drag the rotation wheel to the left. As you drag the wheel, Pro/ENGINEER dynamically updates your geometry. 5. Repeat Step 4 to modify other dimensions in the list. 6. Click . Pro/ENGINEER regenerates the section and closes the dialog box.

Note: You can modify a single dimension value by double-clicking on the dimension in the Sketcher window.

Entering Negative Dimensions


For linear dimensions, you can enter a negative dimension value. This causes the geometry to reverse direction. In Sketcher, the negative sign always appears next to the dimension. In Part mode, dimension values always appear as positive.

To Modify the Number of Decimal Places in Dimensions


You can use the Sketcher Preferences dialog box to specify the default number of decimal places in dimensions. 1. Click Sketch > Options. The Sketcher Preferences dialog box opens. 2. Click the Parameters tab. The Parameters tabbed page appears.

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3. Enter a new value in the Num Digits box or use the up and down arrows in the Num Digits box to increase or decrease the number of decimal places. 4. Click . Pro/ENGINEER applies the changes and closes the dialog box.

Note: When you add dimensions, Pro/ENGINEER rounds values to the specified number of decimal places.

To Lock or Unlock Section Dimensions


1. Select the dimension that you want to lock. 2. Click Edit > Toggle Lock. Pro/ENGINEER locks the selected dimension or click Lock on the shortcut menu. The locked dimensions appear in orange, that is, the default color for locked dimensions. Alternatively, set the color for locked dimensions by clicking View > Display Settings > System Colors and selecting the required color on the Sketcher tabbed page. The locked state of the dimension is maintained when you quit or reenter the sketcher mode. Locking of dimensions allows you to avoid modifications made to the sections outside the sketcher mode by accidentally dragging a vertex or an entity. To unlock the selected dimension, click Edit > Toggle Lock or click Unlock on the shortcut menu. You can also automatically lock an user-defined dimension by setting the value of the sketcher_dimension_autolock configuration option to yes. Alternatively, click Sketch > Options and select the Lock User Defined Dimensions option on the Miscellaneous tabbed page of the Sketcher Preferences dialog box.

Automatically Locking User-defined Dimensions


You can specify whether you want to automatically lock the dimension that you create or modify by setting the value of the sketcher_dimension_autolock configuration option to yes. Alternatively, click Sketch > Options, and select the Lock User Defined Dimensions option on the Miscellaneous tabbed page of the Sketcher Preferences dialog box. The locked dimensions appear in orange, that is, the default color for locked dimensions. Alternatively, you can set the color for locked dimensions by clicking View > Display Settings > System Colors and selecting the required color on the Sketcher tabbed page. After you specify that the user-defined dimensions are to be locked, all dimensions that you subsequently create or modify, automatically appear locked. The locked state of the user- defined dimension is maintained when you quit or reenter the sketcher mode. Locking of dimensions allows you to control the unnecessary modifications made to the sections outside the sketcher mode.

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The state of the dimensions that are created before you specify to automatically lock the dimensions, do not change. Note: The locked state of a dimension is not retained if the dimension is referenced in a relation, as the relation takes priority over the locked status of the dimension.

To Use the Drag Dim Val Option (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Modify on the SKETCHER menu. The MOD SKETCH menu appears. 3. Click Drag Dim Val and select up to five dimensions 4. Click Done Sel. 5. The system displays a thermotool with the Modify Dims sliders and the Scale slider. Use the appropriate Move Dims sliders to vary corresponding dimensions. Use the Scale slider to vary all the selected dimensions at once. When you use the Scale slider, the system multiplies all dimensions in other sliders by the scale, except for dimensions that do not control length directly, for example, angular dimensions and conic rho dimensions. 6. By moving the mouse, slide the red arrows to point to new values. Sketcher automatically changes the sketch to reflect your changes. The system displays only the dimensions that you are changing. If you are satisfied with the change, click the left mouse button in the top bar of the thermotool. To reset the tool, click the right mouse button. Use the middle mouse button to abort the process. Note:You can change the Sensitivity value, which in effect changes the range of the slider control.

Creating Major Dimension Types To Create Linear Dimensions


You can use the dimension command to create linear dimensions. 1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. To dimension the: o o o Length of a line-Click the line, and then click the middle mouse button to place the dimension. Distance between two parallel lines-Click the two lines, and then click the middle mouse button to place the dimension. Distance between a point and a line-Click the line, click the point, and then click the middle mouse button to place the dimension.

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Sketcher - Help Topic Collection o Note: o o You cannot dimension the length of a centerline because it is infinite. When you are creating a dimension between two arc or circle extents (tangency points), only horizontal and vertical dimensions are allowed. Pro/ENGINEER creates the dimension to the tangency point closest to the pick point.

Distance between two points-Click the points, and then click the middle mouse button to place the dimension.

To Create Diameter Dimensions


To Create a Diameter Dimension for an Arc or a Circle 1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Double-click on the arc or circle. 3. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension. To Create a Diameter Dimension for a Revolved Section 1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the entity to be dimensioned. 3. Click the centerline that will be the axis of revolution. 4. Click the entity again. 5. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension. Note: The diameter dimension for a revolved feature extends beyond the centerline, indicating that it is a diameter dimension, not a radius dimension.

Example: Creating Diameter Dimensions


The following figure shows how to create a diameter dimension for a revolved feature section.

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1. Section 2. Click 1 3. Click 2 - on centerline 4. Click 3 5. Click 4 - places dimension 6. Resulting dimension

To Create Radial Dimensions


Radial dimensions measure the radii of circles or arcs and circles and arcs created by revolving a section about an axis. To Create a Radial Dimension for an Arc or Circle 1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click on the circle or arc. 3. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension. To Create a Radial Dimension for a Revolved Section 1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the entity. 3. Click the centerline axis.

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4. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension.

To Create Angular Dimensions


Angular dimensions measure the angle between two lines or the angle of an arc between its endpoints. 1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the first line. 3. Click the second line. 4. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension. Note: Where you place the dimension determines how the angle is measured (either acute or obtuse).

To Create an Angle Dimension for an Arc


1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click one endpoint of the arc. 3. Click the other endpoint of the arc. 4. Click the arc. 5. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension.

Example: Creating Angular Arc Dimensions

1. Click 1 - on endpoint 2. Click 2 - on endpoint 64

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3. Click 3 - on arc 4. Click 4 - places dimension 5. Resulting dimension

To Create an Angle Dimension between Lines


1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the first line. 3. Click the second line. 4. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension. Note: Where you place the dimension determines how the angle is measured (either acute or obtuse).

Example: Creating an Angle Dimension Between Lines

1. Click edges, then place a dimension

Dimensioning a Spline About Dimensioning a Spline


You can add dimensions to a spline by using its endpoints or interpolation points. To dimension a spline, you must dimension its endpoints. You need not add spline dimensions if the spline is attached to other geometry and the endpoints are dimensioned. You can dimension spline endpoints using linear dimensions, tangency (angular) dimensions, and radius-of-curvature dimensions.

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To Create Spline Linear Dimensions


1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the spline endpoint. 3. Click the geometry to which you want to dimension. 4. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension.

To Create Spline Tangency Dimensions


You can create tangency dimensions for endpoints and intermediate control points of the spline. Note that the spline must have tangency defined before you can use a tangency dimension at the ends. You can modify the spline to add tangency and then create angle dimensions. 1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the spline. 3. Click the geometry to which the spline tangency is defined. 4. Click the endpoint where the tangency is defined or any spline interpolation point. 5. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension. Note: When you create a tangency dimension on the spline, Sketcher removes the tangency assumption. To Create an Angular Dimension between a Spline and a Line or an Arc 1. Select the spline. 2. Select the arc or the line. Note: Ensure that the selected spline and the line or arc are not tangent. 3. Select the intersecting point of the spline and the line or arc. 4. Click the middle mouse button.

To Create a Radius-of-Curvature Dimension


The spline must have tangency defined before you can use a radius-of-curvature dimension. 1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal.

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Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the spline endpoint. 3. Place the dimension with the middle mouse button. Note: Ensure that the end point of the spline is tangent before applying this dimension

To Dimension Spline Interpolation Points


1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the spline. The system displays the interpolation points. 3. Click the interpolation point to dimension. 4. Click the geometry to which you want to dimension. 5. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension.

Dimensioning a Conic About Conic Dimensions


There are two dimensioning schemes to dimension a conic. One uses a rho value to define the shape of the conic. The other requires you to add a distinct Sketcher point to anchor the conic at the selected location. The resulting conic is defined by the two endpoints and the distinct third point.

To Dimension a Conic by Its Endpoints (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Dimension the endpoints to locate the conic spline. 3. Create angular dimensions to define the endpoint tangency.

Tips: Creating a Conic Tangency Dimension


For two conics that are tangent to each other at a common point, you need to create only one tangency dimension. For some end tangency angles, a conic cannot be created. For example, it is not possible to make a single conic that represents one half or more of an ellipse. If a conic fails, modify the tangency angles. If no tangency angles are present, add them, because the problematic tangents must then be determined by adjacent entities.

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To Create a Conic Tangency Dimension


1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click a conic. 3. Click the endpoint where the tangency is to be defined. 4. Click the geometry to which the spline tangency is defined (such as a centerline or straight edge). 5. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension.

Example: The rho Dimension of a Conic


The rho dimension of a conic segment PQ defines the shape of the conic. The line segments PR and QR are tangent to the ellipse at points P and Q respectively. The line segment RD intersects the line segment PQ at point D. Here, D is the mid point of the line segment PQ. The rho dimension specifies a ratio along a vector from the chord (PQ) through a point C to the vertex (R). Point C is at the maximum distance (CD), measured by a normal from the chord PQ to the conic segment PQ.

1. rho = a/(a+b)

To Dimension a Conic Using rho


1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the conic with the left button. 3. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension. The default rho value is 0.5. 4. You can modify rho to be one of the following values:

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For an ellipse: 0.05 < parameter < 0.5 When you are creating a closed ellipse section from four conic segments, the only value for rho that gives a true ellipse is (sqrt (2)1). Enter this value exactly as shown (not as the approximation .4142). For a parabola: parameter = 0.5 For a hyperbola: 0.5 < parameter < 0.95

o o

The Three Point Dimension


For conics that are defined by three distinct points, the system determines the shoulder point from the user-defined point through which it passes. If this is a model point (vertex or datum), you need not add another dimension-you can align the conic to this model point. However, if it is a Sketcher point or vertex, you must dimension the point to regenerate the sketch.

To Dimension a Conic Defined by Three Points


1. Perform the two rho dimensioning steps to define the conic endpoint and tangency dimensions. 2. Create a Sketcher point on the conic where the conic is to remain anchored. Note: If you place the conic close enough to the Sketcher point on a curve (such as during creation of a swept feature), the conic passes through that point, behaving the same as a conic for which you define a third point.

Creating Other Dimension Types About a Perimeter Dimension


A perimeter dimension is used to dimension the total length of a chain or loop of entities. You must select a dimension that the system can adjust to obtain the desired perimeter. This dimension is called the varying dimension. When you modify the perimeter dimension, the system modifies the varying dimension accordingly. Note: You cannot modify varying dimensions, because they are driven dimensions. If you delete the varying dimension, the system deletes the perimeter dimension.

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Example: Perimeter Dimension

To Create a Perimeter Dimension


1. Select an entity. 2. Click Edit > Convert to> Perimeter. The system prompts you to select a dimension to be driven by the perimeter dimension. 3. Click a dimension on the selected entity. The dimension you select becomes the varying dimension and is governed by the perimeter dimension. It cannot be modified directly. The system displays the perimeter dimension along with the varying dimension. Note: Perimeter dimensions are not supported for parallel blends and variable section sweeps.

To Create a Perimeter Dimension (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Sketch > Dimension. The DIMENSION menu appears. 3. Select Perimeter and click one end of the chain or loop for which you need to create the perimeter dimension. 4. Click the endpoint of the same chain or loop or click OK in the Select dialog box to select the entire chain. 5. Select a dimension on the loop to be driven by the perimeter dimension. The dimension you select becomes the varying dimension and is governed by the perimeter dimension. It cannot be modified directly. 6. Click Regenerate. The perimeter dimension is created.

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To Create Reference Dimensions


Use the Reference option in the Edit > Convert to menu to create reference dimensions in Sketcher. The symbolic name for the reference dimensions is rsd# REF. You can include reference dimensions in Sketcher as sd# or rsd#. Note: Reference dimension names rsd# and sd# cannot be used as parameter names.

To Create Reference Dimensions (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Sketch > Dimension. The DIMENSION menu appears. 3. Click Reference and create the dimension that you want as a reference dimension. The dimension that is created, is a reference dimension. The symbolic name for the reference dimensions is rsd# REF.

Creating Ordinate Dimensions


You can create linear dimensions in ordinate format. Creating ordinate dimensions involves two basic steps: designating the baseline and dimensioning geometry to the baseline. You can create the baseline dimension on lines, arc and circle centers, and geometry endpoints (lines, arcs, conics, and splines), or you can select model geometry to dimension as a baseline. Note that if the baseline resides in the model, the ordinate dimension to that baseline also resides in the model.

To Create Ordinate Dimensions


1. Establish the baseline by clicking Sketch > Dimension > Baseline. 2. Select the geometry to dimension as a baseline. Locate the dimension text by pressing the middle mouse button. For lines, the baseline is oriented the same way. For arc and circle centers, and for geometry endpoints, choose one of the following options from the DIM ORIENTATION menu: o o Vert-Orient the baseline vertically. Horiz-Orient the baseline horizontally.

3. To create ordinate dimensions to the specified baseline, click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. 4. To add a dimension, select the baseline dimension and then select the entity to dimension using the left mouse button. Place the ordinate dimension by pressing the middle mouse button. 5. To add other ordinate dimensions, repeat Step 4.

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Example: Creating Ordinate Dimensions


The following figure illustrates how to create an ordinate baseline.

The following figure illustrates how to create an ordinate dimension.

To Dimension an Elliptic Fillet or Ellipse


The horizontal and vertical endpoints of the ellipse and its center point can be dimensioned as regular Sketcher points. You can also dimension the x- and y-radii of the elliptical fillet. 1. Click Sketch > Dimension > Normal. Note: You can also use this command by clicking the Dimension button on the Sketcher toolbar. Additionally, you can right-click in the Sketcher window and select Dimension from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the fillet or ellipse (do not pick endpoints). 3. Click the middle mouse button to place the dimension. 4. Select one of the following from the ELLIPSE RAD dialog box: 72

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X Radius-Dimension the horizontal half-axis. Y Radius-Dimension the vertical half-axis.

About Known Dimensions


A known dimension is a dimension for a single reference entity or between two reference entities. A known dimension is represented by the dimension symbol prefix kd#. In the Sketcher mode, you can use the references and known dimensions to create a relation.

To Create Known Dimension


1. Click Dimension on the Sketcher toolbar. Alternatively, click Dimension on the shortcut menu. 2. Select two edges, two vertices, or datum entities. 3. Middle-click at the required location to place the known dimension.

To Create Known Dimension (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Sketch > Dimension. The DIMENSION menu appears. 3. Click Known. 4. Select two edges, two vertices, or datum entities. 5. Middle-click at the required location to place the known dimension.

To Use Known Dimensions (OFF)


Known dimensions allow you to establish meaningful parametric dependencies when creating a section of a feature. 1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Sketch and dimension as usual. 3. Create Known dimensions on part geometry that will be used to drive the feature section. 4. From the Sketch menu, select Relation. 5. Add relations connecting Normal section dimensions with the Known ones. 6. When the system updates the section, values of normal dimensions change according to the relations. Dimensions driven by Sketcher relations cannot be modified directly. To access Sketcher relations, choose Redefine and Section. You can also do it in Part mode by choosing Relations, Feat Rel, selecting the feature, and choosing Section.

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Moving or Replacing Entities


To Move Entities
Select the entity that you want to move and drag it to its new location. Note: To define new constraints and retain the existing ones while moving an entity, hold down the SHIFT key and drag the entity to its new location.

To Translate, Rotate, or Scale a Section


Use the Scale and Rotate command on the Edit menu to rotate, shrink, or expand the entire section. 1. Click Edit > Select > All. Pro/ENGINEER selects the entire section. Note: You can use the Select command on the Sketcher toolbar to select individual entities. To select multiple entities, hold down the CTRL key and select the entities. 2. Click Edit > Scale and Rotate. The Scale and Rotate dialog box opens. Additionally, the Scale, Rotate and Translate handles appear on your selection. 3. Enter the rotation or scale value. Alternatively, o o o Drag the scale handle, Drag the rotate handle, Drag the translate handle, , to modify the scale of the section. , to rotate the section. , to move the section or center the selection.

Note: To move a handle, click the handle and drag it to a new location. 4. Click Note: o o o You can scale a feature section only if geometry does not exist in the model. You cannot select angular dimensions while translating, rotating, or scaling a section. When you select a single Sketcher Text entity to scale or rotate, by default the translation handle is placed on the start point of the text string. . Pro/ENGINEER applies the changes and closes the dialog box.

To Replace an Entity
You can replace an entity and redefine a section after several features are created. The children of the replaced entity are automatically rerouted to the new entity. In the following figure, the thin protrusion uses the top edge of the block as a reference. The thin protrusion was created using Sketch > Edge > Use. You can replace the referenced edge with a newly sketched spline. 74

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1. Sketch the desired entity (spline). 2. Click Edit > Replace. 3. Select the entity to be replaced and then the newly sketched spline.

1. Select the entity to replace. 2. Select the new entity Note: Pro/ENGINEER may indicate that it cannot replace an aligned or dimensioned entity and if the dimensions should be deleted. Click Yes. 4. Regenerate the sketch

To Move Dimensions (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Geom Tools on the SKETCHER menu. The GEOM TOOLS menu appears. 3. Click Move Entity. The MOVE ENTITY menu appears. 4. Click Dimension and select the dimension that you want to move. The dimension is highlighted. You can select multiple dimensions by holding down the CONTROL key as you select. 5. Drag the dimension to a new location. Pro/ENGINEER regenerates the sketch.

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To Drag a Single Entity (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Geom Tools on the SKETCHER menu. The GEOM TOOLS menu appears. 3. Click Move Entity. The MOVE ENTITY menu appears. 4. Click Drag Item and select the entity that you want to move. The entity is highlighted. If you select an entity that has an endpoint that is common to other entities, all such entities move together when you drag them. 5. Drag the entity to its new location. Pro/ENGINEER regenerates the sketch.

To Drag Multiple Entities (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Geom Tools on the SKETCHER menu. The GEOM TOOLS menu appears. 3. Click Move Entity. The MOVE ENTITY menu appears. 4. Click Drag Many and select the entities that you want to move. You can select multiple entities by holding down the CONTROL key and selecting the entities. The selected entities are highlighted. 5. Click OK to confirm the selection. 6. Select the point from where you want to start dragging the selected entities and drag them to the new location.

To Use the Drag Entity Option (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Modify on the SKETCHER menu. The MOD SKETCH menu appears. 3. Click Drag Entity on the MOD SKETCH menu. 4. Click on a dimension that you want to vary and then select an entity. When you move the mouse, the Sketcher modifies the dimension to make the entity follow the cursor. Note that only the selected dimension changes; all the other dimensions remain fixed. 5. To accept the new value of the dimension, click the left mouse button. To abort the changes and restore the original value , click the middle mouse button. 6. To continue the process, select another entity for dragging or pick a new dimension.

To Use the Drag Vertex Option (OFF)


Use the Drag Vertex option to drag vertices. 1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu.

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2. Click SKETCHER >Modify. The MOD SKETCH menu appears. 3. Click Drag Vertex and select two dimensions to vary and then select a vertex. The sketch adjusts so the vertex always stays on top of the cursor. 4. To accept the new value of the dimension, click the left mouse button. To abort the changes and restore the original value, click the middle mouse button. 5. To continue the process, select another vertex for dragging or select new dimensions.

Constraining Geometry
About Using Sketcher Constraints
When you sketch geometry, the system uses certain assumptions to help you locate geometry. When the cursor comes within the tolerance of some constraints, the system snaps to that constraint and shows its graphical symbol next to that entity. Before you pick the location with the left mouse button, you can: Disable a constraint by pressing the right mouse button. To enable it again, press the right mouse button again. Lock in a constraint by holding the Shift key and pressing the right mouse button. To unlock the constraint, repeat your actions. When more than one constraint is active, you can change the active constraint by using the Tab key.

Constraints that appear in gray are called "weak" constraints. They can be removed by the system without warning. You can add your own constraints with the Constrain option in the Sketch menu.

Constraints for the Entities Created with Use Edge or Offset Edge
An entity or a chain of entities created with Use Edge or Offset Edge has the "~" symbol on the entity. If the endpoints of the new entity are fixed, the Same Points constraint symbol appears next to the endpoints.

Graphic Display of Constraints


The system shows constraints as follows: Current constraint-red Weak constraint -gray Strong constraint-yellow Locked constraint-enclosed in a circle Disabled constraint-with a line crossing the constraint symbol

The following table lists constraints with the corresponding graphical symbols.

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Constraint Midpoint Same points Horizontal entities Vertical entities Point on entity Tangent entities Perpendicular entities Parallel lines Equal radii Line segments with equal lengths Symmetry Entities are lined up horizontally or vertically Collinear Alignment Use Edge/Offset Edge Equal Curvature

Symbol M

H V

R with an index in subscript L with an index in subscript (for example, L1)

Symbol for the appropriate alignment type. ~ C

To Control the Display of Constraints


1. Click Sketch > Options. The Sketcher Preferences dialog box appears. 2. Under Display, clear the Constraints check box. The constraints are not displayed on the sketch. Note: You can also use the Constraint icon of constraints on the sketch. in the toolbar to toggle the display

Supported Constraints
The Constraints toolbox lists the following constraints:

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Button

Constraint Make a line or two vertices vertical. Make a line or two vertices horizontal. Make two entities perpendicular. Make two entities tangent. Place a point on the middle of a line or an arc. Make points coincident. Make two points or vertices symmetric about a centerline. Create equal lengths, equal radii, or equal curvature. Make two lines parallel.

Note: Interior spline points become visible and available for selection when you select a constraint option that allows point selection, for example, Alignment. For an equal curvature constraint between a spline and an arc, ensure that their end points are tangent.

To Create Constraints
Use the Constrain command in the Sketch menu to open the Constraints toolbox. The constraints you add are strong constraints. 1. Click Sketch > Constrain. The Constraints toolbox opens. Note: You can also access the Constraints toolbox by clicking the Constraints button in the Sketcher toolbar. 2. Select a constraint from the Constraints toolbox. 3. Select entities as prompted by the system. 4. Repeat Step 2 to create additional constraints. 5. Click Close. Pro/ENGINEER updates the section to the new conditions.

To Delete a Constraint
1. Select the constraint that you wish to delete. 79

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2. Click Edit > Delete. Pro/ENGINEER deletes the selected constraint. Note: You can also delete a selected constraint by pressing the DELETE key. 3. When you delete a constraint, the system automatically adds a dimension to keep the section solved.

To Strengthen Constraints
You can turn weak constraints into strong constraints by selecting Strong from the Edit > Convert To menu. Strengthen those system constraints that you do not want the system to delete. 1. Click a constraint to strengthen. 2. Click Edit > Convert To > Strong. The constraint is strengthened. Note: When you strengthen a constraint from a group (for example, Equal Lengths), the whole group will be strengthened.

To Obtain Information about a Constraint


1. Click Sketch > Constrain. The Constraints toolbox opens. 2. Click Explain. 3. Click on a constraint symbol in the Sketcher window. An explanation of the constraint appears in the message area. Alternatively, to obtain information about a constraint, select the constraint symbol and click Explain on the shortcut menu. Note: When you select a constraint for explanation, the sketcher geometry and references defined by the selected constraint appear in a different color. You can differentiate these entities from the rest of the sketcher geometries and references in the following ways: o If the selected constraint refers to two sketcher entities that play different roles in the constraint, then one entity appears in green and the other in purple. If the selected constraint is a single constraint, for example, vertical or horizontal, and this constraint defines a sketcher entity, then this entity appears in purple. If the selected constraint is a group constraint, for example, parallel, equal segments, or equal radii, and this constraint defines multiple sketcher entities, then these entities appear in purple.

To Make Circular or Elliptic Entities of Equal Radius


You can define the Equal Radii constraint between any two circles or elliptic entities. 1. Click Sketch > Constrain. The Constraints toolbox opens.

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Note: You can also click the Constraint button in the Sketcher toolbar to display the Constraints toolbox. 2. Click the Equal Radii button in the Constraints toolbox. 3. Select an elliptic or circular entity. If you select an elliptic entity, click X Radius or Y Radius from the ELLIPSE RAD dialog box. 4. Select another elliptic or circular entity. If you select an elliptic entity, click X Radius or Y Radius from the ELLIPSE RAD dialog box. The entities are of equal radii.

To Control the Display of Constraints (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Sec Tools on the SKETCHER menu. The SEC TOOLS menu appears. 3. Click Sec Environ and on the SEC ENVIRON menu, click the Disp Constr check box to display the constraints. Note: If you clear the Disp Constr check box, the constraints are not displayed.

Modifying a Section
To Delete Entities
1. Select the entities you want to delete. Note: You can select multiple entities by holding down the CONTROL key while selecting. 2. Click Edit > Delete. Pro/ENGINEER deletes the selected entities. Note: You can also use the delete command by pressing DELETE.

To Create Construction Entities


Use the Toggle Construction command in the Edit menu to create construction entities. Construction entities are used for reference and are not used to create feature geometry. 1. Select an entity. 2. Click Edit > Toggle Construction. Pro/ENGINEER converts the solid geometry into construction geometry. Note: To convert construction geometry into solid geometry follow Steps 1 and 2.

To Resolve a Conflict
When you add a dimension or constraint that conflicts or is redundant with existing strong dimensions or constraints, Sketcher highlights dimensions and constraints in conflict and asks you to remove one of the highlighted constraints or dimensions. 81

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Use the following options from the Resolve Sketch dialog box when you resolve the conflict: Undo-Undo changes to bring the section to the state it was in just before the action that lead to the conflict. The Redo command is not available after you choose Undo, because the last operation was not finished. Delete-Select a constraint or dimension to remove. Dim > Ref-Select a dimension to convert to a reference. Note: The Dim > Ref command is only available if there are dimensions in conflict. Explain-Select a constraint to get a description of the constraint. Sketcher highlights entities associated with this constraint.

Sketcher Hints
Consider the following hints when using Sketcher. When you create fillets between non-horizontal and non-vertical lines, create a point at the intersection of the lines to dimension to theoretical sharps. You can tell Sketcher specifically which dimensions to lock or unlock by using the Toggle Lock command on the Edit menu. The locked dimensions appear in orange, that is, the default color for locked dimensions. Alternatively, set the color for locked dimensions by clicking View > Display Settings > System Colors and selecting the required color on the Sketcher tabbed page. You can also lock all dimensions with the Toggle Lock command and then click Edit > Toggle Lock to selectively unlock dimensions that you want to change during dragging. Notice that when you select a locked dimension and click Edit > Toggle Lock, it becomes unlocked and the original color of the dimension is retained. When you lock all dimensions in Sketcher mode, you cannot change the section, you can only drag the section around.

Modifying Sketcher Text To Modify Sketcher Text


1. Click Edit > Modify. 2. Select the text that you want to modify. The Text dialog box opens. 3. Use the Text dialog box to modify text.

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To Modify the Height and Orientation of Text


1. Click the start point or the end point of the construction line at the beginning of the text flow. 2. Drag the start point or the end point to change the height and orientation of the text.

Modifying a Spline About Modifying a Spline


You can modify a spline by using the spline modification dashboard, right-mouse click the spline for the shortcut menu, or moving interpolation points by holding down the mouse button and moving them to desired locations. You can perform the following modifications to splines: Move interpolation points. Add points or vertices. Delete points or vertices. Manipulate a spline using control points. Create a control polygon. Delete a control polygon. Sparse a spline. Smooth a spline. Modify the coordinates of spline points. Read spline coordinates to a file. Get information about spline points. Interpret coordinate system as Cartesian. Interpret coordinate system as polar.

About the Spline Modification User Interface


To modify a spline: Double-click the spline. Select the spline and click Edit > Modify Select the spline, right-click in the sketcher window and click Modify.

Dashboard Slide-up Panel The Spline modification tool displays the following dashboard slide-up panels:

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Point-Change the x and y coordinates for interpolation. Also, move points to an absolute value or relative to the current value. Fit-Remove redundant data by the following methods: o o Sparse-remove within a deviation tolerance. Smooth-remove by averaging.

File-From the File slide-up panel you can: Associate spline points with a coordinate system Read point coordinates from a file Save point coordinates Display coordinate information Change the coordinate system to Cartesian or Polar.

Dashboard Dialog Bar The dialog bar allows you to specify interpolation or control points when changing x or y coordinates. In addition, you can perform the following functions: Click Click Click Click to create a control polygon. to modify spline using interpolation points. to modify spline using control points. to show a curvature analysis.

Shortcut Menu In the Sketcher Window, you can select a point or curve and use the shortcut (rightclick) menu to access the following options: Add Point-Add a point. Delete Point-Delete a point (includes end points). Pick From List-Open the Pick From List dialog box.

To Set the Curvature Display for a Spline


You can display the spline curvature and see how it dynamically updates as you modify the spline. 1. Select the spline. 2. Click Edit > Modify.

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3. In the dialog bar, click

4. Enter values or use the thumb wheels to adjust the Scale and Density. 5. Click OK to exit.

To Move Interpolation points


1. Click the interpolation point in the Sketcher window and drag it to a new location. 2. Repeat Step 1 to move other interpolation points.

To Add Points or Vertices


1. Select the spline you want to modify. 2. Click Edit > Modify. 3. Right-click on a location on the spline. A shortcut menu appears. 4. Click Add Point. Note: You can extend a spline by clicking on an endpoint.

To Add an Endpoint
1. Select the spline you want to modify. 2. Click Edit > Modify. 3. Press Ctrl + Alt and then click on a location in the Sketcher window. An end point is added to the nearest endpoint.

To Delete Points or Vertices


1. Select the spline you want to modify. 2. Click Edit > Modify. 3. Right-click the on point you want to delete. A shortcut menu appears. 4. Click Delete Point. The point is deleted.

To Use the Control Polygon Option


1. Select the spline you want to modify. 2. Click Edit > Modify. 3. In the dialog bar, click selected spline. . Pro/ENGINEER creates a control polygon around the

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To Add a Point to a Control Polygon


1. Create a control polygon for the spline that you want to modify. 2. Right-click anywhere on the control polygon. A shortcut menu appears. 3. Click Add Point. A new point is added to the control polygon.

To Delete a Point From a Control Polygon


1. Create a control polygon for the spline that you want to modify. 2. Right-click on the point that you want to delete from the control polygon. A shortcut menu appears. 3. Click Delete Point. The point is deleted from the control polygon.

To Move a Spline Along With the Control Polygon


Select any point on the spline, control polygon or an endpoint, and drag it to a new location. If you select any point on the spline other than an endpoint, and drag, the spline comes back to its original position. If you select an endpoint on the spline and drag,the spline and all the control polygon entities scale and rotate as a single unit. If you select a vertex on the control polygon and drag, only the two adjacent control polygon lines move.

To rotate a spline along with its control polygon, use Scale and Rotate from the Edit menu.

To Sparse a Spline
1. Select the spline you want to modify. 2. Click Edit > Modify. 3. Click Fit > Sparse. 4. Type the sparsity deviation value and click Apply.

To Smooth a Spline
1. Select the spline you want to modify. 2. Click Edit > Modify. 3. Click Fit > Smooth. 4. Enter the number of points to use in averaging. 5. Click Apply.

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To Modify the Coordinates of Spline Points


1. Select the spline you want to modify. 2. Click Edit > Modify. 3. Click Point. The Coordinate values reference panel appears. 4. Select a point on the spline. 5. Enter new coordinates in the x and y boxes.

To Save Spline Coordinates to a File


You can save spline points to a file with values in cartesian or polar coordinate systems. 1. Select the spline you want to modify. 2. Click Edit > Modify. The spline modification dashboard appears. 3. Click File. A dialog box appears. 4. Associate the spline to a local coordinate system. 5. Click . The Save A Copy dialog box opens.

6. Enter a file name. 7. Click OK. Pro/ENGINEER creates a spline point definition file with the coordinate system type printed in the file. The spline point definition file is a standard text file that you can edit using the operating system editor.

To Read in Spline Coordinates From a File


You can modify the coordinates of points on a spline by reading spline coordinates from a file. 1. Select the spline you want to modify. 2. Click Edit > Modify. The spline modification dashboard appears. 3. Click File. The dialog box appears. 4. Associate the spline to a local coordinate system. 5. Click . The Open dialog box appears.

6. Select a CAV Pts file and click Open. Pro/ENGINEER reads the data file and modifies the spline coordinates of the selected spline to match. Note: If the number of points in the file is not equal to the number of points in the spline, Pro/ENGINEER asks if you want to continue. Respond "yes" to adjust the number of spline points to correspond to the number of points in the file. Respond "no" to abort the reading of the point file.

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Tip: Reading in Spline Coordinates


If the spline does not appear as expected, you probably specified the wrong type of coordinate system. Try reading in the file again and specifying a different type of coordinate system. If the spline endpoints are dimensioned, the system ignores the modifications to the endpoint coordinates.

To Obtain Information about Spline Coordinates


1. Select the spline. 2. Click Edit > Modify. 3. In the slide-up panel, click File. 4. Associate the spline to a local coordinate system. . Pro/ENGINEER displays the current values for spline coordinates in the 5. Click Information Window.

To Manipulate a Spline by Its Coordinates (OFF)


When a spline has been associated to a local coordinate system, you can move the spline points by entering values relative to the coordinate system. You can change the type of coordinate system between Cartesian (X, Y, and Z), cylindrical (radius, theta, and Z), and spherical (radius, theta, and phi) when you read or save points to a file. However, when you enter new values from the keyboard, you can enter Cartesian values only. 1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click SKETCHER >Modify. The MOD SKETCH menu appears. 3. Click on the spline. The MOD SPLINE menu appears and the Pro/ENGINEER displays the spline points. The following are available: Coords-Modify the x- and y- coordinates of the points by entering values. Read Pnts-Read in coordinates from a specified text file. Save Pnts-Write the current coordinates into a specified text file. You can then edit and read this file using the option Read Pnts. Info Pnts-Display the coordinates of a spline in an Information window. You must select the coordinate type you want used in the value display.

You can modify coordinates of endpoints and intermediate spline points as follows: 1. Modify the x,y, z coordinates and the tangency of the spline endpoints. Modifying the endpoints alters the location of other spline points. 2. Modify the x, y, z coordinates of the intermediate spline points. You need to do this only if the Pro/ENGINEER adjustments to the spline are not satisfactory, or if the spline needs to be explicitly defined with specified input values. 88

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To Specify New Values for Spline Coordinates (OFF)


You can modify the coordinates of points on a spline by entering their values from the keyboard in two different ways. 1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click SKETCHER >Modify. The MOD SKETCH menu appears. 3. Click Modify and then click on the spline. The MOD SPLINE menu appears and the system displays the spline points. 4. Click Coords and select a point for which you want to enter new coordinates. 5. Type values for the x- and y- coordinates. You can enter a new value, or accept the default one. 6. Click Done Modify to save the changes. Note: For certain features, for example sweeps, you can also modify the zcoordinates of a spline.

To Modify the Number of Spline Points (OFF)


1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click SKETCHER >Modify. The MOD SKETCH menu appears. 3. Click on the spline. The MOD SPLINE menu appears and the system displays the spline points. To modify the number of spline points, use the following options in the MOD SPLINE menu: Add Pnts - Add spline points. Select one of following from the NEW POINTS menu: o o Interior-Add points to the interior of the spline. Select any location on the spline between any two existing points. Exterior-Extend the spline by adding points beyond its current endpoints. Select the spline endpoint that you want to extend, then click on a new location for adding points.

Note: If you try to add a new spline point very close to an existing point, Sketcher may tell you that the new point is too close to the existing point. In this case, add the new point further away, then move it to the desired location. Delete Pnts- Delete interior spline points. Sparse-Decrease the number of points on a spline. Smooth-Make the spline smoother.

To Move a Point on a Spline Based on a Local Coordinate System


1. Select the spline that contains the point that you want to move. 89

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2. Click Edit > Modify. The spline modification dashboard appears. 3. Click Point. The Coordinate values reference panel appears. 4. Under Local coordinate system, click 5. Select a local coordinate system in the Sketcher window. The spline is associated with the coordinate system that you have selected. 6. Select a point on the spline that you want to move. The coordinates of the point, based on the local coordinate system, appear in the relevant boxes on the Coordinate values reference panel. 7. Type new coordinates for the point that you want to move. The point moves to the new location with respect to the local coordinate system. Note: You can move points on the spline to another location with respect to a local coordinate system only if Local coordinate system is selected on the Coordinate values reference panel.

To Associate a Spline to a Coordinate System


1. Select the spline that you want to associate with a coordinate system. 2. Click Edit > Modify. The spline modification dashboard appears. 3. Click Point. The Coordinate values reference panel appears. 4. Click .

5. Select a local coordinate system in the Sketcher window. The spline is associated with the coordinate system that you have selected.

To Move a Range of Points on a Spline


1. Select the spline containing the point that you want to move. 2. Click Edit > Modify. 3. Select a point on the spline and holding down the SHIFT key, select another point on the spline. The two points define the limits for the range of points. 4. Within the defined range, select the point that you want to move and drag it to the new location. The selected point moves to the new location. The part of the spline that is enclosed within the range moves accordingly.

To Move a Spline Along With the Control Polygon (OFF)


1. To move a spline created with a control polygon, select Geom Tools from the SKETCHER menu. The Geom Tools menu appears. 2. Click Move Entity and select from the following:

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Rotate90 or Drag Many-Moves the spline and the control polygon as a single unit. Drag Item-Moves the spline in one of the following ways, depending on the entities you select: o If you select any point on the spline or the control polygon, except an endpoint,and drag, the spline and all the entities belonging to its control polygon move as a single unit. If you select an endpoint on the spline and drag,the spline and all the control polygon entities scale and rotate as a single unit. If you select a vertex on the control polygon and drag, only the two adjacent control polygon lines move.

o o

Section Geometry Information


To Obtain Information About Section Geometry
Click Analysis and select from the following: Distance-Measure the distance between any two parallel lines, two points, or a point and a line. The distance is displayed in the message window. Angle-Measure the angle between any two lines. Select the two lines. The angle between the selected lines is displayed in the message window. Entity-Select the single entity about which to you want to obtain information. The type of geometry and the endpoint tangencies are displayed. Intersection Point-Select two entities to determine their intersection points. If the selected entities do not physically intersect, Sketcher extrapolates the entities to find an intersection. If the extrapolated entities do not intersect (for example, parallel lines), Pro/ Engineer displays a message. The angle of slope at the intersection point for both entities is displayed in the message window. Tangency Point-Select two entities to determine where their slopes are equal. The selected entities do not have to touch each other. Pro/ENGINEER displays the angle of slope at the point of tangency and the distance between the two tangency points. Curvature-Displays the curvature of splines in the section using the CRV DISPLAY menu. The following are available: o o o Select Curve-Select a curve for curvature analysis display. Scale-Change the scale of the curvature display. Density-Change the density of the curvature display.

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Using a Coordinate System to Obtain Section Information (OFF)


For the options Entity, Intersection Point, and Tangency Point, you can select a coordinate system to identify pertinent coordinate values for the Sketcher entities, as follows: 1. Ensure that the Intent Manager is OFF on the Sketch menu. 2. Click Sec Tools on the SKETCHER menu. The SEC TOOLS menu appears. 3. Click Sec Info. The SEC INFO menu appears. 4. Select Entity, Intersection Point, or Tangency Point. The following are also available: Use Csys-Select a coordinate system that you want to use to obtain coordinate values of the entity. You can select only those Sketcher coordinate systems that are created in the current sketch. When you select the coordinate system, it is highlighted in magenta. The coordinates of the Entity, Intersection Point and the Tangency Point are displayed along with the information on section geometry. Note: The coordinate system that you are using to obtain section information is unselected if you do one of the following: o o o o Exit the SEC INFO menu. Click No Csys. Click Use Csys again and select another coordinate system. Select an option from the SEC INFO menu that does not require a coordinate system.

No Csys-The system does not give any coordinate values in the section information. Pro/ENGINEER determines other information, such as length or angles, relative to the sketch coordinate system. The sketch coordinate system has the x-axis along the horizontal and the y-axis along the vertical.

Creating a Feature Section


About Using Sketcher to Create a Feature Section
When you create features, often you must create sections to define the feature geometry. When you sketch sections on a part, sketch only what is necessary to do the job. If you do not want to create a new surface, do not sketch a line in the section, and leave the section open. If Pro/ENGINEER has problems intersecting the feature with the part, you must close the section. When sketching on the model, you use the same tools as standalone Sketcher, plus additional techniques.

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Note: In Pro/PIPING, you can use the centerlines of pipe segments as references in the 3-D Sketcher just as you use curves in the following descriptions. You cannot import any IGES features into Sketcher environment.

To Create a Feature Section (basic)


The following basic procedure outlines how to create a feature section when working with the part. 1. Select and orient the sketching plane. Note: When you create a new feature, the system automatically selects default Sketcher references. You can change these references or create new ones in the References dialog box. 2. Sketch the section geometry. If you have specified appropriate references, the section is complete after sketching. 3. Refine the section. You may wish to change the dimensioning scheme or to apply additional constraints. 4. Optionally, you may want to save the section. Note: It is important to specify the right references before sketching so that Sketcher can create appropriate dimensions and constraints to position the section with respect to the part or assembly geometry. If you select Sketch before selecting sufficient references, Sketcher issues a warning.

To Enter Sketcher Environment (basic)


1. Click on the Datum tool bar. The Sketch dialog box opens.

2. Do the following to set up the sketch: Select a sketching plane. Specify the direction of the sketch view. Orient the sketching plane.

After you set up the sketch, Pro/ENGINEER automatically places you in Sketcher so that you can start creating the section. Alternatively, select a datum plane or planar surface and start creating the feature section. The selected datum plane or planar surface automatically becomes the sketching plane. The default orientation reference is also automatically selected or created and the sketch is oriented accordingly. You can accept or change the default orientation reference and the sketch orientation, and proceed to create the section.

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To Specify and Orient the Sketching Plane


1. Click Insert > Model Datum > Sketch. The Sketch dialog box opens. 2. Specify the following: o o Sketch Plane-Contains the Plane field. Select a planar surface or a datum plane to be used as the sketching plane. Sketch Orientation-You can orient the sketching plane to make it normal to the sketching window. Click Flip to switch the sketch orientation between two sides of the sketching plane. Click the Reference box to select or redefine the sketching plane. Select a direction from the Orientation box for referencing the sketching plane.

Tip: Orienting the Sketching Plane


If you are creating a feature that is not aligned with the existing edges of the part, you may want to create a datum plane as a horizontal or vertical reference that will be added. This is especially useful when you create radial feature patterns. When you create a datum plane as a reference, first select the direction you want the plane to represent (Top, Bottom, and so on) and then create it. The yellow side of the datum plane will face towards the specified side of the screen.

About the Default Orientation Reference


When you sketch a section in Sketcher, the orientation reference determines the orientation of the sketch in the 2D environment. The orientation reference is used to define the horizontal and vertical constraints in the sketcher environment. When you select a sketching plane, the datum plane that is normal to the sketching plane is automatically selected as the default orientation reference. If such a datum plane does not exist, then the default orientation reference is based on an existing plane or the model default coordinate system. Note: The sketch orientation is based on the model default coordinate system, regardless of the existence of a coordinate system feature. If you select a sketching plane and the orientation reference is not selected automatically, then the sketching plane is oriented by projecting the X-axis of the default coordinate system onto the sketching plane. If the X-axis is normal to the sketching plane, then the Y-axis is projected onto the sketching plane. The projection of the axis on the sketching plane is in the horizontal direction and points to the right. After you accept this automatically created orientation reference and proceed with sketch creation, you are prompted to select the dimensioning references irrespective of the value of the sketcher_auto_create_refs configuration option.

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If you are not satisfied with the automatically created orientation reference, you can change it by selecting a valid orientation reference. When you click Info > Feature to display information for a feature that is created using the default orientation reference, Default appears against Reference while no value is displayed for Orientation.

About Modifying the Sketch Setup


You can modify the sketch setup by selecting a new sketching plane or the orientation reference, or both, at anytime in the sketcher mode. Whenever you select a new sketching plane or orientation reference, the active section is regenerated. The sketcher geometry appears with the new orientation settings. Upon regeneration, a message in the message pane indicates reference failures, if any, that you must resolve. When modifying the sketch setup, you can undo or redo the sketch setup operation to restore the previous or subsequent sketch setup, respectively. When you perform the undo or redo operations, the active section is regenerated and the sketcher geometry is reoriented accordingly. When modifying the sketch setup, you can create a new datum plane that you can use as the new sketching plane or orientation reference. When you change only the sketching plane, the existing orientation reference is retained if it is normal to the newly selected sketching plane. Otherwise, the existing orientation reference is replaced with the default orientation reference, that is, an existing plane or based on the model default coordinate system. Note: The sketch orientation is based on the model default coordinate system, regardless of the existence of a coordinate system feature. The integrity of the sketch is maintained when you modify the orientation or the orientation references. Modifying the orientation or the orientation reference is similar to a rigid rotation of the sketch geometry entities along with the model geometry. To maintain the integrity of the sketch, the constraints and dimensions behave in the following ways: All strong and weak constraints are preserved, except the horizontal, vertical, horizontal align, and vertical align constraint. Horizontal and vertical constraints are replaced with appropriate parallel and orthogonal constraints with respect to the original orientation reference. If the original orientation reference is not a dimensioning reference, then the orientation reference is automatically added so that you can add the parallel and orthogonal constraints. All strong or weak horizontal align and vertical align constraints are automatically deleted and replaced with weak dimensions or weak constraints or both by the sketcher solver. All strong or weak dimensions, except for the point to point dimensions in the horizontal and vertical directions are preserved and retain their values.

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The point to point dimensions in the horizontal and vertical directions are preserved, but their values are adjusted to reflect the new horizontal and vertical directions.

Note: If relations are defined at the top level and involve point to point dimensions in the horizontal, vertical, or both directions, then modifying the orientation settings is not similar to a rigid rotation. Besides a rotation, the dimensions that are used in defining relations change and modify the shape of the sketch. This change of dimensions will happen if the point to point dimension is driving the relation or the dimension is driven by the relation. If you change the direction of sketch view, then the sketch dimensions and constraints are automatically changed in such a way that the sketch geometry goes through a rigid transformation and does not change its location relative to the model. If changing the sketching plane causes some external references to fail, a message in the message pane indicates reference failures, if any, that you must resolve.

To Modify the Sketch Setup


1. Click Sketch > Sketch Setup. The Sketch dialog box opens. The Plane, Reference, and Orientation display the current settings. 2. Change any of the following on the Placement tabbed page: Sketch Plane-Select a datum plane or a planar surface to specify the new sketching plane. Sketch Orientation o o o Change the direction of the sketch view. Change or remove the current orientation reference. Change the orientation (Top, Bottom, Right, Left) of the orientation reference.

Note: When you remove an orientation reference, the existing orientation reference is replaced with the default orientation reference, that is, an existing plane or based on the model default coordinate system. 3. Change any of the following on the Properties tabbed page: Sketch name. X-Hatching (sketched datum curve only) value.

4. Click Sketch. Note: Sketch is not available for selection if the Sketch Plane box is empty. When you change a value in the Sketch dialog box, the active section is regenerated. The sketcher geometry appears with new orientation settings. Upon regeneration, a message in the message pane indicates reference failures, if any, that you must resolve.

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To Modify the Sketch Setup Using the Menu Manager


1. Click Sketch > Sketch Setup. The SETUP SK PLN, SAME/NEW, SKET VIEW, and SETUP PLANE menus appear. 2. You can change any of the following: On the SETUP SK PLN menu click: Use Prev to use the sketching plane and the orientation references of the sketch defined earlier, if valid. Setup New to create a new sketching plane. On the SAME/NEW menu click: Same Ref to retain the current sketching plane. Alternate > Plane to select a new sketching plane. Alternate > Make Datum to create a new datum and use it as the sketching plane. On the SKET VIEW menu, click Top, Bottom, Right, Left, or Default for the orientation reference. Note: If you click Default, the existing orientation reference is retained if it is normal to the newly selected sketching plane. Otherwise, the existing orientation reference is replaced with the default orientation reference, that is, an existing plane or based on the model default coordinate system. On the DIRECTION menu, click Flip to switch the sketch orientation between two sides of the sketching plane. On the SETUP PLANE menu click: Plane to select a new reference plane. Make Datum to create a datum and use it as the reference plane. Note: Upon regeneration, a message in the message pane indicates reference failures, if any, that you must resolve.

Sketcher Diagnostic Tools


About Sketcher Diagnostic Tools
You can use the Sketcher diagnostic tools to provide information relevant to the creation of sketch based features and regeneration failure. The following are the feature based diagnostic tools available in an active sketch: Shade closed loops-Detects entities that form a closed loop by filling the area enclosed by the entity with a predefined color. Highlight open ends-Detects and highlights the end points of entities that do not coincide with the end points of other entities. 97

Sketcher - Help Topic Collection

Overlapping geometry-Detects and highlights the geometry that lie on top of other geometry, or overlap each other. Feature requirements-Lists the requirements for the current feature and indicates the status of each requirement.

You can access these diagnostic tools from the Sketcher tool bar or click Sketch > Diagnostics on the top bar.

To Detect Entities that Form Closed Loops


You can use the Shade Closed Loop diagnostic tool to detect closed loops formed by the entities of the active sketcher geometry. To shade the closed loops, click > Shade Closed Loops. on the tool bar or click Sketch > Diagnostics

The closed loops appear shaded with a default color. Alternatively, you can set the color for closed loop by clicking View > Display Settings > System Colors and selecting the required color on the Sketcher tabbed page. In the Shade Closed Loops diagnostic mode, all existing closed loops appear shaded. If you create a new entity with a closed loop, the closed loop appears shaded automatically. You can shade the closed loops that belong to 2D and 3D sketcher geometries. For 3D sketch geometries, the closed loops formed by valid entities will only appear shaded. Note: A valid closed loop is identified as a chain of entities that form a section, which you can use for creation of a solid extrusion. If the sketch contains several closed loops that are internal and external to each other, the outermost loop is shaded, and the shading of the internal loops is alternated. For a sketch with multiple sketcher groups, the criteria to identify a closed loop is applied to each group independently. The shading color for closed loops is same across all the sketcher groups.

To Detect Open Ends of Entities


You can use the Highlight Open Ends diagnostic tool to detect and highlight the end points of entities that do not coincide with end points of any other entity within an active sketch or an active sketch group. To detect the open ends of the entities, click Diagnostics > Highlight Open Ends. on the tool bar or click Sketch >

The open ends are highlighted with a red circle on the top of the vertex that belongs to a single entity. A small portion of that single entity along the vertex also appears red.

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In the Highlight Open Ends diagnostic mode, all existing open ends appear highlighted. If you create a new entity with open ends, the open ends appear shaded automatically. Note: Open ends of construction geometry are not highlighted. You can highlight open ends of entities that belong to 2D and 3D sketcher geometries. For 3D sketch geometries, the open ends of valid entities will only appear highlighted.

To Detect Overlapping Geometry


You can use the Highlight Overlapping Geometry diagnostic tool to detect and highlight geometry that overlaps any other geometry within an active sketch or an active sketch group. Geometries that overlap appear in the color set for HighlightEdge. To highlight the overlapping geometries, click Diagnostics > Overlapping Geometry. on the tool bar or click Sketch >

Note: Overlap of construction geometries are not highlighted. You can highlight geometries that belong to 2D and 3D sketcher. For 3D sketch geometries, the open ends of valid entities will only appear highlighted. Note: The highlight overlapping geometry tool does not remain active.

To Analyze Requirements of the Current Feature


You can use the Feature Requirements diagnostic tool to analyze if the active sketch satisfies the requirements of the current feature that it defines. To use the Feature Requirements diagnostic tool, click Sketch > Diagnostics > Feature Requirements.... on the tool bar or click

The Feature Requirements dialog box appears. This dialog box lists the requirements for the current feature and status of each such requirement, and a message that indicates whether the sketch is appropriate or not for the current feature. The status column contains the following symbols indicating the status of the requirement as follows: -The requirement is satisfied. -The requirement is satisfied, but is unstable. Indicates that a simple change done to the sketch can dissatisfy the requirement. -The requirement is not satisfied.

Note: If at least one requirement is not satisfied, the sketch is said to be not appropriate. The Feature Requirements diagnostic tool is available only with 3D Sketcher and not with 2D Sketcher.

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Index
A Accuracy ................................22, 23 Arc creating.................................... 31 Arc ............................................. 31 Axis Point creating.................................... 35 Axis Point .................................... 35 C Centerline creating.................................... 28 Centerline.................................... 28 Circle creating.................................... 29 Circle .......................................... 29 Conic creating.................................... 31 Conic .......................................... 31 Constraing Geometry .................... 77 Constraints display of....................... 77, 78, 81 supported ................................. 78 to create................................... 79 to delete................................... 79 to obtain information about ......... 80 to strengthen ............................ 80 Constraints .................................. 77 Constraints .................................. 78 Constraints .................................. 79 Constraints .................................. 79 Constraints...................................80 Constraints...................................80 Control Polygon ...................... 85, 90 Coordinate System associate...................................90 creating ....................................35 Coordinate System ........................35 Creating Geometry arc ...........................................31 axis point ..................................35 centerline ..................................28 circle ........................................29 conic ........................................31 coordinate system ......................35 ellipse .......................................30 Elliptical Fillet.............................34 fillet arc ....................................33 line...........................................28 rectangle...................................29 spline .......................................34 text ..........................................35 Creating Geometry ........................27 Creating Geometry ........................28 Creating Geometry ........................28 Creating Geometry ........................29 Creating Geometry ........................29 Creating Geometry ........................30 Creating Geometry ........................31 Creating Geometry ........................31 Creating Geometry ........................33 101

Creating Geometry ....................... 34 Creating Geometry ....................... 34 Creating Geometry ....................... 35 Creating Geometry ....................... 35 Creating Geometry ....................... 35 D diagnostic tool to analyze feature requirements .. 99 to detect closed loop .................. 98 to detect open ends ................... 98 to detect ovelapping geometry .... 99 diagnostic tool.............................. 97 Dimensioning display of.................................. 58 negative dimensions................... 59 number of decimal places displayed ............................................ 59 to create dimensions .................. 57 to modify .................................. 59 to replace ................................. 58 to strengthen ............................ 58 Dimensioning ............................... 57 Dimensioning ............................... 57 Dimensioning ............................... 58 Dimensioning ............................... 58 Dimensioning ............................... 58 Dimensioning ............................... 58 Dimensioning ............................... 59 Dimensioning ............................... 59 Dimensioning ............................... 59 Dimensioning a Conic

dimension by endpoints...............67 tangency dimension....................68 three point dimension .................69 using rho...................................68 Dimensioning a Conic ....................67 Dimensioning a Conic ....................67 Dimensioning a Conic ....................68 Dimensioning a Conic ....................68 Dimensioning a Conic ....................69 Dimensioning a Spline dimension interpolation points......67 linear dimensions .......................66 radius of curvature dimension ......66 tangency dimensions ..................66 Dimensioning a Spline ...................65 Dimensioning a Spline ...................66 Dimensioning a Spline ...................66 Dimensioning a Spline ...................66 Dimensioning a Spline ...................67 Dimensions angle dimension between lines .....65 angle dimension for an arc ..........64 angular .....................................64 automatically lock ......................60 conic ........................................67 diameter ...................................62 elliptical fillet .............................72 linear........................................61 ordinate ....................................71 perimeter ..................................69 radial ........................................62

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reference .................................. 71 Dimensions.................................. 61 Dimensions.................................. 62 Dimensions.................................. 69 Dimensions.................................. 71 Dimensions.................................. 71 Dimensions.................................. 72 Divide ......................................... 44 E Ellipse creating.................................... 30 rules for creating ..................30, 31 Ellipse ......................................... 30 F Feature Section datum planes ............................ 94 sketching plane ......................... 94 to create................................... 93 to enter sketcher ....................... 93 Feature Section ............................ 92 Feature Section ............................ 93 Feature Section ............................ 93 Feature Section ............................ 94 Fillet Arc creating.................................... 33 elliptical fillet............................. 34 Fillet Arc...................................... 33 I Import ........................................ 52 Intent Manager conflict resolution ...................... 81

right mouse button shortcut menu 10 terminology ................................ 2 Intent Manager .............................. 2 L Line creating ....................................28 style .........................................22 Line.............................................28 Locking Dimensions .......................60 M Mirror to mirror geometry .....................44 Mirror ..........................................44 Mirror ..........................................44 Modifying a Section construction entities ...................81 to delete ...................................81 Modifying a Section ................. 60, 74 Modifying a Section .......................81 Modifying a Section .......................81 Moving moving an entity .................. 74, 76 moving dimensions.....................75 to scale and rotate .....................74 Moving ........................................74 Moving ........................................75 O Offset Edge to create geometry with ..............41 using select chain options ............41 Offset Edge ..................................40 103

Offset Edge.................................. 41 Offset Edge.................................. 41 R Rectangle creating.................................... 29 Rectangle .................................... 29 references replacing .................................. 25 to create................................... 24 to replace ................................. 26 using composite curve ................ 27 using intent object ..................... 27 references ................................... 23 S Section incomplete section ..................... 57 obtain info ................................ 91 to dimension ............................. 56 to retrieve a section ................... 52 Section ....................................... 52 Section ....................................... 57 Section ....................................... 91 Sketch Setup to modify .............................96, 97 Sketch Setup ............................... 95 Sketcher Geometry to copy ..................................... 46 to cut ....................................... 45 to paste...............................45, 46 Sketcher Geometry ....................... 44 Sketcher Palette

to add a section .........................55 to add a tab...............................54 to import a shape .......................55 Sketcher Palette............................53 Sketcher Selection Filter example .............................. 47, 48 Sketcher Selection Filter ................47 Spline add points .................................85 control polygon ..........................85 creating ....................................34 curvature display........................84 delete points..............................85 manipulate ................................88 modifying ............................ 83, 89 move interpolation points .85, 89, 90 obtain info.................................88 read coordinates ........................87 save coordinates ........................87 smooth .....................................86 sparse ......................................86 Spline..........................................34 Spline..........................................83 Spline..........................................84 Spline..........................................85 Spline..........................................85 Spline..........................................85 Spline..........................................85 Spline..........................................86 Spline..........................................86 Spline..........................................87

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Spline ......................................... 87 Spline ......................................... 88 T Text height ...................................... 83 modify...................................... 82 Text............................................ 35 Text............................................ 82

Text ............................................83 Trim ............................................42 U Undo and Redo .............................37 Use Edge creating reference entities ...........39 to create geometry with ..............38 Use Edge .....................................38

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