Fundamentals of

Solid Modelling using

Inventor 7

George Smyrnakis Session 03

 Inventor Webinars

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16th of November 11am: Introduction to Steel Fabrication

30th of November 11am: Introduction to Inventor

14th December 11am: 2D – 3D – 2D

 Chapter 4:
Creating Simple Sketched Features

In this chapter, you will:

• Get an overview of simple sketched features.

• Learn about sketch planes and the sketch coordinate

system.

• Learn about defining feature relationships and

termination options.

• Learn about rib and web features.

• Create extruded and revolved features.

Introduction to Sketched Features
To create a sketched feature, you first sketch a closed profile (and in
some cases, a path), and then you use Feature tools to create the
features for the part.
Sketches and Profiles
Your workflow in Autodesk Inventor typically includes the creation of a
new sketch environment. Within this environment, you create sketches
and profiles.

• Sketches contain all geometry used to design a feature. These include

normal curves, centerlines, projected geometry, construction geometry,
geometric constraints, and dimensional constraints.

• Profiles are closed loops that define the cross section of a feature.
You can create islands within profiles
Consumed and Unconsumed Sketches
Any closed sketch is ready to be used as a profile in feature creation. A
sketch that has not yet been used in a feature is called an unconsumed
sketch. When you turn a 2D sketched profile into a 3D feature, the
profile is said to be consumed by the feature.

unconsumed sketch icon in the browser

consumed sketch icon listed under feature

Working with Sketch Planes
When you create sketch geometry, it is drawn on a sketch plane. This
sketch plane is based on a planar face or work plane. The first sketch
you create for a new part is usually drawn on the XY Plane. Subsequent
sketches must be drawn on:

• Parametric sketch planes defined on planar faces of a part.

• A work plane that is parametrically attached to the part geometry.
• A work plane defined using the standard coordinate system.
Using a Part Face to Define a Sketch
When you are working in an assembly or part file you can place a
sketch on a face of an existing part. If the location or orientation of the
part face changes, the sketch remains on the part face and any features
created from it follow the change in location or orientation. Defining a
sketch on a part face is the most common method of creating sketches.
Using a Work Plane to Place a Sketch
If you need to create a sketch, but no planar face exists on the part in
the desired location, you can create a work plane and use the work
plane to define the sketch. If the location of the work plane changes, the
features created from the sketch follow its change in location.
Sketch Coordinate System
Three default work planes and work axes are available by expanding
the Origin icon in the browser. The typical default sketch plane in a new
file is the XY plane. You can also create a new sketch plane on the YZ
or the XZ plane.

The work planes, axes, and center point are hidden, but you can display
them by right-clicking them in the browser and selecting Visibility.

Three default work planes

Origin of the three work planes

Creating Extruded or Revolved Features
After you create sketched geometry and apply the appropriate
geometric and dimensional constraints, you can extrude or revolve the
sketch to create a 3D feature.

During feature creation, you specify a direction and taper angle for
extrusions, or a centerline for revolutions. You can also specify whether
to join, cut, or intersect with existing features, and define a termination
option (or extent).
Feature Relationships - Join, Cut, Intersect
When you extrude or revolve a sketch to create a sketched feature, you
specify how the feature will modify the shape of the existing features by
choosing one of four operations:

• Join Adds the feature to the existing part volume.

• Cut Removes the feature from the existing part volume.

• Intersect Forms a solid from the shared volume of the two features.

• Surface You can use open or closed profile to create a surface

without volume.
Specifying Termination
You also determine how the extruded or revolved feature will terminate.
For extruded features the options are:

• Distance: Extrudes the profile in a direction normal to the sketch

plane for the specified distance.

• To Next: Extrudes the profile to the next available part face or plane in
the specified direction.

• To: Terminates the profile on a specified surface.

• From To: Selects surfaces to start and end the feature.

• All: Extrudes the profile through all features in the specified direction.
Specifying Termination
Revolved features have two termination options:

• Angle: Revolves the profile about the axis by a specified angle.

Positive angle values rotate the profile counter clockwise; negative
values rotate the profile clockwise.

• Full: Revolves the profile about the axis a full 360 degrees.
Specifying Termination
For extruded features, you also specify the extrusion direction and any
taper angle to apply.

• Direction: Controls the direction of the extrusion along the normal

axis. The three options available include positive, negative, or both
directions (from the midplane).

• Taper Angle: Controls the taper angle along the extrusion. If the
value is positive, the cross sectional area increases. With a negative
taper angle, the area decreases as the profile is extruded.
Direction buttons Taper angle
Advanced Termination Options

In addition to the termination methods described previously, you can

terminate features in the following ways:

• To a face, or multiple faces

• To an extended face

• From a face to a face

• To the next possible face

Termination To a Face or Plane
For extruded features, use the To termination option to terminate a
feature on multiple faces or a plane. To is available from the drop-down
Extents list. In the following example, the oval profile is extruded to
three faces on the base part.
Extrude To an Extended Face
In some cases, a sketch profile may have to be extruded to the infinite
extension of an existing face. In the following example, the cylinder is
extruded to the infinite plane of the adjacent feature. During this
process, the Extrude dialog box displays the Check to Terminate on
Extended Face option.
From To Termination
The From To termination option uses two surfaces to define the extents
of the feature. The first face you specify determines where the feature
begins, and the other face specifies where the feature ends. When you
select the From To option, From and To buttons appear below the
Extents field
Extrude to Infinite Faces
You can extrude a profile and terminate beyond the apparent boundary
of conical or cylindrical faces. The To and From to Extents extrusions
include the Extended face option when you select cylindrical or conical
faces.
To Next Termination
The To Next option selects the next possible face or plane on which to
terminate the extrusion in the specified direction.

Surface Termination
You can use a surface as a termination face for other solid or surface
extrusion features.
Ribs and Webs
Ribs and webs are used primarily in moldings and castings, but are also
used in machined parts and in other cases when additional support and
minimal weight is required. The following example shows ribs and webs
created from the same sketch.

Create ribs when you need closed, thin-walled support shapes.

Create webs when you need open, thin-walled support shapes.

Rib Networks
You can also create rib networks when you need a series of intersecting
thin walled supports from a single profile.
Creating Ribs and Webs
You use a single open profile to define the basic shape of one side of
the rib. Then you use the Rib tool to define the Direction, Thickness and
Extents from the profile to create a single rib or web.
Rib Direction
You use the Direction button to control the direction of the rib. Click the
Direction button, and then position the cursor around your open profile
to specify whether the rib extends parallel or perpendicular to your
sketch geometry.
Rib Thickness
You use the Thickness value to control the width of the rib. You use the
Flip buttons to apply the thickness value on either side of the sketch
geometry, or use the sketch geometry as a Midplane.
Rib Extents
To define the depth of your rib, you use the two Extents buttons. Use
the To Next button to terminate the rib on the next available set of faces
along the rib direction. Or you can use the Finite button and value to
specify an offset distance from your sketch geometry.
Extend Profile
The Extend Profile check box controls the open ends of your profile. If
you check this option, a linear extension is applied to both ends of your
sketch geometry. If this option is cleared, the ends of your open profile
determine the end of the rib feature.
Creating Rib Networks
You can also use multiple intersecting or nonintersecting sketch objects
within a single profile to create a rib network. You use the same Rib tool
to apply one material thickness to all the objects in the profile.
Exercise 4-1 Extruding Two Features from a Profile
(Demonstration to follow)
Exercise 4-2 Extruding a Feature within an Assembly
(Demonstration to follow)
Exercise 4-3 Creating a Revolved Feature
(Demonstration to follow)