Essentials Course.book

Lesson 2
Introduction to Sketching
SolidWorks 2006 Training Manual
Sketch Entity Toolbar Button Geometry Example
Polygon
Basic Sketching
The Mechanics of
Sketching
Introducing:
Insert Line
The best way to begin sketching is by using the most fundamental
shape, the Line.
To sketch geometry, there are two techniques that can be used:
■
Click-Click
Position the cursor where you want the line to start. Click (press
and release) the left mouse button. Move the cursor to where you
want the line to end. A preview of the sketch entity will follow the
cursor like a rubber band. Click the left mouse button a second
time.
■ Click-Drag
Position the cursor where you want the line to start. Press and hold
the left mouse button. Drag the cursor to where you want the sketch
entity to end. A preview of the sketch entity will follow the cursor
like a rubber band. Release the left mouse button.
The Line tool creates single line segments in a sketch. Horizontal and
vertical lines can be created while sketching by watching for the
feedback symbols on the cursor.
Where to Find It ■ From the Tools menu, select Sketch Entities, Line.
■ Or, with the cursor in the graphics window, right-click and select
Line from the shortcut menu.
■ Or, on the Sketch toolbar click Line .
Introducing: Sketch
Relations
Rectangle
Parallelogram
Point
Centerline
Pre-Release
Do not copy or distribute
Sketch Relations are used to force a behavior on a sketch element
thereby capturing design intent. They will be discussed in detail in
Sketch Relations on page 33.
26 Basic Sketching