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83In This Chapter

Constraining Sketches

When you solve a sketch in Autodesk

MechanicalDesktop

, geometric constraints are applied inaccordance with internal rules. To fully constrain thesketch, you apply the remaining parametric dimensionsand geometric constraints that are necessary to meetyour design goals.Any time you modify a sketch, the parametric geometryretains the relationships among design elements.To reduce the number of constraints required to fullyconstrain a sketch, you can use construction geometry.Construction geometry becomes part of the sketch, butis ignored when the sketch is used to create a feature.In the next chapter, you learn to add sketched featuresto your constrained sketches.

Creating a strategy forconstraining and dimensioning

Defining sketch shape and sizewith dimensions and geometricconstraints

Using construction lines, arcs,and circles to create and controlsketches

Modifying a design

Re-creating a constrained sketch

Chapter 7Constraining Sketches

Key Terms

TermDefinition

2D constraintDefines how a sketch can change shape or size. Geometric constraints control theshape and relationships among sketch lines and arcs. Dimensional constraintscontrol the size of sketch geometry.degree of freedom

n part modeling, determines how a geometric object such as a line, arc, or circlecan change shape or size. For example, a circle has two degrees of freedom,center and radius. When these values are known, degrees of freedom are said tobe eliminated.dimensional constraintParametric dimension that controls the size of a sketch. When changed, thesketch resizes. May be expressed as a constant value, a variable in an equation, avariable in a table, or in global parameter files.geometric constraintControls the shape and relationships among geometric elements in a sketch.parametricsA solution method that uses the values of part parameters to determine thegeometric configuration of the part.

Basic Concepts of Creating Constraints

A sketch needs geometric and dimensional constraints to define its shape andsize. These constraints reduce the degrees of freedom among the elements of a sketch and control every aspect of its final shape.When you solve a sketch, Mechanical Desktop applies some geometricconstraints. In general, use the automatically applied constraints to stabilizethe sketch shape.Depending upon how accurately you sketch, you may need to add one ormore constraints to fully solve a sketch. You can also add constructiongeometry to your sketch to reduce the number of additional constraintsrequired. After you add further constraints, you might need to delete someof the applied constraints.In most cases, you need to fully constrain sketches before you use them tocreate the features that define a part. As you gain experience, you will be ableto determine which constraints control the sketch shape according to yourdesign requirements.