Chapter 2 - Drawing Sketches With Autodesk Inventor - 2024

Chapter 2: Drawing Sketches with Autodesk Inventor
In this chapter, the following topics will be discussed:

• Invoking the Part Modeling Environment
• Invoking the Sketching Environment
• Working with the Selection of Planes
• Specifying Units
• Specifying Grids and Snap Settings
• Creating a Line Entity
• Creating an Arc by using the Line Tool
• Creating a Circle
• Creating an Ellipse
• Creating an Arc
• Creating a Rectangle
• Creating a Slot
• Creating a Polygon
• Creating a Spline
• Editing a Spline
Autodesk Inventor 2024: A Power Guide for Beginners and Intermediate Users
www.cadartifex.com info@cadartifex.com
Autodesk Inventor is a feature-based,

parametric, solid modeling mechanical
design and automation software.
Before you start creating the solid 3D
components in Autodesk Inventor, you
need to understand the software. To
design a component in this software,
you need to create all its features one
by one.
Invoking the Part Modeling Environment

Start Autodesk Inventor by double-clicking on the Autodesk Inventor
Professional 2024 icon on your desktop.
To invoke the Part modeling environment, click on the arrow next to the
New tool in the left panel of the startup user interface and then click on
the Part option in the drop-down menu that appears. The Part modeling
environment is invoked with a default template.
NOTE: A template contains some properties of the file such as a predefined

unit system and a drawing standard. To change the properties of the default
template, click on the Application Options tool in the Tools tab. The
Application Options dialog box appears. In the Application Options dialog
box, click on the File tab and then click on the Configure Default Template
button in the Default templates area. The Configure Default Template
dialog box appears.
Alternatively, to invoke the Part modeling environment, click on the New

tool in the left panel of the startup user interface or press the CTRL + N
key. The Create New File dialog box appears.
Invoking the Sketching Environment

After invoking the Part modeling environment, you need to invoke the
Sketching environment for creating a sketch of the first feature of a model.
Select any of the three default planes as the sketching plane for creating
the sketch.
Working with the Selection of Planes

As discussed earlier, to invoke the Sketching environment, you need to
select a plane as the sketching plane. Selection of an appropriate plane is
very important for defining the right orientation of a model.
Specifying Units
As discussed earlier, you can invoke the Part modeling environment with a
default template (Metric or English), which contains a predefined unit
system and drawing standard for creating a design. However, you can
further modify the default unit system at any point of your design for any
particular file. For doing so, click on the Tools tab in the Ribbon and then
click on the Document Settings tool in the Options panel of the Tools tab.
The Document Settings dialog box appears. In this dialog box, click on the
Units tab to display the options for specifying the units.
Specifying Grids and Snap Settings

Grids help you to specify points in the drawing area for creating sketch
entities correctly and act as reference lines. By default, the display of grids
is turned off in the drawing area. You can turn on the display of grids in the
drawing area and specify snap settings to restrict the movement of the
cursor at specified intervals.
To change the default grids settings, click on the Tools tab in the Ribbon and
then click on the Document Settings tool in the Options panel. The
Document Settings dialog box appears. In this dialog box, click on the Sketch
tab to display options for specifying grids and snap settings.
Snap Spacing
The X field of the Snap Spacing area of the dialog box is used for defining the
snap spacing in the X direction and the Y field is used for defining the snap
spacing in the Y direction.
Grid Display
The snaps per minor field of the Grid Display area of the dialog box is used
for specifying the number of snap points between each grid.
NOTE: The major grid lines are darker in color, whereas the minor grid lines
are lighter and are displayed inside the major grid lines.
Creating a Line Entity

A line is defined as the shortest distance between two points. You can
draw a line by using the Line tool.
TIP: You need to press the TAB key to switch between the boxes of the
Pointer Input for specifying the coordinates. After specifying the
coordinates in the Pointer Input boxes, you need to press the ENTER key.
NOTE: If you move the cursor horizontally or vertically after specifying the
start point of the line, the symbol of horizontal or vertical constraint appears
near the cursor, respectively. The symbol of constraint indicates that if you
click the left mouse button to specify the second point of the line, the
corresponding constraint will be applied. You will learn more about
constraints in later chapters.
TIP: As Autodesk Inventor is a parametric, 3D solid modeling software where you can
draw a sketch by specifying points arbitrarily in the drawing area. Once the sketch
has been drawn, you can apply dimensions to specify the length and angle of the
line. You will learn about dimensioning sketch entities in later chapters.
NOTE: If you have created two or more than two continuous lines, then you can
create a close sketch automatically by joining the last and first specified point.
Tutorial 1
Draw the sketch of the model shown in below figure. The dimensions and
the 3D model shown in the figure are for your reference only. You will
learn about applying dimensions and creating 3D models in later chapters.
All dimensions are in mm.
To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.
Hands-on Test Drive 1

Draw the sketch of the model shown in the below figure. The dimensions
and the 3D model shown in the figure are for your reference only. You will
learn about applying dimensions and creating 3D models in later chapters.
All dimensions are in mm.
Creating an Arc by using the Line Tool

In Autodesk Inventor, you can also draw a tangent or perpendicular arc by
using the Line tool. In order to do this, at least one line or arc entity has to
be drawn in the drawing area.
NOTE: The creation of arc (tangent or perpendicular) depends upon how

you move the cursor from the last specified point in the drawing area.
Tutorial 2
Draw the sketch of the model shown in the below figure by using the Line
tool. The dimensions and the 3D model shown in the figure are for your
reference only. All dimensions are in mm. You will learn about applying
dimensions and creating 3D models in later chapters.

and the 3D model shown in the figure are for your reference only. Draw all
entities of the sketch by using the Line tool. As all the dimensions of the
sketch are multiples of 5, you can set the snap settings such that the cursor
snaps to an increment of 5 mm. All dimensions are in mm.
Creating a Circle
In Autodesk Inventor, you can draw a circle by using the Center Point Circle
and Tangent Circle tools available in the Circle flyout of the Create panel in
the Ribbon.
Creating a Circle by using the Center Point Circle Tool

The Center Point Circle tool is used for drawing a circle by specifying its
center point and a point on its circumference.
NOTE: As you move the cursor after

specifying the center point of the circle,
the current diameter value of the circle
appears in the Dimension Input. You can
enter the required diameter value of the
circle in the Dimension Input for creating
the circle. To create a circle by specifying
its radius value, right-click in the drawing
area and then select the Radius option in
the Marking Menu that appears.
Creating a Circle by using the Tangent Circle Tool

The Tangent Circle tool is used for drawing a circle that is tangent to three
line entities.
Creating an Ellipse
An ellipse is drawn by defining its center point, major axis, and minor axis.
Creating an Arc
In Autodesk Inventor, you can draw an arc by using the Three Point Arc,
Tangent Arc, and Center Point Arc tools available in the Arc flyout of the
Create panel in the Ribbon.
Creating an Arc by using the Three Point Arc Tool

The Three Point Arc tool is used for drawing an arc by defining three points
on its arc length.
Creating an Arc by using the Tangent Arc Tool

The Tangent Arc tool is used for drawing an arc tangent to an existing
entity.
Creating an Arc by using the Center Point Arc Tool

The Center Point Arc tool is used for drawing an arc by defining its
center point, start point, and endpoint.
Creating a Rectangle
In Autodesk Inventor, you can draw a rectangle
by using the Two Point Rectangle, Three Point
Rectangle, Two Point Center Rectangle, and
Three Point Center Rectangle tools available in
the Rectangle flyout of the Create panel in the
Sketch tab.
Creating a Rectangle by using the Two Point Rectangle Tool

The Two Point Rectangle tool is used for drawing a rectangle by
specifying two diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle.
Creating a Rectangle by using the Three Point Rectangle Tool

The Three Point Rectangle tool is used for drawing a rectangle by
specifying three corners.
Creating a Rectangle by using the Two Point Center Rectangle Tool

The Two Point Center Rectangle tool is used for drawing a rectangle by
specifying a center point and a corner point.
Creating a Rectangle by using the Three Point Center Rectangle Tool

The Three Point Center Rectangle tool is used for drawing a rectangle by
specifying three points.
Creating a Slot
In Autodesk Inventor, you can draw straight
and arc slots by using the slot tools in the
Rectangle flyout.
Creating a Slot by using the Center to Center Slot Tool

The Center to Center Slot tool is used for drawing a straight slot by
specifying centers of both the slot arcs as start and end centers and a
point to define the slot width.
TIP: You can also specify the diameter or radius value of the slot arc.
Creating a Slot by using the Overall Slot Tool

The Overall Slot tool is used for drawing a straight slot by specifying
start and end points of the slot center line, and a point on the slot to
define the slot width.
Creating a Slot by using the Center Point Slot Tool

The Center Point Slot tool is used for drawing a straight slot by
specifying the center of the slot, center of a slot arc, and a point on
the slot to define the slot width.
Creating a Slot by using the Three Point Arc Slot Tool

The Three Point Arc Slot tool is used for drawing an arc slot by
specifying three points on the slot center arc.
Creating a Slot by using the Center Point Arc Slot Tool

The Center Point Arc Slot tool is used for drawing an arc slot by
specifying the center point, start point, and endpoint of the slot
center arc.
Creating a Polygon
A polygon is a multi-sided geometry having all sides of equal length
and equal angle.
Inscribed
Circumscribed
Number of Sides
Creating a Spline
A Spline is defined as a curve having a high degree of smoothness
and is used for creating free form features. You can draw a spline by
specifying two or more than two control vertices or points in the
drawing area.
Creating a Spline by using the Control Vertex Spline Tool

The Control Vertex Spline tool is used for drawing a spline such that
it passes near a set of control vertices that influence the shape of the
spline.
Creating a Spline by using the Interpolation Spline Tool

The Interpolation Spline tool is used for creating a spline such that it
passes through a set of fit points that influence the shape of the
spline.
Creating an Equation Driven Spline

In Autodesk Inventor, you can also create an equation driven spline
by using the Equation Curve tool.
Parametric
Explicit
Creating a Bridge Curve

A bridge curve is a smooth (G2) continuous curve. You can create a
bridge curve between two existing lines, arcs, splines, or projected
curves by using the Bridge Curve tool.
Editing a Spline
Editing a spline is important in order to achieve its complex shape
and maintain a high degree of smoothness and curvature.
Editing an Interpolation Spline

You can edit an interpolation spline by using its fit points and tangent
handle.
Editing a Control Vertex Spline

You can edit a control vertex spline by using its control points and
control frame.
NOTE: You can also convert an interpolation spline into a control vertex spline or
vice-versa.
Tutorial 3
and the 3D model shown in the figure are for your reference only. All
dimensions are in mm. You will learn about applying dimensions and
creating the 3D model in later chapters.
Tutorial 4
Draw a sketch of the model shown in the below figure. The dimensions
and the model shown in the figure are for your reference only. All
dimensions are in mm. You will learn about applying dimensions and
creating the 3D model in later chapters.

dimensions are in mm.


Summary
In this chapter, you have learned that the Sketching environment is invoked
within the Part modeling environment. To invoke the Sketching
environment, you need to select a plane as the sketching plane. After
invoking the Sketching environment, the chapter discussed specifying
units, grids, and snap settings. It also discussed in detail about various
methods for creating lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, rectangles, slots,
polygons, and splines in addition to method for editing a spline.
Questions
Complete and verify the following sentences:
• Features are divided into two main categories: ________ and ________
.
• The ________ feature of any real world component is a sketch based

feature.
• The ________ field of the Grid Display area in the Document Settings
dialog box is used for specifying the number of snap points between
each grid.
• The ________ tool is used for drawing a circle by specifying its center
point and a point on its circumference.
• A polygon created using the Polygon tool can have number of sides
ranging from ________ to ________.
• To draw an ellipse, you need to define its ________, ________, and

________.
• In Autodesk Inventor, you can also create an equation driven spline by

using the ________ tool.
• The ________ tool is used for drawing a circle that is tangent to three
line entities.
• You need to press the TAB key to switch between the Pointer Input
boxes for specifying the X and Y coordinates. (True/False)
• You cannot draw a tangent arc by using the Line tool. (True/False)

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Chapter 2: Drawing Sketches with Autodesk Inventor

In this chapter, the following topics will be discussed:

Autodesk Inventor is a feature-based,

Invoking the Part Modeling Environment

NOTE: A template contains some properties of the file such as a predefined

Alternatively, to invoke the Part modeling environment, click on the New

Invoking the Sketching Environment

Working with the Selection of Planes

Specifying Grids and Snap Settings

Creating a Line Entity

To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

Hands-on Test Drive 1

Creating an Arc by using the Line Tool

NOTE: The creation of arc (tangent or perpendicular) depends upon how

To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

Hands-on Test Drive 2

Creating a Circle by using the Center Point Circle Tool

NOTE: As you move the cursor after

Creating a Circle by using the Tangent Circle Tool

Creating an Arc by using the Three Point Arc Tool

Creating an Arc by using the Tangent Arc Tool

Creating an Arc by using the Center Point Arc Tool

Creating a Rectangle by using the Two Point Rectangle Tool

Creating a Rectangle by using the Three Point Rectangle Tool

Creating a Rectangle by using the Two Point Center Rectangle Tool

Creating a Rectangle by using the Three Point Center Rectangle Tool

Creating a Slot by using the Center to Center Slot Tool

Creating a Slot by using the Overall Slot Tool

Creating a Slot by using the Center Point Slot Tool

Creating a Slot by using the Three Point Arc Slot Tool

Creating a Slot by using the Center Point Arc Slot Tool

Creating a Spline by using the Control Vertex Spline Tool

Creating a Spline by using the Interpolation Spline Tool

Creating an Equation Driven Spline

Creating a Bridge Curve

Editing an Interpolation Spline

Editing a Control Vertex Spline

To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

Hands-on Test Drive 3

Hands-on Test Drive 4

Hands-on Test Drive 5

• The ________ feature of any real world component is a sketch based

• To draw an ellipse, you need to define its ________, ________, and

• In Autodesk Inventor, you can also create an equation driven spline by

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• To draw an ellipse, you need to define its , , and