Sketcher Tool Workshop

Introduction

• Product typically means an assembly window.
• By default, the assembly (product) window will open, which you should close.
• Focus is on Sketcher window within mechanical design.
• Only five sub-modules to be covered: Sketcher, Part, Wireframe and Surface Design, Assembly, Drafting.

Navigating to Sketcher

• Start the mechanical design → Sketcher.
• Highlighted in orange color to signify selection.
• Bottom left corner provides next steps: select a plane or planar face for sketching.

Sketcher Window and Toolbars

• View Toolbar: Fit all in, Pan, Rotate - common across all panes.
• Profile Toolbar: Create continuous lines.
  • Straight horizontal/vertical lines appear in blue; inclined lines appear in white.
• Sketch Tools Expansion: More options like drawing arcs, rectangles, circles, splines, etc.
• Constraints: Important for ensuring elements are fixed or constrained to prevent unwanted movements.
• Operation Toolbar: Trim, break lines, and perform mirroring/symmetry operations.
• Transformation Tools: Mirror, symmetry, translate, rotate, scale, offset.

Creating and Constraining Profiles

• Profile Creation:
  • Rectangles, circles, and complex lines.
  • Ensure profiles are closed and constrained for 3D modeling.
  • Avoid auto-constraints by carefully selecting/moving points.
• Dimension Constraints:
  • Define dimensions immediately after drawing each profile.
  • Example dimensions: length, width for rectangles; radius for circles.
• Symmetry and Alignment:
  • Use symmetry tools to even out profiles on axes.

Smart Design Practices

• Efficiency in Drawing:
  • Use tools like elongated hole for quick profile creation instead of drawing individual lines and circles.
  • Avoid unnecessary constraints and dimensions to keep the diagram clear and efficient.

Example Exercise: Bulkhead Design

• Objective: Draw two concentric circles and elongated holes.

1. Draw larger circle with radius 1250 fit to screen.
2. Draw second circle with radius 1225.
3. Draw elongated holes using appropriate dimensions (e.g., radius = 800, length = 600).
4. Ensure profiles are constrained using symmetry about the axis.
5. Create remaining circles and ensure they match required dimensions.

Final Touches

• Capturing Views:
  • Tools → Image Capturing for observation reports.
  • Adjust background for clearer visibility.
• Grid Points & Snaps:
  • Enable grid points and snapping if useful; however, often work without snap points.

Important Settings

• Ensure dimensional and geometrical constraints are always enabled for accurate sketching.