Points/Lines

Sketch, edit, and extrude a point, line, or polyline.

Sketch a Point or Line

Sketch a point or line.

  1. On the Geometry ribbon, in the Create group, click one of the Points/Lines tools.
  2. Designate the sketch plane and enter sketch mode:
    • If there is already geometry, click a face.
    • If there is no geometry, you don't need to do anything. The global x-y plane is designated as the sketch plane and you automatically enter sketch mode.
  3. Optional: Click Create New Part to place the point, line, or polyline into a new part.
  4. Choose from the following options:
    To sketch this Do this Note
    Point

    		 Click. Use snap points to create a point at a predefined point on your model such as an end, middle, center, or intersection point.
    Line
    1. Click twice.
    2. You can resize the line by entering a length.


    		 Use snap points to draw a line that is perpendicular or tangent to another line, and snap to predefined points on your model such as end, middle, center, and intersection points.
    Polyline
    1. Click to create each point of the polyline.
    2. Middle-click or double-click to end the polyline.
    3. You can resize a line segment by entering a length.


    		 Use snap points to draw polyline segments that are perpendicular or tangent to other lines, and snap to predefined points on your model such as end, middle, center, and intersection points.
  5. Right-click, and then mouse through the check mark to exit sketch mode and enter sketch editing mode.

Edit a Point or Line

Reposition, resize, or apply a sketch constraint.

First, you need to be in sketch editing mode:
  • If a sketch tool is active, right-click and then mouse through the check mark to enter sketch editing mode.
  • If a sketch tool isn't active, double-click a face or sketch curve.
  1. Choose from the following options:
    To Do this
    Reposition the point or line Drag the point or line.
    Resize the line
    • Click the line, and then enter a length.
    • Drag an end point.
    Apply a sketch constraint to the line Right-click the line, and then select a sketch constraint on the context menu.
  2. Right-click, and then mouse through the check mark to exit sketch editing mode and enter push/pull mode.
    Tip:
    • If you sketched the curve on a face, the curve is imprinted onto the face and can no longer be edited when you exit sketch editing mode.
    • If you sketched a curve that doesn't touch a face, faces are created from any closed loops in the sketch. You can still edit the curve by double-clicking a face.

Extrude a Sketch Curve

In push/pull mode, extrude a sketch curve into a solid.

First, you need to be in push/pull mode. You are placed into push/pull mode automatically when you exit sketch editing mode.
  1. Choose from the following options:
    • To extrude closed loops of curves into solid material, drag the curves outward.
    • To turn closed loops of curves into holes, drag the curves inward.
  2. Right-click, and then mouse through the check mark to exit push/pull mode.
  3. Right-click the extruded sketch, and then click Make New Part from Solids.
Tip: Open curves that cut across the edges of a face can also be pushed and pulled, either to create new geometry or to carve away existing material.

Keyboard Shortcuts & Mouse Controls

To Do this
Constrain line to one direction Shift+drag
Enter sketch mode Double-click twice on a face
Exit sketch mode and enter sketch editing mode Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Exit sketch editing mode and enter push/pull mode Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Exit push/pull mode Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Exit the tool Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.