Sketch Objects

Although there are multiple variations of 2D geometric objects which can be input into the editor, these roughly fall into two categories :

• 2D Line geometry, including Smart Objects, such as polygons, rectangles which allow multi-line objects to be drawn either as single or polylines.
• 2D Radial geometry, including splines and curves.

2D sketch objects are referred to as Curves and can be used to produce a detailed 2D drawing. Curves also form the basis of most solid 3D construction and are frequently referred to as profiles.

2D Line Geometry

Draw | Line

This consists of line tools such as single lines, multiple lines (polylines), Polygons, Rectangles etc.

All 2D curves can be created in the editor by means of inputting accurate geometric and spatial information, typically to indicate either length and angle, or their position.

Any line can be drawn according to length and angle dimensions by inputting the Length and Angle into the edit fields at the top of the editor. This information can usually be input either before or after the curve is produced.

Various drawing tools can be used to assist in the creation of lines. For example, when drawing a line, the keyboard SHIFT key can be used to constrain the drawing of such lines to orthographic (90°) angles.

LIne Bisector

PowerPack | Draw | Line Biscector

This sketch tool creates a line which bisects the angle of two defined locations, relative to a base point.

In the example below, the heavy line bisects the points specified by points 2 and 3.

Point 1 is the intended start point of the line bisector.

The length of the bisector line can be updated in the edit field.

Best Fit Line and Circle

The Best Fit Line and Circle tools are perfect for tracing precise curves over rough images. Both tools allow the designer to over sample a collection of points to account for fuzzy data.

Highlights of the Best Fit Line and Circle Tool:

Best Fit Line

Enter an arbitrary number of points to create a best fit line terminating with right click.

Best Fit Circle

Enter an arbitrary number of points to create a best fit circle terminating with a right click.

You may also select a polyline or curve where the tool will best fit the object into a circle.

Rectangles & Polygons

Draw | Polygon

Rectangles and Polygons are compound objects which can either be drawn as single line objects or as polylines. In instances where these objects are drawn as Smart Polygons, their overall geometry can be modified using the Inspector. In instances where these objects are drawn as Single Line objects, only their individual geometry can be modified.

Objects such as Rounded Rectangles provide an option to blend the vertices, thereby creating a slot, shown below.

Creating a slot using the Rounded Rectangle

[This tool is discussed and demonstrated in more detail here](2D Session 01_09.htm#Rounded).

Splines & Curves

Draw | Spline | Helix Spline

Sketch tools such as bezier or helix splines can include the creation of arcs and blends by defining a radius. They can also be tapered by specifying a start and end line width.

An example of a spline is a Helix, shown below.

Helix Spline

[This tool is discussed and demonstrated in more detail here](2D Session 07_01.htm#Helix).

See also:

SharkCAD Pro PowerPack

Show Inflections

Check Curve Tangency

Locate Minimum Curvature

Radial Objects

Draw | Circle

This consists of radial tools such as circles, arcs and ellipses.

All 2D circle tools provide options to generate these objects according to specific criteria such as radius, diameter, tangential connections etc. For example, a circle can either be drawn from a center to a radial point, from 2 points on the diameter or by connecting 2 tangential points to other circles or lines.

The geometrical and spatial information, as well as the properties (layer, color, line style etc) for any drawn object can be found using the Inspector. For example, the radius of a circle can be changed by selecting the circle and viewing the information in the Inspector.

Circles arcs and ellipses have inherent snaps such as quadrants (polar points) and centers. Tangents are found automatically when the Tan/Perp snap is enabled.

The ‘polar’ points of an ellipse are identified as ‘vertex’ shown below.

Vertex snap identified on an ellipse

Construction Objects

Draw | Construction

Construction objects are used as temporary objects in cases where geometry is required.

A default layer called Construction exists in all new drawings and construction objects are automatically placed on this layer.

Although inserted as temporary drawing aids, construction lines function in a similar manner to line geometry in that they can be snapped to and from, their length and angle geometry can be changed and their layer properties can be modified.

Construction lines can also be offset from other construction lines and existing line geometry. Construction lines themselves can be offset using line tools such as Parallel line.

Below is an example of how construction lines, shown in dashed lines below are used to create a parallel offset from a line and the central axis of an object.

Construction Line and Construction Parallel Line