And when I say snot, I mean all that messy undefined-ness. That is some nasty stuff and can make your part sick I tell you. Sick, sick, sick. There is one thing that can help you though.
One Command to dimension them all, One Command to relate them, One Command to bind them all and in the sketch confine them.
What could this strange and mysterious command be?
Let me fill ya in. Some of you may remember a command, back in the ’06 days, called “Constrain All” that allowed you to add a bunch of relations to an undefined sketch. Well, in SolidWorks 2007 they removed it and added the “Fully Define Sketch” command to give you ultimate power over those that do not dimension things. It’s superior in many ways.
How can I use it to defeat evil?
Ah yeah. Time to slap that sketch up side the face. Like I said in that brilliant title, you can do it in two easy steps, but first, let me show ya what happens.
Let say you import a sketch of a sheet metal bracket and it’s completely undefined, like so.
Now this is unacceptable. You’ll want to fully define it so it loads faster and you can make changes easier. The command you want is located in Tools, Dimensions, Fully Define Sketch… and, when selected, brings up a property manager.
Nice huh. You have a lot of options here, but if you have a completely undefined sketch and the above options set you’ll end up with a completely defined and happy sketch.
Now, some may think the dimensions look a little messy. I prefer to keep the ordinates in this situation because I can clean them up pretty quick and then use the same dimensions in the drawing.
Now, to do it in two steps…
I set the “Fully Define Sketch” command to a quick key, B. Then when I’m in a sketch I do these two things…
- hit the B key
- hit the Enter key
That’s it. This comes in handy to get dimensions on a sketch quick. Three types of sketches this will be the most useful for are:
- Imported sketches
- Conceptual sketches
- Cleaning up sketches
It may not get the dimension exactly the way you want, but if you do any of the above repeatedly through the day, you’ll find it will save you time and give you options for getting those sketches locked down. Right on.
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{ 24 comments }
enjoyed one-snot ordinates
enjoyed one-snot ordinates
Thanks, I love those things too. Quick and clean.
Thanks, I love those things too. Quick and clean.
Thank you. Where can I get the book of this kind of tip?
Thank you. Where can I get the book of this kind of tip?
Drew, Hi. probably the best book out there is the SolidWorks 2007 Bible by Matt Lombard. If you want to see some more tips from others we have a contest running till June 15 at this link.
http://www.solidsmack.com/best-solidworks-dimen...
Drew, Hi. probably the best book out there is the SolidWorks 2007 Bible by Matt Lombard. If you want to see some more tips from others we have a contest running till June 15 at this link.
http://www.solidsmack.com/best-solidworks-dimensioning-tips-contest/2007-07-10/
thank you very match is tips
thank you very match is tips
No more snot!!
Thanks Josh…
No more snot!!
Thanks Josh…
Does the fully defined sketch option work when in a 3D sketch? I am having problems closing out a 3D sketch and can’t locate the problem to get a fully defined sketch. Any help will be apreciated.
Hi Andrew. Fully Define Sketch doesn’t work with 3D sketches. Try to lock down points with relations or dimensions. Sometimes it helps to add dimensions and relations before you add raddii or more complex geometry. Using construction lines can also help keep dimensions and regular lines where you want them.
If you’re using splines, construction lines definitely help, especially when you’re lining tubes up with fittings.
лишних антимаулнетизм
How do I fully define Sketch Text?
How do I fully define Sketch Text?
Lint, there's a point at the beginning of the text on the lower left. you can define that point. The text is controlled by the font you use and any guide curves. For a guide curve you can select a another line/curve you have created.
Lint, there’s a point at the beginning of the text on the lower left. you can define that point. The text is controlled by the font you use and any guide curves. For a guide curve you can select a another line/curve you have created.
Josh, i loved your little tutorial, thank you for the tips. Lu
Thank you! Almost blew my fuse tryign to clean a sketch! ;O)
i have 2008 doesnt even have that feature full define
i have 2008 doesnt even have that feature full define
It does, its not in sketch though, its in Customize, dimensions or drawing tools. Something like that
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