• Fusion

Sketch 2D rectangles using lines, constraints, and center

Sketch and edit 2D CAD models using parametric tools such as lines, rectangles, and constraints.


00:03

Understanding sketch creation techniques is an important foundational skill for successful 3D modeling in Fusion.

00:10

In this example, you use parametric tools, such as lines, rectangles, and constraints to create and modify 2D sketches in Fusion.

00:21

Start with a new blank design.

00:23

To enter Sketch mode and begin creating a 2D sketch, on the Design workspace toolbar, click Solid > Create Sketch.

00:32

Follow the prompt to select a plane or planar face.

00:36

For this example, select the X-Z plane.

00:39

The Sketch contextual tab is added to the toolbar, and the Sketch Palette opens with additional settings.

00:46

You have several options for creating and editing sketch geometry, along with constraints that can be applied to the geometry.

00:53

Start by sketching a simple rectangle, using four lines.

00:58

On the Sketch toolbar, click Create > Line.

01:02

On the Navigation Bar at the bottom of the canvas, click Grid and Snaps, and select Snap to Grid.

01:10

As you click to place the first point of the line, notice that it snaps to a grid intersection point.

01:15

Click to place the second point, about 40 millimeters to the right.

01:19

For the remaining three lines, sketch randomly at different angles and different lengths,

01:24

but make sure you finish the fourth line by clicking the first point.

01:29

Note that the sketched shape is shaded.

01:31

This indicates that you now have a closed shape in Fusion.

01:35

With a closed shape you can do several things.

01:39

For example, you can extrude this shape to create a new body, surface, or form.

01:45

Next, add some constraints to configure the shape of your sketch.

01:49

On the Sketch toolbar, in the Constraints group, click Perpendicular.

01:55

Click the top line and then the right-hand line to apply a perpendicular right-angle constraint to the shape.

02:02

Notice the perpendicular symbol in the top-right corner.

02:07

Repeat the same steps to add this constraint to the top line and the left line, and again, you see the perpendicular symbol.

02:15

You can also create parallel lines.

02:18

Again from the Constraints group on the toolbar, click Parallel.

02:22

On the canvas, select the top line, and then the bottom line.

02:27

The two lines are now parallel, as indicated by the parallel symbol on each.

02:33

To specify the dimensions in a sketch, on the toolbar, click Create > Sketch Dimension.

02:40

Click to select the top line and the bottom line, then drag to the right.

02:45

Click again, and you can see the dimension.

02:48

Enter a new value, such as 50, to set the distance between the top and bottom line to 50 millimeters.

02:56

With the Sketch Dimension tool still selected, repeat the same steps for the left and right edges,

03:02

setting the dimension value to 50 millimeters.

03:05

You now have a square with 50-millimeter sides.

03:09

When you are finished creating or editing the sketch, in the Sketch Palette or on the toolbar, click Finish Sketch.

03:17

In the Browser, you can see that you now have a Sketches folder.

03:20

Expand the folder to see the new sketch.

03:24

You can adjust the visibility of the sketch by clicking the visibility icon.

03:29

While the previous sketch demonstrates useful skills, there is a simpler way to sketch squares and rectangles.

03:36

From the Design workspace toolbar, click Solid > Create Sketch again.

03:41

This time, select the X-Y plane.

03:45

On the toolbar, click Create > Rectangle to choose from several predefined options.

03:52

Select Center Rectangle, then click once on the canvas to place the center point.

03:58

Drag to create a rectangle of the desired size, or you can enter the dimensions directly.

04:04

For this example, enter 50 mm, press Tab, then enter 50 mm again.

04:12

Press Enter to complete the rectangle.

04:15

If you need to edit a dimension, double-click the dimension, enter a new value, and then press Enter.

04:22

Click Finish Sketch.

04:25

In the Browser Sketches folder, you can now see the second sketch.

04:29

You can identify sketches either by name or by adjusting the visibility of the sketch.

Video transcript

00:03

Understanding sketch creation techniques is an important foundational skill for successful 3D modeling in Fusion.

00:10

In this example, you use parametric tools, such as lines, rectangles, and constraints to create and modify 2D sketches in Fusion.

00:21

Start with a new blank design.

00:23

To enter Sketch mode and begin creating a 2D sketch, on the Design workspace toolbar, click Solid > Create Sketch.

00:32

Follow the prompt to select a plane or planar face.

00:36

For this example, select the X-Z plane.

00:39

The Sketch contextual tab is added to the toolbar, and the Sketch Palette opens with additional settings.

00:46

You have several options for creating and editing sketch geometry, along with constraints that can be applied to the geometry.

00:53

Start by sketching a simple rectangle, using four lines.

00:58

On the Sketch toolbar, click Create > Line.

01:02

On the Navigation Bar at the bottom of the canvas, click Grid and Snaps, and select Snap to Grid.

01:10

As you click to place the first point of the line, notice that it snaps to a grid intersection point.

01:15

Click to place the second point, about 40 millimeters to the right.

01:19

For the remaining three lines, sketch randomly at different angles and different lengths,

01:24

but make sure you finish the fourth line by clicking the first point.

01:29

Note that the sketched shape is shaded.

01:31

This indicates that you now have a closed shape in Fusion.

01:35

With a closed shape you can do several things.

01:39

For example, you can extrude this shape to create a new body, surface, or form.

01:45

Next, add some constraints to configure the shape of your sketch.

01:49

On the Sketch toolbar, in the Constraints group, click Perpendicular.

01:55

Click the top line and then the right-hand line to apply a perpendicular right-angle constraint to the shape.

02:02

Notice the perpendicular symbol in the top-right corner.

02:07

Repeat the same steps to add this constraint to the top line and the left line, and again, you see the perpendicular symbol.

02:15

You can also create parallel lines.

02:18

Again from the Constraints group on the toolbar, click Parallel.

02:22

On the canvas, select the top line, and then the bottom line.

02:27

The two lines are now parallel, as indicated by the parallel symbol on each.

02:33

To specify the dimensions in a sketch, on the toolbar, click Create > Sketch Dimension.

02:40

Click to select the top line and the bottom line, then drag to the right.

02:45

Click again, and you can see the dimension.

02:48

Enter a new value, such as 50, to set the distance between the top and bottom line to 50 millimeters.

02:56

With the Sketch Dimension tool still selected, repeat the same steps for the left and right edges,

03:02

setting the dimension value to 50 millimeters.

03:05

You now have a square with 50-millimeter sides.

03:09

When you are finished creating or editing the sketch, in the Sketch Palette or on the toolbar, click Finish Sketch.

03:17

In the Browser, you can see that you now have a Sketches folder.

03:20

Expand the folder to see the new sketch.

03:24

You can adjust the visibility of the sketch by clicking the visibility icon.

03:29

While the previous sketch demonstrates useful skills, there is a simpler way to sketch squares and rectangles.

03:36

From the Design workspace toolbar, click Solid > Create Sketch again.

03:41

This time, select the X-Y plane.

03:45

On the toolbar, click Create > Rectangle to choose from several predefined options.

03:52

Select Center Rectangle, then click once on the canvas to place the center point.

03:58

Drag to create a rectangle of the desired size, or you can enter the dimensions directly.

04:04

For this example, enter 50 mm, press Tab, then enter 50 mm again.

04:12

Press Enter to complete the rectangle.

04:15

If you need to edit a dimension, double-click the dimension, enter a new value, and then press Enter.

04:22

Click Finish Sketch.

04:25

In the Browser Sketches folder, you can now see the second sketch.

04:29

You can identify sketches either by name or by adjusting the visibility of the sketch.

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