SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 3: Working with Sketches

Using points as reference geometry

The Point reference geometry feature is infrequently used; however for some uses there is nothing
else that does the job quite as well. Figure 3.39 shows the PropertyManager for reference geometry
Point feature.

FIGURE 3.39

The Point reference geometry feature has several modes of point creation you won’t find elsewhere.

My favorite Point placement method is the Along Curve Distance option (the bottom one in

Figure 3.39). It enables you to create several regularly spaced points along a curve.

Tutorial: Learning to Use Sketch Relations

While it is useful to read through the definitions and functions of all the sketch entities, tools, and

relations, using your mouse to create is what this is all about. This tutorial makes sure that you get

to know all the major functions in SolidWorks sketches. Almost every part that you build will start

with a sketch, so this is a skill worth mastering. Follow these steps to learn about sketch relations:

On the CD-ROM
The BibleInchTemplate.prtdot template used in this tutorial is in the Chapter 3 folder on the CD-ROM. n

1. Open a new part using a template that you set up in the Template tutorial from
   Chapter 1. If you do not have this template, there is one provided for you on the
   CD-ROM named BibleInchTemplate.prtdot. Copy it to your templates folder and
   use it to create a new part. You may also use a SolidWorks default template.


2. Select the Front plane in the FeatureManager, and click the Sketch button on the
   Sketch toolbar. Click the Line tool from the Sketch toolbar.