SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 3: Working with Sketches

FIGURE 3.50

Creating the extrusion from the new sketch

Summary

Sketching in SolidWorks is something that you will do almost every time you open the software. A

lot of automated functions are available that you can allow to do much of the work for you. You

also have a lot of control to make changes manually. Remember that the best way to create most

sketches is to use automatic relations when you can, sketch the approximate shape that you want

to make, and then either drag it to pick up automatic relations, add dimensions, or add relations

manually.

The options for creating intelligent relationships that establish your design intent, as well as

SolidWorks’s capabilities in laying out mechanisms, is only limited by your imagination. The more

familiar you become with the tools in your toolbox, the more of a craftsman you can become with

this software.

Reference geometry is an essential part of creating and controlling relationships in any parametric

model. Reference geometry is usually more stable than solid geometry, so sketch relations and

dimensions should use reference geometry as references when possible.