SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 6: Getting More from Your Sketches

Each sketch picture must be in a separate sketch. Figure 6.10 demonstrates the use of multiple

sketch pictures to trace the outline of a vehicle, with the partially complete model shown with the

images.

FIGURE 6.10

Using multiple sketch pictures

Additionally, you can put multiple sketch pictures inside a single sketch if you want to do that.

Both images show up in the FeatureManager, and both can be displayed at the same time, although

you may have difficulty if you want to put them on top of one another.

Compensate for perspective

When taking digital photographs to be used as sketch pictures in SolidWorks, you have to consider

how perspective affects the image. Perspective can make it difficult to size items in the foreground

or background. You should be aware of this, as well as that objects at different distances from the

camera will appear at distorted sizes. If you are taking the pictures that will be used as sketch

pictures, you can minimize the effects of perspective by standing farther away from the object and

using zoom on the camera if possible.

Estimate sharp edges

When you are drawing a sketch of an object, you are usually drawing theoretically sharp corners of

the model. Real parts usually have rounded corners, so you may have to use your imagination to

project where the 3D surfaces would intersect at an edge minus the fillets.

When you are reverse-modeling a part from images, you are not using an exact science. It is

better than not being able to put pictures into the sketch, but there is nothing about it that can be

considered precise.