Constraints are rules that you can define between sketches and for a sketch itself. They will help you create accurate and precise sketches.
Using constraints
In Shapr3D you only have to keep yourself to a small set of rules to use our constraints efficiently:
- Just start sketching: You can access the constraints in the Sketch menu, just select any sketch or tap on Sketch and the Menu will appear.
- Always pre-select: Select the lines, points, arcs, circles first and only then add the constraints. Simple as that.
- Dimension & Auto-lock: Tap on any line, circle or combination of points and give them length, radius or create a distance between them. These dimensions will be auto-locked.
TIP: Create a rough sketch first and only then add constraints. This workflow will make your job easier!
Edge - sketch constraints
You can define constraints between edges of bodies and sketches
How can I delete constraints?
- Select the sketch you want to modify
- Tap on the constraint icon you want to delete
- Tap on the "X"
List of available constraints:
Parallel: It makes 2 or more lines parallel to each other.
Perpendicular: It creates a 90° connection between 2 or more lines. The lines don't have to share a common point or intersect with each other.
Tangent: You can make a circle&circle; line&circle and a line&line tangent to each other.
Concentric: It makes two or more circles share their center point.
Horizontal / Vertical: This command will make your lines parallel to the X or Y axis of the sketch plane, whichever takes fewer adjustments.
Equal: Makes your lines the same length and your circles having the same radius.
Lock: It locks your points. Select any number of lines, circles or points and this tool will lock all the points related. Locking a single point can be achieved by selecting the point and tapping on the lock icon on top of it.
Symmetry: Makes your lines, circles or points symmetric to each other, in relation to a given axis.
- Lines: The vectors will be mirrored to a given axis
- Circles: The radius will remain the same, and the center point will be on the same imaginary line, perpendicular to the axis of symmetry.
Dimensions
There are multiple dimensions you can select by simply tapping on the sketch you want to change, and entering chosen dimension. Here are the options you have:
- length: select a line, tap on the annotation and enter the value
- radius: select a circle or an arc, tap on the annotation and enter a value
- angle: you can set the angle between two connected curves. You can modify the angle by selecting the two lines/arcs, tapping on the annotation and entering the final angle.
- point-to-point distance: Define the distance between two points by selecting them, and entering the desired length. 3 different distances are available:
- Absolute
- Horizontal
- Vertical
- point-to-line distance: Define the length between a point and a line
Tutorial
In this video you can learn how to use all the tools mentioned in this article, and learn finishing up your sketches with constraints.