Project - Sketches

You can use the Project tool to cast or project sketches, edges, or faces to another face or sketch.

Projections create a relation or connection with the projected items that allows you to:

• Project different types of items onto complex, non-planar faces.
• Create sketches on faces based on existing 3D geometry.
• Create reference geometry that you can use for other operations.
  

Create projections of items

To use the Project tool:

1. Go to Tools > Project.
   For other methods of accessing this tool Accessing tools.
2. Choose a Projection Type.
   • Edges – The resulting projection will create new edges.
     
   • Sketches – The resulting projection will create new sketches.
     Note: You can also access this option while on sketch mode under Sketch > Project - Sketches.
     
3. Select the item you want to project. In History, this selection becomes your Items to Project parameter.
   Note: Each selection is indicated with a blue badge. You can click/tap the badge to change or cancel the selection.
   
4. Select the surface that you want to project on. In History, this selection becomes your Projection surface parameter.
   Note: The target surface will be colored purple, and you’ll see a preview of your projection. You can click/tap the badge to change or cancel the selection.
5. To finish, select Done.

Edge projections

Unlike sketch projections, edge projections are created like geometrical properties of the body.

When you project your items as edges to a surface of a body, the resulting edge projection:

• splits the surface into different sections
• is always visible with the body even if sketches are hidden
• automatically follow any changes or adjustments you make to the shape or size of the original item you projected

Check out some examples below to learn how you can use edge projections in your modeling workflow.

Example 1

In the example model, we have a bottle with groove designs in the cap.

To achieve these grooves, we can use the Project tool to project a rectangular-shaped edge onto a cylindrical body and then use the Fillet/Chamfer tool to create the desired shape and curves.

Lastly, you can use the Pattern tool to create a circular pattern around the cylinder.

Example 2

In the example model below, we have a circular ridge on a non-planar surface of the body.

To create this kind of groove on this particular surface, we can use the Project tool to create a circular projection onto the applicable surfaces.

We can then use the Sweep tool to create the groove by using the circular projection as the spine or path. To create the sketch profile, we can simply add an On Curve at Point construction plane to the circular projection.

Sketch projections

Sketch projections are useful for visualizing aspects of your design such as when you need a reference to better understand spatial relationships between different parts of your model.

When you project your items as sketches to a surface of a body, the resulting sketch projection:

• is treated like a regular sketch item that can be hidden in the Items Manager
• can be used a reference sketches similar to how you treat sketches when directly sketching on a face

Check out the example below to learn how you can use sketch projections in your modeling workflow.

Example

In the example model below, we have an elliptical hole going through the rounded corners of the body.

To make a hole that perfectly fits the rounder corners, we can create a sketch projection of the curved edges onto a sketch plane.

We can then draw the ellipse on the sketch plane while using the sketch projections as guides and then use the Extrude tool to cut the hole shape we want.

Items to project

Items you can project onto another surface can be sketches, edges, faces, or entire bodies.

Projection surface

Surfaces you can project onto can be planar or non-planar surfaces:

• Planar – You can create both edge and sketch projections.
• Non-planar – You can only create edge projections. Sketch projections aren’t possible similar to how you can’t create sketches directly on non-planar surfaces.

Relation between projections and projected items

When you create projections, a relation or connection is formed between the original item and the resulting projection.

Similar to the sketch pattern constraint concept, your projections will automatically follow any adjustments you make to the size or shape of the original item you projected.

History settings

To manage history settings for the Project action, find the step for your specific projection and then view or modify the following:

Edge projections

• Projection Surface – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to modify the projection surface and then select Done to finish.
• Items to Project –  Click/tapEdit…or Select…to modify the items to project and then select Done.
  
  

Sketch projections

Just like regular sketch items, the default name for sketch projections is Sketch.

• Plane – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to modify the plane or face where you want the sketch to be and then select Done.
• Projection – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to modify any existing projections for your sketch.
  
  

Learn more by watching the video below: