Adding and removing constraints

You can add and remove constraints in a sketch by using options in the constraints menu and constraint icons in the design space. To learn more, explore the sections below.

• Adding constraints
• Removing constraints

Adding constraints

You will add most constraints by using the constraints menu. However, some constraints can be created directly in the design space by using drag and drop or the Lock icon. To learn more, explore the sections below.

• Using the constraints menu
• Using drag and drop
• Using the Lock icon

You can automate some constraint types by turning on the Auto-constraining settings. For more information on Auto-constraining, see Constraint Settings.

Using the constraints menu

The constraints menu is the primary method you will use to add constraints to sketch elements. The constraints that are available in the menu will change based on your selections. To add a constraint from the menu:

1. Select the sketch element(s) you want to constrain.
2. Select the constraint type from the constraints menu.

Some constraint types require selecting more than one sketch element. For information on how to select multiple items, see Selecting geometry.

For detailed information on the types of constraints, see Examples of constraint types.

Using keyboard shortcuts

Constraints also have keyboard shortcuts, combining the Shift key with an additional letter. You can see the shortcuts for each constraint next to its name in the side menu when using Shapr3D with a keyboard. You can use the shortcuts the same way as the menu: select the element(s) you want to constrain and then press the right key combination. For more information about keyboard shortcuts, see: Keyboard shortcuts, gestures, and hotkeys.

Using drag and drop

You can create the following constraints using drag and drop within a sketch:

• Connected points - Create connected points by dragging one point onto another point.
• Coincident - Create a Coincident constraint by dragging a point onto a line or curve.
• Midpoint - Create a Midpoint constraint by dragging a point onto a line's midpoint (indicated in purple)

Points that are connected, coincident, or have a Midpoint constraint are shown with a filled center. For more information, see States of sketch points. 

Using the Lock icon

The Lock constraint fixes a selected sektch element in its current position. You can add Lock constraints for sketch points directly in the design space. To use this method:

1. Select an endpoint or center point in the sketch.
2. Select the padlock icon  in the design space.

The padlock icon represents the current state of the selected element. Selecting the icon acts as a toggle between locked  and unlocked states.

Locked sketch points appear solid in color. For more information, see States of sketch points. 

Removing constraints

You can remove constraints by using Disconnect, Unlock, or by selecting and deleting constraint icons in the design space. To learn more, explore the sections below:

• Using Disconnect
• Using Unlock
• Using constraint icons

Using disconnect

Disconnect is used to delete the connection between connected points. To use Disconnect:

1. Select a connected line, arc, endpoint, or center point.
2. Disconnect the point using one of these methods:
   • Select Disconnect  from the constraints menu.
   • Select the Disconnect  icon in the design space (this icon is only available when a point is selected).

💡 TIP: Connected sketch points are shown with a filled center. For more information on the state of endpoints, see State of sketch points.

Disconnect will delete any Coincident or Midpoint constraints for a selected point.

Using unlock

Unlock is used to remove a Lock constraint from a selected sketch element. To use Unlock,

1. Select a locked sketch element.
2. Unlock the element using one of these methods:
   • Select Unlock  from the constraints menu.
   • Select the padlock icon  in the design space (this icon is only available when a point is selected).

The padlock icon represents the current state of the selected element. Selecting the icon acts as a toggle between locked and unlocked  states.

Locked sketch points appear solid in color. For more information, see States of sketch points. 

Using constraint icons

Constraint icons in the design space indicate where constraints have been created. To remove a constraint using the icons:

1. Select a constraint icon.
2. Delete the icon using one of these methods:
   • Press Delete or Backspace on a keyboard.
   • Select Delete Constraints from the Sketch menu.

Note: You can control how constraint icons are shown in the design space by adjusting Constraint Settings. For more information, visit Constraint Settings.

Learn more by watching the video tutorial below:

To find more video tutorials, visit our Shapr3D Manual YouTube Playlist.