SpaceClaim Online Help

Design modes

In SpaceClaim, there are three modes you can use to design: Sketch, SectionDesign mode in which you edit solids by working with their edges and vertices in cross-section. View is cut away to show interior detail., and 3D. These modes make it clear when you are working in 2D vs. 3D, and clarify the difference between working in cross-section (where you can alter 3D objects) and sketching (where you cannot alter 3D objects).

To switch modes

1. Click a tool in the ModeThree ways of designing: Sketch, Cross-section, or 3D. You can switch between modes at any time. ribbon group.

   You can also right-click an empty area of the Design windowArea in the user interface that displays your model or assembly. Also known as Workspace. and select Sketch ModeThree ways of designing: Sketch, Cross-section, or 3D. You can switch between modes at any time., SectionDesign mode in which you edit solids by working with their edges and vertices in cross-section. View is cut away to show interior detail. ModeThree ways of designing: Sketch, Cross-section, or 3D. You can switch between modes at any time., or 3D ModeThree ways of designing: Sketch, Cross-section, or 3D. You can switch between modes at any time. from the context menu, or press K (for Sketch modeMode for drawing in two dimensions using the sketching tools on the sketch grid. A sketch is a collection of lines and other 2D objects on a sketch grid. Sketching creates regions that can be pulled into 3D. When you pull your sketch into 3D with the Pull tool, regions formed by intersecting lines will become solids and lines will become edges.), X (for Section modeSee Section), or D (for 3D mode).

   If you are sketching, you can also click Return to 3D mode in the Sketch plane mini-toolbar.

2. If you are switching from 3D mode to one of the other modes, select a plane to sketch on or create the cross-section.

   When you select an origin object or its center and click Sketch modeMode for drawing in two dimensions using the sketching tools on the sketch grid. A sketch is a collection of lines and other 2D objects on a sketch grid. Sketching creates regions that can be pulled into 3D. When you pull your sketch into 3D with the Pull tool, regions formed by intersecting lines will become solids and lines will become edges., the sketch plane is aligned to the origin object's XY axis.

To flip the view while in section mode

Right-click and select Flip Viewing Direction while section mode is active.

Mode ribbon group

The ModeThree ways of designing: Sketch, Cross-section, or 3D. You can switch between modes at any time. ribbon group contains the following tools:

Examples

A design in section mode; the active component is displayed in the part color (magenta in this example) and the inactive components are displayed in gray.

Switching from Sketch modeMode for drawing in two dimensions using the sketching tools on the sketch grid. A sketch is a collection of lines and other 2D objects on a sketch grid. Sketching creates regions that can be pulled into 3D. When you pull your sketch into 3D with the Pull tool, regions formed by intersecting lines will become solids and lines will become edges. to 3D mode automatically converts closed sketched curves into surface objects and the sketch curves become edges. Only the sketch curves that contribute to the closed surface are converted to edges; leftover curves remain in the design as free curves.