Use the Point tool to sketch points in 2D and 3D. Points are useful as a dimensional reference, for splitting, and for creating a point on a line or curve through which you want to draw a three-point circle. You can also project vertices in 3D to create points in the sketch.
The sketch grid must be visible in the workspace before you can draw.
To draw a point
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Click
Point in the Sketch group on the Design tab. -
Choose a mode:
- If a sketch plane is not active, press Esc to sketch in 3D or click on an object or objects in the Design window to make a sketch plane.
- If a sketch plane is active, click 3D Mode in the Mode group or press D to sketch in 3D.
- (Optional) Dimension the point relative to another object.
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Click to place a point:
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On a face or surface: click on a location on a face or surface.
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On an edge or curve: click on a location on the edge or curve.
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On the midpoint of a straight line between two points in 2D: hold Alt and Shift and select two points, then click on the temporary point at the midpoint.
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On the midpoint of a straight line between two points in 3D: select two points.
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Projected onto a face: select a point and then a face to project onto.
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Projected onto an edge: select a point and then an edge to project onto.
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In a UV direction within a face/surface: select an existing point on a face and then a location on the face to specify the direction.
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Along an edge from an existing point on the edge: select a point on an edge and a location along the edge.
You can also use temporary points, axes, and planes to help you create points. When hovering over, or selecting on a point with the Select tool, the X, Y, Z locations of the point display in the status bar.
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Tool guides
The following tool guides help step you through the process:
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Use the Select tool guide to select a location for the point. |
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Use the Select Direction tool guide to change the direction of the dimension for the point. |
Options
The following options are available for every sketch tool:
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Cartesian dimensions: Select a point in a sketch and then click this option to see Cartesian dimensions from the point. Cartesian dimensions show you the X and Y distances from the point you select. If you don't have a point selected, it shows you the X and Y distances from the origin.
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Polar dimensions: Select a point in a sketch and then click this option to see Polar dimensions from the point. Polar dimensions show you an angle and a distance from the point you select. If you don't have a point selected, it shows you the angle and distance from the origin.
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Snap to grid: Select this option turn snapping on or off while sketching. The cursor will snap to the minor grid spacing increment while you sketch. The defaults are 1mm for Metric and 0.125in for Imperial units. See Units options to change the minor grid spacing.
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Snap to angle: Select this option to turn angle snapping on or off while sketching. The cursor will snap to the angular snap increment while you sketch. The default is 15 degrees. See Snap options to change the angular increment used for snapping.
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Create layout curves: The sketch curves are created as layout curves. If you move the design to a drawing sheet, with Sketch mode selected you must select the Create layout curves checkbox again in the Sketch Options group of the Options panel in order to create layout curves on the drawing sheet. See Layout Curves.