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Projecting onto the sketch grid
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Use the Project to Sketch tool to copy an edge or vertex of a solid to a 2D line or point that you can manipulate with the sketch tools. You can also project a note onto the sketch grid. Projecting an axis onto the sketch grid creates a construction line.

Except when explicitly selecting a new sketch plane, this is the only sketch tool that can select items that are not on the sketch grid. You can also select note text and project the text onto your sketch.

The sketch grid must be visible in the workspace before you can project edges onto it.

You can project a body onto a layout sketch plane on a drawing sheet.

To project a face, edge, vertex, or note onto the sketch grid

  1. Click Project to Sketch in the Sketch group on the Design tab.

    Mouse over your design to highlight the objects available for projection.

  2. Click the edge, edge chain, vertex, or note text you want to project into the sketch plane.

    Standard edge selection methods apply, so you can double-click, Ctrl+click, and Shift+click to create or modify your selection.

    You can also click and drag to draw a selection box enclosing the objects you want to project, including silhouette edges.

    The edge, vertex, or text appears as a sketched line to show that it is now a line or point in the sketch plane.

    Duplicate edges (that appear on top of each other) in the sketch are consolidated when you return to 3D mode.

    Tip If you have difficulty seeing a projected line, check that Fade Scene Under Grid is selected on the Display tab.

To project a solid onto the sketch grid

  1. Click Project to Sketch in the Sketch group on the Design tab.

  2. Click on the Select Bodies tool guide if you want to select bodies in the design window.

    You do not need the tool guide to select bodies in the Structure tree.

  3. Select one of the following options:

    • All body edges if you want all edges projected onto the sketch grid.

    • Visible body edges if you want only the visible, or silhouette, edges projected onto the sketch grid.

    • Body outline if you want to just project the body outline. Select a body in the Design window or Structure tree.

Examples

Projecting all body edges to the sketch grid

 

Projecting the body outline to the sketch grid

It may be necessary to use the tools in the Fix Curves group on the Repair tab if the sketch does not automatically close into a surface.

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