CATIAV5 - Sketcher

Introduction to
Sketcher
Learning
Objectives
Understand the Sketcher workbench of CATIA V5.
Start a new file in the Part workbench and invoke the Sketcher
workbench within it.
Set up the Sketcher workbench.
Understand some important Sketcher terms.
Draw sketches using some of the tools in the Sketcher workbench.
Use some of the drawing display tools.
 Introduction to
Sketcher
Most of the components designed using CATIA V5 are a combination of
sketched
features, placed features, and derived features.
The placed features are created without drawing a sketch, whereas the
sketched
features require a sketch that defines the shape of the sketched
feature.

Solid Model of a Link Base sketch for the solid model

 Introduction to
Sketcher
Starting A NEW FILE
When you start CATIA V5R16, a new Product file with the name
Product1 is displayed
on the screen,
Choose Start >asMechanical
shown in the figure. > Part Design to make sure
Design
that you are in the Part
he NewDesign workbench.
Part dialog box is displayed, as shown in the figure.

Initial screen that appears after starting The New Part dialog
 What is a
Sketch?
A sketch is a 2D profile that is used to create 3D models. To begin
creating 3D
models one typically start with a 2D sketch.

Sketches are created in the Sketcher Workbench using wireframe

elements (i.e., lines, arcs, circles, etc). The sketch can be a base profile
of most of the part features.

The 2D profile can be parameterized by constraints.

The Sketcher is a 2D dimension workspace: the elements created within

the Sketcher are exclusively 2D WIREFRAME elements.

Back to the 3D space, the elements created in the Sketcher are seen as
a single entity the SKETCH.

This Sketch can be the base profile of most of the Part features.
 Sketch
Support
etch support MUST be PLANAR. One can create a Sketch either on a
or on a planar face of an existing geometry: Sketching on a Plane: viz. xy, yz , xz

lane can be the support of a Sketch

ded, you can create planes dedicated to sketches
ketch Origin is the Plane Origin

ing on the Face of an Existing Feature:

ace of the feature must be planar
ketch is linked to the Feature on which it is created

It is better to create the sketch on a stable support.

ch is linked to the feature on which it was created so

ng the support will also cause the sketch to fail.
 Sketcher
Workbench
To start sketcher

1. Click Start Mechanical Design Sketcher

2. By selecting Sketcher Icon from any workbench

To access the Sketcher Workbench you have to choose a sketch support, if

there are no features yet in your model you would choose one of the
default orientation planes.
 Sketcher
Workbench
want to create a Sketch by specifying its axis position and orientation, you have
the Sketch Positioning icon.

g on the icon, gives a dialog box where you can define the Absolute Axis System
rs. If you create a Sketch, it will be positioned according to this System.

Origin of sketch can be changed

Orientation can be changed or

H-V directions can be swapped
 Sketcher
Workbench
The Sketcher Environment

Once you are in the Sketcher Workbench, you are in an environment built
to facilitate the creation of the 2D Profiles:

The Grid
The Grid in the Sketcher Workbench guides you while you
create the profiles

The Grid Parameters

The spacing of the grid can be set via the Tools/Option menu

Snap to Point
This tool Magnetizes the Grid so that the cursor of your mouse always
snaps to the points of the grid
 Introduction to
Sketcher
ing the Sketcher Workbench using the Sketch Button
To invoke the Sketcher workbench using is method, choose the
Sketch button
from the Sketcher toolbar.
The Sketcher workbench that appears after on selecting the yz
plane as the
sketching plane, is shown in the figure.

The Sketcher workbench invoked using the yz plane as the

sketching plane
 Sketcher
Workbench
INTRODUCTION TO CATIA SKECHER- RECOMMENDATION

Here are few things to consider while working in sketcher workbench

The screen orientation

As a general rule, it is recommended that the screen be oriented parallel
to the sketching plane you are in. This will happen automatically provided
the options panel is set as shown.

When you exit the Sketcher, the screen will immediately return to the
 Sketcher
Workbench
The Normal View ICON:

While in the Sketcher, you may sometimes inadvertently rotate the part,
causing the screen to be no longer parallel to the sketching plane. If this
occurs, you select the Normal View ICON, and the screen will again be
positioned parallel to the sketching plane.

In addition, if you desire to invert the orientation (look at the sketching

plane from the other side), you can select the Normal View ICON an
additional time.
 Sketcher
Workbench
Sketcher Geometry Creation

You will learn how to create the Basic Sketcher

Geometries such as

Points

Lines and Curves

Circles

User Defined Profiles

Pre-defined Profiles
 Sketcher
Workbench
Points

There are various methods for creating a point

Points by Clicking We can create a point wherever we want it to be.

Points by Coordinates We can create a point by defining its co-

ordinates

Equidistant Points We can create many points equally spaced on

existing curve.

Intersection Point We can create the intersection point between two

existing curves.

Projection Point We can project the existing point onto an existing

curve. The projection
direction is either normal or along a vector
 Sketcher
Workbench

are various methods for creating a line

e We can create a line by defining start point, end point, length and angle

nite Line We can create an infinite line which may be horizontal, vertical or ang

angent Line We can create a line which is tangent to two existing curves

ecting Line We can create a line which is bisecting to two existing lines.

e normal to curve We can create a line which is normal to an existing curve

 Sketcher
Workbench

e various methods for creating a circle

e Create a circle defining its center and its radius by clicking.

e Points Circle Create a point passing by three points.

e by Coordinates Create a circle giving the coordinates of its center and its rad

angent Circle Create a circle tangent to three existing curves.

e Points Arc Create an arc passing by three points, relimited by the first and th
ted points.

e points arc starting with limits Create an arc passing by three points, relimi
rst and the second selected points.

Create an arc defining its center and the two limit points
 Sketcher
Workbench
Ellipse, Parabola, Hyperbola, and Spline

ipse Create an ellipse b selecting its center point, and defining its dimensions b
cking two points.

rabola by Focus
eate a Parabola selecting:
e focus point
e summit
e relimiting points

perbola by focus
ate an Hyperbola selecting:
focus and center points
summit
relimiting points

line Create a spline curve passing by as many points as you ant.

d the spline by double-clicking
 Sketcher
Workbench
Pre-defined Profiles

tangle Create a rectangle clicking its two opposite corners.

ented Rectangle Create a rectangle defining two consecutive corners to define

ntation, and a third corner to give it a thickness.

allelogram Create a parallelogram defining two consecutive corners, and a third

ve it thickness and angle.

ngated Hole Create an elongated hole defining a segment as its axis, and defin
kness.

ndrical Elongated Hole Create a cylindrical elongated hole defining an arc as i

defining its thickness.

hole Create a keyhole profile defining .

 Sketcher
Workbench
Pre-defined Profiles
exagon Create an hexagonal profile selecting the center point and the shape size

ntered Rectangle Create a rectangle by clicking its center, then one corner.

ntered Parallelogram Create a parallelogram by selecting two lines

ose intersection defines the center, and direction defines the orientation), then o
ner.

-defined Profiles
eate a user defined profile in the sketcher workbench, you have to Start
Profile, then Go on with the profile creation and finally end the profile.

he profile can start with a segment using the Line option, or with an arc using
e Three points arc option
 Sketcher
Workbench
Elements from 3D Geometry

roject 3D Elements
roject 3D elements onto the sketch plane.
.
ntersect 3D Elements
tersect 3D elements with the sketch plane

roject 3D Silhouette Edges

roject
. the silhouette of a canonical revolution element onto the sketch plane

olate
his tool allows you to isolate the elements created from 3D
eometry from their parent geometry
 Sketcher
Workbench
Sketcher Axis Creation

What is the Axis Used for?

An Axis element must be included in a Sketch from which a Shaft or
Groove solid feature is created. The Profile to be swept around this axis
must either be Closed or have its endpoints Coincident to the axis

Sketcher axis
 Sketcher
Workbench
Creating an Axis

n the Sketcher, select Axis icon

Click the Start point of the axis

Click the end point of the axis

Using the shaft command on our profile sketch, CATIA produces a

shaft using the axis we defined

You will need axes whenever using a symmetry command or
creating a grove or shaft.

Axes cannot be converted into construction elements
 Sketcher
Workbench
Sketcher Geometry Re-limitation and Transformation

Now we are going to look at how to re-limit and transform the sketched
elements we have created

Before Relimitations After Relimitations

 Sketcher
Re-Limiting Geometry? Workbench
er Geometry re-limitation is used to re-limit the solid derived from this profile.
mitation of the sketcher geometry will also re-limit the solids based on this
try:

mitations

orner Create a corner shape between the 2 selected lines.

hamfer Create a chamfer between the 2 selected lines.

im Trim 2 curves and keep the part of the curves you selected
.

eak Break a curve by selecting the break point.

uick Trim Trim the part of an intersected element by selecting the part to remov

ose Close the selected arc.

omplement an Arc Creates a complementary arc.

 Sketcher
Workbench
Transformations
irror
reate a copy of a geometry by mirroring about a symmetry axis.

ymmetry
oves
.
the geometry by defining the symmetry axis

ranslate
anslate a geometry by defining the translation vector

otate
.
otate a geometry by defining the rotation center and the rotation angle

cale
cale a geometry by defining the center of the scale operation and the ratio

.
ffset
ffset a geometry by defining the offset value
 Sketcher
Workbench
cher Geometry Modification

ll learn how to modify 2D sketch elements to propagate changes to 3D parts

Before Change

After Change
 Sketcher
Workbench
Geometry Modifications

Editing and Modifying Geometry

Just drag and drop the elements you want to modify.

Ordouble-clicktheelementyouwanttomodifytoedititsparameters
 Sketcher
Workbench
Deleting Geometry

Like any other CATIA geometry, sketcher elements can be deleted using
the DELETE key of the keyboard, or the contextual menu right clicking
on the element to delete.
 Sketcher
Workbench
Sketcher Geometry Management Recommendations

Creating a Profile: What are the best tools to use ?

It is optionally asked that should we use the Profile tools or should we
create individual elements and trim them to form the shape desired.

For example, if you wanted to create this shape.

You could create individual lines, then use the trim tool to create the final
shape Desired
 Sketcher
Workbench
However, it is often advantageous (and MUCH faster), to create the shape
using the Profile tool (or the Predefined Profile tools) simply by clicking.
 Sketcher
Workbench
Design Considerations (1/4)

Let us see some modeling techniques to consider when creating a design.

1. Do not locate sketches/features to the edges of fillets or chamfers. This

establishes a relationship between the fillet or chamfer and the feature
being created. If the fillet or chamfer changes size, the feature may move
without warning. If the fillet or chamfer is deleted, an error will result which
requires additional rework.
 Sketcher
Workbench
Design Considerations (2/4)

2. When creating constraints in the sketcher to an edge of the part while

viewing the sketch
in a normal view, CATIA creates the constraint to the first edge.
This could use an edge of a fillet or chamfer as shown here.

A better alternative is to make sure the constraint is made to a more

stable feature (the face It is advisable to use this face for
of the part), not the edge.
giving the constraint
 Sketcher
Workbench
Design Considerations (3/4)

3. When creating a hole, do not use a

pocket created from a sketched circle.
You should use a Hole feature.

Even though they appear the same, using a

hole feature allows the it to possess all the
characteristics of a real hole, making the
creation and modification easier.

It also allows the drawing view of the hole

to automatically pick up the holes
characteristics
 Sketcher
Workbench
Design Considerations (4/4)

4. Even though a sketch can contain

multiple domains, try to create a
separate sketch for each profile
required. This will make future
modifications easier.
 Sketcher
Workbench
se of Construction Geometry

uction geometry are elements created in the sketch to assist in the development
d profile.

uction geometry will not appear outside the Sketcher nor will be
the creation of any part feature.

When this ICON is highlighted (it is located in the Sketch Tools toolbar),
Construction geometry is created.

uction geometry is created in the same manner as all other sketched geometry.

mple of the use of construction geometry is shown here

example, the construction of a symmetrical shapes was
by the use of construction geometry.
 Sketcher
Workbench
Why Constraints?

Without Constraints, geometry can be moved freely just by using the mouse to
them.

If Sketcher profiles are moved, so do the solids that are supported by them. In
context of
an assembly, if one part moves, another part that is related to it may also mov

Although in CATIA V5 geometry will remain in place when put there, without
Constraints
any subsequent movement of elements by the user may go unnoticed and affe
Fit and
Function of entire assemblies.

Hence, Constraints serve to mathematically fix geometry in space.

 Sketcher
Workbench
What are Geometric and Dimensional Constraints ?

Geometric constraints
A Geometric constraint specifies how a geometric elements
Is positioned with respect to another one: coincidence
(located at the same place), concentricity, tangency,
perpendicularity or parallelism Geometric constraints
Geometric constraint
( concentricity)
Dimensional constraints
A Dimensional Constraint, one type of
Geometric Constraint, specifies the distance
between two elements. This distance can be
specified as a linear distance, an angular
distance, or a radial distance depending on the
type of geometric elements involved.
Dimensional constraint
( Distance )
A sketch with many constraints can quickly become unreadable. So, try to
position the constraints correctly.
 Sketcher
Workbench
Constraints Creation

Various types of geometric constraints are:

Geometric Constraints

Fix - A fix element cannot be modified. Coincidence - coincident with

another element.

Concentricity - Makes two arcs concentric.

Tangency - Set tangency continuity between two elements.

Parallelism - Makes two lines parallel.

Perpendicularity - Makes two lines perpendicular.

Horizontal - Makes a line horizontal (parallel to the H axis of the

sketch).

Vertical - Makes a line vertical (parallel to the V axis of the sketch).

 Sketcher
Workbench
nsional Constraints

nce - The distance between two elements is calculated.

th - The length of the constrained element is calculated.

e - Calculates the angle between two non-parallel lines.

us/Diameter - Gives the radius or the diameter of a circle or an arc.

 Sketcher
Workbench
Modification of Constraints

3.Deselect the Perpendicularity

constraint

1. Select the two lines linked with

the parallelism constraint
2. Select the Constraint Dialog Box
icon

4.Select Verticality constraint.

5. Click OK to exit
 Sketcher
Workbench
Performing a Quick Geometry Diagnosis

You will see how to display a Quick Diagnosis of a Sketch geometry.

Sketch solving status Icon

It analyzes quickly whether the sketch is under-constrained, Iso-constrained

or over-constrained
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