AUTODESK® INVENTOR™ 2009

2D Sketch Constraints Quick Reference

Sketch constraints control the size and position of points, lines, and curves in a sketch. They can be
either geometric or dimensional. The constraint symbol on the cursor shows the constraint type. You
can add or edit constraints and dimensions to control sketch shape and size.
NOTE: The 2D Sketch Constraints toolbar changes depending on the selection.

Sketch Constraints

Tooltip Description
Coincident Causes two points to be constrained together or
one point to lie on a curve.

Collinear Causes selected lines or ellipse axes to lie on the

same line.

Concentric Causes two arcs, circles, or ellipses to have the

same center point.

Equal Causes selected circles and arcs to have the same

radius and selected lines to have the same length.

Fix Fixes points and curves in position relative to the

sketch coordinate system. If you move or rotate the
sketch coordinate system, fixed curves or points
move with it.

Horizontal Causes lines, ellipse axes, or pairs of points to lie

parallel to the X axis of the sketch coordinate sys-
tem.

.
 Tooltip Description
Parallel Causes selected lines or ellipse axes to lie parallel
to one another. In a 3D sketch, the parallel
constraint is parallel to x, y, or z part axes unless
you manually constrain to selected geometry.

Perpendicular Causes selected lines, curves, or ellipse axes to lie

90 degrees to one another.

Smooth (G2) Creates a curvature continuous (G2) condition

between a spline and another curve, such as a line,
arc, or spline.

Symmetric Causes selected lines or curves to become sym-

metrically constrained about a selected line.
Segments constrained to the selected geometry
also reorient when the constraint is applied.

Tangent Causes curves, including ends of a spline, to be

tangent to other curves. One curve can be tangent
to another even if they do not physically share a
point.

Vertical Causes lines, ellipse axes, or pairs of points to lie

parallel to the Y axis of the coordinate system.

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