SOLIDWORKS: SKETCH RELATIONS

Sketch Feature: The shape or topology of the

initial sketch or model is important, but exact geometry
and dimensions of the initial sketched shapes are NOT.
It recommended to work in the following order:
1) Select the plane or flat surface on which to sketch.
2) Sketch characteristic shape or profile of part or
feature to be created.
3) Fully define or completely constrain the geometries
BY ADDING RELATIONS.
4) Add dimensional constraints (locations and sizes).
Union College Mer101: Engineering Graphics/AT
Mechanical Engineering
SOLIDWORKS: SKETCH RELATIONS

Sketch Status: SW indicates constrained status of

entities ( lines, arcs, circles, etc.) in a sketch using a
color code. The code is:
Blue: Under defined (needs geometrical or
dimensional constraints).
Black: fully defined
Red: Over defined (e.g., redundant relations or dimensions)
Yellow: Invalid (e.g., self-intersecting curve)
Brown: dangling (not part of a closed loop)
Union College Mer101: Engineering Graphics/AT
Mechanical Engineering
SOLIDWORKS: SKETCH RELATIONS

Do not extrude until your sketch is black:

-If your sketch turns red:
- Do not proceed.
- There are unwanted relations or double dimensions
in the sketch.
- Correct the over-definition right then.
-If sketch entity turns yellow:
- Do not proceed.
- There are ambiguous or impossible relations. For
example two parallel lines are required to also be
perpendicular or collinear or something like that.
- Resolve the problem before proceeding.
Union College Mer101: Engineering Graphics/AT
Mechanical Engineering
SOLIDWORKS: SKETCH RELATIONS

Sketch relations are used to force a behavior on

a sketch element thereby capturing design intent.
- Some sketch are added automatically as geometry is
sketched.
- Tools also exist to create those relations that cannot be
created automatically. These relations are based on
selected geometry and add dimensions.
- Display Relations shows and optionally allows you to
remove (delete) geometric relationships between sketch
element.

Union College Mer101: Engineering Graphics/AT

Mechanical Engineering
SOLIDWORKS: SKETCH RELATIONS

Add relations is used to create geometric relationship

such as parallel, collinear, concentric or coradial
between sketch elements.

-Where to find it Select the sketch entity or entities

and select the appropriate relation from Add Relations
section of the Property Manager.
Or, Click Tools, Relations, add..
Or, on the sketch toolbar click Add Relation

Union College Mer101: Engineering Graphics/AT

Mechanical Engineering
SOLIDWORKS: SKETCH RELATIONS

There are several common constraints utilized in

fixing features.
Relation Sketch Entities Changes Undergone
Coincident A point and a line or Point lies on the arc or line
arc/circle
Collinear Two or more lines Lines line on the same
theoretical infinite line
Concentric Two or more arcs/circles Arcs/circles share the
same center-point
Co-radial Two or more arcs/circles Items share the same
center-point and have
equal radii.

Union College Mer101: Engineering Graphics/AT

Mechanical Engineering
SOLIDWORKS: SKETCH RELATIONS

There are several common constraints utilized in

fixing features.
Relation Sketch Entities Changes Undergone
Equal Two or more lines or two Line lengths and arc/circle
or more arcs/circles radii stay equal
Horizontal One or more lines or two Lines become horizontal;
or more points. points are aligned
horizontally
Vertical One or more lines or two Lines become vertical;
or more points points are aligned vertically
Parallel Two or more lines Lines become parallel

Union College Mer101: Engineering Graphics/AT

Mechanical Engineering
SOLIDWORKS: SKETCH RELATIONS

There are several common constraints utilized in

fixing features.
Relation Sketch Entities Changes Undergone
Perpendicular Two lines Lines become
perpendicular
Tangent An arc/circle or Items remain tangent.
spline and a line, arc,
or spline
Symmetric A centerline and two Items remain symmetrical
points. Lines, arcs or about the centerline
splines

Union College Mer101: Engineering Graphics/AT

Mechanical Engineering
SOLIDWORKS: SKETCH RELATIONS

There are several common constraints utilized in

fixing features.
Relation Sketch Entities Changes Undergone
Midpoint A point and a line Point remains at the
midpoint of the line.
Intersection Two lines and one Point remains at the
point intersection of the lines.
This can be a projected
intersection
Pierce A sketch point and Sketch point becomes
an axis, edge, line, coincident to where the
arc or spline axis et. al. pierces the
plane of the sketch.
Union College Mer101: Engineering Graphics/AT
Mechanical Engineering
SOLIDWORKS: SKETCH RELATIONS

Union College Mer101: Engineering Graphics/AT

Mechanical Engineering