Sketcher Plane

The Cimatron Sketcher is the graphic environment used to create 2D parametric geometry. This geometry is sketched on a 2D plane which can either be defined before or after invoking the Sketcher (see below). This 2D plane is called the Sketcher Plane and once it has been defined, the Sketcher Toolbar is displayed and you can start sketching on the selected plane.

Defining a Sketcher Plane

The geometry is sketched on a 2D plane which can either be defined before or after opening the Sketcher.

If a 3D structure is currently displayed in your graphics display area, you must select a plane to enable the Sketcher options.

Before Opening the Sketcher

Select a face/plane and then open the Sketcher. The selected face/plane is automatically defined as the Sketcher Plane.

If you define a 2D plane using any of the plane creating functions and then enter the Sketcher while the plane is in 'selected' mode (with the drag handles displayed), the new plane is automatically defined as the Sketcher Plane.

After Opening the Sketcher

After opening the Sketcher, define a plane using one of the methods available under the Plane > Defined By function. The defined plane is  automatically selected to be the Sketcher Plane. The Sketcher Toolbar is then displayed and you can start sketching on the selected plane.

Plane Selection Example:

Pick entities to define the 2D Sketcher Plane. Geometry is sketched on this 2D plane which can be defined before or after entering the Sketcher.

After an entity is selected, the 2D Sketch Plane is defined and the Sketcher Toolbar is displayed.

Notes:

  • If you enter the Sketcher and then press <exit><exit>(middle mouse button) when you are prompted to define a plane, the XY plane of the part UCS is automatically selected as the Sketcher Plane.

  • You can select a face or plane, and then enter the Sketcher. The face / plane you selected will automatically be the Sketcher Plane.

  • If you create a 2D plane by using any of the plane creating functions and then immediately enter the Sketcher, the plane you just created will be the Sketcher Plane.

  • When defining the 2D Sketcher Plane, the plane is, by default, automatically displayed. A Preference option enables you to hide the 2D Sketcher Plane so that it is not displayed.

  • See Accessing the Sketcher for information about editing the sketch plane.

Some functionality may be dependent on the product package. Contact your Reseller if you require a license.