Sketches are two-dimensional profiles that are used to help form the geometry defining an Abaqus/CAE native part. You use the Sketch module to create a sketch that defines a planar part, a beam, or a partition or to create a sketch that might be extruded, swept, or revolved to form a three-dimensional part. This chapter explains how you use the tools within the Sketch module to create, modify, and manage sketches. The following topics are covered:

• “Understanding the role of the Sketch module,” Section 20.1

• “Entering and exiting the Sketch module,” Section 20.2

• “Overview of the Sketch module,” Section 20.3

• “Basic Sketcher concepts,” Section 20.4

• “Sketcher geometry,” Section 20.5

• “Specifying precise geometry,” Section 20.6

• “Controlling sketch geometry,” Section 20.7

• “Modifying, copying, and offsetting objects,” Section 20.8

• “Customizing the Sketcher,” Section 20.9

• “Sketching simple objects,” Section 20.10

• “Creating construction geometry,” Section 20.11

• “Constraining, dimensioning, and parameterizing a sketch,” Section 20.12

• “Editing dimensions,” Section 20.13

• “Adding reference geometry,” Section 20.14

• “Projecting edges onto a sketch,” Section 20.15

• “Moving or copying sketch geometry,” Section 20.16

• “Modifying objects,” Section 20.17

• “Repairing short edges, gaps, and overlaps,” Section 20.18

• “Creating patterns, offsetting, and deleting objects,” Section 20.19

• “Undoing and redoing sketching actions,” Section 20.20

• “Resetting the view,” Section 20.21

• “Managing stand-alone sketches,” Section 20.22