How to Use Sketching in BricsCAD Mechanical

Quick answer: The sketching toolset draws 2D profiles, extrudable or revolvable into 3D solids and surfaces, or usable to add or subtract volume from existing entities. Whether the resulting solids are parametrized depends on CREATESKETCHFEATURE, confirming the same variable covered on this hub’s part design methods page. Sketching tools live on the 2D Drafting tab of the Mechanical workspace ribbon.

Sketch Plane and Positioning

Sketches create in the XY plane of the current User Coordinate System (UCS). Since Dynamic UCS is enabled by default, you can create 2D entities directly on the 3D solid face under the cursor, this finally resolves “Dynamic UCS,” referenced without full explanation on this hub’s creating a custom window or door page much earlier. Use the Align UCS to Face tool to position the UCS however you need.

Drawing and Manipulating Sketches

Drawing tools include familiar 2D primitives: rectangle/polygon, circle/arc/ellipse, polyline, and spline. Manipulate sketches with Move, Copy, Rotate, Mirror, and 2D Array.

Editing Sketches

Edit sketches with FILLET, CHAMFER, STRETCH, TRIM, JOIN, CONNECT, BREAK, OFFSET, and EXTEND.

Making Sketches Parametric

Use 2D Constraints to make a sketch parametric.

Sketch Entities After Extrusion or Revolution

DELOBJ controls whether sketching entities get deleted once DMEXTRUDE or DMREVOLVE uses them to create a 3D solid or surface, the same system variable covered in a different context on this hub’s BIM curtain wall page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BricsCAD automatically delete my 2D sketch after extruding it into a 3D solid? It depends on DELOBJ, which controls whether sketching entities get deleted once used by DMEXTRUDE or DMREVOLVE.

How do I sketch directly on the face of an existing 3D solid? Dynamic UCS is enabled by default, letting you create 2D entities on whatever solid face is under the cursor; use Align UCS to Face for more precise positioning.

Does turning on CREATESKETCHFEATURE affect whether my sketch-based solid is parametric? Yes, it determines whether the resulting 3D solid gets parametrized.

What commands are available to edit a sketch once it’s drawn? FILLET, CHAMFER, STRETCH, TRIM, JOIN, CONNECT, BREAK, OFFSET, and EXTEND.