difficulty making a copied sketch fully constrained

[John_C_Hansen]

In the example file that I have attached I am attempting to copy a sketch from the first component to the 2nd component. When I am able to copy the elements of the first sketch into the sketch of the 2nd component, I can't figure out how to fully constrain the copied sketch now that it is in component #2 ( 2nd sketch).

 I will consider any workflow including projecting the geometry from the first sketch into the 2nd sketch or the 2nd component so I'm not bound to the copy method.  But in all my searching for a solution, there seems to be quite a number of ways to do this and I just can't seem to get  any one of them to work for me. So I have simplified it to this example  test file for everyone to look at with me and offer their suggestions.

I saw other similar  discussions here on the forum and I couldn't follow them very well either so this is why I simplified it to my  practice and testing file that I have attached here.

[g-andresen · Accepted solution]

Hi,

try coincident constraint

günther

[laughingcreek]

I'm not asking this to be snarky, but why do you want to copy from one sketch to another?

I ask b/c this isn't really a regular workflow.  there may be a legit reason that you would want to (hence, I'm asking), but generally speaking it shouldn't be part of your regular workflow.

and even if you do need to, if you just learning, then I wouldn't get hung up on this activity.  once you learn and understanding solid sketching practices, this type of thing won't seem difficult.  going the other way (trying to copy before learning good practices) will seem difficult.

[John_C_Hansen]

Hi @laughingcreek. I don't mind the question. I am searching for all the solutions that are being suggested to learn all the various tools and techniques. I actually think I would be best using a projection of the solid parts so I can "Trace over it" to make the next sketch to then extrude the next component (part) I am working on at the moment. But I am struggling with the the 'project' method, so I try other methods just to expand my knowledge.

I now think that 'project' will be the better solution, but I still can't grasp that right now and needed to give it a rest and come back later.

So, until then, I am practicing with other things like copying one sketch to another. It builds muscle memory. 🙂

I also have not prepared the right question about how to project the geometry from a sketch of other parts (Components) from one component to then create the sketch on the second (third, fourth, and fifth, component.)

Yes, you are right that I need to build strength with my solid sketching skills. The transition from drawing houses on flat paper and then turning them into 1,000 real homes has cemented some very 'flat paper skills' that I need to unlearn.

[laughingcreek]

do you have something you want to make in mind? a pic or a sketch of it.  let's start there.  knowing when to use a tool is far more useful than just learning all the tools.

side note-projecting into a sketch is one of the more important/useful sketch tools.  there are are several types.  they can all be handy, although the first 2 are used the most (project and intersect)

[TrippyLighting]

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@John_C_Hansen wrote:

I now think that 'project' will be the better solution,

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That depends on the context!

I agree with @laughingcreek: Post a design and explain what you want to achieve. Then, we may recommend techniques that may or may not involve sketching.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

Without knowing the desired end result and without a description of what is to be achieved with the specific action, the statements remain speculative and unfortunately often require time-consuming enquiries.

günther

[John_C_Hansen]

@TrippyLighting  and @laughingcreek 

 here is an earlier version of what I'm trying to accomplish. But this particular version had difficulty when I tired to replicate one of the 3 legs to save the repetitive work of sketching and extruding individual parts that were identical.

 I knew that I had issues with the a poorly organized browser and some of the sketches  were not fully constrained, so I figured I would just start from scratch and use one of the sketches and  use a copy for each of the individual components.

 I just figured I would use the same sketch over and over again.

 most of these components are no more than a few lines and an extrusion. They are relatively simple with all the dimensions in  regular fractions of an inch. So I can start over from scratch and sketch one component at a time and then build an assembly of those components and replicate the legs  twice.

 I don't mind drawing the tabletop over again. It is just a few curves and straight lines and I know it by heart. But why not just grab a sketch from a previous file and use it.

 I appreciate the help from everyone. So I'm open to any suggestions on an improved workflow.

[TrippyLighting]

There is more to discuss, but let's start with the main sketch again. It looks like it is fully constrained, but the red lock symbol is not showing in the browser, meaning it isn't. This shouldn't be religion, and once you have more experience, you will know what you can get away with, but as a beginner, I recommend fully constraining sketches.

I tried to fully constrain your sketch, but I was not able to get the red symbol to show up.

In the screencast below , I show how I would sketch this, but here are 2 screenshots for comparison:

Your 1st Sketch:

My 1st Sketch: