First sketch tutorial, Equal constraint working backwards?

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to do the first Sketch tutorial, but, when he uses the Equal constraint on the right end, and then the left end, his right end matches to his left end... however, no matter how I do it, the left end always matches the right end, instead.

What am I missing? Because he just jumps to it.

[Brady_Fulton]

I haven't gone through those tutorials, but the equals constraint has made me slap my forehead a few times. Whenever I use it on several lines, I always dimension one and use it as the baseline. Then if you delete the dimension, the equals constraints still remain.

[Beyondforce]

Dimensions and Constraints are two different things. But, a dimension can act as a constraint in some situations. Dimensions are (mostly) for sizing and positioning the geometry, and Constraints are for limiting the geometry's position/movement in relation to other geometries.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

it's exactly what the OP stated. When I use the same action as in the video, the edge size doesn't change in the same way. In the video, he selects the right edge ,then the left edge and the right edge is changed to the same length as the left edge. However for me the opposite happens - I select the right edge, then the left edge, but the left edge changes to the length of the right edge. If I select the left edge, first, then the right edge, it's still the left edge that changes to the length of the right edge.

Texy

[Beyondforce]

Forget about which geometry you choose first. What it's important is, to dimension the right side (or the side that you want). This way you will know which side follows which side.
If you want A to follow B, then dimension B first. Then you can add the constraint.

[Beyondforce]

I hope this will help:

Cheers / Ben.

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

thanks for the continued support. Well I installed screen cast, and can now show you what's happening :

http://autode.sk/2vFFZ7m

So, what am I doing wrong here?

Thanks,

Texy

[Beyondforce]

That looks good, the equal works exactly like in my screencast 🙂

[Anonymous]

...but not the same as in the tutorial. Here is another screen cast, I've selected the opposite edges, but it the result is the same :

So what I'm trying to do is make the right hand edge the same length as the left, but it's always the left edge that is changed.

Texy

[Beyondforce]

Well, you haven't constraint the left geometry yet, which is why it moves to the right while using the Equal constraint. You should first give it an angle (fixed it so it won't move) and then use the equal constraint.

The order of using constraints and dimensions is also important. Don't worry, you just need a bit more practice and you will get the hang od it 🙂