Noob alert: How the heck do I constrain a circle sketch?

[ddixonva]

Here is a thing I've run into a couple times in my first couple weeks with 360:

even though I've been able to sculpt and construct things, I'm having an issue with a simple thing!   

I open a new sketch, drop a centerpoint circle in, dimension the diameter... and it's still blue.   I placed the centerpoint and added the diameter, so location and size are there; what am I missing?

thanks.

[jeff_strater]

Is you center point constrained?  That is, is it grounded, or dimensioned to a fixed point (e.g. the origin)?  You need those two things:  a fully constrained center point, and a diameter or radius dimension.

[ddixonva]

Well, I often start the circle by putting the centerpoint on the origin, which doesn't do it - and, say, after I do the diameter dimension I have tried to add a dimension to the center, such as a distance from an axis, and that doesn't work.  Do I have to put a construction line on said axis or something??

[HughesTooling]

To fix your circle in space you will need 2 dimension from a fixed point like the origin. Have you looked at the hand on exercises in the HELP?

Mark

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@ddixonva wrote:

... so location .....; what am I missing?

thanks.

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File>Export and then Attach your *.f3d file here.

You specified the size with diameter dimension, but I do not see in your process description where you specified the location.

[HughesTooling]

@ddixonva

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@ddixonva wrote:

 I have tried to add a dimension to the center, such as a distance from an axis, and that doesn't work.  Do I have to put a construction line on said axis or something??

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You can't use the axis they are not selectable and don't auto project if you try and select them. Either use the origin or draw a construction line from the origin.

Mark

[ddixonva]

Hmmm, how do I dimension from the origin to the origin, though?  like I said, the center point is AT the origin.

I understand I should add dimensions, but attempting to do so just yields nothing at all.  I hit D, and no matter where I click, nothing appears, selects, etc.

I don't have a file to show because every time I try it I can't complete it, but I will try to add a file later today.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@ddixonva wrote:

1. ....  like I said, the center point is AT the origin. 

2. I don't have a file to show because every time I try it I can't complete it,

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1. Attach the *.f3d file here for someone to examine.

2. See #1 - it doesn't have to be complete.  If it was complete you wouldn't have a question because the issue would be solved.

[laughingcreek · Accepted solution]

here's a screen cast of constraining some circles.  note when placing the first one at the origin how there's a square around the cursor?  that means it's going to place an automatic constraint there when I click

I your process doesn't look like this, then maybe you could screen cast what you are doing so we can see what your doing wrong.

[ddixonva]

 Well, I took a couple days away from it and came back fresh this morning.   Made a couple circle sketches.

The first one I started at the origin, and I waited for the cursor to do the little "box" thing that was mentioned, and indeed it constrained to the origin.  I added the diameter and it was fine.

Then I made one a ways away from the origin and dimensioned it out and it also turned out fine.   I think what I was doing was trying to use the axis, not the origin, as an anchor point.

So now I feel dumb and thank you for all the help, everyone.

I know I'll have more dumb to share from time to time.