Reusing sketches - Sketch library?

[Anonymous]

I have still not figured out a good way to reuse sketches in multiple designs/projects. I don't mean that the sketch should have relation back to the origin - just a way to insert the sketches I always use. A classic example of such a sketch could be the CE mark. It is the same every time, only the size changes.

My first thought was to make a part with all the sketches and then copy from the part. It turns out that sketches cannot be copy-pasted. Then I tried to insert as "derived". It works, but the sketch cannot be moved around and cannot be edited.

I would like to hear if anyone has a clever solution to this problem?

[etfrench · Accepted solution]

Create a file with a component containing the sketch. Save file. Insert the file into an open file which was previously saved  or open the sketch file and copy the component containing the sketch into any open file.

[Anonymous]

@etfrench - I played around a little with the solution you suggested. The drawback is that this result in a component inside a component in the design - just for a sketch! I then discovered that I could delete this component stack carrying the sketch if I drag-dropped the sketch to the component I wanted it in to start with.

[lichtzeichenanlage]

In the last quarter of last year AD had added a feature called Insert -> Insert Derived and this allows you to insert Sketches and/or Bodies and/or Components and/or Parameters from one design into another design. Check this quick (and dirty) screencast:

This might what you're looking for. It works cross projects and it comes with pros and cons. Some of them are discussed here.

[Anonymous]

@lichtzeichenanlage  - At first, I was experimenting with insert derived sketches. The problem with this is that the inserted sketch cannot be moved (to the face where it is needed) nor can the link be broken - at least, I can not figure out how to.

The use-case that I have would be stuff like markings and logos on plastic parts, cut-outs in sheet metal for standard parts etc.. E.g. stuff that rarely changes, but if it does, I do not want it to update backwards. Therefore it is necessary to have the option to break the link.

The method with using a component as a vehicle to deliver the sketch works, but the workflow is a little counter-intuitive. 

>>>Insert delivery component >>> reattach sketch >>> move sketch to the desired component(in the model tree) >>> delete the delivery component

It is a lot of steps for getting a sketch, and while I was experimenting with it, I managed several times to delete the inserted sketch because I forgot a step or lost track for the components. 

[etfrench · Accepted solution]

Use a joint to position the sketch component. It's simple and fast.