Sketch outlines from "Create Sketch" command not visible

[modfab]

I've noticed this problem several times and it can become quite frustrating when you have a complex model.  This issue crops up every time I use the "Create Sketch" command where I want  to generate a sketch from a planar surface on a solid model.  The command itself works fine but the resultant sketch has no outline.  I have scoured all of the menus relating to the sketch but nothing will let the outline display.  The sketch can be used to extrude or sweep or any other normal function/modifier as normal, just no outline.

[laughingcreek]

when you have this selected in your preferances-

fusion will "project" the edges of the face you select for a sketch into the sketch.  BUT in order to reduce "visual clutter" (as quoted from Autodesk employee) they opted to have the projected lines be invisible.   considering how much confusion this behaviour has caused newer users, I'm flabbergasted that this setting remains turned on out of the box BY DEFAULT.

the majority of the experienced users here will suggest turning this preference off and discreetly projecting in just the edges you want. 

[modfab]

Thanks for the quick reply 🙂 If I turn this preference off as you suggest, I use the "Create Sketch" command from the right click menu and create a new sketch based on the surface/profile I have selected.  The resultant sketch appears in the list of sketches but appears to be completely empty.  Even going into edit mode and dragging a selection marquee over the area yields no sketch elements.  

[laughingcreek]

---

@modfab wrote:

...and create a new sketch based on the surface/profile I have selected.  ...

---

so just a conceptual point, your not creating a sketch "based on a surface".  the face or surface only serves to define the plane the sketch will be on and roughly where the sketch origin will be located.  you WANT to start with an empty sketch, and then manually project geometry you want to use into the sketch. (short cut "P" for project.).  the auto project function enabled by that preference just causes trouble in that the "projected" edges aren't visible.   and if you create a sketch on a complicated face it can even seriously degrade performance.  

[modfab]

This is the function that I'm using to create the sketch.  Just made this very simple solid for the example.  The sketch that results from this command will be perfectly usable but just shows as a pale blue area that is bounded by the invisible sketch outline.

[davebYYPCU]

As incredible as it shows,

That is normal behaviour for the creation of a sketch on a face with the Preference to "Project" turned on.

(Outlines invisible & profile visible)

You can turn it off, and the sketch will be attached to the face, but remain an "empty sketch" (only a datum exists).

Might help.....

[jeff_strater · Accepted solution]

you are correct.  Any sketch geometry from the boundaries of the planar face that was selected for the sketch are in the sketch, but are hidden.  The profile from that outline is there, can be selected and extruded.  Even the curves from the boundary are there, can be selected, dimensioned and constrained to, offset, etc.  They are just not drawn.  This is intentional, primarily to prevent the sketch from being to "cluttered".  I think there is a project on the books to make this behavior optional, and to draw those curves if you want, but it is not yet available.

[davebYYPCU]

... can be selected, dimensioned and constrained to, offset, etc. 

You can't parametrically change projected invisible geometry, in this sketch.  Driven Dimensions (why) do work.

Might help....

[modfab]

Thanks for the input chaps 🙂  I'm now satisfied that it's not a checkbox or option that I've missed.  I've been using Fusion from quite early on and I noticed when this feature changed, can't remember which version, but it definitely wasn't like this when I began using Fusion in the 20 teens.

[jeff_strater]

there was definitely a time when we drew the projected face outline geometry, but it has been a very long time since we started hiding it - maybe as many as 7 or 8 years.  But, yeah, if you used some of the early versions in, say, 2014 or so, you could easily have been using a version that showed this geometry...  

[davebYYPCU]

Yep, I started in 17, and it was as you mentioned,

the change to current behaviour - is still nonsense, 

Turning it back on would be no drama, making it optional, I am not holding my breath.

@jeff_strater thanks for listening....