Geometric Constraints

Geometric Constraints create drawing constraints within a 2D sketch to create a geometric relationship between objects and to impose predictive behavioral patterns when associated objects are modified.

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Click onto the drop down boxes below to view animations of the constraints tools.

Points Coincident

Insert | Constraints | Points Coincident

Moves the position of a line or arc so that its end vertex is exact in location to the vertex of the line to which it is being made coincident. The planar geometry of the moved object is maintained.

 

Coincident Constraint

Insert | Constraints | Coincident

Moves the end vertex of a selected line so that it is collinear with the projected parallel point of another vertex.

 

Parallel Constraint

Insert | Constraints | Parallel

Adjusts the planar integrity of the first line so that it aligns to a parallel plane with the second line

 

Perpendicular Constraint

Insert | Constraints | Perpendicular

Applies a 90º relationship between 2 lines. The first selected line is rotated so that it is in 90º aspect to the second line selected.

 

Tangent Constraint

Insert | Constraints | Tangent

The tangent constraint moves a circle or arc so that it is tangential to a line. The circle always moves to the line; the line never moves to the circle.

 

Connect Constraint

Insert | Constraints | Connect

Adjusts the position and modifies the geometry of 2 objects so that their a common vertex is connected. Will connect a line and arc so that their common vertex is both tangential and coincident.

Concentric Constraint

Insert | Constraints | Concentric

Fixes concentricity between 2 circles or arcs. Concentricity is maintained when the circles are moved or modified.

 

Symmetric Constraint

Insert | Constraints | Symmetric

The Symmetric constraint maintains a spatial relationship between objects across a symmetrical mirror line. When the symmetric constraint has been applied to circles, it will make both radii equal to each other.

 

Equal Radius

Insert | Constraints | Equal Radius

Constrains 2 arcs to the same radius. The constrained arcs are both updated when the radius of one is changed.

 

Equal Length

Insert | Constraints | Equal Length

Maintains the same length value between 2 lines, irrespective of their start and end points.

 

Equal Distance

Insert | Constraints | Equal Distance

Maintains a spatial relationship between objects. When the distance between one set of objects is changed, the distance between the second set of objects is correspondingly updated.

 

Change Chirality

Insert | Constraints | Change Chirality

By changing the chirality of an arc, its segment is replaced by its complement. In the illustration right, the far right arc has replaced the near arc by changing its chirality.

 

Fix Geometry

Insert | Constraints | Fix Geometry

By fixing the geometry of an object, its coordinate position is fixed and it will not move or rotate with its associated objects.

 

Auto Constraint

Insert | Constraints | Auto Constraimt

The Auto Constraint feature will explode all compound entities and insert all implied constraints to an object.

 

Auto Dimension

Insert | Constraints | Auto Dimension

Intuitively applies all appropriate dimensions to a sketch. In the illustration right, the polygon was not exploded and Auto Add Constraints was deactivated.