Introduction to CATIA V5

Sketcher Module

Introduction

Chapter 2 focuses on CATIA’s Sketcher workbench. The reader will learn how to
sketch and constrain very simple to very complex 2D profiles.

Tutorials Contained in Chapter 2

• Tutorial 2.1: Sketch Work Modes

• Tutorial 2.2: Simple Profiles & Constraints
• Tutorial 2.3: Advanced Profiles & Sketch Analysis
• Tutorial 2.4: Modifying Geometries & Relimitations
• Tutorial 2.5: Axes & Transformations
• Tutorial 2.6: Operations on 3D Geometries & Sketch planes
• Tutorial 2.7: Points & Splines

2-1
 Chapter 2:
SKETCHER

Tutorial 2.1: Sketch Work

Modes

Featured Topics & Commands

The Sketcher workbench ........................... 2.1-2

The Sketch tools toolbar ........................... 2.1-3
Part Modeled ........................... 2.1-4
Section 1: Using Snap to Point ........................... 2.1-4
Section 2: Using Construction Elements ........................... 2.1-7
Section 3: Geometrical and Dimensional Constraints ........................... 2.1-9
Section 4: Cutting the part by the sketch plane ........................... 2.1-11

Prerequisite Knowledge & Commands

• Entering workbenches
• Entering and exiting the Sketcher workbench
• Drawing simple profiles
• Simple Pads and Pockets

2.1 - 1
The Sketcher Workbench

The Sketcher workbench is a set of tools that helps you create and constrain 2D
geometries. Features (pads, pockets, shafts, etc...) may then be created solids or
modifications to solids using these 2D profiles. You can access the Sketcher
workbench in various ways. Two simple ways are by using the top pull down

menu (Start – Mechanical Design – Sketcher), or by selecting the Sketcher

icon. When you enter the sketcher, CATIA requires that you choose a plane to
sketch on. You can choose this plane either before or after you select the

Sketcher icon. To exit the sketcher, select the Exit Workbench icon.

The Sketcher workbench contains the following standard workbench specific

toolbars.

• Profile toolbar: The commands located

in this toolbar allow you to create simple
geometries (rectangle, circle, line, etc...)
and more complex geometries (profile,
spline, etc...).

• Operation toolbar: Once a profile has been created,

it can be modified using commands such as trim,
mirror, chamfer, and other commands located in the
Operation toolbar.

• Constraint toolbar: Profiles may be constrained with

dimensional (distances, angles, etc...) or
geometrical (tangent, parallel, etc...) constraints
using the commands located in the Constraint
toolbar.

• Sketch tools toolbar: The commands in this

toolbar allow you to work in different modes which
make sketching easier.

• User Selection Filter toolbar: Allows you to

activate different selection filters.

2.1 - 2
• Visualization toolbar: Allows you to, among
other things to cut the part by the sketch
plane and choose lighting effects and other
factors that influence how the part is
visualized.

• Tools toolbar: Allows you to, among others other

things, to analyze a sketch for problems, and create
a datum.

The Sketch tools Toolbar

The Sketch tools toolbar contains icons that activate and deactivate different
work modes. These work modes assist you in drawing 2D profiles. Reading from
left to right, the toolbar contains the following work modes; (Each work mode is
active if the icon is orange and inactive if it is blue.)

• Grid: This command turns the sketcher grid on

and off.
• Snap to Point: If active, your cursor will snap to the
intersections of the grid lines.
• Construction / Standard Elements: You can draw two different types of
elements in CATIA a standard element and a construction element. A
standard element (solid line type) will be created when the icon is inactive
(blue). It will be used to create a feature in the Part Design workbench. A
construction element (dashed line type) will be created when the icon is active
(orange). They are used to help construct your sketch, but will not be used to
create features.
• Geometric Constraints: When active, geometric constraints will automatically
be applied such as tangencies, coincidences, parallelisms, etc...
• Dimensional Constraints: When active, dimensional constraints will
automatically be applied when corners (fillets) or chamfers are created, or
when quantities are entered in the value field. The value field is a place where
dimensions such as line length and angle are manually entered.

2.1 - 3
Part Modeled

The part modeled in

this tutorial is shown
below. The part is
constructed with the
assistance of
different work
modes.

Section 1: Using Snap to Point

1) Open a New Part drawing and name the part Spline Shape.

2) Enter the Sketcher on the yz plane.

3) Restore the default positions of the toolbars (Tools – Customize... –

Toolbars tab – Restore position.) Move the Sketch Tools toolbar and the
User Selection Filter toolbar to the top toolbar area.

2.1 - 4
4) Set your grid spacing. At the top pull down menu, select Tools – Options... In
the Options window, expand the Mechanical Design portions of the left side
navigation tree and select Sketcher. Activate the options Display, Snap to
point, and Allow Distortions in the Grid section on the right side. Set your
Primary spacing and Graduations to H: 100 mm and 20, and V: 100 mm and
10.

5) Select the Spline icon. This is located in the Profile toolbar in the right
side toolbar area.

6) Move your cursor around the screen. Note that it snaps to the intersections of

the grid. Your Snap to Point should be orange (active). Deactivate the

Snap to Point icon by clicking on it and turning it back to blue. Move

your cursor around the screen and notice the difference.

2.1 - 5
7) Reactivate the Snap to
2
Point icon and draw
the spline shown. Select
each point (indicated by a
number in a square) in order
from 1 to 7, double clicking
at the last point to end the 1
spline command.
7 3
8) Edit the spline by double
clicking on any portion of it.
6 4
9) In the Spline Definition
window, select CtrlPoint.7, 5
then activate the Tangency
option, and select OK.
Notice that the last point is
now tangent to the first
point.

10) Draw a Circle inside the spline

as shown.

2.1 - 6
11) Exit the Sketcher and Pad the sketch
to a length of 50 mm.

Section 2: Using construction elements.

1) Deselect all.

2) Enter the Sketcher on the front

face of the part.

3) Activate the Construction / Standard

Elements icon. It should be

orange.

4) Deselect all. Hit the Esc key twice.

5) Project an outline of the part onto the sketch plane. Select the Project 3D

Elements icon then select the face of the part. This icon is located in
the Operations toolbar near the bottom of the right side toolbar area. It may
be hidden in the bottom right corner.

6) Deselect all. The projection should now be yellow (this means it is associated
with the part and will change with the part) and dashed (this means it is a
construction element).

2.1 - 7
7) At the top pull down window, select Tools – Options – Sketcher tab.
Deactivate the Grid Display and Snap to Point options. Select OK.

8) Deactivate the Construction / Standard Elements icon.

9) Using the Profile command to draw the triangle shown. The points of the
triangle should lie on the projected construction element. You will know when
you are on the projection when a symbol of two concentric circles appears,
and you will know when you are snapped to the endpoint of the start point
when a symbol of two concentric circles appears and the inner one is filled.

2.1 - 8
10) Exit the Sketcher and Pad the sketch
to a length of 10 mm.

Section 3: Geometrical and Dimensional Constraints

1) Deselect all.

2) Enter the Sketcher on the

front large face of the part.

3) Activate the Geometrical

Constraints icon. It should be Sketch face

orange.

4) At the top pull down window, select Tools – Options – Sketcher. Under the
Constraint portions of the window, select SmartPick... The SmartPick window
shows all the geometrical constraints that will be
created automatically. These constraints may be
turn on and off depending on your design/sketch
needs. Close both the Smart Pick and Options
windows.

2.1 - 9
5) Draw a Rectangle to the
right of the hole as shown.
Notice that geometric
constraints (H = horizontal, V
= Vertical) are automatically
applied.

6) Deactivate the Geometrical

Constraints icon. It
should be blue.

7) Draw a Rectangle to the

left of the hole as shown.
Click and drag
Notice that no geometric constraints the corner point.
are made.

8) For each rectangle, click on one of the points defining a corner and move it
using the mouse. Notice the difference between the two. This is due to the
horizontal and vertical constraints that were applied to the one rectangle.

9) Undo (CTRL + Z) the moves until the original rectangles are back.

10) Exit the Sketcher and Pocket the

sketch using the Up to last option.

11) Expand the specification tree to the sketch level.

2.1 - 10
12) Edit Sketch.3 (the sketch associated with the pocket). In the specification
tree, double click on Sketch.3, or right click on it and select Sketch.3 object -
Edit. You will automatically enter the sketcher on the sketch plane used to
create this sketch.

13) Activate the Dimensional Constraint icon. It should be orange.

14) Select the Corner icon, select

the bottom left corner point of the left
rectangle, move your mouse up and
to the right, and click. A corner or
fillet will be created. The corner icon
is located in the Operations toolbar
near the bottom of the right side
toolbar area. The corner/fillet
may also be created by Corner point
selecting the two lines that
create the corner. Notice that a
dimension is automatically created.

15) Deactivate the Dimensional

Constraint icon. It should be

blue. Create a Corner in the

upper right corner of the same
rectangle. Notice that this time no
dimensional constraint was created.

16) Exit the Sketcher . We have

changed the sketch used to create
the pocket. Notice that the pocket is automatically updated to reflect these
changes.

Section 4: Cutting the part by the sketch plane.

Sometimes it is necessary to sketch inside the part. The Cut Part by Sketch
Plane command allows you to see inside the part and makes it easier to draw
and constrain your sketch.

1) Enter the Sketcher on the xy plane.

2.1 - 11
2) Select the Isometric View icon. This icon is located in the bottom toolbar
area.

3) Select the Cut Part by Sketch

Plane icon located in the

bottom toolbar area. The part in
now cut by the xy plane (the
sketch plane).

4) Select the Top view icon

and draw a Circle in the

middle of the hole as shown
in the figure.

5) Exit the Sketcher .

6) Select the Pad icon and

then select the More>> button.
Fill in the following fields for both
the First and Second Limits;
Type: Up to surface, Limit:
Select the inner circumference of
the hole, and Selection:
Sketch.4 (the circle). Select
Preview to see if the Pad will be
applied correctly, and then OK.

2.1 - 12
 SKETCHER
Tutorial : Simple Profiles &
Constraints

Featured Topics & Commands

Profile toolbar ......................................... 2.2-2

Constraints toolbar ......................................... 2.2-5
Selecting icons ......................................... 2.2-5
Part Modeled ......................................... 2.2-6
Section 1: Creating circles. ......................................... 2.2-6
Section 2: Creating dimensional constraints. ......................................... 2.2-7
Section 3: Creating lines. ......................................... 2.2-8
Section 4: Creating geometrical constraints. ......................................... 2.2-11
Section 5: Creating arcs. ......................................... 2.2-14

Prerequisite Knowledge & Commands

• Entering workbenches
• Entering and exiting the Sketcher workbench
• Simple Pads
• Work modes (Sketch tools toolbar)

2.2 - 1
Profile toolbar

The Profile toolbar contains 2D geometry commands. These geometries range

from the very simple (point, rectangle, etc...) to the very complex (splines, conics,
etc...). The Profile toolbar contains many sub-toolbars. Most of these sub-
toolbars contain different options for creating the same geometry. For example,
you can create a simple line, a line defined by two tangent points, or a line that is
perpendicular to a surface. Reading from left to right, the Profile toolbar contain
the following commands.

Profile toolbar

• Profile: This command allows you to create a continuous set of lines and arcs
connected together.
• Rectangle / Predefined Profile toolbar: The default top command is rectangle.
Stacked underneath are several different commands used to create
predefined geometries.
• Circle / Circle toolbar: The default top command is circle. Stacked underneath
are several different options for creating circles and arcs.
• Spline / Spline toolbar: The default top command is spline which is a curved
line created by connecting a series of points.
• Ellipse / Conic toolbar: The default top command is ellipse. Stacked
underneath are commands to create different conic shapes such as a
hyperbola.
• Line / Line toolbar: The default top command is line. Stacked underneath are
several different options for creating lines.
• Axis: An axis is used in conjunction with commands like mirror and shaft
(revolve). It defines symmetry. It is a construction element so it does not
become a physical part of your feature.

2.2 - 2
• Point / Point toolbar: The default top command is point. Stacked underneath
are several different options for creating points.

Predefined Profile toolbar

Predefined profiles are frequently used geometries. CATIA makes these profiles
available for easy creation which speeds up drawing time. Reading from left to
right, the Predefined Profile toolbar contains the following commands.

• Rectangle: The rectangle is defined

by two corner points. The sides of the
rectangle are always horizontal and
vertical.
• Oriented Rectangle: The oriented rectangle is defined by three corner points.
This allows you to create a rectangle whose sides are at an angle to the
horizontal.
• Parallelogram: The parallelogram is defined by three corner points.
• Elongated Hole: The elongated hole or slot is defined by two points and a
radius.
• Cylindrical Elongated Hole: The cylindrical elongated hole is defined by a
cylindrical radius, two point and a hole radius.
• Keyhole Profile: The keyhole profile is defined by two center points and two
radii.
• Hexagon: The hexagon is defined by a center point and the radius of an
inscribed circle.
• Centered Rectangle: The centered rectangle is defined by a center point and
a corner point.
• Centered Parallelogram: The centered parallelogram is defined by a center
point (defined by two intersecting lines) and a corner point.

Circle toolbar

The Circle toolbar contains several different ways of creating circles and arcs.
Reading from left to right, the Circle toolbar contains the following commands.

• Circle: A circle is defined by a center point

and a radius.
• Three Point Circle: The three point circle
command allows you to create a circle using
three circumferential points.
• Circle Using Coordinates: The circle using coordinates command allows you
to create a circle by entering the coordinates for the center point and radius in
a Circle Definition window.
• Tri-Tangent Circle: The tri-tangent circle command allows you to create a

2.2 - 3
• Three Point Arc: The three point arc command allows you to create an arc
defined by three circumferential points.
• Three Point Arc Starting With Limits: The three point arc starting with limits
allows you to create an arc using a start, end, and midpoint.
• Arc: The arc command allows you to create an arc defined by a center point,
and a circumferential start and end point.

Spline toolbar

Reading from left to right, the Spline toolbar contains the following commands.

• Spline: A spline is a curved profile defined by three or more

points. The tangency and curvature radius at each point may be
specified.
• Connect: The connect command connects two points or profiles
with a spline.

Conic toolbar

Reading from left to right, the Conic toolbar contains the following commands.

• Ellipse: The ellipse is defined by center point and a

major and minor axis points.
• Parabola by Focus: The parabola is defined by a focus,
apex and a start and end point.
• Hyperbola by Focus: The hyperbola is defined by a focus, center point, apex
and a start and end point.
• Conic: There are several different methods that can be used to create conic
curves. These methods give you a lot of flexibility when creating above three
types of curves.

Line toolbar

The Line toolbar contains several different ways of creating lines. Reading from
left to right, the Line toolbar contains the following commands.

• Line: A line is defined by two points.

• Infinite Line: Creates infinite lines that are horizontal,
vertical or defined by two points.
• Bi-Tangent Line: Creates a line whose endpoints are
tangent to two other elements.
• Bisecting Line: Creates an infinite line that bisects the angle created by two
other lines.
• Line Normal to Curve: This command allows you to create a line that starts
anywhere and ends normal or perpendicular to another element.

2.2 - 4
Point toolbar

The Point toolbar contains several different ways of creating points. Reading
from left to right, the Point toolbar contains the following commands.

• Point by Clicking: Creates a point by clicking the left

mouse button.
• Point by using Coordinates: Creates a point at a
specified coordinate point.
• Equidistant Points: Creates equidistant points along a predefined path curve.
• Intersection Point: Creates a point at the intersection of two different
elements.
• Projection Point: Projects a point of one element onto another.

Constraint toolbar

Constraints can either be dimensional or geometrical. Dimensional constraints

are used to constrain the length of an element, the
radius or diameter of an arc or circle, and the
distance or angle between elements. Geometrical
constraints are used to constrain the orientation of
one element relative to another. For example, two
elements may be constrained to be perpendicular to
each other. Other common geometrical constraints
include parallel, tangent, coincident, concentric,
etc... Reading from left to right:

• Constraints Defined in Dialoged Box: Creates geometrical and dimensional

constraints between two elements.
• Constraint: Creates dimensional constraints.
• Contact Constraint: Creates a contact constraint between two elements.
• Fix Together: The fix together command groups individual entities together.
• Auto Constraint: Automatically creates dimensional constraints.
• Animate Constraint: Animates a dimensional constraint between to limits.
• Edit Multi-Constraint: This command allows you to edit all your sketch
constraints in a single window.

Selecting icons

When an icon is selected, it turns orange indicating that it is active. If the icon is
activated with a single mouse click, the icon will turn back to blue (deactivated)
when the operation is complete. If the icon is activated with a double mouse click,
it will remain active until another command is chosen or if the Esc key is hit twice.

2.2 - 5
Part Modeled

The part modeled in this tutorial is shown

on the right. This part will be created using
simple profiles, circles, arcs, lines, and
hexagons. The geometries are
constrained to conform to certain
dimensional (lengths) and geometrical
constraints (tangent, perpendicular, etc...).

Section 1: Creating circles.

(Hint: If you get confused about how to

apply the different commands that are
used in this tutorial, read the prompt line
for additional help.)

1) Launch CATIA V5, enter the Part

Design workbench and, if asked,
name your part Post.

2) Enter the Sketcher on the zx

plane.

3) Set your grid spacing to be 100 mm

with 10 graduations, activate the Snap
to point, and activate the geometrical and dimensional constraints. (Tools –
Options...)

Duplicate the
settings shown.

2.2 - 6
4) Pull out the Circle toolbar .

5) Double click on the Circle icon and

draw the circles shown.

6) Exit the Sketcher

and Pad

the sketch to
12 mm on each
side (Mirrored
extent). Notice
that the inner
circle at the
bottom becomes
a hole.

Section 2: Creating dimensional constraints.

1) Expand your specification tree to the sketch

level.

2) Edit Sketch.1. To edit a sketch you can double

click on the sketch name in the specification tree,
or you can right click on the name select
Sketch.1 - Edit. CATIA automatically takes you
into the sketcher on the plane used to create
Sketch.1.

3) Double click on the Constraints icon.

4) Select the border of the upper circle, pull the

dimension out and click your left mouse button to
place the dimension. Repeat for the two bottom
circles.

5) Select the center point of the upper circle, then

the center point of the lower circles, pull the dimension out and click.

2.2 - 7
6) Double click on the D20 dimension. In the
Constraint Definition window, change the D48
diameter from 20 to 16 mm.

140

7) In a similar fashion, change the other

dimensions to the values shown in the figure. D16

D32

8) Exit the Sketcher and deselect all.

Notice that the part automatically updates to
the new sketch dimensions.

Section 3: Creating lines.

1) Enter the Sketcher on the zx plane.

1 3

2) Deactivate the Snap to Point icon.

3) Project the two outer circles of the part onto the

sketch plane. Double click on the Project 3D

Elements icon. This icon is located in the

lower half of the right side toolbar area. Select
the outer edges of the two cylinders.

4) Pull out the line toolbar .

5) Double click on the Bi-Tangent Line icon.

Select the points, in order, as indicated on the
figure.
2 4

2.2 - 8
6) Pull out the Relimitations toolbar located in the
Operation toolbar.

Trimmed edge Projected edge

7) Double click on the Quick trim
icon. Select the outer portion of the
projected circles. Notice that the
trimmed projection turns into a
construction element (dashed). 1 3

8) Exit the Sketcher

and Pad
the sketch to 6 mm
on each side
(Mirrored extent).

Projected edge

2 4

Trimmed edge

2.2 - 9
9) Enter the Sketcher on the zx plane.

10) Activate the Construction/Standard Element icon (it should be

orange).

11) Select the Project 3D Elements icon and then

project the left line of the part as shown in the
figure.

12) Activate your Snap to Point

icon.

13) Draw a line that starts at point 1

(see fig.) and ends Projected line
normal/perpendicular to projected
line using the Line Normal to
Normal line
Curve icon. 1

14) Deactivate your Snap to Point

icon.
Bisecting line

15) Draw a Line from point 1 to

point 2.

16) Draw a line that bisects the

previous 2 lines using the

Bisecting Line icon. Read

the prompt line for directions. 2

17) Deselect all.

18) Deactivate the Construction/Standard Element icon (it should be blue

now).

2.2 - 10
19) Draw a circle that is tangent to the projected
line, normal line and bisecting line using the

Tri-Tangent Circle icon. Read the

prompt line for directions.

20) Zoom in on the circle.

21) Using Profile , draw the three additional

lines shown in the figure.

22) Use the Quick Trim command to trim off the

inside portion of the circle as shown. You will
have to apply the quick trim operation twice.

23) Draw a Hexagon that has the same center as

the circle/arc and is the approximate size shown in
the figure. The Hexagon icon is usually stacked

under the Rectangle icon. (Your hexagon will

contain many constraints that are not shown in the
figure.)

24) Deselect all.

2.2 - 11
25) Apply a dimensional Constraint to
the distance between the flats of the
hexagon as shown. To create this
7
constraint, select the top line and then
the bottom line. Double click on the
dimension and change its value to 7 mm.

26) Exit the Sketcher and

Pad the sketch to a length

of 2 mm on each side
(Mirrored extent).

Section 4: Creating geometrical

constraints.

1) Enter the Sketcher on the flat

face of the large cylinder. Sketch face

2.2 - 12
2) Deactivate the Geometrical Constraint icon (it should be blue). This will
allow you to create profiles with no automatically applied constraints.

3) On the face of Vertical constraint

the large Horizontal constraint
cylinder, draw

the Profile
shown. No Parallel constraint
geometrical
constraints
should be
indicated.

4) Deselect all. Perpendicular

constraint
5) Reactivate the
Geometrical

Constraints icon (it should be orange).

6) Apply a vertical constraint to the right line of the profile by right clicking on it
and selecting Line.? object – Vertical.

7) Apply a horizontal constraint to the top line using a similar procedure.

8) Deselect all.

9) Apply a perpendicular constraint between the right

and bottom line of the profile. Hold the CTRL key
down and select the left and bottom lines. Select the

Constraints Defined in Dialog Box icon. In

the Constraint Definition window, check the box
next to Perpendicular and then select OK.

10) Apply a parallel constraint between the left and right

lines of the profile in a similar way.

2.2 - 13
11) Apply Constraints to the
rectangle and change their values to
the values shown in the figure.
20

14

12) Apply the additional dimensional

constraints shown in order to
position the rectangle. Select the
14
Constraints icon, then the
circumference of the circle and then
the appropriate side of the
rectangle. Notice that once all the
constraints are applied, the
rectangle turns green indicating
that it is fully constrained. If it did
17
not turn green make sure the
Visualization of diagnosis is
activated in the Options window.
(Tools – Options…)

13) Draw the triangle shown using the

Profile command. When

drawing the triangle make sure that
the top point is aligned with the
origin ( ) and the bottom line is
horizontal (H).

2.2 - 14
14) Constrain the vertical height of the
triangle to be 6 mm. Select the 4

Constraints icon, select the

one of the angled lines of the 6
triangle, right click and select
Vertical Measure Direction. 8
4

15) Constrain the rest of the

triangle as shown.

16) Exit the Sketcher and Pad the sketch to

a length of 5 mm.

Section 5: Creating arcs.

1) Enter the Sketcher on the front face of the

middle section.

Sketch face

2.2 - 15
2) Activate the Construction/Standard Element
icon.

3) Select the Project 3D Elements icon and then

project the front face of the middle section.

4) Deselect all.

5) Deactivate the Construction/Standard Element

icon.

6) Activate your Snap to Point icon.

7) Draw the profile shown. Use the Three Point Arc command to create the

bottom arc, the Arc command to create the top arc. The Arc icons are
stacked under the Circle icon. For assistance in creating the arcs, read the
prompt line at the bottom of the graphics screen. Use

the Profile command to create the connecting

lines.

Arc
Center point
for arc

Three point arc

2.2 - 16
8) Exit the Sketcher and Pad the sketch to
a length of 30 mm.

9) Deselect all.

10) Mirror the entire solid. Select the Mirror icon

in the Transformation Features toolbar. Select the
mirror element/face. In the Mirror Definition
window select OK.

Mirroring element

2.2 - 17