What is the Modify Sketch Tool?

Modify Sketch

The Modify Sketch tool  is a much more efficient way to Mirror, Move, and/or Rotate an entire sketch.

To access it, you must either (a) pre-select a sketch on the feature tree OR (b) be in Sketch Mode (meaning, editing the sketch): 

Tools à Sketch Tools àModify Sketch

Drag the Modify Sketch icon to your command manager for easier access

                Tools à Customize à Commands àModify Sketch  

                Modify Sketch Dialog Box

                               

Scale:

-“Sketch origin” is the origin of the sketch, which is only visible when you are in Sketch Mode.

                -“Moveable origin” is the black origin that appears once you are in the command.

                - Re-position “Moveable origin” by left clicking on origin and drag to desired location.

                Translate (i.e. Move):

-Indicate a value for displacement.  You can include a minus sign to move it in the –X or –Y directions.

-You can include expressions!!!   (for example:  "0.5 + 1/8")

Rotate:

- Indicate a value for rotation.  Include a minus sign to rotate it in a clockwise direction.

Things to remember for Modify Sketch tool

   1.       You cannot move a sketch that has external references (dependent upon other geometry/sketches)

   2.       You cannot modify only partial entities of a sketch.  It’s all or nothing. J

   3.       Look at your cursor for clues.  You can hover your mouse over parts of the black origin to execute various functions.

a.       black origin:  RMB flips across both X and Y axes

b.      the x axis arrow of the black origin : RMB flips across the Y axis

c.       the y axis arrow of the black origin: RMB flips across the X axis

   4.       You can do more than 1 function sequentially while the dialog box is open such as translate and then rotate.

   5.       You can only undo after closing the dialog box (Close the dialog box and hit Ctrl +Z)

   6.       Before using the tool, your sketch should be ALMOST fully defined, which means that the sketch contour should be fully defined it itself, but it is only under defined because you have not indicated where the sketch should be placed relative to the sketch origin.  (if you move a point on your sketch, it should move as a whole without warping/changing shape)

   7.       Once you position it to where you want, add dimensions to make it fully defined.