| Learning Outcomes |
When you have completed this module, you will be able to:
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2D Sketching Planes
Up to this point in the book, the Base sketch has been drawn on the XY plane. The XY plane is the Top view of the model and the default plane as configured in the templates that are being used to complete the workalongs and lab exercises in the Inventor book. The models that have been constructed up to this point in the modules were all designed so that the Base sketch was drawn on the XY plane or the Top view. In this module, learning how to construct solid models by drawing the Base sketch on either the front or right side planes will be taught.
Inventor has p three predefined planes that can be used to draw the Base sketch. They are the XY, XZ, and YZ planes. The XY plane is the Top view, the XZ plane is the Front view and the YZ is the Right Side view of the model.
Keep in mind the rule that was taught in Module 4. ‘ It is best to draw the Base sketch on the plane that has the most complex contour. Contours with arcs and curves should be avoided ‘.
The Three Predefined Planes
To help visualize the three predefined planes used in Inventor, the 3D model shown in Figure 10-1 is used in this module. The glass box principle that was taught in Module 8 is used to help you visualize Inventor’s three predefined planes. See Figure 10-2.
Consumed and Unconsumed Sketches
A consumed sketch is a 2D sketch that has been extruded or revolved to create a 3D solid model. An unconsumed sketch is a 2D sketch that is blank or one that has not been extruded or revolved.
The Browser bar will display which sketches have been consumed and which ones are unconsumed. See Figure 10-3. Sketch1 is unconsumed while Sketch2, Sketch3, and Sketch4 have been extruded and are consumed.
| USER TIP: A 2D sketch can be drawn in the orthographic view or in the 3D Home view. In fact, any 3D orbited view can be used. When drawing in a 3D view, it is always best to draw in the Home view since this helps you maintain a good mental picture of the model. |
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| MUST KNOW: Inventor has three predefined planes that can be used to draw the Base sketch on. They are the XY, XZ and YZ planes. The XY plane is the Top view, the XZ plane is the Front view and the YZ is the Right Side view of the Base model. |
WORK ALONG: Working with 2D Sketching Planes
Step 1
Start a new part file using the template: English-Modules Part (in).ipt.
Step 2
In Sketch mode, press F6 to change to the Home view. The Graphic window and the Browser bar will appear as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 2)
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: This is the Top view or the XY plane since that is Inventor’s default plane. Note that Sketch1 is always on the default plane. |
Step 3
In the Browser bar, expand the folder: Origin as shown in the figure. Place the cursor on the XY Plane. Note the orientation of the plane on the sketch. (Figure Step 3)
Step 4
Place the cursor on the XZ Plane in the Browser bar. Note the orientation of the plane on the sketch. The XZ Plane is the Front view. (Figure Step 4)
Step 5
Place the cursor on the YZ Plane in the Browser bar. Note the orientation of the plane on the sketch. This is the Right Side view. (Figure Step 5)
Step 6
Place the cursor anywhere in the Graphic window and right click the mouse. In the Right-click menu, click Finish 2D Sketch.
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: The object shown in Figures 10-3 and 10-4 is the model that you will be constructing in this workalong. |
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Before starting the Base sketch you must pick the best view to draw it on. It should, in most cases, be the view with the most complex contour. For this model, the best view to use is the Front view or the XZ plane. |
Step 7
Save the part file with the name: Inventor Workalong 10-1. In Model mode, expand the folder: Origin in the Browser bar and right-click the XZ plane. In the Right-click menu, click New Sketch as shown in figure. (Figure Step 7)
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Since Sketch1 was not used, it is blank and is an unconsumed sketch. |
Step 8
The Graphic window will change to Sketch mode. Change to the Home view. Note that in the Browser bar a new sketch will appear and named Sketch2. (Figure Step 8)
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Since Sketch1 was not used, it is blank and is an unconsumed sketch. |
Step 9
Project the Center Point onto the sketch plane. Draw the Base sketch for the model applying all of the necessary geometrical constraints to maintain the shape of the sketch. Note the location of X0Y0Z0. Insert the necessary driving dimensions to fully constrain the sketch. (Figure Step 9)
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: All the lines in the sketch should display purple If they do not, start the workalong over again. |
Step 10
Press PAGE UP key to execute the LOOK UP/VIEW FACE command. Select one of the lines to change the sketch to the 2D view of the the XZ plane. Press F8 to display the geometrical constraint icons. They should appear similar to the figure. (Figure Step 10)
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: The constraint icons in your sketch may not match the figure exactly. |
Step 11
Right-click anywhere in the Graphic window. In the Right-click menu, click Finish 2D Sketch to return to Model mode. (Figure Step 11)
Step 12
Save the part with the name: Inventor Workalong 10-1. Extrude the sketch to create the solid model as shown in figure. (Figure Step 12)
Step 13
Using the 2D SKETCH command, or even better the shortcut S, start a new sketch and select the right side as the plane to draw it on. (Figure Step 13)
Step 14
The grid will display on the right side. It will be Sketch3 in the Browser bar. (Figure Step 14)
Step 15
Draw three lines for the slot. Apply all of the necessary geometrical and dimensional constraints to fully constrain the sketch. (Figure Step 15)
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Ensure that you snap onto the edge when you start the first line and end the third line. By doing that, you only are required to draw 3 lines to fully constrain the sketch. See Module 7 if you have trouble doing this. |
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: All three lines in the sketch should display purple to indicate the sketch is fully constrained. Do not continue on with this workalong until the sketch is fully constrained. |
Step 16
Press F8 to enable the display of the constraint icons. They should be similar to the figure. (Figure Step 16)
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Your sketch my not match the figure exactly. Ensure that your sketch fully constrained. |
Step 17
Press F9 to disable the display of the constraint icons. Extrude the sketch using the To next. (Figure Step 17)
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: In some computers, other background functions may have taken over the F keys. In that case, right-click somewhere in the Graphics window and then click on Hide All Constraints. |
Step 18
Start a new sketch on the top plane as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 18)
Step 19
Draw the 2D sketch on the new sketching plane and insert the necessary dimensions to fully constrain it. (Figure Step 19)
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Ensure that you snap onto the edge. That way, you will only be required to draw three lines to fully constrain the sketch. |
Step 20
Extrude the top sketch to complete the solid model. (Figure Step 20)
Step 21
Change the view to the Home view and apply the color: Chrome – Polished Black. Orbit the model to check the bottom. (Figure Step 21)
Step 22
Save and close the file.
Key Principles
| Key Principles in Module 10 |
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Lab Exercise 10-1
Time allowed: 45 minutes.
| Part Name | Project | Units | Template | Color | Material |
| Inventor Lab Lab 10-1 | Inventor Course | Inches | English-Modules Part (in).ipt | Titanium – Polished | N/A |
Step 1
Project the Center Point onto the base sketching plane.
Step 2
Note the location of X0Y0Z0. Draw the necessary sketches and extrude them to produced the solid model shown below. Apply all of the necessary geometrical and dimensional constraints to fully constrain all sketches. (Figure Step 2A and 2B)
Step 3
Apply the colour as shown above. (Figure Step 3)
| AUTHOR’S GEOMETRIC CONSTRAINS: The following three figures shows the base and additional sketch’s construction method plus geometric and dimensional constraints suggested by the author to help you learn how to construct and constrain sketches. It is only the suggested method and if you can complete a fully constrained sketches using different construction methods and constraints, that is what is important. You may want to compare your construction method and constraints used with the authors. |
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Your sketches may not match the figures exactly. Ensure that each sketch is fully constrained. |
Lab Exercise 10-2
Time allowed: 45 minutes.
| Part Name | Project | Units | Template | Color | Material |
| Inventor Lab Lab 10-2 | Inventor Course | Millimeters | Metric-Modules Part (mm).ipt | Zinc Chromate 2 | N/A |
Step 1
Project the Center Point onto the base sketching plane.
Step 2
Note the location of X0Y0Z0. Draw the necessary sketches and extrude them to produced the solid model. Apply all of the necessary geometrical and dimensional constraints to fully constrain all sketches. (Figure Step 2A and 2B)
Step 3
Apply the colour shown above. (Figure Step 3)
| AUTHOR’S GEOMETRIC CONSTRAINS: The following figures shows the sketch’s construction method plus geometric and dimensional constraints suggested by the author to help you learn how to construct and constrain sketches. It is only the suggested method and if you can complete a fully constrained sketch using a different construction method and constraints, that is what is important. You may want to compare your construction method and constraints used with the authors. |
| AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Your sketches may not match the figures exactly. Ensure that each sketch is fully constrained. |
