Import Entities

Import geometry that was not created using a sketching tool by projecting it onto a sketch plane as construction geometry.

Construction geometry is used as a reference to line up or define other geometry. You can convert any sketch curve into construction geometry, and vice versa.

Construction geometry is displayed as a dotted line, and is only visible when you are editing the sketch. It can't be modified with any of the editing tools (on the Sketching tab and otherwise). For example, you can't trim or extrude a construction line.

Import Entities to a Sketch Plane

Import entities to a sketch plane as construction lines.

  1. On the ribbon, click the Sketching tab.
  2. Click the Import Entities icon.
  3. Set the sketch plane:
    • Click one of the default sketch planes: Top, Front, or Right.
    • Click the planar face of an object.
  4. Click to define the entities, and then right-click to confirm.
    The entities are imported into the sketch plane as construction lines, indicated by a blue line and the Imported Geometries icon.

Edit Imported Entities

Reposition, resize, or convert construction geometry into a sketch curve.

To edit an imported entity, you must be in a sketch plane.
  1. Edit the imported entity.
    To Do this Note
    Reposition a point Click the point, and then type the x, y, and z coordinates.  
    Resize an entity Click the entity, type the value(s), and then press Enter.  
    Convert construction geometry into a sketch curve Click the entity, and then select Construction.

    The entity is now a sketch curve.

    		 Construction geometry is used as a reference to line up or define other geometry.
  2. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.