Modeling a symmetrical part

[pkelecy]

I'm modeling a part that essentially looks like a three-leaf clover. Due to the symmetry, I've only sketched 1/6 of it, and should be able to form the rest through a combination of mirroring (to form one leaf) and patterning (to duplicate the other two).

My questions are:

1. Is it better to, (a) mirror and pattern the 1/6 *sketch* (to form a sketch of the whole part) and then extrude that into a 3D solid, or (b) extrude the 1/6 sketch into a 1/6 solid, then mirror and pattern it?

2. If I want to edit the sketch that a solid was extruded from, how do I get back into the sketch mode? I looked in PathFinder expecting to see some reference to it, but there wasn't any.

Thanks for the help. -Pat

 

[beachcomber]

Pat,
I was looking at V19/20 as I don't have access to V21 or ST, so some of my terminology and steps may be a bit different.
If the start-end of the arc is constrained to the original hole it shouldn't move.
Make sure you HAVE constrained the end point, not just a 'point on'.
Also there's nothing to stop you moving the arc so that it matches the pattern position - you can easily do that with an angular dimension.
It sounds like you are doing pretty well, and you are certainly asking the right questions.

bc.
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