sketches- positioned or sliding?

[thixoguy]

Hi All,

When using sketcher I tend to always use the "regular" sketch as opposed to the "positioned/sliding" sketcher. I am wondering if I should take more advantage of positioned/sliding sketches. I have read the documentation but don't fully understand the difference between the two (regular as opposed to positioned/sliding).
If by default I always use regular sketches am I limiting myself in any way? It seems that once you select a regular sketch you can't,during update errors or edits, switch over to positioned/sliding sketches. Is it better to use a positioned/sliding sketches initially so so as to give myself more options during edits or when I encounter update errors?
Any insight is much appreciated.

thanks, thixoguy

 

[solid7]

If by default I always use regular sketches am I limiting myself in any way? It seems that once you select a regular sketch you can't,during update errors or edits, switch over to positioned/sliding sketches. Is it better to use a positioned/sliding sketches initially so so as to give myself more options during edits or when I encounter update errors?

thixoguy - you can ALWAYS swtich the sketch type, simply by right-clicking the sketch, and selecting "Change Sketch Support".

Now, for the advantages. By default, your sketch will be "sliding", unless otherwise specified. You have the option of sliding, positioned, or isolated. I personally don't specify at the beginning, because I've never found the value in addressing the matter before it becomes pertinent.

"Positioned" sketches are awesome, though. This is where you are given the opportunity to modify aspects of the sketch, AS IT PERTAINS to the orientation plane. Things like flipping vertically or horizontally, (without manually changing anything in the sketch) or swapping axes - and having a whole gad of option for doing it, to boot. You can define a center of rotation or mirror point EXTERNAL to the sketch, if you need to swap it in a particular place.

Basically, positioned sketches are for modifying the location and orientation of the sketch, without getting into transformations, or modifying any sketch parameters. Sliding is for moving the geometry from plane to plane, ONLY.

Does that help at all?

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CAD design engineering services - Catia V4, Catia V5, and CAD Translation. Catia V5 resources - CATBlog.

 

[jackk]

I agree with Solid7, but I ALWAYS use positioned sketches out of habit.

Positioned sketches don't become inverted or convoluted (screwed up) like sliding sketches, when you change the sketch support.

They also work much better for Power Copies.

 

[thixoguy]

solid7,jackk,

I suppose I must simply begin to play around with positioned sketches a bit more. From the sounds of it there are definately some advantages....that I need to more fully explore on my own. Thanks for the tips!

thixoguy

 

[solid7]

You'll understand when you start modifying sketches that are already in use. Based on what jackk said, when things start to have unexpected results when you move sketches, refer back to "mental note" on positioned sketches, and begin your experimentation.

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CAD design engineering services - Catia V4, Catia V5, and CAD Translation. Catia V5 resources - CATBlog.

 

[thixoguy]

solid7,

Well I have taken some time and played around with positioned sketches and they are indeed "awesome". I have always wondered, among other things, how I could control the H and V of a sketch, I now know how. Just want to thank you for providing some much needed clarity.

thixoguy