Any parametric driven model can show design intent. The real question is are you, generic you, not specifically you, smart enough to utilize that power and use it drive other things in your design and drawing.
I look at a lot of drawings and models from others and it is pathetic that 90%+ 0f the time, they model holes from one end of the part, yet dimension them in the drawing from the other end.
UG also has Knowledge Fusuion which can actually drive the model from mathmatical functions and inputs.
"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."
I'll try to throw some stuff out to help first.
UG Sketcher by itself cannot really help with design intent.
However, by using datum planes relative to something else, and by incorporating Expressions into your sketch, now you are adding Intended Elements into your sketch's design.
For example: Condsider a tube that follows a path. For arguments sake the path or guide is on a flat plane. My Sketch can be the tube guide path or centerline. Now I can put an expression into the Expressions list to define Bend Radius, Wall Thickness, Tube OD, Length....etc. Now let's say my tube is a connection from one known point to another known point. A-B. And in my assembly I define the distance from A to B. In my tube part I can place two datum planes offset from one another at d=A-B. Again, I can put this in the Expression list to make it easy to define and modify. Now I have a sketch with Design Intent. What is the intent of my part and assembly design?
Sometimes it's helpful to build the part first, any old way you choose, and then as intentions form, go back and add parameters that help define the intent of the design.
"UG Sketcher by itself cannot really help with design intent."
I would tend to disagree with that statement because the sketcher allows you to set geometric constraints. For example, you could make an oval shape that no matter how far apart the straight segments are, the ends always form a full radius. Thus your design intent is captured within the sketcher. The rest of the post is excellent stuff, though.
If you have taken a WAVE class you can see some real benefits to the UG Sketcher and how to convey design intent.
Using a WAVE Sketch control structure you can convey design intent throughout the design using parameters from the control structure. This is advanced UG but if used correctly, it has a lot of benefit. The structure is based around design criteria affecting interpart relationships.
It can also be done using the Ug Sketcher creating simple UG Models.
In a real sense what is design intent? The definition I would offer is the ability to establish design relationships that optimizes design flexibility. In other words, try to create relationships that are flexible and allow for design changes as they occur. That kind of intent can be captured in the UG Sketcher. Be creative, but keep in mind the KISS principle. Don't over design.
