Goal:
Designing a complete parameterized 2D sketch.
Realization:
First of all, consider the fact that SOLIDWORKS is a parametric modeling software. Parametric means that the model is controlled by parameters, e. g. dimensions, geometric conditions, patterns, wall thicknesses, hole diameters and depths, etc.). That is, the geometrical elements (lines, arcs, circumferences, etc.) of the sketch are geometrically (collinear, parallelism, perpendicularity/orthogonality, etc.) and dimensionally parameterized.
This is why this chapter is divided into three main parts, as well as the creation of the 3D model with „Extruded Boss/Base“.
1. Designing the approximated shape of the contour of the sketch.
The first phase consists of the actual creation of the geometrical elements, like lines, arcs, circumferences, etc. These elements are usually approximately placed (without relations, like tangent, vertical, collinear, etc.). Later they will be adjusted with geometric constraints. The contour of the sketch can be modelled fully or partially at this stage.
2. Designing the geometric parameterization of the contour of the sketch.
At this stage, the geometrical restrictions (parallelism, coincident, collinear, etc.) necessary for the complete geometric parameterization of the contour of the sketch are created. At this phase, the contour (the interior or the exterior one) should be fully defined.
3. Designing the dimensional parametrizations.