Copying a sketch to another plane in SolidWorks is a useful technique that allows you to reuse existing geometry and save time in your design process. Whether you want to create a mirrored feature or simply need to work on a different plane, this tutorial will guide you through the steps of copying a sketch in SolidWorks.
Step 1: Open the Sketch
To begin, open the part or assembly file where you have the sketch you want to copy. Navigate to the FeatureManager Design Tree and locate the sketch. Right-click on the sketch name and select “Edit Sketch” from the context menu.
Step 2: Select and Copy
Once you are in the sketch edit mode, use your cursor to select all the entities (lines, arcs, circles, etc.) that make up the sketch.
You can either click and drag over them or use a window selection by clicking once outside of the sketch boundaries and dragging across all elements. Alternatively, you can also press “Ctrl+A” on your keyboard to select everything in one go.
Next, with all entities selected, right-click anywhere within the selected area and choose “Copy” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+C” to copy the selected entities.
Step 3: Choose New Plane
Now that you have copied the sketch entities, it’s time to choose a new plane where you want to paste them. In SolidWorks, planes act as reference surfaces for creating sketches and features. You can pick an existing plane or create a new one if needed.
To choose an existing plane, simply click on it in the graphics area. If you need a new plane, navigate to the “Features” tab in the CommandManager at the top of your SolidWorks window.
Click on the “Reference Geometry” button and select “Plane” from the drop-down menu. Follow the prompts to create a new plane in your desired location.
Step 4: Paste and Align
With the new plane selected, right-click anywhere within the graphics area and choose “Paste” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+V” to paste the copied entities onto the new plane.
By default, SolidWorks will paste the copied sketch entities at their original position relative to the original sketch plane. However, if you want to align them differently on the new plane, you can use SolidWorks’ powerful sketch editing tools.
Aligning Options:
- Move: Select individual sketch entities and drag them to their desired position on the new plane.
- Copy and Rotate: Use this option if you want to create a circular pattern of your sketch entities around a center point on the new plane.
- Mirror: This option allows you to mirror your sketch entities across an axis or a centerline on the new plane.
- Note: To access these options, simply right-click on a selected entity or group of entities and choose the appropriate editing tool from the context menu.
Step 5: Complete Sketch
Once you have pasted and aligned your copied sketch entities onto the new plane, it’s time to complete your sketch. Add any additional geometry or dimensions necessary for your design. Remember that after completing your sketch, you can use it as a base for creating features such as extrusions or cuts in SolidWorks.
Now that you know how to copy a sketch to another plane in SolidWorks, you can take advantage of this powerful feature to speed up your design workflow and improve efficiency. Whether you need to reuse existing sketches or work on different planes, SolidWorks provides the tools necessary to make your design process smoother and more productive.