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Introduction

In FreeCAD the word "Sketch" is normally used to refer to a Sketcher SketchObject (Sketcher::SketchObject class) that is defined by the Sketcher Workbench. This is a 2D drawing that uses mathematical constraints to describe 2D geometry precisely.

See Sketcher SketchObject for more information about this type of object.

Usage

There are two common ways to create a Sketch: using the Sketcher Workbench directly, or through the PartDesign Workbench.

Sketcher Workbench

1. Switch to the Sketcher Workbench.
2. Press Sketcher NewSketch.

PartDesign Workbench

1. Switch to the PartDesign Workbench.
2. Press PartDesign Body.
3. Press PartDesign NewSketch.

After you finish editing the sketch, close it to go out of edit mode. Double click on it to enter edit mode again.

Notes

A Sketch is very commonly used in conjunction with the PartDesign Workbench to create solids by extrusion, using the PartDesign Pad operation.

Nevertheless, a Sketch can always be created by itself for any other purpose; it does not have to be tied to a PartDesign Body. For example, the Arch Window tool of the BIM Workbench uses Sketches to define the shapes of windows and doors; in the same way, they can be used to define the shape of Arch Walls.