Adding Constraints in a Drawing

You can define geometric constraints for elements in a drawing. The drawing can be made more accurate by adding constraints for defining the relation between the elements and dimensioning the elements. This results in a parametric drawing.

In 2D drawings, you can prevent the adding and solving of constraints by disabling the 2D Constraint Manager.

Usage Settings

Constraint Types

Constraints are defined for the elements, lines and points in a drawing in order to enable its editing. Constraints defined for the elements include, for example, distance, radius and angle dimensions. These driving dimensions can be used to control the size, direction and position of the elements in relation to each other. In addition to driving dimensions, you can also add other geometric constraints to a drawing.

When an element has a geometric constraint, the element cannot be edited by using its grip points. Edit the geometry of a parametric drawing by editing the constraints.

Dimension constraints:

• Distance Constraint
• Equal Distance Constraint
• Angle Constraint
• Diameter Constraint
• Radius Constraint
• Equal Radius Constraint
• Arc or Spline Length Constraint

Other geometric constraints:

• Coincidence Constraint
• Parallel Constraint
• Perpendicular Constraint
• Concentricity Constraint
• Tangential Constraint
• Symmetry Constraint
• Dependence Constraint
• Centering Constraint

Using Functions to Define Constraints

• You can add constraints from the Constraints group on the Drafting tab.

  First select a function and then the elements in the drawing between which you wish to add the constraint.

• You can later define a dimension added using a dimensioning function as a geometric constraint in the dimension properties. Change an ordinary dimension to a dimension constraint, as follows.
  1. Select a dimension.
  2. Select Properties.
  3. Select the Drives geometry check box in the dialog box.
  4. Confirm the data.
• If you wish all dimensioning functions to drive geometry, select the Dimensioning Tools Make Constraints check box in dimensioning settings.

  Edit Dimensioning Settings

  Other Dimensioning Settings

Dimension Constraint Properties

When adding a dimension constraint, you can select dimension properties on the Properties tab. You can select properties just like when adding or editing dimension.

Unrealized Constraint

• A dimension constraint and other geometric constraint is highlighted in blue color when the geometric constraint is valid.
• In the drawing, unresolved constraints will be highlighted in red color. For example, if too many constraints are defined for the elements, the sketch is overdefined and the color of the constraint changes red.

Editing Drawing Elements

You can edit drawing elements by editing the dimension constraints. You can select individual dimension constraints from the drawing and edit their dimension values. You cannot edit an element with a geometric constraint using its grip point.

Viewing the Constraints of a Drawing

The geometric constraints of a drawing are displayed as dimension constraints and graphical symbols. You can toggle their visibility with the F9 keyboard command.

You can view the constraints of a line element in the line property dialog box by selecting the element and then selecting the context-sensitive Properties function.

Line properties dialog box (2D)

When you are adding a line, some geometric constraints are automatically created, when the 2D Automatic Constraints setting is enabled.

Usage Settings