Sketches are displayed in various states. To fully define the sketch, you add relations and apply dimensions using the Smart Dimension tool (Dimensions/Relations toolbar). The types of sketch entities can also affect dimensioning functions.
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You dimension 2D or 3D sketch entities with the Smart Dimension tool. You can drag or delete a dimension while the Smart Dimension tool is active.
You can specify a horizontal dimension between two entities. The horizontal direction is defined by the orientation of the current sketch.
You can create a vertical dimension between two points. The vertical direction is defined by the orientation of the current sketch.
You can dimension the true length of the arc.
You can place a horizontal, vertical, or linear dimension between two sketch points, sketch segment endpoints, or model vertices. You can also use the model origin as a point.
You can change the appearance of dimensions in parts and sketches.
You can insert driven (reference) dimensions when creating sketch entities. This is helpful if you want to switch between inserting driving and driven dimensions.
By default, distances are measured to the center of an arc or circle.
You can use Add Dimension to display dimensions when creating sketch entities.
You can create multiple radial or diametric dimensions without selecting the centerline each time. This type of dimensioning is helpful when you create sketches for revolved geometry that require several diameter dimensions.
Sketches include a status, and sketch entities within the sketch include a state. Sketch entity states are displayed in different colors to facilitate identification.
Sketches can be in any of five states described below. The state of the sketch is displayed in the status bar at the bottom of the SolidWorks window.
The Fully Define Sketch tool calculates which dimensions and relations are required to fully define under defined sketches or selected sketch entities. You can access Fully Define Sketch at any point and with any combination of dimensions and relations already added.
You can override dimensions by dragging sketch entities. The sketch dimensions update at the end of the drag. They remain driving dimensions and update in the part, assembly, and drawing.
You can specify zero and negative values for sketch dimensions. This is helpful when you want to flip an entity's sense of direction.
If the reference for a sketch relation or dimension is missing, you can display a ghost image of that missing reference by hovering over or selecting the dangling relation or dimension.
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