![\"allow](\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/allow1-1024x741.png\")
<\/p>\nThis post is a little bit of an unusual one.\u00a0 There is an option in the preferences called \u201cAllow 3D sketching of lines and splines\u201d.\u00a0 The option is located under the Design tab.\u00a0 You can see the location below.<\/p>\n
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So, if you haven’t noticed this option, you’re not alone.\u00a0 Most have not.\u00a0 Before we explore the how and why, I think we need to establish a sketch fundamental (to confirm everyone is on the same page).\u00a0 ALL sketches in Fusion 360 are also 3D in nature.\u00a0 Below is an active sketch with line and spline elements.<\/p>\n
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![\"sketch](\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/allow2-1024x740.png\")
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With the same sketch active, simply selecting the Move\/Copy tool, you can drag sketch elements into 3D space.\u00a0 Please note, that at the moment, this does have an impact on dimensions.<\/p>\n
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![\"drag](\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/allow3-1024x742.png\")
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This can be very, very powerful.\u00a0 You can move items and points into 3D space.\u00a0 Below you can see a spline point moved into 3D space.<\/p>\n
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![\"3d](\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/allow4-1024x741.png\")
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Ok, now that we have the baseline covered, lets talk about what the preference does.\u00a0 Here you can see that I have an active sketch on top plane.\u00a0 I have built a line on this active sketch.\u00a0 In addition, I previously built a quick surface using a plane tool in form\/sculpt.\u00a0 The result is a surface body.<\/p>\n
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![\"surface](\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/allow5-1024x741.png\")
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Now you can see that I started a spline on the active sketch.\u00a0 I started it at the end of the line segment.\u00a0 Clearly, the active selection end of the spline is on the active plane.<\/p>\n
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![\"spline](\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/allow6-1024x740.png\")
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Time for the magic.\u00a0 As I mouse over the corner of the surface, the cursor changes to a square.\u00a0 This tells me that I have left the active plane and now will snap to the corner of the surface.<\/p>\n
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![\"active](\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/allow7-1024x738.png\")
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On this last step, I simply make the spline tangent to both the surface edge and the sketch line.<\/p>\n
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![\"spline](\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/allow8-1024x740.png\")
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This 3D sketch that is anchored to the surface and the sketch can now be used in a myriad of ways.\u00a0 How about a solid or surface pipe?\u00a0 A loft profile or guide curve?\u00a0 You got it and others as well.\u00a0 I hope you enjoyed this little tidbit.\u00a0 Keep in mind, this is a very powerful tool.\u00a0 You can easily accidentally select off the current sketch plane with this preference on.\u00a0 Keep that in mind.\u00a0 Lastly, you can also turn this feature on and off in the sketch palette.<\/p>\n
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![\"sketch](\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/allow9.png\")
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Last option, 3D Sketch.<\/p>\n
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As always, if you would like to learn more about me, head over to Instagram and follow me.<\/p>\n