{"id":28362,"date":"2022-03-01T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/?p=28362"},"modified":"2024-03-18T18:52:41","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T01:52:41","slug":"fusion-360-sketch-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/fusion-360-sketch-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding The Fusion 360 Sketch Environment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this article, you’ll learn how to access the Fusion 360 sketch environment, locate the basic sketch tools, and edit your sketches. We\u2019ve also included an accompanying video below that you can use to follow along. Please let us know if you find the video helpful by leaving feedback on our Self-Paced Learning site<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Creating a Sketch <\/h2>\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at how to create a Sketch <\/strong>in the Sketch<\/strong> environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, if you\u2019re creating a design that will contain multiple components, make sure you create and activate the component you want the sketch to appear within. This will ensure that any sketches you create will be contained within that active component, helping you keep your geometry organized. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, on the Solid<\/strong> tab in the Design <\/strong>workspace, select Create Sketch<\/strong> from the toolbar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fusion 360 asks you to define the sketch plane by selecting either a plane or planar face, based on the way you want to orient the object you\u2019re designing in 3D space. You can select an origin plane, an existing construction plane, or a planar face on an existing body. For the first sketch in a new design, hover over one of the origin planes, like the XY<\/strong> plane, and click to select it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"select-plane-fusion-360-sketch-environment\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fusion 360 automatically rotates the view to look directly at the sketch plane, to make it easier for you to create orthogonal geometry. The Sketch Grid<\/strong>, Origin<\/strong>, and planar Axes <\/strong>appear on the sketch plane to make it easier to create accurate geometry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want the view to rotate automatically when you create or edit sketches, navigate to Preferences<\/strong>, then in the Design <\/strong>section, uncheck Auto Look At Sketch<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"auto-look-at-sketch-sketch-environment\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

Timeline and Browser Features <\/h2>\n\n\n

After you create your Sketch<\/strong>, the new Sketch <\/strong>feature displays in the Timeline <\/strong>and in the Browser<\/strong>, nested within the active component. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sketch-browser-timeline\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Select the Sketch <\/strong>in the Browser<\/strong>, click again to rename, and enter a clear and meaningful name for the sketch to make sure you and your project members can navigate the design easily as the assembly becomes more complex. <\/p>\n\n\n

Sketch Contextual Tab <\/h2>\n\n\n

The Sketch <\/strong>contextual tab displays on the toolbar and remains there while you edit the sketch. It contains all the tools you need to create, modify, and constrain sketch geometry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sketch-contextual-tab-fusion-360\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tools in the Create <\/strong>menu let you: <\/p>\n\n\n\n