Rectangles

Sketch, edit, and extrude a rectangle.

Sketch a Rectangle

Sketch a rectangle by defining two opposite corners, three points, or the center and a corner.

  1. On the Geometry ribbon, in the Create group, click one of the Rectangle tools.
  2. Designate the sketch plane and enter sketch mode:
    • If there is already geometry, click a face.
    • If there is no geometry, you don't need to do anything. The global x-y plane is designated as the sketch plane and you automatically enter sketch mode.
  3. Optional: Click Create New Part to place the rectangle into a new part.
  4. Choose from the following options:
    To sketch this Do this Note
    Rectangle by Corners
    1. Click to define one corner, and then click again to define the opposite corner.
    2. You can resize the rectangle by entering a length and a width.


    		 Use snap points to draw a rectangle that is perpendicular or tangent to other lines, and snap to predefined points on your model such as end, middle, center, and intersection points.
    Rectangle by 3 Pts
    1. Click twice to define one side, and then click a third time to define the opposite side.
    2. You can resize the rectangle by entering a length and a width.


    		 Use snap points to draw a rectangle that is perpendicular or tangent to other lines, and snap to predefined points on your model such as end, middle, center, and intersection points.
    Rectangle by Center and Corner
    1. Click to define the center, and then click again define a corner.
    2. You can resize the rectangle by entering a length and a width.


    		 Use snap points to draw a rectangle that is perpendicular or tangent to other lines, and snap to predefined points on your model such as end, middle, center, and intersection points.
  5. Right-click, and then mouse through the check mark to exit sketch mode and enter sketch editing mode.

Edit a Rectangle

Reposition, resize, or apply a sketch constraint.

First, you need to enter sketch editing mode:
  • If a sketch tool is active, right-click and then mouse through the check mark to enter sketch editing mode.
  • If a sketch tool isn't active, double-click a face or sketch curve.
  1. Choose from the following options:
    To Do this
    Reposition the rectangle Box select the rectangle and drag it.
    Reposition a side Drag the side.
    Resize the rectangle Click a side and enter a value.
    Apply a sketch constraint to the rectangle Right-click the rectangle, and then select a sketch constraint on the context menu.


  2. Right-click, and then mouse through the check mark to exit sketch editing mode and enter push/pull mode.
    Tip:
    • If you sketched the curve on a face, the curve is imprinted onto the face and can no longer be edited when you exit sketch editing mode.
    • If you sketched a curve that doesn't touch a face, faces are created from any closed loops in the sketch. You can still edit the curve by double-clicking a face.

Extrude a Sketch Curve

In push/pull mode, extrude a sketch curve into a solid.

First, you need to be in push/pull mode. You are placed into push/pull mode automatically when you exit sketch editing mode.
  1. Choose from the following options:
    • To extrude closed loops of curves into solid material, drag the curves outward.
    • To turn closed loops of curves into holes, drag the curves inward.
  2. Right-click, and then mouse through the check mark to exit push/pull mode.
  3. Right-click the extruded sketch, and then click Make New Part from Solids.
Tip: Open curves that cut across the edges of a face can also be pushed and pulled, either to create new geometry or to carve away existing material.

Keyboard Shortcuts & Mouse Controls

To Do this
Place points Click
Edit rectangle Click while in sketch editing mode
Exit sketch mode and enter sketch editing mode Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Exit sketch editing mode and enter push/pull mode Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Exit push/pull mode Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Exit tool Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.