SolidWork 2013 - Drawing different Rectangles And Polygon

DRAWING DIFFERENT TYPE OF RECTANGLES

In SolidWorks, the tools that are used to draw rectangles are grouped together in the Rectangle fly-out. On invoking a tool from this fly-out, the Rectangle PropertyManager will be displayed. Select an appropriate method to draw a rectangle from the Rectangle Type rollout.

Drawing Rectangles by Specifying Their Corners

CommandManager: Sketch > Rectangle flyout > Corner Rectangle

SolidWorks menus: Tools > Sketch Entities > Rectangle

Toolbar: Sketch > Rectangle flyout > Corner Rectangle

To draw a rectangle by specifying the two diagonally opposite corners, choose the Corner Rectangle button from the Rectangle Type rollout in the Rectangle PropertyManager, if it is not chosen by default. Next, move the cursor to the point that you want to specify as the first corner of the rectangle and then click the left mouse button once to specify the first corner. Now, move the cursor diagonally away from it. You will notice that the length and width of the rectangle are displayed above the rectangle cursor. The length is measured along the X-axis and the width is measured along the Y-axis. Next, specify the other corner of the rectangle using the left mouse button.

Drawing Rectangles by Specifying the Center and a Corner

CommandManager: Sketch > Rectangle flyout > Center Rectangle

SolidWorks menus: Tools > Sketch Entities > Center Rectangle

Toolbar: Sketch > Rectangle flyout > Center Rectangle

To draw a rectangle by specifying the center and one of the corners, choose the Center Rectangle button from the Rectangle Type rollout in the Rectangle PropertyManager. Next, move the cursor to the point that you want to specify as the center of the rectangle

and click the left mouse button.Then, move the cursor and specify one of the corners of the rectangle using the left mouse button. You will notice that the length and width of the rectangle are displayed above the rectangle cursor. Next, specify the corner of the rectangle using the left mouse button. 

Drawing Rectangles at an Angle / 3 Point Rectangle

CommandManager: Sketch > Rectangle flyout > 3 Point Corner Rectangle

SolidWorks menus: Tools > Sketch Entities > 3 Point Corner Rectangle

Toolbar: Sketch > Rectangle flyout > 3 Point Corner Rectangle

To draw a rectangle at an angle, choose the 3 Point Corner Rectangle button from the Rectangle Type rollout in the Rectangle PropertyManager. Move the cursor to the point that you want to specify as the start point of one of the edges of the rectangle. Click the left mouse button at this point and move the cursor to size the edge. You will notice that a reference line is being drawn. Depending on the current position of the cursor, the reference line will be horizontal, vertical, or inclined. The current length of the edge and its angle will be displayed above the rectangle cursor. Specify the second point as the endpoint of the edge such that the reference line is at an angle. Next, move the cursor to specify the width of the rectangle. You will notice that a reference rectangle is drawn at an angle. Also, irrespective of the current position of the cursor, the width will be specified normal to the first edge, either above or below it. Specify the third point using the left mouse button to define the width of the rectangle; the reference rectangle will be converted into a sketched rectangle.

Drawing Centerpoint Rectangles at an Angle

CommandManager: Sketch > Rectangle flyout > 3 Point Center Rectangle

SolidWorks menus: Tools > Sketch Entities > 3 Point Center Rectangle

Toolbar: Sketch > Rectangle flyout > 3 Point Center Rectangle

To draw a centerpoint rectangle at an angle, choose the 3 Point Center Rectangle button from the Rectangle Type rollout in the Rectangle PropertyManager. Next, move the cursor to the point that you want to specify as the centerpoint of the rectangle. Click the left mouse button once at this point and move the cursor to a distance that is equal to half the length of the rectangle to be drawn. You will notice that a reference line is being drawn. Depending on the current position of the cursor, the reference line can be horizontal, vertical, or inclined. The current length of the edge and its angle will be displayed above the rectangle cursor. Specify the second point using the left mouse button. Next, specify the third point to define the width of the rectangle.

Drawing Parallelograms

CommandManager: Sketch > Rectangle flyout > Parallelogram

SolidWorks menus: Tools > Sketch Entities > Parallelogram

Toolbar: Sketch > Rectangle flyout > Parallelogram

To draw a parallelogram, choose the Parallelogram button from the Rectangle Type rollout of the Rectangle PropertyManager. Specify two points on the screen to define one edge in the parallelogram. Next, move the mouse to define the width of the parallelogram. As you move the mouse, a reference parallelogram will be drawn. The size and shape of the reference parallelogram will depend on the current location of the cursor. Specify a point on the screen to define the parallelogram.

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A rectangle is considered as a combination of four individual lines. Therefore, after drawing the rectangle by using the Rectangle PropertyManager, if you select one of the lines of the rectangle, the Line Properties PropertyManager will be displayed instead of the Rectangle PropertyManager. You can modify the parameters of the selected line using the Line Properties PropertyManager.

You can convert a rectangle into a construction rectangle by selecting all lines together using a window and then selecting the For construction check box from the PropertyManager.

DRAWING POLYGONS

CommandManager: Sketch > Polygon

SolidWorks menus: Tools > Sketch Entities > Polygon

Toolbar: Sketch > Polygon

A regular polygon is defined as a multisided geometric figure in which the length of all sides and the angle between them are same.

In SolidWorks, you can draw a regular polygon with the number of sides ranging from 3 to 40.

The dimensions of a polygon are controlled by using the diameter of a construction circle that is inscribed inside the polygon or circumscribed outside the polygon. If the construction circle is inscribed inside the polygon, the diameter of the construction circle will be taken from the edges of the polygon. If the construction circle is circumscribed about the polygon, the diameter of the construction circle will be taken from the vertices of the polygon.

To draw a polygon, invoke the Polygon tool; the Polygon PropertyManager will be displayed. Set the parameters such as the number of sides, inscribed or circumscribed circle, and so on, in the Polygon PropertyManager. You can also modify these parameters after drawing the polygon. Click the left mouse button at the point that you want to specify as the centerpoint of the polygon and then move the cursor to size the polygon. The length of each side and the rotation angle of the polygon will be displayed above the polygon cursor as you drag it. Using the left mouse button, specify a point on the screen after you get the desired length and rotation angle of the polygon. You will notice that based on whether you selected the Inscribed circle or the Circumscribed circle radio button in the Polygon PropertyManager, a construction circle will be drawn inside or outside the polygon. After you have drawn the polygon, you can modify the parameters such as the centerpoint of the polygon, the diameter of the construction circle, the angle of rotation, and so on using the Polygon PropertyManager. If you want to draw another polygon, choose the New Polygon button provided below the Angle spinner in the Polygon PropertyManager.