Activity 5.

2a Geometric Constraints
Introduction
A CAD model can quickly display an engineers ideas in a realistic way. And those
models can be used to generate technical drawings that can communicate the
information necessary to make the idea a reality. In order to generate a 3D model,
designs must start with sketches that are generated within the CAD program. These
computer generated sketches will appear resemble hand drawn sketches in
geometry (the combination of points, lines, and shapes), but have big advantages
over hand drawn sketches. One important difference between a freehand sketch and
a CAD sketch is accuracy. The lines of a CAD sketch can be drawn perfectly
straight, with start and end points that occur in exact locations in space. By using
numeric (dimensional) constraints a line may also be given precise length, placed a
specific distance from another sketch feature, or constrained to be oriented at a
specific angle from another straight line. By applying geometric constraints a line can
be made perfectly horizontal or vertical. If more than one line is being sketched, they
can be made perfectly parallel or perpendicular, collinear, or equal in length. Lines
can be constrained to be tangent to circles or arcs, and two circles can be
constrained to be concentric. In order to precisely model a part, the designer must
be able to use dimensional and geometric constraints within the CAD program.
You have already used linear dimensioning in earlier activities. In this activity, you
will learn about geometric constraints that are common to most CAD programs and
practice applying these constraints to CAD sketches.

Equipment
Computer with 3D CAD solid modeling program
CAD files
o Geometric Constraints

Procedure
1. Open the file called Geometric Constraints. Read the instructions above
each image in the file and use the Geometric Constraint tools to complete
each of the 12 exercises. Your completed sheet should look similar to the sheet
pictured.
2. Make the geometric constraints visible by choosing the Show Constraints
tool in the Constrain panel under the Sketch tab.
3. Add your name to the bottom right corner of the sheet. You may use the
Text tool in the Draw panel under the Sketch tab to add text to a sketch.
4. Save the file as a different name, print it out, and submit it along with this
activity to your instructor for evaluation.
CAD file name and location:
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Before

After

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Conclusion
1 What is a geometric constraint? A geometric constraint is a feature that
constrains one object so that the other can be changed or adapted to it.

What are the different types of geometric constraints that are applied to sketches,
and what are their functions? One constraint is a fix, where a certain object is
locked and cannot move. Another type of constraint is tangent, where one object
is made to touch another object. Some other constraints are the horizontal
constraint, which makes two objects horizontal to each other and equal, which
makes two objects equal in radius or equal in length and parallel, which makes
two objects parallel to each other. Some more constraints include symmetric,
which makes two objects symmetrical to a desired object and smooth, which
applies a constant curvature to another line. In addition, more constraints include
perpendicular which causes lines to be at a 90 degree angle with another line,
and vertical constraint which makes lines vertical regardless of what position they
are in, and concentric constraint, which makes arcs, circles and ellipses to have
the same center point making them inside one another. Some more types of
constraints include collinear which makes lines lie on the same line and
coincident constraint which makes two shapes constraint to each other.

5. Define tangent. Tangent is when one object is changed to be in contact with

another object.

a.

Sketch a line tangent to two circles.

b.

Sketch three circles such that all circles are tangent to the other two.

6.

How is a geometric constraint different from a numeric constraint?

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Geometric constraints are non-numeric between the parts of a geometric figure

while a numeric constraint deals with the equations that determine where the
shapes lie.

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