Question
How to use the sketch function in user section mode?
Answer
In CIM, users can model numerous geometries in free style. This can be done with a function called user section-based sketching. The user section mode allows to creation of new shapes, and import a existing data (.dwg,.csv) with information on shapes. Once created, these user sections can be re-used in multiple instances to develop similar geometries.
The User Section mode is available for all three library types. (i.e Point, Curve, and Assembly)
Let's consider an example of sketching a shape in the Point library type here.
We follow the steps as shown in the image below:
Step 1. In the point library, click on the Base ribbon.
Step 2. Click on the User Section option.
Step 3. From the drop-down menu, click on the Create option.
Now, the User Section properties shall appear at the task menu, as shown in the image below
Under the Setting sub function, keep the Plane Type as default
Step 4. Under Classification sub function, in the window for Name, enter the desired section name, as Sample.
Step 5. Click on Enter User Section Mode.
This directs us to the User Section Mode, as shown in the image below.
Now, from the User Section ribbon, we choose the Sketch sub function, as shown in the image below.
Step 6. Click Sketch
Next, the properties panel shall display the Sketch function as shown in the image below.
Here, under the Sketch sub function, a drop down menu is available to choose as shown in the image below.
As shown above, the sketch function can be utilized to create all the respective shapes.
Let's choose the Line sub-type, as shown in the image below.
Step 7. From the drop-down menu, click on Line.
Once the sketch type is selected, the cursor activates with snapping mode, as shown in the model space below.
Next, navigate the cursor to the Datum, as shown in the image below.
Here, we observe that the cursor snapping changes to a blue filled dot (.) when at the Datum location.
Now, to begin with the sketching
Step 8. With the cursor at the Datum, use left mouse click and hover the cursor in the horizontal (X) direction.
Step 9. In continuation, use mouse's left click at a random distance (300mm is used for reference only) to create a line with 2 points, as shown in the image below.
Preview of the line type is displayed as shown below.
Step 10. Click on the + to apply the function, as shown in the image below.
A line in the model space shall be displayed, as shown in the image below.
To verify the properties of the newly created line,
Step 11. Select the line using left mouse click.
Step 12. Click on the Properties icon in the Worktree panel as shown in the image below
The properties of the line type shall be displayed as shown in the image below.
Similarly, all other sketch types can be employed to create the sketch in the user section mode.
Note - Polyline can also be created in the sketch mode
The Polyline sub-option when checked ON, activates the polyline mode of sketching (this is highlighted in the image below)
Note - Once the desired sketch is developed, the Section Shape function to define a reference for the 3D geometry creation should be followed.
To learn more about this function, use the link (how to define section shape in the user section mode)