How to use constraints in Creo parametric Sketch
What are Constraints in Creo?
Constraints are the special tools used to make some restrictions during sketching. Constraints are the conditions that are used to prevent unwanted changes in the sketch. When you are sketching without using any constraints it may lead to a change in geometry. Geometric constraints are automatically created between the geometries as in the sketch. These constraints are automatically applied when you made a new sketch or modify the existing sketch based on the geometry. If the constraints are applied the symbol of the respective constraint is showed on the geometry. You can also delete or add constraints manually to your sketch. The most important thing is that you should know the function of all the constraints and how to use those constraints. So, in this Creo tutorial, we will discuss the types of constraints in Creo parametric sketch and how to use those constraints.
Types of constraints in Creo parametric sketch
There are nine types of constraints available in Creo parametric sketch and are placed in a single group called constraints and the group is placed in a sketch tab. They are,
- Vertical
- Horizontal
- Perpendicular
- Parallel
- Midpoint
- Coincident
- Tangent
- Symmetric
- Equal
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| Image 1: Constraints used in Creo parametric sketch |
1. Vertical Constraint
The vertical constraint is used to make the inclined lines vertical. It is also used to align two vertices in the vertical direction. The symbol of the vertical constraint is shown in the above image 1. For example, when you draw an inclined line and you need it in a vertical direction, enable the vertical constraint and select the line. It will make the line vertical. And also sometimes the constraint will be automatically applied, you can also delete this by selecting the constraint symbol and press the del key.
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| Vertical constraint in Creo parametric sketch |
2. Horizontal Constraint
The horizontal constraint is used to make the inclined lines vertical. It is also used to align two vertices in the horizontal direction. The symbol of the horizontal constraint is shown in the above image 1. For example, when you draw an inclined line and you need it in a horizontal direction, enable the horizontal constraint and select the line. It will make the line horizontal. And also sometimes, the constraints will be automatically applied, you can also delete this by selecting the constraint symbol and press the del key.
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| Horizontal constraint in Creo Parametric sketch |
3. Perpendicular constraint
The perpendicular constraint is used to make two lines perpendicular to each other. The symbol of perpendicular constraint is shown in the above image 1. For example, Sometimes you will draw two lines perpendicular to each other and it may change to non-perpendicular lines when there is a change in geometry. To avoid this, the perpendicular constraint is used. To apply the perpendicular constraint, enable the perpendicular constraint and select the two lines that need to be perpendicular to each other.
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| Perpendicular constraint in Creo Parametric sketch |
4. Parallel constraint
The parallel constraint is used to make all the lines parallel. The symbol of parallel constraint is shown in the above image 1. To apply the parallel constraint, enable the parallel constraint and select the lines that are needed to be parallel. The most important thing is that the two lines that are already perpendicular to each other can not be changed into parallel using the parallel constraint.
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| Parallel constraint in Creo Parametric sketch |
5.Mid-point constraint
The mid-point constraint is used to create another line or any sketch exactly at the midpoint of the existing line. The symbol of mid-point constraint is shown in the above image 1. It will create a point on the midpoint of the line or arc. For example, if you have a circle placed at any point and you need the circle in the midpoint of the line, enable the mid-point constraint and select the line and then select the midpoint of the circle.
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| Mid-point constraint in Creo Parametric sketch |
6. Coincident constraint
The coincident constraint is used to make the two points coincident. The symbol of coincident constraint is shown in the above image 1. For example, If you have two lines placed anywhere in the sketch and you need any two points to be coincident. Enable the coincident constraint and select the points one by one which is needed to be coincident.
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| Coincident Constraint in Creo parametric sketch |
7. Tangent constraint
The tangent constraint is used to make the line tangent to the circle or arc. The symbol of the tangent constraint is shown in the above image 1. The tangent constraint is only valid in the curved sketches (circle, arc, etc.,). To apply the tangent constraint, enable the tangent constraint and first select the line and then select the curved sketch.
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| Tangent constraint in Creo parametric sketch |
8. Symmetric constraint
The most useful constraint in Creo is the symmetric constraint. The symbol of symmetric constraint is shown in the above image 1. It is used to make the sketch symmetric about any axis by using a centerline. If you have a rectangle and it is not symmetric enable the symmetric constraint and select the centerline and then select the two points on the rectangle.
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| Symmetric constraint in Creo parametric sketch |
9. Equal constraint
The equal constraint is used to make two or more entities equal in dimension. The symbol of equal constraint is shown in the above image 1. For example, if you have two lines and are in different dimensions, the equal constraint will make those lines equal in dimension. To apply this constraint, enable the equal constraint and select the lines one by one.
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| Equal constraint in Creo parametric sketch |
How to delete the constraint?
Sometimes, constraints will be automatically applied or we apply mistakenly, so there is a need of deleting the constraint. How to delete? Just select the constraint you want to delete and click the Del key. The constraint will be removed and you can add the correct constraint as per your requirement.
This is the end of this Creo tutorial. In this Creo tutorial, we have discussed the constraints used in Creo parametric sketch and their types. And also, we have discussed that how to use those constraints effectively. I suggest you practice this tutorial using the examples given in this tutorial and then use it in your sketch exercises. Practice more and learn daily. HAPPY LEARNING...
Also read Creo Sketch Basics
1 Comments
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